On the Vancouver Canucks …
TSN Radio Vancouver: Pierre LeBrun on the Canucks holding the No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft: “I think they’re happy there. I think a lot can change, but I think they’re in a great spot where they don’t have to do anything.”
TSN Radio Vancouver: LeBrun on the draft: “I quoted an exec who thinks some teams may reach higher for a centre, even though the rankings show it’s not a great year for centres in the top 10. Which should mean that someone drops who should have gone higher, and that would be good for the #Canucks.”
On the Montreal Canadiens …
TSN: Bob McKenzie on TSN radio on if the Montreal Canadiens would be interested in Columbus Blue Jackets pending UFA defenseman Jack Johnson.
“I’m not sure what the market will command for a Jack Johnson, but you gotta think that any defenseman like that, that goes to free agency is going to expect to get, you know, $6 million, in the neighborhood of $6 million give or take a million.
And, ya know, whether Montreal makes sense for him and vise versa certainly remains to be seen. But there’s no question that the Canadiens are looking to bolster their blue line.”
myNHLtraderumors.com transcription
On the Arizona Coyotes and Oliver Ekman-Larsson …
Darren Dreger: Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s speculative numbers are correct – eight years at an $8.25 million AAV. It has a no-movement clause and he will likely be named the captain.
Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic: The Coyotes eight-year, $8.25 million contract extension can be made official on July 1st. The deal contains bonuses on potential lockout years.
The Coyotes presented Ekman-Larsson the deal last month and gave him until June 10th to decide – they agreed a day late on the 11th.
Ekman-Larsson had three options: sign the deal, provide a list of teams he’d considering signing an extension with so the Coyotes could get a little more trade value, or play out next year and/or likely be dealt at the deadline.