- Terry Frei of the Denver Post: The Avalanche should sign a top-flight defensemen when free agency gets underway. They need to sign Ryan O’Reilly to a contract extension or trade him.
- Renaud Lavoie: Chances are slim to none that Canadiens will go after Phil Kessel.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: (mailbag) The Bruins won’t be willing to trade the assets to move up to Arizona’s third overall pick. Milan Lucic and the No. 14 for the No. 3 wouldn’t be enough for the Coyotes. There are better wingers available like Phil Kessel. Haggerty thinks the Bruins are actively listening to any Lucic offers.Haggerty’s understanding that the Bruins would match any offer sheet for Dougie Hamilton up to $7.3 million. Would only consider letting him go if they got multiple first round picks that you receive with the high end offer sheets. There is the possibility that a team like the Oilers or Blue Jackets try to sign him to an offer sheet.Bruins GM Don Sweeney needs to move out some veterans and salary – Milan Lucic, Dennis Seidenberg, Loui Eriksson, Zdeno Chara, Chris Kelly and Reilly Smith are options.
Haggerty thinks the Bruins should try to move Chara to the Oilers – if he’d waive his no-trade clause.
If the Bruins can free up some salary and roster space, could look at free agents – Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff, Andrej Sekera, Johnny Oduya and Mike Green.
Brent Seabrook would be an ideal trade target.
- Tom Dougherty and Tim Riday of CSN Philly: On if the Flyers should look at free agent left winger Matt Beleskey. Dougherty – the Flyers need to stay away only because of the contract he’s going to get. Riday – he is one of the better young wingers that is available. Some think he could get upwards of $3.5 million, and if that is the case, the Flyers will be out.
- David Staples: Don’t think the Oilers will trade Boyd Gordon this summer – maybe at the trade deadline. Can see Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl starting on the wing for a year or two.
