Saturday “Headlines”
- Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman: The Lightning are asking teams for an equal player to Jonathan Drouin. The St. Louis Blues are interested in Drouin, and it could take someone like Robby Fabbri to get him. Kevin Shattenkirk’s name has come up, but the Lightning may not be able to fit his cap hit in if it’s a one-for-one deal.
- Elliotte Friedman: Rumored that the Blues offered Shattenkirk to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Ryan Johansen. Friedman thinks teams will be calling the Blues about Shattenkirk, asking if he’s available, and what it will take to get him.
- Damien Cox: Don’t think the Predators are done adding offense and could be in on Drouin.
- Damien Cox: Doesn’t seem that Keith Yandle wants to negotiate a contract extension with the Rangers. The Rangers know they aren’t going to be able to afford him, and Cox thinks he’ll be traded by the deadline.
On the Anaheim Ducks …
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks are looking for offense upfront, but it doesn’t mean they are making a full-court press for Jonathan Drouin. The Ducks do have some assets that might be enough to get a deal done. Drouin would be more affordable than high-priced players like Eric Staal, Jordan Eberle and Kyle Okposo. The Lightning are looking for a right-handed defenseman. The play of prospect Brandon Montour could make Sami Vatanen expendable. The Ducks want to re-sign Vatanen, but they haven’t been able to get it done yet. He could be looking to at least triple his current $1.275 million. The Ducks have an extra third round pick in this years draft.
“Always trying to improve the team,” Murray said in an email to the Register. “Obviously we’re having trouble scoring. Scorers tough to come by, but we won’t give up trying.”
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: At least two teams have called the Toronto Maple Leafs about Roman Polak, but found the asking price way to high. GM Lou Lamoriello has set high asking prices for his players, but that is expected to come down closer to the deadline.