Canadiens looking ahead to Seguin?
Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette: wonders that if Tyler Seguin doesn’t sign an extension with the Dallas Stars this season, would he consider the Montreal Canadiens?
Seguin would be the top UFA next year and is a center, a position the Canadiens have been searching for.
The Penguins have options after adding another bottom-six center …
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins added more depth down the middle yesterday by signing center Derek Grant to a one-year deal. They now have four bottom-six centers in Grant, Riley Sheahan, Derick Brassard and Matt Cullen.
GM Jim Rutherford said that Grant, Cullen, and Sheahan can all play the wing. It also opens the door for potentially one being traded.
“I think that’s a fair assumption, but that’s not why I did it,” Rutherford said. “I don’t presently have something in the works. Certainly, as we get into camp and into the season, it does give us more options.”
Brassard would definitely bring back the biggest return of the four, and they could use him to acquire some scoring on the left side. Another option could be to move Brassard to the left side in their top-six. Rutherford notes that Brassard has never played wing before.
Potential backup goaltender Tristan Jarry is a restricted free agent and Rutherford said there have been no snags in those negotiations.
“Nope. Just going through the negotiation now,” he said. “It’ll run its course here pretty soon.”
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: As it stands, one of Derek Grant, Matt Cullen, Riley Sheahan, and Dominik Simon would be competing for a left-wing slot, and one a possible healthy scratch. Teddy Blueger’s NHL roster spot may now be blocked.
Derick Brassard could also be moved to the left side. Sheahan and Cullen could be their third- and fourth-line centers, with Grant as their No. 5 or bottom-six left winger.
Making a trade seems most likely. The Penguins have about a $1 million in cap space and there is no reason they should block Blueger’s progress. A trade may now happen, but they do have more options now.