- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins GM Don Sweeney and the Bruins are “comfortable” with selecting 14th overall next week, but Sweeney indicated that he’s been talking with a lot of GMs, discussing the possibility of moving up or back in the draft. One would think that getting into the top five would interest Sweeney the most – where they could draft Noah Hanifin. Lawson Crouse is another name that could go in the top 10 that could be of interest for the Bruins.
“It has been busy. a lot of conversations with all the teams, everybody sort of trying to get a real good solid view of the landscape ahead of each and every one of us heading into the draft,” said Sweeney in a Friday morning conference call with reporters. “It’s a testament – I’ll give you a little context – it’s a testament to Steve Yzerman and Stan Bowman to be calling teams right after a win and a loss. That says a lot about those guys in general, but it also speaks to the importance of this time of the year.”
Any one of three potential available wingers – Phil Kessel, Patrick Sharp and T.J. Oshie – could help the Bruins in the scoring department, but the Bruins would need the trading team to retain up to half of their salary.
Sweeney has talked to every GM in the past month.
“It has been busy. a lot of conversations with all the teams, everybody sort of trying to get a real good solid view of the landscape ahead of each and every one of us heading into the draft,” said Sweeney in a Friday morning conference call with reporters. “It’s a testament – I’ll give you a little context – it’s a testament to Steve Yzerman and Stan Bowman to be calling teams right after a win and a loss. That says a lot about those guys in general, but it also speaks to the importance of this time of the year.”
Players the Bruins have looked at that could be available at No. 14 include Timo Meier, Jakub Zboril and Travis Konecny.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: GM Sweeney re-confirmed that UFAs Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell won’t be back, and that it’s “highly unlikely” that Carl Soderberg will be back. There is basically no chance that Matt Bartkowski will be back. Adam McQuaid is one player that they would like to retain.
“Peter told Greg Campbell and Daniel Paille they weren’t coming back and I have not changed that,” said Sweeney. “I have spoken to the representatives for both Carl and Matt as to what our intentions are , and with Adam McQuaid’s representatives as well. It’s obviously coming down to the wire with their abilities to interview elsewhere.
“I have had several talks with teams that may or may not present the opportunity to bring one of those players back. But I can guarantee you at this point in time that all three of them [collectively] won’t be back.”
McQuaid’s agent Paul Krepelka.
“We’re holding out hope ,” said Krepelka to CSNNE.com two weeks ago. “He’s a good fit here .”
- Kristen Nelson of NHL.com: GM Sweeney wouldn’t comment on how contract talks with Dougie Hamilton are going. Sweeney knows that a potential offer sheet could be there if they don’t get him signed soon.
“Over time there’s been certain players when bells and whistles go off. … We understand it and we’re moving forward with how we want to get this done,” Sweeney said.
- Nicholas Goss: (answering question) The Bruins don’t need a 33-year old winger in Patrick Sharp, who is past his prime.