Scouting the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks …
Adrian Dater: The New York Rangers had two scouts at yesterday’s Avs-Ducks game.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: “Per recent reports the Coyotes have made D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niklas Hjalmarsson & Jason Demers available, or they’ve set the market on those players, my understanding is the reports are baseless. I wouldn’t call Demers untouchable, but I don’t think there’s anything to this.”
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Dennis Bernstein: (asked if Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers would be a good option for the Kings) Think he would be a good option for the Kings. His cap number would be just under $4 million a season, but concern might be that he has three years left on his deal.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
TSN: Bob McKenzie on That’s Hockey on the Maple Leafs and pending UFAs James van Riemsdyk, Leo Komarov, and Tyler Bozak.
“I think the Toronto Maple Leafs view themselves as a very solid playoff team, a team that – maybe – if everything were to fall into place, could do well in the playoffs,” he explained Monday on Tim Hortons That’s Hockey. “I just don’t see themselves parting with any of these guys unless the offer you get absolutely knocks your socks off.
“If somebody comes up to you and says, ‘we’re going to give you a first-round pick and an A+ prospect for James van Riemsdyk,’ or ‘we’re going to give you a really good pick and a prospect for Tyler Bozak,’ or ‘we’re going to give you a first-round pick for Leo Komaraov,’ I guess you would judge each situation on its own merit. When I see the Toronto Maple Leafs’ lineup and see James van Riemsdyk scoring at the pace that he’s scoring – even though he’s so far down the depth chart in minutes played – and when I see Tyler Bozak as an important centre on the team – obviously behind Auston Matthews and Nazem Kadri, but nevertheless a significant role – if he leaves, there’s a hold at the middle of the ice. And when I see the minutes that Leo Komarov gets for Mike Babcock – 24 one night – and how much Babcock absolutely loves him, then you’re taking a guy out of your lineup and getting a future consideration that’s not going to be with your team for another year or two or three. How does that make sense for a team that wants to make noise in the playoffs?
“As I always say, never say never. But I would love to see the offer that convinces the Leafs to give up one of JVR, Bozak or Komarov.”