On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports: The Coyotes put Antoine Vermette unconditional waivers yesterday for the purpose of buying out the 34-year old center.
General Fanager reports he will count $1.25 million against the cap for the next two years, and will save them $2.5 million this year.
“In order to give our team more flexibility, we needed to make this difficult decision,” Coyotes general manager John Chayka in a statement. “This move will provide an opportunity for some of our young, talented players to step up. Antoine is a class act and we thank him for all he did on and off the ice for the Arizona Coyotes organization.”
The move opens up some space for Dylan Strome and/or Christian Dvorak. The Coyotes might also have other ideas in mind as it’s known new GM John Chayka is wanting to improve their roster.
Vermette had a modified no-trade clause and they did explore trade options before putting him on waivers.
Bob Stauffer: Vermette will get interest from teams, though the Oilers will be more likely to be looking at defensemen than centers at this time.
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Though you can’t rule out the Bruins signing Vermette after he’s bought out, but it would go against their desire to be younger next season and they are already deep down the middle.
The Bruins have about $6.7 million in salary cap space that they could use on Jimmy Vesey and possibly a top-four defenseman.
On Las Vegas …
Steve Carp: An official announcement should happen today with the Las Vegas franchise naming Kelly McCrimmon their assistant GM according to owner Bill Foley.
On the Edmonton Oilers …
Guy Flaming: A non-Oilers source said that Keith Gretzky could be the new Oilers assistant GM.
Bob McKenzie: Keith Gretzky will be joining the Oilers in soon capacity in the near future.