On the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders …
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: If the Islanders are not able to sign John Tavares to a contract extension, the Canadiens should make a move. The Islanders may have to explore the idea of trade Tavares is they don’t think they can re-sign him, they can’t lose him for nothing after next season.
If the Canadiens have to include Mikhail Sergachev and other roster players, they have to do it. First round picks and Alex Galchenyuk, they should do it.
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on Monday.
“There’s 30 teams in the league in our view there’s not every team that has a No. 1 centre. There’s teams that don’t have them, and the teams who do have them they’re not going to give them away. We could all be looking for one, so it’s not going to happen.”
Another center the Canadiens could look at is Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene. Duchene has two years left on his deal at $6 million per season.
A source said on Monday said that KHL center Vadim Shipachyov is able to leave the KHL this offseason and is interested in coming to the NHL. The Canadiens were interested in him last season and he could be an option this offseason.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: The Hurricanes gave up a 3rd round pick for the negotiating rights to pending UFA goaltender Scott Darling. The Hurricanes have Eddie Lack and Cam Ward under contract for one more season, but it appears that one of them will be on the move.
The most likely scenario is that they have a deal in place with the Vegas Golden Knights to select Lack. Ward would then backup Darling next year.
The Hurricanes still have to sign Darling but they have the salary cap space and a solid defensive core already in place.
The trade to acquire him was worth the gamble for the Hurricanes.
Chip Alexander: GM Ron Francis spoke with Darling last night: “He said he was genuinely excited about the opportunity.” Francis will talk with his agent next week.