On the New York Islanders …
Mark Herrmann of Newsday: NY Islanders GM Garth Snow needs to find a winger, maybe two if Kyle Okposo leaves in free agency, for John Tavares this offseason. A power forward who can score would be nice, but a skilled players would do.
If Travis Hamonic still wants to be traded, maybe they could talk Oilers about their young forwards.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs are not planning on trading the No. 1 pick and Auston Matthews. There has already been rumors of the Coyotes potentially making a trade offer. For the Leafs to even consider trading the pick, it would have to be a huge offer. The Leafs don’t see that happening.
New Coyotes GM John Chayka was the one who reached out to former Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos about a consulting job with the Coyotes.
The Oilers will likely trade down in the draft from their current No. 4 slot. The best players available at No. 4 are forwards, so they could move back to take a defenseman.
On the New York Rangers …
Elliotte Friedman: Sounding like the Rangers are getting closer to signing 2013 draft pick Pavel Buchnevich.
On the Calgary Flames …
Elliotte Friedman: Shouldn’t be a surprise if the Flames interview Canucks assistant coach Glen Gulutzan for their vacant head coaching position. Gulutzan and Flames GM Brad Treliving both played in Brandon (WHL) – though a year apart. There had been some contacts between them.
On the Florida Panthers …
Elliotte Friedman: Sounding like Panthers GM Dale Tallon will be their President of Hockey Operations, Tom Rowe would be their General Manager and Eric Joyce moving to Assistant General Manager.
George Richards: Confirming Friedman’s report. It has been in the works. Tallon will keep doing to the same, but he’ll get more input from Rowe and Joyce.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Elliotte Friedman: In a text, Darryl Sutter confirmed that he’s “still undecided” about coaching the Kings next year. He added that he’s waiting to see what the Kings will do in free agency, their cap situation and with their prospects. His family likes it in LA, but he wants to win another Cup and is “a big factor.”
