On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Howard Berger: “From a source: #Leafs have been “up to something” for awhile, and it is again creating “lots of talk” – primarily with one other team. Hmmm.”
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Elliotte Friedman: Have been hearing John MacLean‘s name as an option for Rick Tocchet‘s staff.
John Gambadoro: Both John MacLean and Scott Allen are strong candidates to join the Coyotes coaching staff.
Craig Morgan: Source confirms but stresses that nothing is finalized.
On the Nashville Predators …
Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: The 37-year old Mike Fisher is still deciding if he’ll retire or return for his 18th season. An update could be coming soon.
“He is on vacation, and I have been away and (focused on preparing for arbitration hearings),” Predators general manager David Poile said Monday. “I’m hoping to talk to him later this week to see where he’s at. I’d say by next week, we should have an update.”
The Predators sent a third round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier this month for Alexei Emelin. Poile felt he could add depth now for cheaper than at the trade deadline.
“I just felt it was an opportunity that I didn’t want to pass up on at this time,” he said. “Oftentimes you get to the trade deadline and you pay a king’s ransom to get Alexei Emelin. You may have to pay a first-round pick to get a rental like that. Part of our job here is to provide depth to create competition.”
The Predators have eight defensemen on NHL contracts and the plan is to carry all to start the season. It does give them some trade options if something comes up.
“Could there be something in terms of a little more depth here and there? Maybe,” Poile said. “But right now it feels like we’re pretty close to our roster.”