On the Predators and Islanders …
- Darren Dreger of TSN: Predators GM David Poile has had a number of contract extension talks with CAA Sports (Pat Brisson and JP Barry) about Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg. Talks started in the offseason.
- Islanders GM Garth Snow doesn’t appear to be motivated or have any urgency to sign Kyle Okposo to a contract extension. It appears that Okposo could join Travis Hamonic on the trade market.
On the Flyers …
- Randy Miller of NJ.com: Addressing recent rumors involving the Flyers and Matt Duchene … “Don’t hold your breath.”There is not doubt that Duchene would be a great fit for the Flyers, a perfect No. 2 center, dropping Sean Couturier to the third line.
Problems are his $6 million cap hit for a team with cap issues. $6 million is a lot for a top-six forward who has been inconsistent in his first six years in the league.
The Avs want a lot in return – a good defenseman and more. Fair offers could be: “Shayne Gostisbehere and Couturier? Brayden Schenn and Gostisbehere? Schenn or Couturier and defense prospect Travis Sanheim?” … but neither side would make those deal.
On the Oilers …
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Mark Spector on ‘Oilers Now’ said that when GM Peter Chiarelli makes a big trade, it will be one of their “soft skill” players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Jordan Eberle. Spector adds that the Oilers have a lot of “soft skill” players, adding Teddy Purcell and Nail Yakupov. “Oilers Now” host Bob Stauffer disagrees on RNH.
“I think he’s a pretty competitive centreman, that when he’s playing might be their most complete center. I don’t think we should throw Nugent-Hopkins off the boat here because he has not been right for two weeks. I’m with you, Yakupov and Eberle are complementary guys that if they’re not scoring, what are they bringing you? Purcell is an expiring contract; I wish Pouliot were more consistent, but I’m going to separate Nugent-Hopkins from that group.”
Spector then backtracks a bit on RNH, but adds.
“I’m not saying there’s not a good player there. I think the move comes from the too large pool on soft skill on this team.”