On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman spoke with Maple Leafs president Brandan Shanahan yesterday morning about the future Lou Lamoriello as team GM.
“No decisions have been made. I haven’t spoken to any of the particulars,” Shanahan told Friedman. “We are concentrating on the rest of the season and the playoffs. Any decisions about the organization won’t be made until after the season is over.”
Nick Kypreos wonders if Shanahan already knows what is going to happen.
“I can appreciate the quote, but I also think it’s rather inconsistent in the way that Brendan Shanahan has led the Toronto Maple Leafs in the last four years,” he said. “Let’s face it. Since day one, this guy has had a plan, and there’s no signs whatsoever that he’s deviated from that plan.
“So maybe, just maybe, what is consistent is that he’s already made his decision, but to respect the people around him, he’s going to keep it quiet until he’s ready to go public with it, as he said, at the end of the season.”
On Ilya Kovalchuk …
Slava Malamud: Ilya Kovalchuk said on Russian TV yesterday that he is definitely heading back to the NHL year to chase a Stanley Cup.
TSN: Kovalchuk said on Match TV that he wants to return to the NHL for “several more years” and that he wouldn’t “forgive myself for it when I get older” if he didn’t try to win another Cup.
Kovalchuk said that he’s focusing on the KHL playoffs right now, “but in the summer I’m going to examine offers” from the NHL.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post: believes the New York Rangers should try to sign free agent Ilya Kovalchuk this offseason. He would have been a good option last offseason if they could have acquired his rights from the New Jersey Devils for less than a first-round pick.
The Rangers will need to some veteran players next season. Kovalchuk and Rick Nash could be two players the Rangers look at.
Kovalchuk could help the likes of current Rangers – Pavel Buchnevich, Vladislav Namestnikov and Alex Georgiev – and future Rangers and current SKA teammates Igor Shestyorkin and Yegor Rykov.
The Rangers won’t be only team interested Kovalchuk, possibly the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers.
The Rangers would prefer a one-year, bonus-laden deal, maybe two years, but Kovalchuk could be looking for more.