- Craig Custance of ESPN: Antoine Vermette is a pending UFA and will be one of the top centers available this summer. His name is in the rumor mill, but one GM said that things are in holding pattern when it comes to Vermette.
“Vermette’s name has been out there,” said the GM. “It’s out there, but he’s not available today. In an ideal world they’d like to re-sign him. It’ll be interesting to see how this unfolds there.”
If Vermette re-signs with the Coyotes, there may not be any rentals that worth a first round draft pick.
(mailbag) The Sabres would like a NHL defenseman, prospect and a high draft pick for Tyler Myers. The Red Wings don’t need sell out to get him. Jeff Petry makes sense for the Wings. Custance would like the see the Avalanche add a defensemnan, possibly in a big trade that involves Ryan O’Reilly.
- Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 590 on the LA Kings, Justin Williams, Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards.
“I don’t think you ever count him out, because if you’re a team that thinks you can win and needs an extra piece, I think there are teams that look at Mike Richards and say he has value to be that extra piece. Unfortunately in a salary cap world, he carries that contract with him.
“The L.A. Kings – Justin Williams scored another couple of goals last night. He had a really strong game. He was one of the best L.A. players in the loss. They are trying to sign him to an extension. He’s a free agent at the end of this year.
“They’re a year and a half from having to deal with Anze Kopitar, who, by every stretch of the imagination, deserves the same contract that Toews and Kane got, and who knows what he actually wants. But they know it’s going to be a big number. So they are trying to do some things to kind of clear the decks a bit.
“I don’t know how much interest there is. If they trade him, they’re probably going to have to keep a bunch of money in that particular situation. But I do think the Kings are kind of looking around and they’re testing Richards’ value to see, ‘If we do want to do this, what can we get for him.’
“… I have no idea if there’s really that much interest in these particular situations, but I’m sure they’re calling and asking teams like Toronto and Winnipeg, where they think that maybe Richards would be willing to go, to test it. But I don’t think it’s going to be a very easy situation for them.”