Scouting the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals game …
Stu Cowan: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Canadiens and Capitals game in Montreal: Washington Capitals (2), Vegas Golden Knights (2), Buffalo Sabres (2), Chicago Blackhawks (2), Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Scouting the Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars game …
Adrian Dater: Was told that the Colorado Avalanche have three scouts at last night’s Kings-Stars game in Los Angeles.
Dennis Bernstein: The Canadiens have a pro and amateur scout at the Kings-Stars game last night. The Stars have seven pending unrestricted free agents, with six in the lineup last night.
On free agent Mike Richards …
Dhiren Mahiban: Free agent forward Mike Richards is still hoping to play this year. He may have to consider options in Europe.
On the Arizona Coyotes and Martin Hanzal …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Coyotes GM John Chayka acknowledges that the Martin Hanzal trade is possible, but he’s not actively engaged in trade talks.
“I think every team that has unrestricted free agents, especially ones that are of Marty’s stature which is not many, everyone’s kind of taking and giving calls on those players and just checking in where they’re at,” Chayka said.
Re-signing Hanzal remains an option for the Coyotes, but they are not in a rush in make a decision.
“We’re evaluating everything like we do pretty much with all our players,” Chayka said. “Obviously, we’re trying to balance the short-term and the long-term. In the short-term, we’re still committed to trying to win every game we can here and grow our young group and give our young players the right kind of mindset to improve.
“But at the same time, we’re trying to balance those long-term commitments we have and goals we have.”