On the Winnipeg Jets and Ondrej Pavelec …
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Ondrej Pavelec is playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Pavelec’s name comes up in rumor mill whenever a NHL goalie gets injured. The LA Kings have shown some interest in Pavelec after the injuries to Jonathan Quick and Jeff Zatkoff.
Pavelec’s contract can be an issue – a $4.75 million salary with a $3.9 million salary cap hit.
“Of course, I’m aware of what’s going on with the other teams. That’s normal,” said Pavelec. “I understand the situation. It’s up to the teams whose goalies got hurt and it’s up to (Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff) to make a move. It’s got to be both sides, not just one side. I don’t know what they’ll decide to do. It’s a question for them.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 yesterday and was asked if the Montreal Canadiens were involved in any trade talk involving adding a defenseman.
“Not really, but Marc Bergevin can be crafty,” mentioned Dreger. “And he goes about his business wherever he can by doing things under the radar. But he’s not alone in his search for a defenseman. Kenny Holland has been quite public, in fact, with Detroit’s interest in acquiring someone. Those guys, as you guys know, are so difficult to find. Jacob Trouba is on the market, more or less, and no one yet – Including, and let’s assume Montreal has interested, and Detroit – has the right package or that right player, if Cheveldayoff remains stuck on a defenseman, as the appropriate return.
“But I absolutely believe that at some point, Bergevin this year is going to try and acquire a Top-4 D. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to add a little bit more size at center as well. You look at Plekanec and Desharnais going up against some of the bigger centers in the National Hockey League, it can be a challenge.”
The Canadiens are off to a 9-0-1 start. When looking at trying to make a deep run into the playoffs, they may look at bringing in a big center and a top-four defenseman.
Bob McKenzie mentioned on Wednesday that Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin would add a defenseman at some point. One team said that Bergevin wants a defenseman, but doesn’t really want to give anything up.