On the Los Angeles Kings …
Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: Kings GM Dean Lombardi will need to add some goaltender depth to the organization this offseason.
“Obviously it’s a point of interest for us,” Assistant General Manager Rob Blake said. “We need to address it at all levels – the NHL level, down at the American League level to the prospect level. I think we got hit last year with a couple different incidents, and definitely it’s a point of interest that we need to look at this summer.”
It’s not sounding like Jhonas Enroth will be back next year as the Kings told him (report from Expressen) that they will go with a cheaper option as backup next year. The Kings do have Peter Budaj signed through 2016-17 at a $600,000 cap hit.
The Kings were recently looking at KHL goalie Mikko Koskinen, but he re-signed with SKA for two years.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Senators: The Senators could be considering not giving defenseman Patrick Wiercioch a qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. A qualifying offer would have to be $2.7 million. It’s thought that Wiercioch may have been told at his exit interviews that he may not be brought back. The Senators are expected to try and trade Wiercioch first.
“If, in fact, the team doesn’t qualify my client we will be pursuing opportunities with other teams,” Overhardt said. “There’s time in this whole process here.”
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: The Coyotes AHL affiliate will be playing out of Tucson. They have a 10-year lease, with an out after five-years if they don’t average 2,500 in attendance per game.
Former GM Don Maloney won’t talk about his departure from the team and is unsure of what his future holds.
“All is good,” he said. “I’m spending some time recharging my batteries, watching the playoffs (some great hockey being played) and looking forward to my next challenge, whenever and whatever that might be.”
The Coyotes are still looking an assistant GM, with some candidates believed to still be with teams playing in the playoffs.
The Coyotes and Shane Doan are having ongoing preliminary contract talks. Doan said that he wants to play and GM John Chayka doesn’t foresee any problems getting a deal done.
