On the Colorado Avalanche …
Adrian Dater: There still isn’t a deal done between the Colorado Avalanche and RFA defenseman Nikita Zadorov, but continues to maintain that it is just a formality.
On Will Butcher …
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: The Detroit Red Wings are one of the teams that are interested in signing unrestricted free agent defenseman Will Butcher.
Butcher won the Hobey Baker Award last season after recording seven goals and 30 assists in 43 games.
There had been some talk that Butcher wanted to go pro last year after his junior year but the Colorado Avalanche felt he wasn’t ready.
Butcher can start talking to teams today.
Other teams that have been linked to Butcher include the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils.
Michael Augello: After the putting Alexey Marchenko on waivers, it will open up a contract spot for the Toronto Maple Leafs. This could mean that they will be in on Butcher, or possibly a spot for UFA defenseman Roman Polak.
On the Detroit Red Wings and Andreas Athanasiou …
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said that contract talks continue with Athanasiou’s camp and that offers have been exchanged.
They only have about $1.4 million in salary cap space, so it’s likely that they will eventually have to waive or trade someone – possibly Ryan Sproul.
