- Elliotte Freidman of Sportsnet: One NHL executive on NBA Commissioner’s Adam Silver’s call for legalization of sports betting in the U.S.
“It means,” one NHL executive said Friday, “He thinks we’re going into Las Vegas, and he wants to be a part of it.”
The NHL is denying that they have apporved William Foley and Maloff’s as owners of the potential team in Vegas. A team in Vegas won’t get much parking revenue, little local TV revenue and the building is owned by someone else (MGM and AEG).
Canadiens Tom Gilbert doesn’t have a no-trade clause and there was plenty of interest in him during the summer. The Red Wings were one of the teams looking at him.
Ducks GM Bob Murray has indicated they will try to get through their issue with mumps and John Gibson’s injury with making any short-term moves.
The Oilers may not be able to be patient with their goalie issues. A Ilya Bryzgalov return seems unlikely. They are looking at what is out there.
The Sabres could be looking for a long-term goalie as Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth are both free agents at the end of the season.
Senators scout Pierre Dorion (isn’t always at games) watched the Blues-Rangers and Oilers-Sabres last week. The Sabres and Senators have talked in the past.
The Rangers and Blues were interested in Colin Greening last September before his signed an extension with the Sens.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Teams are waiting to see what the Avalanche will do after their slow start. They need a top-four defenseman and some believe they will have to trade Ryan O’Reilly to do that. They can’t do that at the moment, but it’s something to watch.The slumping Canadian dollar could mean a $70.5 million salary cap next year. The Blackhawks, Kings, Flyers, Bruins, Rangers and Penguins will have to move out salary and may not be able to go after any free agents next offseason. Do teams start looking to move salary at the trade deadline or do they wait until the offseason?
The Stars and Canadiens spoke last May about Andrei Markov, before he signed a three-year extension with the Canadiens.
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will have some tough decisions on Evander Kane, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Ladd and Byfuglien’s contract expires after next season.
Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli could be looking for a upgrade at forward.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello emailed teams letting them know that he is willing to trade a top-six forward, though he didn’t mention any names in the email. The Devils current top-six includes: Michael Cammalleri, Travis Zajac, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Havlat, Patrik Elias and Michael Ryder. Executives don’t think any of those players are on the move. Some think they want to move Damien Brunner and his $2.5 million contract.
The Kings may be dangling Kyle Clifford to find a defenseman to replace the suspended Slava Voynov. They have little cap room.
If the Senators trade Colin Greening, they’ll have to take a player back.
Coyotes GM Don Maloney as calling teams to see what he can get for Antoine Vermette.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson and head coach Todd McLellan are both on the hot seat.