On the Montreal Canadiens …
Chris Nichols: Darren Dreger: “I can further that a little bit with information that’s surfacing today out of the Montreal Canadiens’ organzation. There is a slim chance at best, a very slim chance, that P.K. Subban is traded.”
Eric Engels: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin: “Everybody’s talking about a trade that’s going to happen, and it’s probably never going to happen.”
Pierre LeBrun: The Canadiens and Andrew Shaw have already had some talks about an extension for the RFA. Sounding like it won’t be an issue.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Bryan Hayes: Leafs coach Mike Babcock said yesterday that Auston Matthews will start the season as their 3rd line center behind Nazem Kadri and Tyler Bozak. William Nylander will start on the wing.
On the New York Rangers …
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are not going after Kevin Shattenkirk who has one year left on his contract. The Oilers and Blues were close to a deal yesterday, but it fell through.
The Rangers do need to remake their blueline. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi have no-movement clauses, and haven’t attracted any interest.
On the Boston Bruins …
Jimmy Murphy: Regardless of the Bruins not trading their first round picks in a Kevin Shattenkirk trade, they are still in on him, but they will now have to dip into their prospects.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Eric Engels: Oiles GM Peter Chiarelli said he had a few conversations about the No. 4 pick, but never came close to trading it.
Pierre LeBrun: The Oiles got a gift in Jesse Puljajarvi at No. 4. You have to wonder how much longer Ryan Nugent-Hopkins remains with the Oilers.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on drafting Pierre-Luc Dubois over Jesse Puljajarvi.
“(Dubois) is the guy we had our eye on all year,” Kekalainen said. “He was No. 3 on our list. He’s everything that we’re looking for: smart, skilled, big, a player with a lot of character and leadership qualities.”
Kekalainen said he didn’t want to trade down any lower than No. 4.
“The only safe pick to move back to would have been No. 4,” Kekalainen said. “We were on the phone all morning and before the draft started, but Dubois was our guy at three. You don’t want to risk losing him.”