On Alexander Radulov …
Aivis Kalnins: Think that the Avalanche are still the frontrunners for Alexander Radulov. Don’t think a deal with anyone will happen anytime soon, likely after the World Championships.
Matthew Coller of ESPN: Coller looks at seven teams that could use the 29-year old Alexander Radulov on their roster next season: Red Wings, Panthers, Rangers, Avalanche, Devils, Ducks and Canadiens.
On the Minnesota Wild …
Elliotte Friedman: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher will meet with interim head coach John Torchetti sometime this week. Torchetti gets the first shot with the Wild about a permanent position.
Elliotte Friedman: Hearing that the Wild have already called the Ducks about Bruce Boudreau, but it’s sounding like they won’t be scheduling any interviews for the head coaching position until after they speak with Torchetti.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs and Steven Stamkos …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 690 on the Toronto Maple Leafs and if them winning the draft lottery makes it any more or less likely that Steven Stamkos would want to potentially sign with them this offseason.
“It’s a good question. I can’t presume to know what Steven Stamkos would think. It’s his hometown. I don’t think that just because it’s his hometown that he’s necessarily sitting there on pins and needles saying, ‘I can hardly get to July 1 so I can sign with Toronto and nobody else.’
“What I can tell you, I think, is that I would be shocked beyond all belief… (if Steven Stamkos becomes a free agent)… there’s no doubt in my mind the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to take a hard run at Steven Stamkos.
“They would feel like the missing piece of the puzzle here is somebody who can lead them on and off the ice, somebody who is a real good player. They’ve got an unbelievable amount of salary cap flexibility right now.
“… There’s no doubt If Stamkos is on the market, they will make a strong bid to try and get Steven Stamkos. Whether they get him, we’d all just be guessing on that.”
