On the Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: A frustrated GM said that they are only two sellers right now. In the next few weeks that should change.
“Most everyone is in a holding pattern but it should change soon I think,” predicted in another league executive.
Arizona Coyotes forward Shane Doan has said he’s willing to go to a contender. The San Jose Sharks have tried for four or five years to acquire Doan at the deadline. Doan doesn’t want to go far from Arizona. Top three contenders are the Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and LA Kings.
The Coyotes are also looking to move Martin Hanzal, Radim Vrbata, Ryan White and Michael Stone. Sources saying the asking price isn’t realistic.
There is the sense that Boston Bruins coach Claude Julien has the backing for owner Jeremy Jacobs. Also the sense that president Cam Neely wouldn’t mind if GM Don Sweeney let Julien go.
The Vegas Golden Knights likely won’t name a head coach until after the first round of the playoffs. Candidates include Ken Hitchcock, Gerard Gallant and Jack Capuano.
Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic will eventually lower his asking price for Matt Duchene and others. The Avalanche have been looking for up to five assets for Duchene, they will likely have to live with three – young defenseman, high-end prospect and a first round pick.
“They can ask for whatever they want because they’re in no hurry,” a league executive said Saturday. “They can wait and they can do it at the draft but they might be able to get more now.”
The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens have kicked tires on Matt Duchene.
There was chatter that the St. Louis Blues gave an Eastern Conference team permission to speak with Kevin Shattenkirk‘s camp a couple weeks ago. The deal obvious didn’t go through. The Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Sharks could use some help on the blueline.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been trying to make a move. They could use some help on the blueline. The best way to get some help on the blueline would be trade goaltender Ben Bishop, but sounds like they would have to take a goalie back. The Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, LA Kings and Blues could use some help in net.
The Lightning have kicked tires on Matt Duchene.
