On Ilya Kovalchuk …
- Aivis Kalnins: The game sheet had Ilya Kovalchuk playing today, but he’s been removed from the lineup last minute.
On another European Free Agent …
- Elliotte Friedman: Defenseman Linus Hultstrom is another European free agent that might be looking to come to North America next year.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Eklund of Hockey Buzz: Source saying to watch out for the Oilers at the draft and that Taylor Hall’s name could come up. They’d like to keep Hall, but might consider it as he has a lot of trade value. The Oilers would like to add a character defenseman and gritty center at some point this offseason.
On the Ottawa Senators …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 on the comments made by Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and a possible coaching change.
“No, that’s right. You think of Todd Richards. You think of Mike Yeo, who was recently let go by the Wild. You think of Randy Carlyle, who hasn’t found a spot as a veteran head coach this year. Marc Crawford, you mentioned. I mean, there’s a list of guys who are available and we’re not sure who might be available.
“Our colleague, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, speculated as part of our coverage last night if things don’t go well in Boston for the Bruins and they flame out very early in the post-season, maybe Claude Julien becomes available. And man, would he be a good fit in Ottawa. I guess my counter-argument would be if that happens in Boston and Claude Julien is available, I think his list of suitors is going to be a lot longer than just the Ottawa Senators.
“As far as Luke Richardson is concerned, I think that about a year or so ago it seemed like he was destined to be an NHL head coach. And that might still apply. I’m not trying to diminish the opportunity here for Richardson, but I think that Ottawa feels now that they’ve got to go back to an experienced coach, or go to an experienced coach.”