Blues will listen to anything
Jeremy Rutherford: St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong will listen to anything. From what knows, Armstrong hasn’t called teams or let teams know that everyone is available. There are some teams that are under the impression that the Blues could be open to anything, including the possibility of moving Vladimir Tarasenko.
Jason Gregor: Ray Ferraro on Tarasenko speculation: “He’s never been in great shape, even when he was a 40 goal scorer. Maybe it has caught up to him. Maybe management is just rattling cages, but Blues have been a major disappointment so it doesn’t surprise me they would listen, but Armstrong shouldn’t panic on any deal”
Dan Kingerski: Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is a right-handed defenseman that could be available, but the Pittsburgh Penguins don’t really have the assets to land him. The Penguins also aren’t really in a position to move another first round draft pick. Can’t see a fit.
Guentzel’s camp willing to talk extension any time
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: Jake Guentzel agent, Ben Hankinson, wanted to hold contract extension talks with Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford last offseason but was told the Penguins preferred waiting until after this season.
Guentzel knows what’s at stake during a contract season but isn’t trying to think about it.
“I’m not really thinking about it too much,” Guentzel said. “I’m just trying to focus on this season, win as many games as we can, get to the playoffs.”
Don’t believe Guentzel’s camp would have any interest in a bridge deal.
Hankinson said last week that they’d be willing to start contract negotiations at any time.
Leverage that Guenztel has:
“• He clicks with Crosby especially well
• He’s been among the league’s most consistent scorers since his debut two years ago
• At 24, he’s the youngest forward on the aging Penguins’ roster
• He’s a playoff performer of great renown
• The Nylander holdout is bound to concern league executives”