- Damien Cox of Sportsnet: The Maple Leafs will be sellers at the deadline with the No. 1 priority being to clean up their cap situation and create some flexibility. They are opening up contract talks with Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson to see if they can lock them up beyond this season. David Clarkson’s contract makes him untradeable and it’s immune to buyouts due to the bonuses.
The Predators are interested in Chris Stewart. The Sabres have lost 11 in a row, but GM Tim Murray doesn’t appear to be ready to start selling just yet.
Blues Vladimir Tarasenko is unlikely to do a bridge deal on his next contract, and some are wondering if his next contract will start with a “7” or an “8.”
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Willis thinks that Ryan O’Reilly would be a good fit for the Oilers. If the Avs move him, they may prefer to send him to the East. Willis wonders if an Oiler package built around Justin Schultz, Darnell Nurse or Oscar Klefbom would work.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals coach Barry Trotz thinks they need another piece or two.
“I think we can be a playoff team that wins,” Trotz said. “We still need a piece or two, I think. We have some guys that at this level are pretty good contributing players, but the playoffs are another level and I don’t know if some of our guys are ready for that.”
They have good depth on the blueline, but could use a little more depth at forward.
“That’s why we need to have our young guys continue to develop and you need to have depth in the organization. I think we’re pretty deep on defense as an organization. …but at forward we could use a little more and that’s just waiting for guys like Burakovsky, Wilson and Kuznetsov to develop.”
If they feel they are a piece or two away from contending, someone like Antoine Vermette could help. If the Coyotes make Shane Doan available, he might be a fit. Ryan O’Reilly might be another option. Issues with acquiring players like this is the cost to get them, as well as the having the cap space to do so. The Coyotes would likely want a top prospect and high draft pick (at least a 2nd round pick) for Vermette or Doan. The cost for O’Reilly would be higher. The Capitals have about $1.6 million in cap space.
- Brian Costello: With Flames goalie Joni Ortio looking like the real deal, do the Flames consider trading Jonas Hiller or Karri Ramo? Would the Predators or Sharks be interest?
