On the Washington Capitals …
Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: Re-acquired by the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline in the Kevin Shattenkirk deal, goaltender Pheonix Copley is a pending unrestricted free agent and he’d be open to re-signing with the Caps.
“Obviously, I like it here,” Copley said. “It’s been beneficial working with the goalie coaches here for me, so absolutely.”
Current backup goalie Philipp Grubauer is a restricted free agent and if left unprotected for the expansion draft, he could be selected by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Goaltending coach Mitch Korn on whether re-signing Copely is an option: “I would hope so.”
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jonathan Davis: It wouldn’t be a surprise if the LA Kings bought out forward Marian Gaborik. Dustin Brown could be an option for Vegas.
Dennis Bernstein: Think that there is a 75 percent chance that the Kings trade defenseman Alec Martinez this offseason.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: The Coyotes are exploring the idea of signing Connor Clifton to an AHL amateur tryout to finish the season the in Tuscon.
On the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: It may be easier for the Colorado Avalanche to do a big one-for-one deal for Matt Duchene – like the Blue Jackets and Predators did with Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen – instead of a defenseman, draft picks and a top prospect.
The Nashville Predators have the best top four defenseman in Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Ryan Ellis or Mattias Ekholm, and they aren’t moving any of them. The Ducks have Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen and Josh Manson and young prospects Shea Theodore, Brandon Montour and Jacob Larsson.
It might cost the Penguins $12 million over three years for Justin Schultz. The Penguins also need to re-sign Brian Dumoulin.
