Teams wondering if the Avs defenseman Zadorov is available
TSN: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading said that Colorado Avalanche defenseman Nikita Zadorov has seen his ice time drop and teams have been wondering if he could be on the trade market.
“Now he played seven minutes and 22 seconds versus the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. He, too, is a restricted free agent at the end of the year. The belief is that the Avs would like to add a forward. They like this kid – six foot five – but based on his ice time, he’s in the coach’s doghouse so he could be a part of something bigger down the road.”
McLellan safe for now
TSN: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading on if Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan is on the hot seat.
“There has been some speculation, but he’s safe for now and that was an enormous win over the Montreal Canadiens, 6-2 on Tuesday, so perhaps in some way that will alleviate some of the pressure.”
Penguins GM will go down swinging
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 said that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford still believes they can still win some Stanley Cups and that he’ll go down swinging if he has too.
“I think he can probably see the window starting to close, and that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be imminent in the next year or two that the Penguins are no longer considered contenders, but Jimmy’s going to go down swinging.
“He didn’t like the chemistry of this team. They didn’t respond to certain changes with lineup, etc, so he’s got to step in and make an adjustment. If it doesn’t work on the short term, then guess what – the veteran GM is going to be back at it trying to find something else.”