On the Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings …
Sportsnet’s “Headlines” …
Elliotte Friedman: The Arizona Coyotes could make a decision on their vacant GM position as soon as next week. That could mean the two leading candidates are Les Jackson from the Dallas Stars and the current Coyotes assistant GM John Chayka. Dave Tippett may also get a higher up position to go along with being their head coach.
The Ottawa Senators could interview less than 10 people for their head coaching position – they may have had up to 30 names on their initial list. Should expect that their next coach has at least some NHL experience.
On Milan Lucic and the LA Kings …
Joe Pack of Sportsnet: Friedman on the LA Kings, Milan Lucic and Darryl Sutter.
“Milan Lucic said last night he wants to stay in Los Angeles,” Friedman said during Saturday’s Headlines segment. “I do expect that the Kings and him are gonna sit down to try to get a contract done. I don’t think it’s gonna be easy.”
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“Nothing yet with Darryl Sutter, he has said he expects to come back,” said Friedman. “I wonder if Sutter does come back.”
On the Los Angles Kings …
Lisa Dilman of the LA Times: Milan Lucic would prefer re-signing with the Kings as opposed to testing free agency.
“To be honest, I really don’t have much interest in hitting the open market, or even hearing what’s out there — because in my mind, this is where I want to be,” said Lucic. “Why flirt with something when you know what you want?”
Due to the Kings salary cap situation, it might have to come with a discount if the two sides were to agree on something. Lucic doesn’t think they are that far apart on a deal.
“Just a little bit more work to do to bridge the gap here,” said Lucic. “It’s something I definitely want moving forward and it’s something they want too. Hopefully, we can make it work out here.”
The Kings have six UFAs and three RFAs. Jhonas Enroth wouldn’t mind returning, but he’d like to play more. Luke Schenn, Kris Versteeg, Jamie McBain and Trevor Lewis may not be back next season.
The Fourth Period: The Kings maybe hoping to re-sign Lucic around $5 million a season. The term could go up to eight-years.
“I think (we’re) in the same area code I would say,” Lucic said. “Just a little bit more work to do to bridge the gap here and like I said, it’s something that I definitely want moving forward, which I think is definitely important and I think it’s something they want too so hopefully we can make it work out here.”