On the New York Rangers …
Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: There have been people within the NHL community who have implied or inquired about the possibility of Erik Karlsson being traded to the New York Rangers before the draft.
If the Rangers were to give up the significant assets for him, how would that and an extension fit into their rebuilding plans? It wouldn’t.
The Rangers moved Ryan McDonagh and could gain more salary cap room if they move forward Mats Zuccarello who has a year left at $4.5 million.
RFAs that have arbitration rights include Kevin Hayes, Brady Skjei, Ryan Spooner, Vladislav Namestnikov, Jimmy Vesey and John Gilmour.
Karlsson will be 29 years old when his next contract kicks in. He has a lot of wear and tear on his body and will be looking for a seven- or eight-year deal around $10 million a season.
The Rangers adding Karlsson seem unlikely and highly illogical.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: “cannot conceive of a reason John Tavares would sign as a free agent with the Rangers.” Can’t see why he’d sign a seven-year deal with the rebuilding Rangers when he could sign for eight years with the “perpetually building Islanders.”
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens owner Geoff Molson confirmed on RDS last Friday that GM Marc Bergevin will hold on to his position. They will do an overall assessment of the organization.
“We all know it’s a very difficult season for us in all areas,” Molson was quoted as saying on the RDS website. “Marc and I are talking about it all the time. He knows that team performance at all levels is unacceptable and we have a plan to fix it.
“I’m talking about all areas: leadership, development, recruitment, players on the team,” Molson added. “We need to improve, we must become better. We have not been able to do that this year. We will succeed, I trust Marc to manage this transition, but he is aware that it needs to improve.”
Molson believes they will be able to turn things around quickly, noting how the Lightning missed the playoffs last year and are a top team this year.