Summary of Friedman’s 30 Thoughts …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Among the players the Columbus Blue Jackets interviewed in-depth: Jake Bean, Logan Brown, Clayton Keller, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Tkachuk.
Sources saying that Scott Hartnell has agreed to waive his no-movement clause for several teams. Sounding like it’s a decent-sized list. He has three years left on his contract.
The Calgary Flames at No. 6 could look to move down in the draft. The Arizona Coyotes (No. 7) and Buffalo Sabres (No. 8) could be looking to draft a defenseman – would the Sabres look to move up ahead of the Coyotes?
The Montreal Canadiens are looking at the idea of moving up in the draft.
Some talk that the Vancouver Canucks prefer Logan Brown.
One GM on the Canucks: “One of the free-agent wingers is going there. Just have to figure out which one.”
The Boston Bruins will take another run at Loui Eriksson.
The Colorado Avalanche are interested in Jacob Trouba, but that isn’t an easy deal to make. Could see the Detroit Red Wings being interested in Trouba. If the Avs can’t find a Tyson Barrie replacement, they bring him back after going to arbitration.
The Coyotes have asked Martin Hanzal for his trade list. They are also talking to him about a contract extension. The Coyotes would like to add one or two defensemen.
Two likely teams for Pavel Datsyuk‘s contract are the Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes.
Some wonder if the Tampa Bay Lightning would look to sign Victor Hedman to a contract extension before Steven Stamkos. Can’t officially sign Hedman until July 1st, but they can talk about a deal.
The Los Angeles Kings have told Dustin Brown that his contract is untrableable. Brown doesn’t have an agent, which would be helpful to potentially find a team interested. Expansion could be another option.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Jimmy Murphy: The Coyotes and Red Wings are definitely talking about Pavel Datsyuk’s contract. The Hurricanes could be another option for Datsyuk, but it won’t happen.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings meeting with Pavel Datsyuk was postponed due to the passing of Gordie Howe last week. Datsyuk’s agent, Dan Milsten, said that Datsyuk will be in Detroit on Tuesday and they were scheduled to meet with GM Ken Holland on Wednesday. Their meeting has been moved to next week. Howe’s funeral will be on Wednesday.