Friedman’s 30 thoughts …
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: At next months GM meeting, and at the Board of Governors meeting in December, will have the compensation for fired coach and executives on the agendas. The hope is that it will be eliminated.
- It wouldn’t be a surprise if Ducks GM Bob Murray wanted to make a trade to spark his offense, though it’s not an easy thing to do at this time of year. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen wanted to make a deal before he fired Todd Richards, but wasn’t able to find one that made sense.
- The Kings are one of the teams that are looking to trade for a defenseman or two.
- The Flames are one the teams that could move a defenseman. Dennis Wideman ($5.25 million and no-movement) has played well, and has changed the opinion of one GM, though his contract will be hard to fit in for some teams.
- The Flames have pending UFA Kris Russell. He is pointless so far this season. He would like to say, and the Flames would like to keep him.
- Canucks Yannick Weber ($1.5 million) has only played in two games. Word is there isn’t much action there.
- The Blue Jackets are underwhelmed by offers for Cam Atkinson – going back to the trade deadline last year. His extension carries a $3.5 million cap hit and rising salary.
- Contract extension talks between the Kings and Anze Kopitar have slowed.
- Before the hiring of John Tortorella, the Blue Jackets may have sat down with Ryan Johansen (rumor but couldn’t confirm) to try and smooth things over. He’s a year away from free agency. The Blue Jackets will see how he plays under Tortorella before deciding on whether to re-sign him long-term next offseason or look to trade him.
- Chris Johnston of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs have put Nathan Horton on the LTIR. The Leafs recalled Casey Bailey and reassigned Byron Froese.
With Bailey due to earn $337,500 more than Froese in the NHL this year, the move put Toronto within $88,333 of the cap ceiling, according to capfriendly.com. Horton’s $5.3-million annual deal was then placed on LTIR, which permits the Leafs to exceed the cap by more than $5.2-million for the remainder of the season.
The Leafs now have lots of flexibility for the upcoming months. Froese should be recall before Friday’s game, and Bailey sent back down to the Marlies.
