On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Craig Custance of ESPN: The Lightning’s plan had been to trade Jonathan Drouin at the draft, but if he plays really well through the entire playoffs, would his trade request be rescinded? His agent, Allan Walsh, wouldn’t comment on it last week.
“The only thing Jonathan Drouin is thinking about is helping his team win hockey games,” Walsh said. “That’s it. That’s his only focus right now.”
On the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED on if Anaheim Ducks Sami Vatanen could be available for trade this offseason.
“I would say this. I think in Anaheim, one of their young defensemen is going to get moved. I just don’t know if they’ve decided which one it’s going to be. For a long time, I thought last year it was going to be Cam Fowler. And then this year, when they were a nightmare early in the year, Cam Fowler was their best player. I know that it changed their opinion of him.
“So I think that Anaheim, at the end of the season, will sit down, do their player evaluations, decide who’s going to be signable and who isn’t, and make their decision then.”
Friedman on if he thinks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie could be available for trade this offseason.
“Tyson Barrie, absolutely – I think for the right deal he’s available. I know this year Colorado had a lot of issues trying to get him signed, and at one point I got the sense they were really doubtful it would happen. So I do think that he’s available.”
Friedman on if he thinks Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk could be available for trade this offseason.
“Justin Faulk is an interesting one. My initial response would be I can’t imagine it. He’s a big-time scorer, and he’s got a great contract. If I’m looking at that from a team point of view, it’s a great deal. I would tell you I think anybody could be traded, but I think that’s an unbelievable deal if Carolina’s doing that.”