- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: A couple sources say that Coyotes coach Dave Tippett has an out clause if the team is relocated and if there is an ownership change. There is a varying opinion on how much Shane Doan wanted to get traded at the deadline. If the Coyotes are able to draft Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, the team would want Doan back. If they don’t get either, he has control over his destination.The Devils may see what the market is for Eric Gelinas and would be looking for a forward.
Rob Blake would be Toronto’s first choice as GM, but he’s said several time that it’s not a fit. One theory is that someone like George McPhee could fit what the Leafs are looking for. Kings VP of Hockey Operations Mike Futa has connections with Leafs assistant GMs Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas. Sean Burke and Paul Fenton also have some ties.
James Reimer requested a trade a year ago, but this year it doesn’t sound like that request is coming.
The Leafs will re-open contract talks with Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri soon. Talk is they want to keep them, but you never know until they sit down and talk.
Changes in San Jose could be coming soon.
Oilers GM Craig MacTavish said that they are having contract extension talks with Derek Roy. MacTavish told Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins last week to not listen to trade rumors as they aren’t getting traded.
Free agent college goalie Matt O’Connor will meet with teams this weekend. One source saying he’ll be at the Senators Game 3 on Sunday. The Oilers and Canucks will be after that.
Stars GM Jim Nill would like to add a strong defender, and that it would likely come via a trade over free agency. Nill on the idea of buying out Kari Lehtonen: “You can say he’s part of the problem, but I also see him as part of the solution.”
The Hurricanes will be looking for a defenseman, likely someone to play with Justin Faulk. There are teams hoping that Eric Staal will be interested in moving to a team that is closer to contending. Francis doesn’t have any indication that, that is the case, but it will likely be a topic closer to the draft.
The Kings will likely try to re-sign Andrej Sekera, and will take another shot at Justin Williams.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: The Flyers need to recognize that they need to get younger and quicker, especially on the blueline. They also need to shed Vincent Lecavalier some how. They have seven defensemen under contract next season, not include pending RFA Michael Del Zotto and Chris Pronger (LTIR). The Flyers have trade value in Luke Schenn ($3.6 million) and Andrew MacDonald ($5 million), but GM Ron Hextall may look to move Niklas Grossmann ($3.5 million) first. This past season they weren’t able to replace the locker room leadership of Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen.
- Tom Gulitti: If the Devils don’t win the draft lottery, GM Lou Lamoriello when asked if they’d be open to trading their first round pick, he said that you have to be open to anything.
- Rich Chere: Lamoriello said that he still needs to talk with coach Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. He wouldn’t say if a coaching search is going on. It sounds like there is a possibility for Stevens to remain with the Devils in some capacity and to look for a head coach from outside the organization. Tom Gulitti: Lamoriello doesn’t expect to hire a new head coach in the near future. He will take some time to evaluate.