Dubas heading to Russia this week
Pierre LeBrun: NHL teams are holding scouting meetings over the next three to four weeks.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is in Russia the week watching some teams who have potential free agents, as well as some of their own prospects.
Darren Dreger: “KHL centerman, Sergei Andronov is a player of interest to the Leafs. Several NHL teams are in the mix. At $1.5 to $2 mil next season…might be too rich for Toronto for a depth center.”
Igor Eronko: “Have to think Kyle Dubas is in Yaroslavl not only for Yegor Korshkov. Should also be looking at Alexander Yelesin, one of the toughest KHL Ds. He’s a good skater, RH, sees the ice well and throws hit after hit. Maybe he looks after Artyom Blazhiyevsky too, LHD of CSKA”
Will the Sharks turn to the goalie market?
Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: (mailbag) There should be a legitimate concern for the San Jose Sharks about the play of goaltender Martin Jones. The Sharks are dead last in save percentage and Jones is 28th in save percentage at 0.897 among goalie with at least 20 appearances.
If their goaltending doesn’t improve they could call up an AHL goalie – likely Josef Korenar over Antoine Bibeau.
The more likely option would be try packaging Aaron Dell in a deal for a veteran goalie before the trade deadline.
Pending rental options that could be available before the trade deadline include Jimmy Howard, Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth, Keith Kinkaid and Petr Mrazek.
Rangers could have many players available
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger was on TSN 1260 and was asked about the decline of New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
Lundqvist made it clear to the Rangers that he was committed to helping through the rebuild and wanting to be a part of their solution.
“It’s going to be interesting to watch what Jeff Gorton does moving forward here. We’ve heard the names who are out there – the likes of Zuccarello, Hayes is another one. I think that you could probably put half-a-dozen, maybe as many as 10 players on a trade list, and Gorton would consider moving those pieces.”