On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has said that he won’t make a trade to fill one hole by creating a hole elsewhere.
There were reports that the Lightning’s best contract offer to Steven Stamkos was at $8.5 million per season. There haven’t been reports of any progress on a contract extension for Stamkos since that time.
Engels thinks the Canadiens should be interested. They would need to make some salary cap related moves to fit him.
David Desharnais and Lars Eller are both making $3.5 million a year and don’t fit into their top-six adequately. Desharnais and Eller are unlikely to remain with the team.
The Canadiens could also look at moving Tomas Plekanec, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
Alexei Emelin is another candidate that could be moved. His no-trade clause turns to a limited no-trade clause on July 1st.
The Canadiens can guarantee Stamkos that he’ll be their No. 1 center and opportunity to be a Cup contender with the likes of Carey Price, P.K. Subban, Max Pacioretty, Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher and Nathan Beaulieu already in the fold.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
James Mirtle: A lot of hockey people are thinking that the Red Wings will have a shot at Steven Stamkos.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning’s winger Nikita Kucherov is a pending RFA and his agent, Scott Greenspun, has said that there have been no contract talks as of yet. Kucherov has stepped up in Stamkos’ absence, and may become the Lightning’s go-to guy if Stamkos doesn’t re-sign
“Whether Stamkos is there or not, they’re already building around Kucherov with him as a linchpin of their team,” Button said. “He’s a foundation player.”
Craig Button thinks that Kucherov could get a contract extension close to Vladimir Tarasenko’s eight-year, $60 million contract.