Scouting the Buffalo Sabres and Columbus Blue Jackets …
Joe Yerdon: Listed to attend last night’s Sabres-Blue Jackets game included Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving (again) and Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli.
Pierre LeBrun: With Blue Jackets depth on the blue line, wonder if the Oilers are looking at that. (commenting on Yerdon’s tweet about Chiarelli being at the Sabres-Blue Jackets game)
Aaron Portzline: Along with Oilers GM Chiarelli at last night’s game, the Oilers VP of player personnel Duane Sutter was also there. The Oilers are in St. Louis tonight and Detroit on Wednesday.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika: (asked about acquiring a defenseman after the Stars announced Marc Methot would be out for at least a month) The Stars don’t have the salary cap space to make a trade, and they have recalled Julius Honka as a potential replacement.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: The 26-year old Oliver Ekman-Larsson is eligible to sign a contract extension after July 1st. After seeing what the Avalanche received for Matt Duchene, who was also 18 months away from unrestricted free agency, the Coyotes could be tempted to add more youth.
GM John Chayka has maintained Ekman-Larsson trade talks last less than five seconds.
OEL said again that he likes it in Arizona and wants to help turn things around, but he realizes what could happen.
“I had four or five years here that haven’t been great, but I want to be the guy who turns it around. I love everything about Arizona,” Ekman-Larsson says.
“You have to keep in mind: When you’re not winning, people are going to start talking, and people are going to look for changes.
“If they don’t want me here, they will get rid of me. But I’m happy here, and this is the place I want to be. I want to play for Arizona.”
