On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Moving out Carl Hagelin’s contract will make it a little easier for GM Bob Murray to re-sign some of his pending RFAs: Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. Newly acquired David Perron is a UFA and Adam Clendening is a RFA.
“It was a definite plan to move finances that way,” Murray said Saturday during a conference call with reporters. “The other thing is it’s two players that are kind of a little bit different and probably both needed a little bit of a change. Hags was starting to fit in, starting to work here a little bit with Kesler’s line but I don’t think the fit was great with us. And David has been struggling a little bit to fit in with the Pittsburgh group.”
Defenseman Simon Despres is on a conditioning stint and Cam Fowler is back skating. When they return, Murray will have some trade chips.
“I don’t have anything going but we still have to get better,” he said of completing more deals before the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
The Ducks are rumored to be one the teams in pursuit of Lightning winger Jonathan Drouin.
“If you listen to everybody and listen to all the … we’re one of the front runners in that aren’t we in that? Every time I turn the page I hear we’re making a deal with a certain team on the East Coast,” Murray said.
“There’s more than just him that’s probably out there and available right now. Let’s just leave it at that. We’re looking at a whole bunch of things. We know he’s there, but there’s a few others out there, too, that haven’t requested trades. Requesting trades on entry level, that’s something new for you and I. … Entry-level players requesting trades. Amazing.”
On the Carolina Hurricaes …
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Hurricanes coach Bill Peters on Eric Staal.
“He’s a good player, boy. Six-foot-four centreman who makes plays, can play the wing,” Peters said. “Teams need that, and this team needs that.”
Staal’s $8.25 million salary cap hit could be hard for some contenders to fit in as a rental. Staal also holds a no-trade clause.
