On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith: Source saying that Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Nikita Gusev doesn’t have any immediate plans to come over to North America. He’s looking to sign an extension in the KHL.
Igor Eronko: Gusev has one year left on his KHL contract. The probably is high that he heads over after his KHL deal expires.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Alec Brownscombe of the Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Darren Dreger spoke with Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock at the World Championships about the Maple Leafs. Babcock on what his wants and needs are for next season.
“You’d like to think that there is a tree in your backyard and you could just go in and pluck that right-handed defenceman who can play 25 minutes off and put him on your team, or you pluck another heavy guy to play up front, but it doesn’t work like that. There is a cost in everything. If you’re going to acquire something, what is the cost? I thought Lou did a real nice job last year. He went out and got us Freddie Andersen to give us a goaltender that we knew was starting each and every night, which I think is a real safety net for your team. Matt Martin was a huge acquisition. We never got slapped this year at all. When you’ve got a bunch of kids, you can’t afford to get slapped.
We’re going to do everything we can to improve your team, and we could use help both up front and on the back for sure. We’re going to see what is available. Our scouting staff, with Hunter and his crew there, have done an unbelievable job this year. We’ll announce here coming up some signings that will be important for our hockey club as well. We think we’re going in the right direction, but for me to be able to tell you what’s going to happen… I don’t know for sure. Lou wouldn’t know for sure, either. We’ll see what comes and we’ll try to be as prepared as we are to make the right deal at the right time.”
Babcock adds they are looking to sign some European free agents.
Jeff Paterson: With Mike Babcock saying he wants/needs a right-handed defenseman who can play 25 minutes …. Chris Tanev?