On the Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, and Arizona Coyotes …
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: It has been quiet with regards to Jonathan Drouin, but it doesn’t mean nothing is being done. Would be nice for the Lightning to move Drouin before the deadline so they can possibly get something to help them out in their playoff push, but the Lightning might not be looking for the best deal they get by the deadline. Yzerman will wait for a deal that he is comfortable with, and it might not happen until the offseason.
- The Blackhawks don’t have a lot of salary cap space, but GM Stan Bowman is successful in getting teams to retain salary and is very creative to make something work.
- Starting to think that the Ducks will keep Frederik Andersen as insurance for John Gibson. Teams that are interested in the pending RFA, will likely still be interested in the offseason.
- One executive on if the Oilers were to end up with another top-three draft pick this year.
“I wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they traded that pick for a top defenseman. Or at least looked at it.”
LeBrun wondering with some TSN people this week: If the Oilers got the first overall pick, would they (and Arizona) consider trading Arizona native Auston Matthews for Oliver Ekman-Larsson (plus maybe more)?
On the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs …
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet 590 yesterday.
“Andrew Ladd is going to move somewhere,” Kypreos told Dean Blundell & Co. Thursday. “It doesn’t seem like they’re able to bridge anything on a contract negotiation. He’s been linked to a few spots: Anaheim, Chicago. Lots of talk about Chicago giving up some prospects.”
- Kelly Moore of CJOB Winnipeg on Hockey Central at Noon said that Andrew Ladd’s contract makes him more attractive than Eric Staal. Moore added that if they need to move a defenseman out to make room for Dustin Byfuglien’s new contract, it could be Tobias Enstrom, though Enstrom has a no-movement clause through the end of next year.
- Maple Leafs pending UFA James Reimer on the trade deadline.
“You think about it like anybody,” said Reimer. (I think he’d be a perfect rental for a contender seeking depth in net.) “This time of year – heck, even if your name isn’t being tossed around – you never know what’s going on. It’s a time of year when things happen, the unexpected happens.”
