Kings talking to RFAs and zeroing in Yawney
Jon Rosen: The Los Angeles Kings are talking to their restricted free agents, with Brendan Leipsic a key RFA. Rob Blake when asked if Leipsic is among the free agents he’d like to re-sign: “If we can, yeah.”
Jon Rosen: Coach Todd McLellan has interviewed some potential assistant coaches, but Trent Yawney is their expected hire.
“We’ll zero in on Trent, obviously, and his relationship ,” Blake said.
Paajarvi not coming back … Ceci talks continue … Would take a contract for an asset
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion said that they have already let Magnus Paajarvi know that they don’t plan on bringing him back next season.
The Senators are still talking to pending unrestricted free agents Oscar Lindberg and Brian Gibbons.
They are also focusing on trying to re-sign Cody Ceci to a long-term deal. The Senators don’t want to go to salary arbitration again this offseason. If they can’t reach a deal the Sens will look to trade him.
All of their RFAs except Adam Tambellini will be qualified. They hope to have goaltender Marcus Hogberg signed by the end of the week. They have also spoken with Colin White‘s camp.
“Don’t expect us to do anything irrational (in free agency or via trade). We have a plan, we’re going to follow it, and it’s been the plan all along. We’re going to make sure we bring in the right people.”
The Senators are open to the idea of taking on a bad contract if they get a nice asset in return.
“There are multiple teams that are facing cap issues, and, if we can get an asset out of them to get us where we need to be, we’ll do it,” Dorion said. “We’re not just going to take a contract to get a contract. We’ve got to make sure we get an asset or something to help the Ottawa Senators in the immediate or near future.”