Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Trade talk will start to heat up soon with the rumored expansion to Las Vegas and the draft getting underway on June 24th.
“Teams are going to want to move contracts with the expansion draft coming,” said one Western Conference executive. “I think you’re going to see a lot of moves.”
Others are thinking there may not be as much movement as some think.
“You’ve still got to play next year,” said an Eastern executive. “You can worry about the expansion draft in 12 months. I just don’t see the movement everybody is predicting. Worry about playing this year and then worry about an expansion team coming in.
“Teams still have to win next year and they can’t spend their time worrying about what they might lose to Las Vegas a full year before it happens.”
Goalies that could be available this offseason include Ben Bishop, Frederik Andersen and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Calgary Flames will be looking for a goalie.
Don’t rule out the Florida Panthers listening to offers on Dmitry Kulikov.
Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen has been trying to trade Scott Hartnell, who has three years left at a $4.75 million cap hit. Team have been calling the Blue Jackets about Nick Foligno, who has five years left at $5.5 million.
Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has let it be known that he’ll listen to offers on the No. 4 pick, especially if it involves a top-end defenesman. Teams are calling Chiarelli on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. There could be seven or eight teams looking for a top-six forward.
Bruins GM Don Sweeny is looking for a defenseman.
Six or seven teams have talked to the Blues about defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues would preferr to send Shattenkirk to the Eastern Conference. The Oilers, Sabres, Coyotes and maybe the Bruins have talked to the Blues.