On the Calgary Flames …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on NHL Network last night talking about Calgary Flames RFA forward Johnny Gaudreau.
Sounding like nothing is imminent. Gaudreau has said that he doesn’t want to talk contract during the World Cup of Hockey, and it’s unlikely it will get done before then.
“One of the things I’ve tried to check and see is if there’s a short-term deal in the possibility here. It doesn’t sound like it. It sounds like both sides are looking at a long term. I’ve been told they’re grinding away, trying to get things done, but it doesn’t look like anything is imminent – even with the Monahan deal done – with the Gaudreau one.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Friedman notes that teams who were talking to the Winnipeg Jets about Jacob Trouba said that the drafting of Patrik Laine complicated the process. They now have a big time scorer and don’t necessarily need to add one now.
“I’m not sure where that one’s going to go. But Winnipeg, I think, is looking at it and saying, ‘Hey, we don’t have as many needs now, so if you want to get Jacob Trouba off our hands, it’s going to have to be a great offer. We’re not just giving him away.’”
On some free agents …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network.
Friedman heard a rumor that Tomas Fleischmann was going to land somewhere, but he wasn’t able to pin it down the team. Not sure if a PTO or a one-year deal.
Peter Mueller is looking to return to the NHL after having some success in Europe. He’s been considering some PTOs. Friedman heard that he’s told teams that if he has to go to the AHL to prove that he’s serious about returning, he will.
Friedman on free agent Kris Russell.
“Kris Russell, I hear, has got some interest out there and that he’s probably getting close to make a decision in the next few days. He’s a Western guy. I think in a perfect world he would stay out West, but right now he’s kind of got to wait. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if maybe he wants to go back to Calgary. Calgary has got a really crowded blueline. Unless they can do something there with one of their existing contracts, I’m not sure there’s room. But I think you’ll hear Russell signing probably within the next few days.”