On Karl Alzner …
Darren Dreger: Capitals free agent defenseman Karl Alzner is getting interest from several teams. He will visit some cities this week.
Joe Smith: The Lightning are one of the teams that have not spoken with Alzner. (as of yesterday afternoon)
On Philadelphia Flyers and Claude Giroux …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 discussing Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux and potential trade rumors coming from the draft floor involving the Montreal Canadiens.
“I went right to the Flyers. I talked to them about it. They said, ‘Listen, we haven’t had any specific requests from the Canadiens for a long time and it’s been years or whatever since they inquired about Claude Giroux, and we weren’t trading him at the time anyway.’
“They did say that there have been a couple of calls recently from teams asking just, ‘Is he available? Would he be available? Would they consider going down that road?’
“And the Flyer answer is very simple: A) He’s got a no-move clause, B) We’ll obviously listen.”
Giroux has battled some injuries the past few years and does carry a big cap hit. He is a key part of their team but as some point they may have start moving out some of their veteran players like Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. McKenzie doesn’t think they are at that point just yet.
“But to the very specific thing of Montreal and Giroux – A) he’s got a no-move clause and B) I don’t think the Flyers are trading him at this time. And I’m not even sure that Montreal – I don’t think the financial numbers would work in Montreal, to be honest with you. With Carey Price coming up, with trying to get Radulov done, maybe having to do a Galchenyuk contract if he stays – there’s a lot of financial issues the Canadiens have to deal with here that wouldn’t allow for a big contract like that, I don’t think.”