On Paul Stastny …
Pierre LeBrun: There are a list of teams interested in Paul Stastny, with some overlapping from teams interested in John Tavares. The Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams that have called Stastny’s camp. There is a mutual interest between the Winnipeg Jets and Stastny, but the Jets would need to create some salary cap space.
Amir Basu: Darren Dreger on the Paul Stastny possibly returning to Winnipeg: “There is one thing standing in the way, and it’s an enormous hurdle, it’s called cap space, Kevin Cheveldayoff has none of it…To even get him at a bargain rate of say $5.5M, he’s going to have to move bodies.”
Andy Strickland: The Montreal Canadiens signing Paul Stastny would be a huge upset when looking at his desire to sign with a Cup contender. Don’t see the connection or fit with the Canadiens.
On Jack Johnson …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: The Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Anaheim Ducks have shown some interest in defenseman Jack Johnson.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins have spoken with defenseman Jack Johnson’s camp and there is a mutual interest between the two sides according to a source. The Penguins salary cap situation could play a big role.
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said that they need to make at least one trade to create some extra space.
Johnson is one of Sidney Crosby‘s best friends and he’s been lobbying the Penguins to go after him.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: The Blue Jackets are one of the teams that have shown some interest in free agent forward Rick Nash. There had been some reports on the weekend that he might be considering retirement due to a late-season concussion, but sources are saying he’s looking for a multiyear deal.
Sergei Bobrovsky will be a free agent after next season, and there have been some talks between the Blue Jackets and Bobrovsky’s camp.