- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: The Capitals won’t be using their compliance buyout according to GM Brian MacLellan, “I don’t think it would make sense,” he said. They’d like to add a backup for Braden Holtby through trade or free agency. There could be a couple players they’ll pursue through free agency, but won’t “get ridiculous” with the offers. They are still in talks with Mikhail Grabovski. They could look at Evgeny Kuznetsov as their No. 2 center. MacLellan will aggressive in attempting to get a top defenseman through trade or free agency. The Capitals are talking to, and hope to re-sign Nate Schmidt, Cam Schilling and Michael Latta.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: If the Capitals are looking to add a top-end defenseman to play with Mike Green, Gormley wonders about Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf carries a seven-year, $49 million salary, so the Maple Leafs may have eat some of his salary. The Capitals would also have to consider the cost to acquire him. Would the Capitals offer the 13th pick, Marcus Johansson and/or Dmitry Orlov for Phaneuf? The Hurricanes are dangling Eric Staal, and the Oilers may be willing to part with Sam Gagner or Nail Yakupov. It may be safer for them to look at the left-handed free agent market.
“We have a couple guys we’re going to pursue,” MacLellan said. “I think everybody is fully aware the free agency market is pretty thin and it’s going to be competitive.
“There’s a couple guys we’re going to pursue up to a certain point. I don’t think we’re going to get ridiculous with our offers, but hopefully we can find a good fit and pick up a player or two in free agency.”
Left-handed free agent options include: Andrei Markov, Kyle Quincey, Brooks Orpik and Willie Mitchell.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Brad Treliving on the report that he made an offer of Jiri Hudler, Mikael Backlund, “possibly” Dennis Wideman and a second or third round pick for Jason Spezza:
“It’s categorically false,”
“I haven’t made any such offers. That’s 100% fantasy island. I saw it early Sunday online and had to read it a couple times and had to remind myself ‘oh ya I’m the Flames GM. Interesting.’ ”
Treliving doesn’t deny that he’s spoken with Senators GM Bryan Murray about a variety of topics. He’s also spoken with Canucks GM Jim Benning. The Flames aren’t one of the teams Ryan Kesler is interested in going to.
Treliving confirmed that they are still talking with Mike Cammalleri. A team official, not Trelving, said the Flames are comfortable paying Cammalleri $5 million for a few seasons, but not much more than that.