- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers biggest need is obviously on the blueline and in net, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be looking at some forwards. The Oilers could use a middle-six forward that is able to score and play a defensive game – having size and speed would good. Newsday’s Arthur Staple suggested that Michael Grabner could be the odd man out with the Islanders, and that they could use some draft picks as they don’t pick until the third round. The Oilers have two picks in each of the first three rounds, and could get another third round pick if the Canadiens beat the Lightning. Grabner makes $5 million next season, but only a $3 million salary hit. He could be an option for the Oilers if the Islanders would want a pick, say a third rounder.
- Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: If you’re expecting a major Blues roster turnover, it won’t be easy. The Blues are a cap team and the cap won’t be changing a lot. Most trades are usually dollar-in, dollar-out, unless they find a trade for picks and/or prospects.
“What I don’t want to do is hurt the franchise long term, be a good headline tomorrow and then regret it for five or six years.’’ Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “No manager says. ‘I’m going to make a really bad trade.’ I don’t want to be the first. … To move player X for an inferior player doesn’t make you better.”
The Blues are currently at about $57.8 million for 17 players, not including RFAs Vladimir Tarasenko, Jake Allen and Robert Bortuzzo. If Vladimir Sobotka decides to return, the carries a $2.7 million cap hit. Blues with no-trade clauses: Paul Stastny, Alexander Steen, David Backes, Patrik Berglund, Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester.
“The no-trade, it doesn’t say you’ll never be traded,” Armstrong said. “It says you can be part of the process. A lot of the no-trade clauses, there are seven teams a player can’t go to. … If a player won’t waive his no-trade clause, we’ll just put him on waivers. If I get to the point where we have to get rid of him, I’ll find a way to move him along.”
- Nicholas Goss of NESN: Potential first round forward draft targets – Pavel Zacha, Kyle Connor, Anthony Beauvillier and Jake DeBrusk. Potential first round defensemen draft targets – Zach Werenski, Oliver Kylington and Jeremy Roy.