On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Kristen Shilton: Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello on if they were close to making any trades the past couple days: “You never come close to anything unless you get it done”
David Pagnotta: Don’t get the sense that there is any urgency to trade James van Riemsdyk. A great offer for him can always change that, but thinks they will try to re-sign him.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Michael Smith: Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said they had lots of talks about trading draft picks for players but “They just didn’t pan out the way we hoped.”
On the Minnesota Wild …
Pierre LeBrun: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said yesterday that a trade was not imminent for them. Nothing had made sense and they will be patient.
Pierre LeBrun: GM Fletcher added that they could start the season with the team they have. They don’t have cap issues and but will continue to monitor the trade market.
Michael Russo: GM Fletcher said they didn’t meet with the agents for Mikael Granlund or Nino Niederreiter on the weekend. They will start the process with them this week.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: Coyotes GM John Chayka traded the No. 35 pick for No. 44 and No. 82. The Flyers wanted to draft Isaac Ratcliffe.
“We had Ratcliffe at the same spot, pretty much so I just put it out there to Hexy that this is an overpayment but if you want the guy, we’ll do it and he agreed to it,” Chayka said. “That’s how it went down.”
The Coyotes have seven left wingers under contract for next year and only three on the right side. Re-signing Radim Vrbata would put them at four right wingers.
Chayka said they would ideally like to add another right winger, but it’s possible to move a left winger to the right side. McGinn, Keller and Martinook have all played right wing in the past.