Simmonds free to talk
Elliotte Friedman: The Buffalo Sabres have given Wayne Simmonds permission to start talking to teams before free agency opens on Friday.
Wild may not have the assets for a Blue Jackets goaltender
Michael Russo: Think that the Minnesota Wild are talking to the Columbus Blue Jackets about their goaltenders, but don’t know if the Wild have the return that the Blue Jackets are looking for, especially if they are wanting a center. If they are looking for a winger, then maybe they are in it more.
Kings moving towards Stutzle?
Greg Wyshynski: Both Chris Peters and Corey Pronman have indicated that the Los Angeles Kings could be moving towards Tim Stutzle over Quinton Byfield at No. 2.
Murray almost traded?
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 650 on the latest talk on the goal market.
“Matt Murray was almost traded to Chicago, and I heard the return was going to be underwhelming. The goalie market is so dense that the teams that are trading are having trouble getting what they want.
Fleury — I just don’t think it is going to be easy for Vegas to do that. They don’t want to buy him out, but it is not going to be easy for them to trade him. It is a tough market right now. There is no question about it.”
Dreger on the Maple Leafs goaltending situation
Maple Leafs Hot Stove: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on the Toronto Maple Leafs and goaltender Frederik Andersen.
“I expect Dubas is waiting for someone to step up and show more than interest. There has been interest in Frederik Andersen, but the problem teams are having is the quality of goaltenders potentially out there.
Toronto is okay standing pat for the moment, but that can change with a simple phone call. If there is a deal that makes sense for them, they might do that, but then they’ve got to figure out what their goaltending looks like and their best avenue. Is it to re-unite Jack Campbell and Matt Murray? Are they better off taking a swing a UFA or other pieces in play?”