On the Blue Jackets …
- Mark Millard of theScore: Darren Dreger on Insider Trading said that Blue Jackets Ryan Johansen is “softly in play.”
“That doesn’t mean that Jarmo Kekalainen, the general manager of the Blue Jackets, is calling teams and saying, ‘What are you going to give me?’ However, when teams call, he’s not dismissing the interest,” Dreger said. “He is saying, ‘What’s your offer?’ So what that tells you is there’s at least some interest in considering the trade of Ryan Johansen.”
Dreger adds that the Blue Jackets would consider it if the right offer comes along.
- Aaron Portzline: (when asked if Dreger’s report was true) … “Don’t need me to say Dreger is correct.”
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Johansen was a camp holdout last year and there could be some ‘enduring discord.’ He eventually signed a three year, $12 million deal. Johansen has a $4 million cap hit, but a $6 million salary next season. He’ll be a RFA when the deal expires. He missed two games earlier this year due to “lack of engery” and hasn’t gotten off on the right foot with John Tortorella. He was demoted to the fourth line on Saturday.
TSNs Trade Bait board …
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Ryan Johansen, Travis Hamonic, Eric Staal, Dennis Wideman, Kris Russell, Patrick Marleau, Trevor Daley, Patrick Wiercioch, Jared Cowen, Brayden Schenn, Luke Schenn, Cam Atkinson, Jarred Tinordi and Matt Carle.
On the Coyotes …
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes were looking to improve their blueline during training camp, but it’s not as pressing now as it once was.
“That was a real priority to see if we can improve our mobility and puck-moving ability,” General Manager Don Maloney said. “But now with the way the group has played … it’s not as pressing.”
Maloney did make a call to the Islanders to check in on Travis Hamonic.
“A talented player,” Maloney said. “We certainly called right away, but we do not have a good fit for them right now. That’s the bottom line. They’re looking for a ready-made complement player.”