Scouting the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks …
Scott Powers: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Senators-Blackhawks game: New Jersey Devils (2), Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks and the Winnipeg Jets.
On the Nashville Predators …
Darren Dreger: The Predators are believed to still be interested in Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Pierre LeBrun: The Canadiens traded Jakub Jerabek to the Capitals yesterday … Don’t rule out the possibility of Canadiens circling back on Jerabek at the start of free agency.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Brian Lawton: After claiming defenseman Taylor Chorney off waivers … Does the claim mean the Blue Jackets are more likely that they trade Jack Johnson? Have been told that “only if it is a hockey deal that makes sense for this years club making the playoffs.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Rick Dhaliwal: Haven’t received a response to calls, texts, or emails from Alex Edler’s agent. Maybe there is something to the rumors linking Edler to the Lightning.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Pierre LeBrun: GM John Chayka on Oliver Ekman-Larsson: “I’ll reiterate my previous statements that I’m neither listening nor talking about Oliver Ekman-Larsson other than to his agent to try and get an extension done or at least have discussions to see where he’s at.”
Pierre LeBrun: Chayka has said all season that he isn’t trading Ekman-Larsson at the deadline. They will focus on re-signing him this offseason. Get the sense that they should know by the draft if they’ll be able to get him signed to a long-term deal or not. If they don’t feel they can get him signed, they would put him on the trade block at the draft.
Jim Matheson: Don’t believe that OEL is going to be re-signing with the Coyotes. Yes, he loves it there, but he’s tired of losing. The Oilers would love to get him.