NHL Rumors I: Booth, Del Zotto and the Oilers
  • Will DePaoli of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: The agent for David Booth, Mike Luit, has reached out to the Penguins in recent weeks. Penguins assistant coach Jacques Martin coached Booth for two years in Florida. Director of Amateur Scouting Randy Sexton also has Panthers ties with Booth. The Penguins are working on deals for RFA Nick Spaling and Brandon Sutter before moving on to others according to sources. They haven’t closed the door on Booth on a one-year, low salaried deal.
  • Luke Fox of SportsNet: The 24-year old Michael Del Zotto is still looking for a team for next season after not having a good year.

    “The whole season overall wasn’t how I wanted it to be. It was unfortunate losing your confidence early. It’s a confidence game. So I’m just trying to get it back this summer,” he says. “I know what I can do and can provide a team. I’ve done it in the past; I’m just trying to get there again.”

    Del Zotto said that he’s talking to “a bunch” of teams and that “obviously there’s interest.” He wouldn’t say how many or which teams are interested.

  • Bob Stauffer: “Some late night Oilers thoughts for U. #1 The biggest off-season addition in the short term will be Craig Ramsay…good add for Eakins. #2 The biggest addition long-term will be Leon Draisaitl. Under-stated personality will compliment Hall, RNH, Eberle, Yak and Schultz. #3 Jujhar Khaira has a legit shot to be Oilers #3 C by 2016. His #’s weren’t great in Everett but he played for Kevin Constantine. The Oilers have to make sure Khaira Centers 1 of the top 2 lines in OKC and gets a lot of minutes right from the get go as a Pro. #4 2010 2nd round picks Tyler Pitlick and Curtis Hamilton fought injuries and a deep depth chart in first 2 pro years…progressed last season…but now they really have to take the next step…but the Oilers also need to ensure farm team is about developing players. #5 The Goaltending situation is not “fixed”. It would be fixed in Henrik Lundqvist was an Oiler. Nonetheless I fully expect a highly competitive battle between Viktor Fasth and Ben Scrivens which should help the Oil get off to a better start than last season. #6 the player I get asked about the most around the League is David Perron. Not surprising as he is the Oilers 2nd most competitive player. #7 I would not trade J. Schultz for a #2 C like say O Reilly. Oilers finished 29th in D scoring last season. Patience!