- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (mailbag) Heika thinks it’s too early to trade Devin Shore or Jason Dickson, need to see if they can re-sign Jason Spezza to a contract extension first. Sergei Gonchar, Shawn Horcoff and Erik Cole could be available, but they won’t bring much of a return. Don’t think the Stars have a desire to trade Alex Goligoski, Trevor Daley or Vern Fiddler. If the Stars were able to get a big named defenseman like Brent Seabrook, then Goligoski or Daley would be available. Tyler Myers and Mike Green are unlikely targets for the Stars right now. Heika thinks the stars will head into the season with what they have on the blueline. They could go after a No. 1 defenseman next offseason when some cap space opens up.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Nothing new to report on Ryan Johansen and the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets position is that here is a two-year, $3.5 million per year deal, blow us away and we’ll give you a big, long-term contract after. Johansen’s position through his agent is that he is one of the best centers in the league, is a budding superstar and should be paid accordingly, in the $7 million neighborhood. At the moment it doesn’t seem like Johansen will be on the ice at the start of training camp (September 18th). The Blue Jackets have already held discussions that this is a possibility. The Blue Jackets are unlikely to bring in a player on a tryout (Some UFAs still looking for work include: Saku Koivu, Dustin Penner, Michal Handzus, Andrei Loktionov, David Steckel, Ryan Malone, Ville Leino, Colin Fraser, Daniel Carcillo, Ryan Carter). If Johansen misses some time, Boone Jenner could be moved back to center.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish admitted on Friday that their wasn’t a trade for a center out there. Back in July, MacTavish said they were trying to land a center this offseason. UFA Andrei Loktionov is still available, but he’s out until mid-September after offseason shoulder surgery and he may not be much of an upgrade over Mark Arcobello.
“We’re going to go into camp – barring anything unforeseen – with the group that we have right now,” he told reporters.
“We’ve got Leon Draisaitl, which is a big question mark for an 18-year-old’s ability to come in. We’ve got Anton Lander, who has shown an ability to score and be a real good player at the American League level. We’ve got Mark Arcobello, who when we sent him back had two points per game at the American League level or very close ; he’s got potential to fill one of those roles. When you look at our depth chart, I understand and certainly agree with that position having the most question marks.”
