Garrioch Rumor Roundup …
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman’s top priority is to trade Jonathan Drouin. Yzerman is finding the Drouin trade market tough. 15 teams were interested in Drouin.Yzerman was looking for a roster player for Drouin, but that didn’t appear to work out and he now is believed to be looking for high end prospects. Interested teams include the Ducks, Predators, Blues, Penguins, Canucks, Senators and Canadiens, but none want to pay the asking price at this point.The league estimated next year’s salary cap to be $74.5 million, but many GM’s are thinking that isn’t going to happen due to the shrinking Canadian dollar. Some teams are nervous of what it will mean for their offseason. One insider said:
“The are some teams right up against the cap and this could negatively effect whether they’re going to be able to keep their players and what happens on July 1.”
Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin would like to add some size up front. Teams are asking for their young assets and that isn’t going to happen.
Both Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien are willing to remain in Winnipeg if the Jets are willing to overpay them. Belief is that one or both could be traded. League executives now thinking they will try to keep Byfuglien over Ladd.
Team are still trying to get Kris Russell from the Flames, but they are still trying to re-sign him.
Nobody is working the phones harder than Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen.
Teams are still looking at Eric Staal despite the Hurricanes recent surge. No one will be surprised if he isn’t back with the Hurricanes.
It might not happen before the trade deadline, but the Rangers would like to add another top-six forward. GM Jeff Gorton has been calling around to see what might be available.
Flyers GM Ron Hextall is also calling around to see what is available in the top-six range.
The Executive Committee will update the board of governors about their recent expansion talks during the All-Star weekend.