On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline: There has been no progress between the Columbus Blue Jackets and restricted free agent Josh Anderson. It doesn’t look like either side has budged in the past eight days.
John Shannon: The Blue Jackets and Anderson are at an impasse on the term and dollar amount. He’s looking to go to Europe next week and potentially play in the Olympics.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Though GM Jim Rutherford has been impressed with centers Teddy Blueger, Adam Johnson, Greg McKegg and Jay McClement so far at training camp, he continues to monitor the trade market for a third line center.
Rutherford did say that “those guys are going to make a case for us not to trade for somebody,” but …
“I’m not leaning in any direction,” Rutherford said. “I’m just saying that it’s been noticed as to how hard and how well those guys have played. It’s early. We’ll continue to follow the games and how they do, but those guys have made an impression.”
On the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to want to sign Josh Anderson to a three-year deal but are not close on numbers. One source said that Anderson’s camp used Tom Wilson‘s two-year, $4 million deal as a comparable.
The longer the Andreas Athanasiou – Detroit Red Wings situation drags on, the more it seems a Riley Sheahan trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins is contingent on the Wings re-signing Athanasiou. Sheahan is likely one of three options for the Penguins, with maybe Derrick Pouliot (Friedman speculating) going to Detroit.
Haven’t heard much on Matt Duchene and the Vancouver Canucks. Two years ago the Avs and Canucks talked, but it may have been around Tyson Barrie and Ben Hutton. The Canucks weren’t interested in moving Hutton.
Heard the Rangers had considered Thomas Vanek on a PTO this offseason.