Teams looking at Pysyk
James (@Account4hockey): Elliotte Friedman said on Sportsnet 960 that the New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks kicked tires on Florida Panthers defenseman Mark Pysyk. Pysyk’s name is out in the rumor mill.
The Winnipeg Jets may have also looked at Pysyk but they can’t do much until they get a decision from Dustin Byfuglien.
Stars may hold on to LTIR space
Mike Heika of NHL.com: (mailbag) Even though the Dallas Stars are off to an 0-3-0 start (time of article), it is still too early to be thinking trades to fix their current issue. They need more time.
Now moving Martin Hanzal to the LTIR does open up options for future trades. Moving in and moving out salary is also possible if they feel the need to make changes. Unless something disastrous occurs, wouldn’t expect anything this month.
Think the Stars will wait until later on the season to use their LTIR and bring in a rental player with a higher dollar value as opposed to using it on a lower contract now – like a Brian Boyle.
Reasons for no waiver claims
Craig Custance of The Athletic: The number of contracts a team may have is one of the reasons teams may have shied away from making a waiver claim. Multiple sources believe the Ottawa Senators were interested in claiming someone, but they are already at 49 contracts.
Some teams didn’t have the salary cap space. One team was looking at New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey but didn’t want to take on the three years and $2.5 million cap hit. Some teams may not have liked Sven Baertschi‘s $3.37 through next season.
A team may prefer to trade for a player after they clear waivers as it gives them more flexibility. If they claim someone, they have to keep on their NHL roster for 30 days/10 games before they send to the AHL. They then have to be put on waivers again if they want to reassign. If they trade for after they clear waivers, they can immediately be sent to the AHL.