On the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: If Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev doesn’t play 40 NHL games this season, the Montreal Canadiens owe the Lightning a 2nd round pick from the Jonathan Drouin trade. Do the Lightning think Sergachev will be more valuable than the 2nd round pick this season? Have to think that at this time they will pick Sergachev.
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin won’t be making a panic trade. Trading forward Alex Galchenyuk now would be selling him when his value is real low. thinks the Canadiens would trade forward Andrew Shaw and retain salary in a deal. Shaw has four years left – which could be an issue – at a $3.9 million cap hit.
Bergevin is under contract until 2022 and doesn’t get the sense that firing him is a move ownership wants to make.
Bergevin inquired about Calgary Flames Sam Bennett at one point, possibly at the 2016 draft. The Flames will likely try to get Bennett going as opposed to trading him at this time.
At some point this season the Edmonton Oilers will need to look to add some speed to their lineup.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. When teams check in with Coyotes GM John Chayka, they are told, “He’s not available.”
Minnesota Wild have recently demoted Matt Dumba to the third pairing, which could be something to monitor.
It sounds as though there have been no serious contract extension talks between the Detroit Red Wings and pending UFA defenseman Mike Green. There will be a long list of teams that will want to talk to the Red Wings if they decide to put him on the trade market before the trade deadline.