- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: The Islanders are considering trading Kyle Okposo for a first, and maybe a second round pick. The Capitals don’t have a second round pick this year.
“There’s a lot of different scenarios that could play out,” Snow said. “There could be a trade where we acquire a first or a second. We prepare the same way for this draft that we have in past drafts, because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Okposo would be a perfect fit for the Capitals, especially with his $2.8 million cap hit, but he would basically be a one-year rental. He’ll be looking for a long-term deal worth at least $6 million.
Right wingers that could be on the trading block that the Capitals might be interested in.
Patrick Sharp – two years at a $5.9 million cap hit.
Radim Vrbata – one year left at $5 million.
T.J. Oshie – two years left at $4.175 million.
Justin Williams – is a pending UFA but the Capitals could give up a late round pick for his rights.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: The Capitals have only drafted forwards in the first round the past six years. Five defensemen the Capitals could be interested in who could be there at No. 22: Oliver Kylington, Jeremy Roy, Gabriel Carlsson, Thomas Chabot and Noah Juulsen.
- Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Ben Hankinson, the agent for the Penguins pending UFA defenseman Paul Martin said that he plans on meeting with the Pens in Florida.
“I’m going to sit down with them in Florida, and we’ll talk and go over options,” Hankinson told Trib Total Media on Tuesday. “I can’t promise anything’s going to get done, but we’ll definitely discuss the possibility (of Martin returning) with management.
“He had a good five years in Pittsburgh. He likes it there. There are definitely positive things to talk about.”
The 34-year old Martin is coming off a five year, $25 million contract and could be looking for a raise, but Hankinson said that money isn’t the main goal.
“Paul is still very motivated to win,” Hankinson said. “He’s such a smart player that he has a lot of years left in him to play at a high level.
“His goal in making a decision where he’s going to play next year is to ultimately win what everyone wants, and that’s the Stanley Cup. He just wants to win.”
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford hasn’t ruled out re-signing Martin, but it would eat up money that could be used on a top-six winger.
- Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Penguins Brandon Sutter is entering the last year of his two-year, $6.6 million contract. The 26-year old may be their best asset, and the Penguins may not be able to afford him after next season. If they were to move him, who would fill his third line centering role? The free agent market is weak and is Oskar Sundqvist ready? Mackey doesn’t think a Sutter trade is likely.
- Josh Yohe of the DK on Pittsburgh Sports: Untouchable Penguins: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist, Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, Derrick Pouliot and Marc-Andre Fleury.Trade Candidates: Brandon Sutter, Nick Spaling, Chris Kunitz, Ben Lovejoy and Rob Scuderi.
See Ya: Paul Martin, Christian Ehrhoff, Craig Adams, Daniel Winnik, Max Lapierre and Thomas Greiss.
The Enigmas: David Perron and Beau Bennett.
Welcome Back? Blake Comea and Steve Downie.
The Mystery: Pascal Dupuis
Building Blocks: Ian Cole, Taylor Chorney, Brian Dumoulin, Scott Harrington, Kasperi Kapanen and Oskar Sundqvist.
