On Restricted Free Agents …
Bob McKenzie: Andreas Athanasiou and Josh Anderson are the last two remaining restricted free agents and are holding out from training camp.
Bob McKenzie: Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland was in Toronto meeting the Darren Ferris, Athanasiou’s agent on Saturday. It sounds like there could have been some progress made.
Bob McKenzie: The Red Wings are holding on their two-year deal with a cap hit $1.9 million.
Bob McKenzie: Josh Anderson shares the same agent as Athanasiou. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Anderson don’t appear to be close to a deal.
Darren Dreger: It may not get that far, but Team Canada is interested in Anderson for the Olympics.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Panthers GM Dale Tallon had tried to trade defenseman Jason Demers to the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Erik Gudbranson. Demers has a modified no-trade clause and turned down the deal.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Joffrey Lupul …
Darren Dreger: NHL’s Bill Daley on Joffrey Lupul’s accusation last night towards the Maple Leafs: “We aren’t in a position to comment right now. That may or may not change when we know more.”
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Phil Esposito on Jonathan Drouin, who the Lightning traded for Mikhail Sergachev in June.
“Drouin is a fabulous player,” Esposito said Saturday in a Q&A in front of fans between practice at Amalie Arena. “Personally I didn’t think he wanted to be here. I saw it in his eyes, the way he played. I thought (GM Steve Yzerman) made the right move. (Drouin) is going to love being in Montreal, that’s where he’s from. But he has no idea the pressure that’s going to be on him if he doesn’t produce. He has no idea.
“I wish him well. But I think in the long run, people will be very, very pleased with Sergachev.”