On the Los Angeles Kings …
Dennis Bernstein: (answering question) There are not many pending UFA wingers that could fit in their top-six. P.A. Parenteau has been good in New Jersey, and have always liked Brian Gionta. Could also see what Shane Doan wants to do. The trade deadline is still a ways away.
Dennis Bernstein: (answering question) Don’t think the Kings have the assets to trade for a guy like Matt Duchene.
On the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Chris Hine in a Chicago Tribune article said that Artemi Panarin was looking for a deal around $6 million a season. Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 and was asked if the Chicago Blackhawks can find a way to fit his salary in next year.
“It’ll really depend on him in the final analysis,” observed NHL Insider Bob McKenzie during a Friday morning radio segment on Montreal’s TSN 690. “He’s obviously an elite talent, and if he looks to hit a financial home run – which he’s capable of based on his play because he is one of the most dynamic performers in the league – then no, the Chicago Blackhawks won’t be able to figure that one out.
“But if he wants to stay in Chicago and try to find a way to make it happen, then I think they will. But it really comes back to how much of a hometown discount are you prepared to take. And keeping in mind that he’s not going to unrestricted free agency just yet, so we’ll see if they can work around it.”
Host Arpon Basu notes that if someone doesn’t offer sheet Panarin, nobody ever will use one.
McKenzie also notes that Jonathan Drouin and the Tampa Bay Lightning are in a similar situation. The Lightning also have to fit in Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson.
“And you’re right, if we don’t get – assuming these guys go to July 1 and don’t sign extensions before then – if Drouin and Panarin don’t get offer-sheeted, then I think we can safely say offer sheets are dead in the National Hockey League.”