On the Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets …
Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: The Winnipeg Jets have been looking for a forward and Elliotte Freidman believes they have contacted the Senators about winger Mike Hoffman.
“It wouldn’t be an easy deal to do,” Friedman said. “He’s got a no-trade which does have the Jets on it and I also think the ask from Ottawa would’ve been too high. They will both move on.”
The St. Louis Blues are another team that has shown some interest in Hoffman.
On Seattle …
Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Seattle hasn’t even been awarded an NHL expansion team, but there could be some high-profile candidates for the GM position. Nick Kypreos said that current Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland appears to be “at the top of the list.”
“Let’s make no mistake about it, Kenny Holland is out there,” Kypreos said during the Headlines segment Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. “His contract is going to expire at the end of the year. No talks at all scheduled. It appears it might go all the way to the end of the season before it gets addressed. You’ve got to put him at the top of the list.”
Other potential candidates according to Kypreos could be former Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr., and Pittsburgh Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin.
On the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs …
Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet: Teams continue to call the Vancouver Canucks about defenseman Chris Tanev, but it doesn’t appear that Canucks are interested in moving him unless they get a big return.
“He’s hurt right now, which could potentially complicate matters, but what I’ve been told is that the Canucks have told teams — including, I believe, Toronto — ‘If you’re serious, it’s going to take a special offer to do this,’” Friedman said during the Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday.
“I think the Canucks realize still that even though they are rebuilding, you want to give your young players a chance. And you’ve got to be serious, really serious, if you want to get Tanev out .”
Tanev has two years left on his deal at a $4.5 million cap hit.