On the Arizona Coyotes …
Chris Nichols: Elliotte Friedman on the Coyotes trade interest in Auston Matthews: “No, not Ekman-Larsson. They’re not doing that.” Friedman notes that the Coyotes have one of the best contracts in the league with Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Craig Morgan: Maybe some news late next week on their GM search. As for arena developments, that is still to be determined.
Bob McKenzie: The window for the Coyotes to speak with Stars assistant GM Les Jackson about a management position closed yesterday without a deal.
Bob McKenzie: For now, Jackson will be staying in Dallas.
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1040 on the Arizona Coyotes and their GM search.
“Well, here’s the thing. And I’ve said this for a little bit, and I’ve got to be careful because I can’t say this unequivocally because I don’t think they’re going to name a GM there for another week or two or three or maybe even four.
“But I don’t believe that they were talking to Les Jackson about the general manager’s job. I believe they were talking to him about being sort of a super assistant general manager that would work as a mentor to 26-year-old John Chayka, who’s currently the assistant general manager in Arizona; but, as I understand it, is the leading contender/front-runner/most likely guy to be named GM.”
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM Ken Holland likes pending UFA Darren Helm, Helm has said he’d love to return, but both sides will have some issues if they hold contract talks. Money wouldn’t be the only issue that might arise.
“It was definitely a different year for myself,” Helm said. “I’ll need to talk to Blash & Kenny and see where everything is headed, see where I see myself fitting into this organization and where they see me fitting into this organization. Then I’ll have to make some tough decisions.
“I want to win. I don’t really mind playing in the bottom lines as long as there is that respect factor. You’re getting opportunities in different situations. If it looks like that is the case, I’ll get to play in those situations that I feel I can play in, then I’ll be happy. If not, if they tell me right away it’s not going to happen, I might not want to stay.”