NHL Rumors: Senators, Avalanche and Predators

On the Ottawa Senators …

• Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Another Senators coaching change is needed. Coach Dave Cameron still thinks the players are getting his message, but Brennan is starting to doubt that. If the Senators make a change, and if Claude Julien and Bob Hartley are available, they could be at the top of the Sens list.

  Daniel Alfredsson has a feeling on what he may be wanting to do within the organization.

  “But at the same time, what I feel and what others feel could be different things as well,” he said. “I think we’ll go to the end of the season, then we’ll evaluate what’s going to happen going forward.”

  Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun: Daniel Alfredsson when asked about the possibility of becoming the Senators next GM.

  “I haven’t talked to Bryan at all about it,” said Alfredsson, who is completing his first season as senior advisor of hockey operations. “I’m not going to say one way or another, because…once we talk about it…I will leave it at that.”

On the Colorado Avalanche …

• Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: The Avalanche had plans of keeping Mikko Rantanen in the minors and not reaching the 10 game mark and burning a year of his entry-level deal. Injuries to Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon could change that, though Patrick Roy doesn’t see it happening.
  

  “Yes we are,” Roy told me about being concerned about keeping Rantanen’s ELC-slide intact. “I’d be very surprised (if he plays in 10 games). I’m going to let (GM) Joe (Sakic) talk more about this — it’s more Joe’s thing — but I’ll say to you, we’re focused on those two games and we’ll see after. But, the contract, it is in the back of our mind.”

On the Nashville Predators …

• John Glennon of the Tennessean: Jimmy Vesey’s College career could be over on Friday or Saturday if they lose. There is still no guarantee he’ll sign with the Predators. The Preds hope he’ll make a decision to sign quickly with them. He has developed a good relationship with them, they can offer him a roster spot immediately, burning a year of his entry-level deal.