Friedman’s 30 Thoughts …
- Elliotte Friemdman of Sportsnet: Jarome Iginla told Adrian Dater that he won’t approve any in-season trades for family reason.
- Friedman has zero evidence that Tyson Barrie is on the trade block, and thinks they would love to sign him. Before Barrie and the Avs agreed on a bridge contract before last year, they offered him a four year deal. If the Avs do decide to trade him, there will be lots of interested teams.
- The Avs would like to add a defenseman. They may have been close to acquiring Patrick Wiercioch around the deadline last year – with Friedman thinking it was for Stefan Elliott and a third round pick. It doesn’t sound like they will re-kindle talks. A source saying the Avs and Maple Leafs talked about a deal last year that involved Ryan O’Reilly and Jake Gardiner. Not sure if there is a match with Gardiner this year.
- An executive on Cam Fowler rumors: “Last year, possible. This year, not so much. He’s one of their only guys playing well. They need him.”
- There were rumors that a team offered Mike Richards a tryout. The Coyotes, Flames and Jets went to watch Richards in Kitchener, but were not the team that offered him a tryout.
- Teams that are looking for defensemen are waiting to see what the Wild will do when Mike Reilly and Gustav Olofsson are ready for the NHL. The Wild will likely be patient with them, but if some makes an offer for one of their regulars …
- The Senators and Blue Jackets are among the teams looking for defense. Blackhawks Trevor Daley is available.
- One coach is wondering if Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will look for another right handed defenseman.
- Vladimir Sobotka still owes the Blues a season at $2.7 million, but GM Doug Armstrong said that as of now they don’t have any plans for his return.
On the Jets …
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “Wpg has been a budget team but they know they’ll soon be a cap team. They have some big players/contracts to sort through” … “Wpg is looking for a forward. No doubt about it. They’re looking for a top 6 guy” … “negotiations with Byfuglien and Ladd aren’t on the front burner. Not at a point where it’s close or where it might not get done”