On the Ottawa Senators …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Pierre Dorion will be in Buffalo watching the World Junior Championships scouting 2018 draft-eligible players, their four prospects, and likely engaging in some trade talk. Reps from all teams should be in Buffalo.
The Senators still hope they can turn their season around. Teams will continue to call to see who is available and what the price would be. Teams are looking at Mike Hoffman, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Derick Brassard and Cody Ceci.
The Senators don’t want to do a total rebuild.
On the Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger on TSN 1290 last week on the Edmonton Oilers.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chiarelli kind of amp it up a little bit in terms of trying to upgrade in some fashion here in the foreseeable future. I think that he’s interested in adding a defenseman. Somebody who, again, can build on their transition game and have some pace to his game and can make that man advantage count more often than it has to date.”
Dreger when asked if the injuries to forwards Alexander Wennberg and Cam Atkinson would mean the Blue Jackets would increase their search for help up front.
“I don’t think so,” indicated Dreger. “I think Jarmo likes what he has. We know that the Columbus Blue Jackets were a fairly active participant in the trade talks with the Colorado Avalanche when Matt Duchene was with the Avalanche. They wanted to upgrade what they’ve got at center ice, but I don’t feel like that’s an urgent matter. I just felt like at the time, and I’m sure this was the case with Jarmo, there was a player who they thought would make their team a better team and a contending team if they’re not already – and I think that they are. So when that opportunity disappeared, then I think you just sit back and take stock of what you’ve got.”
