On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Erik Erlendsson: (answering question) After signing James Wisniewski to a PTO, the Lightning don’t really have any room to add another player on a PTO. They have some cap issues as well.
On the New Jersey Devils …
Chris Ryan of NJ.com: Looking at some potential PTO for the New Jersey Devils: Matt Bartkowski (D), Kyle Quincey (D), Tyler Kennedy (C), Steve Downie (RW), Brad Boyes (RW) and Christian Ehrhoff (D).
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers have their top three centers playing the World Cup of Hockey – Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl. They could look at bringing in a center on a PTO. GM Peter Chiarelli has said that if they do, that player will be competing to make the team and not just a training camp fill in.
“We’ve extended an offer to one centre but haven’t heard back and may offer another,” said Chiarelli, who wouldn’t name names.
Potential options who could be fourth line centers include David Legwand, Mike Richards, and Stephen Gionta. Paul Gaustad would have been an options, but it appears the 34-year old center will retire in the next couple weeks.
Jarret Stoll could have been an option, but he signed a PTO with the Blue Jackets. Shawn Horcoff said he’s not signing a PTO with the Oilers or anyone else. He could retire.
“There’s a chance that all three of our centres might be back before the start of camp, but the only reason we’d offer a PTO, not withstanding the World Cup dynamic, is because we think that player could help,” said Chiarelli, the co-general manager of Team North America.
The Oilers have extended a PTO offer to defenseman Eric Gryba and are awaiting a decision.
“Eric is looking for a contract right now and we may offer one more (PTO). We’ll see how it goes,” said Chiarelli, keeping all of his options open.
Other potential blueline PTO candidates include Matt Bartkowski, Barret Jackman, Jared Cowen and Rafael Diaz.
