On Vadim Shipachyov …
Elliotte Friedman: Talk is that Vadim Shipachyov may have to play another year in the KHL before he’s able to leave for the NHL. It came up on Monday and it involves an option that is in his KHL contract.
Aivis Kalnins: Shipachyov has put contract talks on hold. SKA are trying to counter all NHL offers that are coming in.
Aivis Kalnins: Hearing that there is a memorandum between the NHL and KHL that is currently holding up Shipachyov signing in the NHL. Shipachyov is able to pull some strings. He is also not the only one that is willing to leave SKA. The only way for Shipachyov to get out from SKA is buy out his contract.
Igor Eronko: SKA VP told that Vadim Shipachyov and Evgenii Dadonov can only leave the team mid-season. “Thing is KHL enlarged term for termination doc filing” which is why they can’t leave until December.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
TSN 1040: Jason Botchford thinks the Canucks may prefer UFA defenseman Kris Russell over Dan Hamhuis, and that it may not be the best option for the Canucks. Botchford thinks the Canucks could bring in a young defenseman through a trade instead of free agency.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
The Fourth Period: The Blue Jackets and Seth Jones’ agent, Pat Brisson, held preliminary talks in April, but there hasn’t been much since. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen was busy with the World Championships. Talks are expected to start in the next few weeks. They could be looking at a deal around five years and around $6 million a season.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
David Staple of the Edmonton Journal: Jordan Eberle may be the Oilers top trade bait this offseason. The Oilers will need to give up something of value to get a top defenseman. The Oilers shouldn’t trade Patrick Maroon or Taylor Hall. Benoit Pouliot makes $4 million a season and should be made available, and he might net them a top four defenseman. Nail Yakupov could use a fresh start somewhere else.