On Steven Stamkos, No-Movement Clauses and Anze Kopitar …
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Steven Stamkos is in full control over his situation with his no-movement clause. Would the Lightning trade Stamkos if he’s not re-signed by the trade deadline? Would Stamkos give the Lightning a list of teams he’d approve a trade too?
- Most star players have no-movement clauses, but that doesn’t include Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom – both contracts done by former GM George McPhee.
- LeBrun thinks that ‘no-movement clauses’ will be the new battle in the cap world.
- LeBrun thinks that a Anze Kopitar and LA Kings is mostly agreed upon and could be signed early next month.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Canucks management will sit back next month, taking a good look at their roster, and begin to make decisions on some of their players. They will need to make decisions on pending unrestricted free agent Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis.
- If the Canucks aren’t going to re-sign Vrbata, teams looking for a rental scorer would be interested. If the Canucks are still in the playoff hunt, they may not be able to trade him.
- Looking ahead, the Canucks could have $15 million coming off the books.
On the Montreal Canadiens …
- TVA Sports: Renaud Lavoie reports that some teams are interested in Zack Kassian, who recently cleared waivers and was assigned to the AHL. Kassian won’t play until December 26th, with many scouts expected to be at ACC when they take on the Toronto Marlies.
On the Justin Schultz and Ryan Johansen …
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: A veteran scout on Oilers defenseman Justin Schultz.
“With his skating I’d move him to forward, play him on the wing. He’s got raw ability, for sure, but, for me, he’s missing some hockey sense. He can go end-to-end but he doesn’t see the ice like the good ones do. They control the game, they’re like quarterbacks. And if they don’t want him, a lateral trade might work, for somebody else’s player who hasn’t panned out,” he said.
Matheson wonders if a Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones trade would work?