On the New York Islanders …
Brian Compton of NHL.com: Looking at five things that Lou Lamoriello needs to address this offseason.
1. Re-sign John Tavares – Lamoriello needs to convince Tavares to stay.
2. Find a No. 1 goaltender – Jaroslav Halak is a UFA. Thomas Greiss is still under contract and prized prospect Ilya Sorokin has two years left on his KHL deal.
3. Acquire a top defenseman – Will Lamoriello trade one of their first-round picks (No. 11 and No. 12) for a top defenseman?
4. Coaching staff – Will Doug Weight remain as their head coach?
5. Upgrade their bottom-six forwards – Andrew Ladd has six years left and only scored 12 goals last season. Cal Clutterbuck has four years left and didn’t score after January 13th. The Islanders had a league-worst penalty kill that needs to improve.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins and Arizona Coyotes …
Chris Nichols of FRS Hockey: Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman were talking on their 31 Thoughts: The Podcast about the Max Domi to the Pittsburgh Penguins trade rumors. Friedman said he believes the Penguins are interested in Domi.
“There was a point last year where I thought he was going to get traded. His name was out there. I believe there are teams with interest. I think Montreal, for example, had some interest in Max Domi. But Pittsburgh is going to make some changes and I think that Domi is one of the guys they’re really interested in.”
Domi didn’t have a great year, so the Coyotes would be trading him when his “value isn’t as high,” according to Friedman, and he could use a change of scenery.
Friedman doesn’t see GM John Chayka moving Domi for a low cost just because he had a down year and that both sides may need a change of scenery. Chayka would move him if he gets something that will help the team.
On if there is any merit to the Phil Kessel trade rumors, Friedman.
“Yes, I do think there are,” said Friedman. “I think the other thing too and one GM said this to me is that if you take a look at what Evander Kane just signed for – 7 X 7 – did that help Pittsburgh make a trade. Because Kessel is 4 X 6.8 and Pittsburgh might be willing to retain money.”
