On the Colorado Avalanche …
- Colorado Avalanche: Joe Sakic said that Mikko Rantanen won’t be playing in any more games for the Avalanche this season. He has only played in nine NHL games this year, so his contract slides and they preserve a year of his entry-level contract.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: If the Arizona Coyotes don’t win the draft lottery, don’t expect them trade defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the opportunity to draft Auston Matthews.
“That will never happen,” General Manager Don Maloney told a crowd of approximately 150 fans gathered inside the Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa ahead of Saturday’s game against the Flyers.
There has been speculation recently that the Coyotes could trade up for the right to draft Matthews.
Coyotes CEO and co-owner Anthony LeBlanc.
“I think I spit my coffee out,” LeBlanc said of his reaction when he read the suggestion.
LeBlanc added “We’re not trading Oliver for a draft pick.”
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Coyotes would love to draft homegrown Auston Matthews, but that is unlikely unless they win the lottery. They currently sit .
The chances of them trading up to the 4th overall pick and draft Matthew Tkachuk (son of Keith Tkachuk) maybe be more likely.The chances of moving from No. to No. 4 are more plausible than moving from No. to No. 1. The Coyotes also hold the Rangers first round pick and could maybe package both together to move up.
The idea of trading up to draft Tkachuk makes more sense than offering Oliver Ekman-Larsson and a package of prospects/picks to draft Matthews.
If the Coyotes are able to move up to the No. 2 or No. 3 through the draft lottery, they may be able to move up without giving up Ekman-Larsson or other key assets.