On the Washington Capitals …
Pierre LeBrun: Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said again on Wednesday that their top priority is to sign their key restricted free agents, then to re-sign unrestricted free agent T.J. Oshie.
Tarik El-Bashir of CSN Mid Atlantic: Capitals GM MacLellan isn’t too concerned about the KHL contacting their RFAs in Dmitry Orlov and Evgeny Kuznetsov.
“Sometimes I don’t know if they are accurate,” MacLellan said of the reports, “but I would assume that are talking to them to try and get them to play.”
MacLellan thinks that both want to remain in Washington and he’s open to signing both to long-term deals.
“We’re going to do everything we can to bring them back,” MacLellan said. “They are going to be a big part of our team moving forward.”
Katie Brown of NHL.com: T.J. Oshie was tied for the Capitals lead in goals this past season with 33, and the team is hopeful they can re-sign the unrestricted free agent but they may need some help.
“If comes in at $77 , we’ll probably have a legitimate shot at signing him,” MacLellan said.
Coach Barry Trotz is entering the final year of his contract.
“I think we’re in a period here of uncertainty where we have to drill down some specific stuff,” MacLellan said, “I think we needed improvements throughout our organization, myself included. Once there’s evidence of those improvements, a contract extension could take place.”
Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News: Looking at teams that could trade for Alex Ovechkin. After filtering out teams that don’t really need to add someone and the salary of Ovechkin, teams that have don’t the cap space, teams that are rebuilding, teams in the same division, and Ovi’s 10 team no-trade list … the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames be the only teams feels somewhat confident in.
The Stars could offer up Cody Eakin and a 2017 first round pick (Anaheim’s pick and not their No.3 pick) and second round pick.
The Flames could offer up Troy Brouwer, rights to Adam Fox and a 2018 first round pick.