On College Free Agents …
Andy Strickland: Two NCAA free agents that are getting some interest are Princeton forwards Max Veronneau and Eric Robinson.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Rick Dhaliwal: Coming from an agent: “Hearing the Canucks are getting a healthy amount of calls on Ben Hutton for a trade. Vancouver not shopping him but they are certainly listening.”
On Rick Nash …
Greg Wyshynski: The San Jose Sharks interest in Rick Nash has to be tied to Joe Thronton’s health. There no reason for the Sharks to be interested in Nash if they can’t reunite them.
Dan Rosen notes that the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, and the St. Louis Blues could be the leading contenders for Nash. adds of the four, only the Blues don’t have a first-round pick.
Dan Rosen: Responds to Wyshyski … good point with regards to first-round picks as the Rangers will likely be able to acquire a first in a deal due to multiple teams likely interested in Nash; it will drive up the price.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson: Can’t see the Oilers trading Patrick Maroon unless they think they’ll be able to sign someone else who can score 20 goals and put up 40 points, or if the trade him for an offensive right-handed defenseman.
Jim Matheson: Maroon should be part of the Oilers solution and is not part of the problem. If they are going to trade him, have a deal in place to sign him in the offseason. Maroon likes it in Edmonton.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network talking about the Edmonton Oilers and pending free agent Patrick Maroon.
“I think there’s going to be contract talks this week and then we’ll have some better idea as to whether or not he’s staying or going,” noted Friedman. “I think the Oilers have had a lot of internal discussions about Maroon. ‘Should we do this, or should we trade him.’ I do think there’s also a possibility they trade him and look at bringing him back, if that’s something they want to do.”
Friedman adds that Connor McDavid really likes playing with Maroon, so that might be another reason they are considering re-signing him.