On the New York Rangers …
Andrew Gross: Defenseman Keith Yandle said that he hasn’t really thought about free agency. He loves playing for the Rangers, but he’s excited to see what free agency might bring.
On the NHL Draft …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED – the Oilers are willing to move No. 4 and if the Sabres or Canadiens might be willing to move up in the draft.
“Montreal and Buffalo have two general managers that are not afraid to try anything. I think absolutely they would consider it.
“I think the other team there is No. 7 Arizona. I think they’re going to be interested and willing to try some stuff there – up or down, both directions.”
Friedman thinks that there could be many teams that are willing to move up or down in the draft. A lot of teams could wait to see what is available for them when it’s their pick, and if they don’t like the options, they can move down.
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED on the Columbus Blue Jackets potentially trading the No. 3 pick.
“I just think the one thing Columbus really wants as much as anything else is a center. They traded Johansen, which I thought they made a really fair deal. But their depth at center, especially as you move forward over the years, it’s not as strong.
“I know some guys who are in the western part of Ontario, and they think that Columbus has some interest in Logan Brown. I can say this though – I don’t that think they’ve moving out of there if they think that Puljujarvi is long-term a center. But as I wrote, if they don’t project him as a center, I wonder if there’s the possibility they could move down.”
The Blue Jackets will want to make sure the guy they want to pick is still available, and they will want to make sure they get enough in return for the pick.