On the New York Rangers and the Montreal Canadiens …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are still having trouble exiting their zone – Kevin Shattenkirk replacing Dan Girardi was suppose to help this. Brendan Smith has been a healthy scratch several times this season already.
Everyone knows the Rangers had a heavy contingent scouting the Senators-Canadiens on Monday. They could be doing their due diligence on forward Alex Galchenyuk and they are also known to like forward Andrew Shaw.
Sources are saying that the Rangers do not have Chris Kreider or J.T. Miller on the table. Would the Rangers move Mats Zuccarello? Would the Canadiens insist on defenseman Brady Skjei in a deal for Galchenyuk?
The “narrative from Montreal” is that the Rangers would like to get Max Pacioretty.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 650 and was asked about some teams that may be wanting to make a move.
Friedman says that Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin is calling and looking to see what is out there, but hasn’t liked what is available so far.
Friedman moves on to the New York Rangers and notes that they could be looking to restock/semi rebuild.
“I think the Rangers be will an interesting one. I think they’re an organization that is willing to tear – I don’t know if tear it down is the right word, but they want to add prospects. They’re really excited about the two guys they drafted last year in the first round. Chytil, the one in the American Hockey League, looks really good. They’ve got a goalie in Russia who they’re really excited about. I think they look at it like, ‘We need to add young pieces.’
“So I think the Rangers are going to be fascinating to watch between now and the end of the season. I think at some point in time Nash will be traded. And I think they’re going to have a lot of questions about a guy like Kreider.”