On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Adam Gretz of NBC Sports: The Pittsburgh Penguins are lacking depth, especially up front, and they could use a backup goaltender.
Up front, they lost Nick Bonino, Matt Cullen and Chris Kunitz this past offseason. Defensemen Trevor Daley signed with the Red Wings and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury ended up in Vegas.
If the Penguins are wanting to take another run at the Cup, they are going to need to bring in some scoring depth to their third and fourth lines.
On the Buffalo Sabres and the St. Louis Blues …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 650 Vancouver and was talking about Buffalo Sabres pending UFA forward Evander Kane.
“I think this: I think Buffalo is going to reach a point where they’re going to listen, and I think there’s going to be a lot of offers. Now you’re looking at the trade chips – Duchene is gone, Turris is gone. We’re looking at a situation where now everybody is going to call around and say, ‘Who’s left.’ I think Kane is going to be very high on that list. I don’t know if it means an extension, but I do think it means that especially teams that are going to all-in for this season. I’m wondering about a team like St. Louis, do they feel they have to answer. Nashville gets Turris. Does St. Louis feel now that they have to add something. He might be a really good fit for them.”
Friedman continued on about the St. Louis Blues.
“Look, it’s a division that isn’t great this year. That’s a reason for you to go for it. That’s No. 1. And No. 2, the GM is in the final year of his contract, and that can be a reason to go for things too.
“So I look at it and I say we haven’t heard the last of St. Louis, and I think they’re going to go out and get something.”