TSN Insider Trading with Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun.
- Bob McKenzie on Auston Matthews…
Very impressive start for Auston Matthews , the Scottsdale, Arizona native, who is the presumptive number one pick in this years National Hockey League Entry Draft. Matthews has 8 goals in 9 games played as well as 10 points.
Scouts are very impressed, obviously. It goes without saying that he is the favourite to be number one overall
- Pierre LeBrun on Dylan Larkin…
Dylan Larkin had a great camp and made the Detroit Red Wings, part maybe
because Darren Helm and Pavel Datsyuk couldn’t start the year as well, and Helm is on the mend now. But speaking with GM Ken Holland of the Red Wings, Dylan Larkin has earned his opportunity and right now looks like an NHL playerNow they have to make a call at the nine game mark before the first year of that entry level contract slides in. They will not make this decision based on people’s injuries or the roster; they’re going to do it for Dylan Larkin. What’s best for his long-term development. You’re right, usually 19-year-olds in Detroit go down , but he’ll stay if he has proved he should stay on board.
- Darren Dreger on the Drew Doughty and Jonathan Quick…
Drew Doughty lost some weight and has bettered his nutritional commitment in the offseason and he is in the gym almost on a daily basis now. But he’s adjusting to his new body.
Likewise for Jonathan Quick, he has lost a ton of weight. He finds it difficult to stay in great shape during the season, so htook advantage of the new work out regime during the offseason. But in saying that he is working on adjusting.
- LeBrun on the Sabres goaltending…
Robin Lehner is out long-term, 6-10 weeks, and a lot of people thinking the GM Tim Murray would quickly jump on the goalie market to secure some goaltending help. But I spoke to Murray on Tuesday who said, “Right now, that’s not our frame of mind. We’re going to give Chad Johnson a shot. He’s played well ever since he replaced Robin Lehner,” and within that you got Nathan Lieuwen who was called up, and eventually perhaps Linus Ullmark.
The Sabres are really high on but it’s his first year of professional hockey in North America. He had hip surgery during the offseason and they want to give him some time.
Right now, Tim Murray wants to look inside the house to get his answer. But perhaps down the road he will have to pick up the phone if that doesn’t work.
- McKenzie on Nicklas Backstrom…
Nicklas Backstrom is getting very close to returning. He had hip surgery in the offseason.
There’s a chance he could be in the Washington Capitals lineup as early as Saturday. If it’s not Saturday, then probably early next week, but he’s on the verge of being medically cleared.
- McKenzie on Mike Richards and what’s next…
Next is dealing with the legal issues that he faces. He has a court date in December and while he is technically an unrestricted free agent, and eligible to sign with any team in the NHL, at this moment in time most of the teams want to see how that legal side plays itself out.
They also want to find out from the NHL what is his status? Is there any discipline coming down as a result of the impending legal?
Also, when you get charged in the manner of which he has been charged, you can also be involved NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioural program. So there is a whole host of other factors that will back teams off until they get clarification on what his playing status is.
- Dreger on Anze Kopitar…
Kings fans and the hockey world in general are waiting for the Anze Kopitar contract extension. There were talks that continued on Monday, in fact, the Los Angles Kings made another offer.
They’re inching closer to a contact extension and we know it’s going to be 8 years. But they are not quite close enough yet to say that the deal is imminent
The Kings need some positive news and many around that organization believe this signing will help get that done.