- Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli might trade the 16th overall pick, but he may be leaning towards keeping it.
“Instinctively you want to keep the pick. Especially as the draft approaches, you get more pumped about that pick and the player,” the former Boston GM said. “The other level is, it can get you a pretty good player. So, instinctively, yes, I’d like to keep it.”
On the goalie front, teams are asking for the Oiler No. 16 pick, but they may prefer to trade their 2nd round pick(s).
“There are goalies out there,” Chiarelli said. “We’re in a group of … maybe four teams that are looking for goalies. There are more goalies than that number of teams, so we’re in a buyer’s market. We’ve got multiple picks, so I seem to be a popular potential trading partner on that front.
“Would we trade a second round pick (for a goalie)? Yeah, sure.”
Their are three groupings in the goalie market:
1. Younger who could be a franchise goalie – Cam Talbot, Robin Lehner and Martin Jones.
2. Experienced goalie who could be ready to be a No. 1 – Eddie Lack and Karri Ramo.
3. Established No. 1 – Antti Niemi or Craig Anderson.
“I’m not adverse to either of the types of groups. For me it’s about fitting into how we’re going to improve our (defence), and how we’re going to play defensively,” Chiarelli said. “Whether it’s the trade market or the free agent market, we’re going to play better defensively. Our defencemen will improve, and their defensive play will improve.
“My guess is we’ll probably be able to do something before the draft, but I’m not completely sure.”
- DJ Bean of WEEI: The Bruins are expected to meet with Dougie Hamilton’s agent, J.P. Barry in Florida later this week. Hamilton could ask for Drew Doughty money (eight-years for $56 million) or they could do a shorter-term deal with a lower cap hit. A short-term deal would bring Hamilton closer to being a UFA and potentially more money. Offer sheets can start as early as July 1st.