On the Las Angeles Kings …
Dennis Bernstein: Source from the LA Kings organization said on Sunday that Evander Kane is not an option for the Kings.
Dennis Bernstein: The Kings need to find a winger before the trade deadline. Anze Kopitar needs to have two legit wingers if they are to go deep in the playoffs.
On the Colorado Avalanche …
Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: (mailbag) Semyon Varlamov will likely be exposed in the expansion draft, with the Avs protecting Calvin Pickard. His inconsistent play this season and $6 million contract may make him unattractive to trade and as a potential expansion draft pick.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: (mailbag) The Penguins could keep Marc-Andre Fleury for the season and then trade him before the expansion draft. If they went that route, they would have little negotiating leverage. They would look to keep Fleury and for that to happen, they would have to work out a deal with Vegas to not select Matt Murray. Fleury has a no-movement clause.
Vegas has to be aware that the Penguins won’t have Murray exposed in the draft, and if GM Jim Rutherford is forced – Vegas not accepting deal to not select Murray – they will move Fleury beforehand. So there could be a scenario where Vegas and the Penguins work out a deal to not select Murray.
On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Alex Prewitt: On Rovell’s report from yesterday that Gronk, Bautista and other celebrities were minority owners in the Vegas franchise: This is not true. “The NHL requires a formal application process for even limited investors. So far, none besides Bill Foley and the Maloofs has done so. Word is some investors are looking to form an LLC, which would theoretically invest in the Golden Knights. But nothing’s been approved. From a source: “There aren’t any other investors, of whatsoever nature, just Bill and the Maloofs.”