On Kevin Shattenkirk, Andrew Ladd and Andrew Shaw …
Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Spector notes that Kevin Shattenkirk, who will be a UFA after next season and may draw some trade interest this offseason, may not deserve being paid anything more than a good No. 3 defenseman.
Andrew Ladd is a very good left winger, but at 30-years old, Spector wouldn’t offer more than three-years.
The Blackhawks may not be able to afford Andrew Shaw, and could package him with Bryan Bickell. Shaw can play on any of the top three lines and can play center and on the wing. The Canucks and Oilers could use someone like Shaw. The Maple Leafs may not be ready yet for a player like shaw.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Bob McKenzie: There had been some talk that the Coyotes would name a new GM this week, but that won’t be happening. They could name a new GM at anytime in the upcoming weeks. Dallas Stars assistant GM Les Jackson has been looked at as a possible veteran presence to work his John Chayka and Dave Tippett. The Coyotes are still working on it. The Coyotes don’t appear to be locked into anything or anyone just yet. The 26-year old Chayka appears to be the frontrunner.
On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Flyers GM Ron Hextall could be open to trading one of their goaltenders.
“The old saying, ‘Wayne Gretzky got traded, right, so?’ I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘No, I wouldn’t trade anybody on our team,’ because the reality of it is, if the deal was right it’s my job to strengthen our team and the organization,” Hextall told reporters at the Flyers training facility.
Both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvrith are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents after next season. Mason carries a $4.1 million salary cap hit, while Neuvrith is at $1.625 million.