The Latest On Barry Trotz …
Tarik El-Bashir of NBC Sports Washington suggests that Barry Trotz wants to come back but no deal is there yet.
The Washington Capitals are living in Stanley Cup euphoria so news may travel a little slower than usual. Discussions have begun but no one seems to know what changes Coach Trotz is alluding to. There is free agency, the draft, and players to sign. However, the first priority is Brian MacLlellan making a deal to extend Trotz. Stay tuned.
Oh that buyout window starts Friday …
Rory Boylen of Sportsnet: Looking at popular buyout candidates. Marian Gaborik tops the list like he has seemingly done so the past several years. With the Erik Karlsson/Mike Hoffman situation looming over Ottawa, what happens now? Gaborik may get bought out but not until 2019.
Consider there are several other attractive buyout options as well.
Jori Lehtera becomes an easy target with his salary ($4.7 million) and one year left.
Scott Darling likely gains one more chance from Carolina management.
Brandon Dubinsky and even Jason Spezza seem surprising but likely buyout targets if Columbus and Dallas decide to swing big in free agency. These are teams that are close but need that one or two players to get over the hump.
Nino Niederreiter and Matt Dumba Among Other Trade Options …
Michael Russo of The Athletic believes that some unpopular decision may be on the horizon. Paul Fenton and the staff has a team that needs to make a deep run but cannot fall flat either.
Nino Niederreiter hobbled to a poor ending of last year which stokes some trade rumors naturally. He drives possession and has 25-30 goal potential still. The winger fetching a good return is likely which only fuels speculation.
Matt Dumba carries more risk. The RFA had a breakout season and could easily top 50 points again. The question is the price tag. If it is deemed too high, Fenton could flip Dumba for more high impact pieces.
Health issues plague some other possible choices including Charlie Coyle (offseason surgery) and Jonas Brodin (Ryan Suter insurance). Even Eric Staal merits further examination though Minnesota will ride out the contract.
Players like Mikael Granlund and even Jared Spurgeon may be shopped, though not openly. Tweaks could be big or small.