TSN Insider Trading: Pierre LeBrun: Milan Lucic has narrowed it down to two teams. As many as 10 teams were interested this week.
Bob McKenize: Word was that the Oilers would offer a seven year, $42 million deal for Lucic. There is an unconfirmed rumor that it could be as high has $6.5 million a year. The seven years is the surprising part. The Kings weren’t interested in going past three or four years.
Darren Dreger: The Maple Leafs are looking for a top-four defenseman, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that they are interested in Kris Russell. The list of teams interested in Russell will be long.
Bob McKenzie: A little surprised that the Maple Leafs haven’t shown any interest in Dan Hamhuis this week. Several teams have shown interest in Hamhuis, and he’s motivated to show that he’s still a top four defenseman.
Darren Dreger: There are five players that will get a lot of attention tomorrow – all who could ask for five to seven years and up to $6 million or more for some:
- Kyle Okposo – a long list of teams are interested.
2. Loui Eriksson – Sharks, Blues, Canadiens and don’t be surprised if the Canucks threw everything at him
3. Andrew Ladd – spent today with the Islanders
4. Mikkel Boedker
5. Frans Nielsen
Pierre LeBrun – Okposo is one of the more interesting free agents on that list as he’s only 28 years old. The Sabres and Wild are among the many teams that are interested in Okposo. Age is big thing for the Sabres and he fits into their plans. Going home to Minnesota would be an option as well.
Bob McKenzie – Will be paying attention to the Red Wings as they have the money to spend. Now that Stamkos re-signed, they have some interest in Frans Nielson and to a lesser extent, Andrew Ladd. They want to make an impact move and could look for two players on Dreger’s top five list.
Bob McKenzie – Don’t think the Avalanche desperately want to trade Tyson Barrie, but teams like the Oilers are targeting Barrie and they will be getting phone calls.
Darren Dreger – The Avalanche had a conversation with the Ducks a couple weeks ago about Gabriel Landeskog and Hampus Lindholm. Murray doesn’t want to trade Lindholm. There might be a fit elsewhere for Landeskog and maybe Matt Duchene as the Avs are looking for change.