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Rumors III: Red Wings, Devils and Hurricanes
Mark Easson
Bob McKenzie: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said that he is expected to meet with GM Ken Holland this morning, but added that there is no timetable on his future. Babcock said he would be talking with his family yesterday, but understands the amount of attention this will be getting. No decisions have been made and the only focus at the moment is his talk with Holland today.
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Red Wings won’t be trading trading Jimmy Howard this offseason and will go with a Howard-Petr Mrazek tandem next season. If the Wings did want to move Howard, it may not be easy due to his remaining four-years at $5.3 million per season. There are not many teams looking for starting goaltending. Mrazek is scheduled to make only $738,000 next season. The Wings won’t re-sign Jonas Gustavsson.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Wings won’t bring Jonas Gustavsson back and they’ll have to decide what to do with Jimmy Howard. They will listen if teams call on Howard, but there is no urgency for them to make a move.
Greg Krupa of the Detroit News: The Wings need another goal scorer. Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar are not enough. Anthony Mantha and Dylan Larkin are getting closer to making the team, but might not be ready yet. On the blueline, available UFAs may improve the team, but they may be better suited for secondary roles – Mike Green, Cody Franson, Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff and Francois Beachemin. The Wings could revisit Dion Phaneuf trade talks with the Leafs.
Rich Chere of NJ.com: Six offseason moves the Devils should make.1. Keep Scott Stevens
2. Hire Ken Hitchcock as their head coach
3. Bring in an assistant GM – Lou Lamoriello could use some help – Pat Verbeek, Martin Brodeur or Claude Loiselle?
4. Close the book on Ryane Clowe – doctors may determine that he can’t play again due to concussions.
5. Re-sign Scott Gomez and Jordin Tootoo.
6. Trade for offense – move at least one of their young defensemen in a package. Eric Gelinas is the most likely to be moved, though there isn’t a defenseman that is untouchable.
Chip Alexander: Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said that they could “slide down a bit” in the first round if the right deal is presented. It is unlikely that they try to move up.
