Friedman: Yandle in play, Coyotes "creating an auction" on Vermette

Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 on Tuesday afternoon.

On what he’s hearing out of Arizona:

“I’m hearing a lot. I’m hearing that they’ve asked for a young player with a good young offensive player and a draft pick for Yandle. I think they’re creating an auction on Vermette. Yandle still has another year. Vermette’s a free agent. I think they’ve pretty much come to the realization it will be very hard for them to sign Vermette because I think the number starts with a 6. There just aren’t any centers available.

“I feel for them again. They’re in an ownership flux. I’m not sure the league is very happy with their owners right now because we’re already talking about a sale a year and a half after Bettman got his last one done there. So I think they’re in a flux. Plus, they’re also not going very well. They don’t have a ton of young prospects, especially offensively. I think Maloney feels if he can make these moves and restock a bit, I think he would do it.”

Antoine Vermette and a deal that starts with a 6?

“Yeah. You know what? Look at the market. Look at the market. If it’s not a 6, it’ll be 5-something. Look at the market for centers right now. Now that Spezza is off the market, he’s the best one.

“Now, I’ll tell you this. The interesting thing about Vermette is I think the Coyotes, and maybe a few other teams too, would be willing – because he’s almost 33 – I think they’d be willing to give him a bit more salary if he was willing to take less term. I think that’s the trademark some of these teams are looking at. They’ll say, ‘We’ll give you a good number, if you take less term.’

“Again, Vermette’s going to be in the driver’s seat, so we’ll see what happens.”

Source: Sportsnet 960/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey

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Nichols on Hockey

Nichols on Hockey