On the Vegas Golden Knights …
Nicholas Cotsonika of NHL.com: The Vegas Golden Knights are carrying nine defensemen on their roster. GM George McPhee is being patient as he’s trying to maximize his assets.
“We’re two games into the season,” McPhee said Monday. “There’s no rush to do anything. We’re not in a hurry to do anything. We’ll do things when it feels right.
“We’re an expansion club that has to think long term. If we’re going to move people, try to get something that makes sense for the club long term. And also be careful, because you know how this business goes. We might move somebody tomorrow and Wednesday two people are injured, and now you’re getting thin.”
Vadim Shipachyov signed a two-year deal with the Golden Knights but finds himself assigned to their AHL – though he’s stayed in Vegas with his wife and is skating on his own. Shipachyov doesn’t need to clear waivers.
“The point is to try to get some sort of a return if we’re going to move a player, because we’re going to have to draft our way to a championship,” McPhee said. “We’re going to have to trade our way there as well. Can you get a prospect rather than a pick back?
“Again, I like that we have a real competitive club right now, but we want to build a champion. We’re going to do it the best way we know how, and that’s what we’re doing right now.”
On the Ottawa Senators …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on the NHL Network and was talking about Senators pending UFA center Kyle Turris.
“Here’s the issue: Kyle Turris – unlike Arizona – he wants to be in Ottawa. He has said publically and privately he wants to be a Senator. He’s bought a house there and he’s happy there. He wants term. I think the Senators and his representatives have kind of an agreement on how much salary he’s going to make, but I don’t think they’re even close on term. I think Turris wants seven or eight years and the Senators aren’t willing to go there.
“I would sign him. I think he’s that good. I think No. 1 centers are hard to find. But the Senators, with Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone looming – and they’re not a cap team – they just don’t seem ready to do that.”
Friedman adds that he thinks the Senators will keep Turris now that the season has started. If the Senators start to fade from the playoff race, it might be a situation worth keeping an eye on.