On the New York Rangers …
Bob McKenzie: NY Rangers center Derek Stepan‘s name has come up in trade talks. He has four more years left on his deal at a $6.5 million salary cap hit.
Bob McKenzie: Stepan has a full trade clause for the next two years that kicks in on July 1st, and a modified no-trade clause for the final two years. He has no trade protection at the moment.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Bob McKenzie: take on Alex Galchenyuk‘s future with the Montreal Canadiens – the Canadiens are “listening” to trade talk … This doesn’t mean that Galchenyuk will be traded. The Canadiens need help down the middle and it’s clear that Montreal doesn’t view Galchenyuk as a center … The Canadiens aren’t trying to get rid of Galchenyuk and they’d need to find the right fit if they traded him. He’ll need a new contract if he stays or if traded … Common sense would have Galchenyuk not signing an extension until he has a better idea if he’s staying or going … If it looks like he’s going to be traded, would think he’d rather sign a new deal with that team as opposed to with the Canadiens … Galchenyuk is two years away from being an unrestricted free agent, so he can’t really control the entire situation.
On Stepan and Galchenyuk …
Bob McKenzie: The Derek Stepan and Alex Galchenyuk trade talks doesn’t mean they are going to get traded.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Robby Stanley: The Predators won’t say if they’ve given the Sabres permission to speak with Phil Housley.
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: The Sabres have two weeks to sign goaltender Cal Petersen and his camp isn’t saying anything.
“We are not going to make any comments regarding Cal and his status right now,” Petersen’s representative told The Buffalo News on Wednesday.
Petersen was promised by Tim Murray the starting position in the AHL next season if he signed, but it’s not known what new GM Jason Botterill thinks.