NHL Rumors V: Canucks and Penguins

Mark Easson

11 years ago

Daniel Wagner of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks have cleared a lot of cap space off their books, and that number could increase if they trade Ryan Kesler. They have over $21 million in cap space with technically only five roster posts to fill. Some of the space could be taken by free agent Mike Santorelli, RFAs Zack Kassian and Chris Tanev, and possibly Jordan Schroeder and Yannick Weber. The Canucks would still have plenty of room for a big-name free agent or two if they choose. Ducks players attached to Kesler rumors include: Emerson Etem, Rickard Rakell and Devante Smith-Pelly. If Kesler is traded, could they be relying on Bo Horvat or Shawn Matthias as their second line center? They also would have some holes in their bottom six. Do they look at pending free agents if available: Paul Stastny, Ales Hemsky, Mike Cammalleri or Mikhail Grabovski?

Matthew Sekeres: Sekeres was told that Willie Desjardins spurned the Penguins as they only offered two years and he would have no authority to hire his own assistants.

William DePaoli: Desjardins camp interpreted the Penguins offer to be for two years, with the Penguins officials calling it a three year deal. Doesn’t really matter now.

William DePaoli: Things could change, but Ulf Samuelsson has told associates that the Penguins job isn’t right for him at this point.