- Dan Tencer: Tencer wonders that since the Coyotes are a budget team, and if Mike Smith has lost his starters job, would they consider trading him? Could be a smart gamble for someone.
- Jason Brough: Asks Joe Haggerty if the Bruins would consider trading Torey Krug if they want to get bigger and tougher. Joe Haggerty: Don’t think that Krug would be their first choice to move out. They are 21st in goals for (heading into last night) and are looking to upgrade their offense. One thing to remember is that the Bruins have a Krug-like player in David Warsofsky in the AHL.
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: Looking at teams that could be interested in trading for Coyotes Antoine Vermette – taking into account if they are legit contender willing to give up significant assets and if they would have a chance at re-signing the pending UFA.
1. Detroit Red Wings – don’t have a lot of cap space, but they could find to a way to get him in. Buying out Stephen Weiss in the offseason would create some cap space for next year.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning – they can put the puck in the net, but are only average defensively. Would need to get creative if they were to try and re-sign him.Others that might be interested: Rangers, Blackhawks and Canadiens.
- Jonas Siegel: There have been no contract talks between the Maple Leafs and Cody Franson yet. The Leafs do have a history of waiting to the offseason to deal with some of their pending UFAs. Franson wants to stay with the Leafs and would be happy to start contract talks. The sides can start talking after January 1st.
- Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1040 on the Bruins, Penguins, Coyotes and Oilers.
“Yeah, he’ll be active. He’s been pretty aggressive to this point leading up to the roster freeze looking for a top-six, worst-case top-nine forward. He still hasn’t replace Horton or Jarome Iginla and that’s a spot they feel they’ve got to find somebody who can replace that offense and those minutes. Now that Krejci is back, and they hope for good health in the New Year from him, otherwise they’re in trouble. And Chara is back, and eventually he’ll get up to speed. Then Chiarelli can focus on adding that body.
“I keep going back to Arizona and Antoine Vermette, I know Boston and Pittsburgh, two Eastern Conference powerhouse – Boston less so this year – but both of those clubs have interest in Antoine Vermette. Not saying Boston lands him, but I do believe that Chiarelli is going to be active.
“But he might swing for the fences too. At least in Vermette you’ve got an expiring contract. So you’re not tied to him beyond this season if you don’t want to be, but in doing that you have to manage the asset as part of the trade.
“I think that Boston is a team that is going to exhaust the rumors swirling around Taylor Hall in Edmonton. They’re going to find out, even through the summer, whether or not this kid can be pried out of Edmonton. And if he can be, then I wouldn’t be surprised in Boston is among those teams that takes a pretty good swing.”