On the Arizona Coytoes …
Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Coyotes center Martin Hanzal is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. He’s entering the last year of his five-year, $15.5 million contract.
Before he was fired, Don Maloney was planning on starting extension talk. It’s unclear if/when any talks may start.
“It’s pretty tough to replace a big, strong guy like Marty Hanzal,” Coyotes President, CEO and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc said. “We see what his effect is when he’s on the ice. I think that my gut reaction is we wouldn’t want to lose Marty Hanzal, but that’s going to be a decision that the hockey department will make.”
Hanzal said he’d be interested in staying.
“It’ll be nice if I can sign here,” he said. “I love it here. I’ve been here for nine years. I want to spend my career here, but we’ll see how it goes this summer.”
On Alexander Radulov …
Aivis Kalnins: Word is that CSKA have presented Alexander Radulov another contract offer. Radulov hasn’t decided yet, but Kalnins thinks he’ll reject it.
On Drake Caggiula …
Dave Isaac: Flyers GM Ron Hextall isn’t sure what to think about college free agent Drake Caggiula. Hextall is interested and thinks he has the potential to be a top-six forward.
On the Boston Bruins …
Jimmy Murphy of Dirty Water Sports: After the trades the Bruins made last offseason, they have some assets and cap flexibility to make some trades this offseason. Pierre McGuire last week.
“I’m not sure Claude ever coached as well as he coached this year,” McGuire said. “I’ll tell you why: when they started making those moves they did last summer at the entry draft, they knew exactly the roster they were setting themselves up for. Sure they wanted to compete and I thought they’d be a team that was going to be eight or nine in the Eastern Conference. That’s how I thought it would shake out because of moving Milan Lucic or even the previous offseason moving Johnny Boychuk. Look at the injury to Chris Kelly. Look at the moving of Dougie Hamilton, Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille. This is what they were setting up for, short term pain for long term gain.”
McGuire doesn’t think their future is as bleak as some think it is.
“I’m bullish on the Bruins,” McGuire went on to say. “They’ve got a wealth of prospects. They’ve got some of them already signed, Brandon Carlo, Robbie O’Gara, Matt Grzelcyk, and they’re playing down in Providence. You guys are going to be very surprised. Then there’s the potential for Jimmy Vesey coming on board. I’m really bullish on the Bruins going forward, I really am. I think Donnie Sweeney’s got a good plan. They had a plan last summer and they have one now. Good for Donnie Sweeney, he’s strong in his convictions and I respect it a lot.”
