Scouting the Senators and Canadiens
Murray Pam: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Ottawa Senators – Montreal Canadiens game: Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks.
Scouting the Flyers and Blue Jackets
Dave Isaac: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Philadelphia Flyers – Columbus Blue Jackets game: Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Golden Knights exempt from expansion draft but could play a role
TSN: The Vegas Golden Knights won’t lose anyone in the Seattle expansion draft, but they could be involved in it according to Pierre LeBrun.
“Some of the side trades that could be available to Seattle could also be available to Vegas. Since the Golden Knights are exempt, they could go to teams and say ‘we could make your life sweeter if you’re willing to do x or x’. Believe me, George McPhee, Vegas’ general manager, frustrated a lot of teams last time around and he could get involved again.”
Shawn Simpson: “McPhee fleeced a number of teams leading into Vegas expansion. With a reserve list exempt from the Seattle expansion. McPhee could load up before the draft, in direct competition with Seattle.”
Ducks looking for a defenseman
TSN: The Anaheim Ducks are looking for a left-handed defenseman and are out scouting a couple teams according to Darren Dreger.
“Anaheim has been scouting teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes. I wouldn’t say that there’s a connection there yet, but Anaheim is pretty specific with what they need. Worst-case scenario, they’re looking for a third-pairing guy with a left shot.”
Hurricanes still looking for scoring
TSN: The Carolina Hurricanes are still looking for some scoring help up front according to Pierre LeBrun.
“Whether there’s a fit with Anaheim or not, the Hurricanes – which really wanted William Nylander but never really got that shot – want a top-6 forward ASAP and they’ve got the surplus on defence to make it happen.”