- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: (mailbag) Potential Sabres lines for next season: Evander Kane-Sam Reinhart-?, Matt Moulson-Zemgus Girgensons-Tyler Ennis, Marcus Foligno-Jack Eichel-Brian Gionta, and Nicholas Deslauriers-Cody McCormick-?. A top-line right winger is the biggest need for the Sabres. Having Ennis on the second line makes them a stronger team. GM Tim Murray when talking about goalies, it’s been in terms of “get the biggest European you can find.”
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: Staples thinks the Islanders need to improve and grow as a group – no big signings or ‘Snow steals” from teams looking to shed salary. Getting Kyle Okposo and Travis Hamonic healthy, both were having career years before their injuries. If Lubomir Visnovsky doesn’t return, they could use a veteran puck moving defenseman. Michael Grabner appears to be the odd man out up front.
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: Some questions facing the Islanders this offseason.
1. Where do the Islanders need to upgrade? – a permanent left winger may not be top priority. Shawn Mattias would be intriguing, but he’ll be high demand. Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis would help their PP and veteran leadership, but they don’t fit the Islanders mold. They could use some depth on the blueline, but more of Matt Carkner type and not a top four. They would welcome Michal Neuvirth back, but he’ll likely want to try and find a No. 1 opportunity.2. Where does Michael Grabner fit in? He has a year left at a $3 million cap hit and could be a trade chip for either a player or a draft pick.
3. Which young players will challenge for a roster spots in September? Griffin Reinhart, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield are the closest on the blueline. Michael Dal Colle is a long-shot.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Five teams called the Maple Leafs about Dion Phaneuf after the trade deadline to further talk about a potential deal. Peter Chiarelli, then of the Bruins, was one of them. At least three teams may be interested in Soo Greyhounds controversial coach Sheldon Keefe. The Leafs will be one of the teams interested in having him coach in the AHL with the Marlies.
