On the Los Angeles Kings and Anze Kopitar …
- John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor: Have confirmed from multiple sources who are close to the contract extension negotiations between the LA Kings and Anze Kopitar, that the sides are close to a eight-year extension. As noted before, the framework is around eight-years and $9.75 per season. A no-trade/no-movement clause appears to be one of the final items the sides are still discussing.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: GM Steve Yzerman is going to remain patient.
“I can just tell you that I’ll react and do what I feel is necessary, but it’s not going to be just to do something because of what our record is,” Yzerman said. “It has to make sense and has to make us a better team.”
Yzerman added.
“I’m not going to make a trade just to say I better do something,” Yzerman said. “You are constantly looking at ways to improve your team, whether you have won 10 in a row or lost 10 in a row. You are willing to listen and always looking at options while paying attention to what is going on around the league. Any way I can improve the team, I will try to do that.
“We assess our team, we know what we have and what areas we would like to improve on, we know what our assets are. You check around the league to see if there is anything that makes sense and would be a fit.”
On the Edmonton Oilers …
- Terry Jones: Thinking that if the Oilers lose to the Bruins tonight, there will be a trade or two.
On the Ottawa Senators …
- Ian Mendes: Senators assistant GM Randy Lee said there is no update with regards to Mikael Wikstrand’s situation. He remains suspended. The door is still open for him to return.