- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland.
“A lot of what we’re doing is going to be with the kids, but if there’s something out there that makes us a better club, that’s what we’re looking at,” Holland said. “You have to factor in the cap and all the players we have to sign (on their own team over the next couple of years).
“There’s a small group of players that complement what we’re trying to do, but there’s 30 teams exploring the free-agent market.”
The Red Wings could use a right-handed defenseman. They will make a pitch to Mike Green, but won’t get into a bidding war, especially if he’s looking for five- or six-years at $6 million per season.
“I’d love to get a top-four defenseman,” Holland said. “There’s not many top-four defensemen around and probably a number of teams in the bidding.”
Cody Franson and Johnny Oduya are other options. They won’t re-sign Marek Zidlicky.
“We would we like a right-shot defenseman, but if I can’t have a right-shot defenseman we have (them) in Marchenko and Jensen,” Holland said. “We’ve got good depth. Are we looking to upgrade? Whether it’s on defense or forward, yeah, if the upgrade fits in.”
Upfront they could look at Matt Beleskey, but he might price them out of what they are comfortable with. They have some interest in Joel Ward and Justin Williams, but may be concerned with their age.
- John Vogl of the Buaflo News: The Sabres could use a top-four left-handed defenseman. Options could be Johnny Oduya, Paul Martin, Andrej Sekera and Francois Beauchemin.
“Every year I look at the free agent list and I get less and less enthused,” Sabres General Manager Tim Murray said. “I have talked to agents about certain guys that are high on our list.”
The Sabres could also look at the trade market for a left-handed defensman. The Lightning have four, but may not want to help out a division rival – Matt Carle, Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn and Mattias Ohlund. The Jets also have four defensemen – Tobias Enstrom, Mark Stuart, Grant Clitsome and Jay Harrison.