Quick trade market summary …
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: There is a large number of teams that are looking to move out bloated contracts.
Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee said he doesn’t expect to move up on down in the draft.
Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill is open to moving his No. 3 pick for an established defenseman. Canucks GM Jim Benning is considering trying to trade up.
The Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild might consider trading a defenseman. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars are looking for defensemen. The Ducks have lost Hampus Lindholm and Sami Vatanen for at least five months, so they may not be actively looking to trade a defenseman.
The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are still looking for a head coach. Predators assistant Phil Housley can’t talk to either until the Cup Final is done. Penguins assistant Rick Tocchet is a candidate for the Sabres, and like Housley can’t speak to teams yet.
On Alex Ovechkin …
Chuck Gormley of ESPN: Looking at five teams that could be interested in Ovechkin, and what it might take to get him. ** Capitals GM Brian MacLellen isn’t shopping Ovechkin and it’s not an easy trade to make. Teams would need to send salary back, and Ovechkin has a list of 10 teams he won’t accept a trade to.
Dallas Stars – The No. 3 or more likely the No. 29 pick and either Cody Eakin or Antoine Roussel. Hitchcock and Ovechkin might not work well.
Calgary Flames – Troy Brouwer and a 1st round pick or top prospect. The Flames have the No. 16 pick and no second or third round picks. The Capitals would as for Matthew Tkachuk.
Florida Panthers – Reilly Smith (five years at $5 million per) or Nick Bjugstad (four years at $4.1 million). Panthers would need to have their coach in place first.
Buffalo Sabres – Have five draft picks in the first three rounds. Evander Kane, a high draft pick and a prospect.
Vegas Golden Knights – They don’t have a lot to offer at the moment. What if they were able to select Jakob Silfverberg, or acquired the rights and signed someone like Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau with the purpose of trading them.