- Ryan Kesler in The Players Tribune: Ryan Kesler on wanting a trade out of Vancouver.
“I wanted a trade out of Vancouver this offseason for several reasons. That’s no disrespect to the fans, my teammates, or Canucks ownership, but I think both sides needed a change. I’ve got three kids at home; I just wanted a more normal life for them away from the rink. Playing in Canada can be a fishbowl not just for players but for families, too. That said, this was really hard. I know you read that all the time, but Vancouver was my home since I was 19. I grew up with Kevin Bieksa, Alex Burrows, and the Sedins. These guys will always be my close friends. One day you wake up and you realize, Wow, I’m really leaving my buddies. It’s weird because I spent all summer preparing for a move, but when I actually got the call from my agent that I was headed to Anaheim, a little bit of anxiety rushed in.”
- TSN Insider Trading: Dreger: The Senators showed some interest in David Clarkson before he was traded to the Blue Jackets. The Leafs talked to the Devils to see if they were interest in re-acquiring Clarkson. It’s thought that the Leafs have taken back injured Ryane Clowe.LeBrun: The Blues were interested in re-acquiring Roman Polak from the Leafs.
- DJ Bean: The Bruins and Carl Soderberg haven’t really gotten into contract extension talks. Yesterday’s Torey Krug and Reilly Smith deal helps give a clearer idea of where they sit with their salary cap space going forward.
- Mark Masters: Leafs pending UFA David Booth would like to remain with the team “I like playing here. It’s close to home & my family can watch the games.” He’s from Detroit.
- James Mirtle: Would be shocked if the Maple Leafs could get a top prospect for Dion Phaneuf. The key for them would be not retain salary.
- Nichols on Hockey: Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED talking about the Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell, Brent Seabrook and the Blackhawks cap situation after this season.
“Patrick Sharp I would say is probably No. 1. Joel Quenneville and him – unless some sort of unforeseen circumstance exists where Joel Quenneville is not the coach the Blackhawks next year – it’s pretty obvious that he’s very deep in Quennevilles doghouse. He’s got one year left on his contract. I think he might be frustrated enough, depending on how this works after the season, to try and help facilitate something. I would say he’s No. 1 on my list.
“Bryan Bickell would probably be No. 2, just in the sense – I know the coaching staff really likes him. They like what he can bring. He’s a big body. You need size, particularly in the Western Conference. But I think there’s an understanding that his contract might be a luxury they may not be able to keep.
“Seabrook – now, you’re going to get different arguments on this because I really do believe that there are people who look at it and say, ‘This decision is over. Brent Seabrook is going somewhere else.’
Think the Blackhawks will try to keep Seabrook, and it may cost the Sharp and Bickell to do so. Seabrook will have to decide how much money he’s willing to leave on the table. The Oilers would throw lots of money at him, same with the Stars.