On the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens …
Jimmy Murphy: Have been hearing that the Oilers and Canadiens could restart trade talks that they held before the trade deadline. There have been numerous names discussed but nothing concrete. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin is not done changing his roster.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Dennis Bernstein: Brian Burke was on SiriusXM NHL and said that he thinks Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has identified a couple of centers that would help the Canadiens in future years (not next season) and that they will trade down in the first-round to draft one of them.
On the New York Islanders and John Tavares …
Darren Dreger: A deal between the Islanders and Tavares could come together quickly. If contract talks stall, Tavares would consider his options during the free agent interview period.
Darren Dreger: GM Lou Lamoriello has been talking with Tavares about his plan/vision for the Islanders going forward.
Renaud Lavoie: “Is John Tavares going to sign with the Islanders in the next few days ? If not, I believe their is a strong interest from the Stars, the Golden Knights, the Sharks and the Maple Leafs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Predators kicking tires at one point.”
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: As of mid-week, last week, many front office people from different teams are thinking that John Tavares will remain with the Islanders. Four teams executives from rival teams can’t say for certain, but that is their guess.
LeBrun doesn’t have any evidence of Tavares making up his mind at all.
“We’ve been having ongoing dialogue with the Isles for the past three weeks on a daily basis,” Brisson told The Athletic via text message Thursday night.
Darren Dreger said on Thursday that GM Lou Lamoriello and Tavares have been talking to each, with Lamoriello laying out his vision.
If Tavares goes to talk to other teams to see what they say, the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues and Vegas Golden Knights would be among the teams.