- Alex Prewitt of the Washington Post: The Capitals will currently have 11 RFAs and UFAs to deal with this offseason.
“I think we need to evaluate where our team’s at first of all,” MacLellan said Thursday, during a sit-down interview with beat writers that lasted around 30 minutes. “We’ve been inconsistent so far. I like the direction we’re going. As we experience more success, I think we’ll be better able to evaluate how we’re moving forward with players.”
The agents for Joel Ward and Mike Green have both stated that no contract talks have taken place. Talks with the nine others may not begun either by the sounds of things. Their list of RFAs include: Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nate Schmidt and Braden Holtby. List of UFAs include: Ward, Green, Eric Fehr, Jay Beagle, Aaron Volpatti, John Erskine and Jack Hillen.
“Is it going to work for us as an organization, as a team, are we going to have success with Mike Green playing where he’s playing and doing what he’s doing, and is that a big part of our team moving forward? Just as he needs to evaluate, do I like this coach, do I like this situation, am I comfortable here? I think we’re both going through an evaluation period and we’ll come to a decision at some point.”
- Rob Vollman of ESPN: Vollman looks at the value and where Mike Green could land if the Capitals decide to trade him. Teams that could use a puck-moving defenseman include the Panthers, Wild, Red Wings, Devils and Canadiens (written just as the Canadiens made the trade for Gonchar). The Capitals are not in a rush to trade anyone and recently GM Brian MacLellan told ESPN.
“We’re good where we’re at right now. I like our defense, but I’d never say no to a deal where I thought we were improving the team. I think we’re playing it out to see if it’s going to work for him and for us. So far it’s been good for both.”
Asking price could be a shutdown forward and an early draft pick or a good prospect. The Red Wings may be in a position to be the most aggressive. Could put together a package around Darren Helm and one of their blue-chip prospects. The Wild could offer Erik Haula and Marco Scandella. Though unlikely, the Devils could offer Dainius Zubrus and one of their young stud defensemen.
- Peter Robb of the Ottawa Citizen: The Senators kicked tires on signing Benoit Pouliot this past offseason, but he decided to sign with the Oilers are they made a better offer. (He signed a five year deal worth $20 million)