On the Calgary Flames and Jonathan Bernier …
- Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Eric Francis on Sportsnet 590 on Jonathan Bernier and the Calgary Flames.
“The Calgary Flames have discussed taking on his contract,” NHL insider Eric Francis told Dean Blundell and Company Thursday on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “It’s not the craziest idea out there. They need a goaltender next year. Pretty much everyone in the organization is either hurt or their contract ends this year.”
The Flames have a team goals against average of 3.43. Jonathan Bernier has a year left on his deal with a $4.15 million cap hit. Both Jonas Hiller ($4.5 million) and Karri Ramo ($3.8 million) will be free agents at the end of the season.
“The Calgary Flames are looking at absolutely every possibility for a goaltender, and Bernier’s a guy who they have discussed in in the front office openly because there is a potential upside,” Francis explained. “I don’t see , and I don’t think many people in Toronto see it. Babcock doesn’t see it. In Toronto, they just want to get rid of that guy.”
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Darren Dreger on TSN 1200 on the Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets.
“Yeah, that’s a gamble by Jim Rutherford, I don’t think there’s any doubt of that. I know that he had interest in other defensemen. Kicked tires on Toby Enstrom out of Winnipeg, but just didn’t seem to be a fit there with the money. And I don’t know that they actually even negotiated on trade. I believe that Rutherford was shooting a little bit higher.
“But in Daley, he’s hoping that Trevor Daley can generate some offense like he did last season and not be the Trevor Daley that obviously Joel Quenneville had no trust in in Chicago.”
Under-the-radar UFAs …
- Jeff Simmons of Sportsnet: Simmons looks at five under-the-radar pending free agents. Frans Nielsen (NYI), Mikkel Boedker (ARI), Troy Brouwer (STL), Jason Demers (DAL) and Darren Helm (DET)