Nichols' Notes
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Adrian Dater of the Denver Post offers up his take on the Colorado Avalanche opting for salary arbitration with RFA Ryan O'Reilly, using Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars as a comparable. Lengthy article and Dater isn't sure what will happen. He does note O'Reilly's agent, Mark Guy, had no comment when reached via text.
Within the article Dater writes of O'Reilly "I think the Avs will trade him within two years. I think there’s just enough bad blood left over from the previous situation to poison the waters with things going forward."
Shawn Thornton spoke with CSNNE about his departure from the Boston Bruins. Classy exit for the rugged forward, as you'd expect, who was a favorite among fans. In terms of the role of fighting fading away in the NHL, Thornton offered this: "I don't think we're dropping the puck on Oct. 6 next year and it's just going to be figure skating. (Laughs) I think there's still going to be a lot of fighting."
Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal has several Oilers-related updates. Exec Scott Howson says the team is speaking with UFA Mark Fraser's agent to see if there's a deal to be made. Ben Eager, Steve MacIntyre and Ryan Jones won't be re-signed. Nothing imminent on a deal for RFA Justin Schultz. Most of the article is dedicated to thoughts on Iiro Pakarinen.
In terms of the possibility of the Oilers (currently owning the No. 3 pick) vying for the first overall pick from the Florida Panthers, Terry Jones with The Edmonton Sun had this quote from GM Craig MacTavish, which makes it sound unlikely.
"From our point of view, it's impossible to project which of the top four picks will have the most impact over time. When it comes to positional needs we need defencemen and a centre and with this draft we're going to get one or the other," said MacTavish.
David Booth's agent, Mike Liut, shared his thoughts on a potential buyout of his client by the Vancouver Canucks with Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun. Liut said he spoke with the team a few weeks ago and hadn't yet received a decision either way.
"I don't have a feeling, not really, on how it might go," Liut said. "I think David played quite well at the end of the year and I will stand by this: anybody who essentially misses a year of hockey does not have it all together in the first three months. I mean, it just takes time. So I think the way it finished for David gives Vancouver something to think about. Depending on what other roster moves they're trying to make, that may or may not dictate what they do with him."
Jim Jamieson of The Vancouver Province also covers the situation, with an indication from Liut that the Canucks may wait until after the draft to make the final decision on Booth.
Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon gives The Miami Herald's George Richards an update on the coaching search. In terms of the team's No. 1 overall pick at the draft, which he has been openly shopping, Tallon offered this: "There have been a few nibbles, but nothing serious.''
Tallon said the Panthers are still debating whether or not to use a buyout.
Helene St. James with The Detroit Free Press passes along that indications are the Detroit Red Wings will soon re-sign Jonas Gustavsson to back up Jimmy Howard. Gustavsson seeks two years, while the Wings would prefer a one-year deal.
"I've been talking to Gustavswson's agent," GM Ken Holland told the Free Press today. "He played good for us. We'd like to keep him."
For a full wrap on Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan's presser from Monday, see CSN's Chuck Gormley.
No compliance boyouts. We'll likely see team acquire a veteran backup goalie, which means Braden Holtby as No. 1 and Philipp Grubauer in the AHL again. Updates given on contract talks with MIkhail Grabovski and the team's RFAs. Mike Green will likely be staying and Evgeny Kuznetsov may be used at center. Doesn't sound like the Caps will get too crazy with free agency either.
Alex Prewitt with The Washington Post has a bit more on Grabovski's status too.
Mike Heika of DallasNews.com has a full rundown of the activity from the Dallas Stars on Monday, courtesy of Jim Nill.
The team will use a compliance buyout on Aaron Rome to keep the cap space open. “We’re not a cap team or a floor team, so it wasn’t necessary to do it this way,” said Nill, who also indicated the success of the defensemen at the AHL level "changes how we look at our team."
The Stars did make an offer to Vernon Fiddler, who declined and will test free agency. The team will not be making an offer to UFAs Ray Whitney and Tim Thomas.
Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post relays that Capitals owner Ted Leonsis called out (without naming names) Ken Campbell of The Hockey News for his Caps-related Bob Nicholson tweet last week.
Eric Duhatschek from The Globe and Mail plays GM of the New York Islanders for a minute and wonders why the team wouldn't try to bring both Thomas Vanek and Matt Moulson back into the fold from the free agent market this summer.
TSN's Aaron Ward on Team 1040 Monday morning, asked if Ryan Kesler might be going to the Philadelphia Flyers: "I don't know. I don't believe Philly's in. I think if you're Philly - and I've talked to someone there - if you're Philly... they have to deal with something up front that that's Lecavalier because Lecavalier wants to be moved; or, if they're going to place him on the fourth line again he wants to be moved. That's a tough contract to move.
"And if you're the Flyers, the area of concentration for the Flyers is not up front. The area of concentration for the Flyers is the defensemen. They've got to be active players in the d-men market. I mean, could that also involve Vancouver? Could you be looking at a guy like Edler? There's so many options and so many possibilities out there for everybody. But I don't see - I get that Kesler may want to go there. I get that Kesler might be a good fit. But I'm thinking Anaheim is more of a destination for Kesler."
Oilers GM Craig MacTavish spoke with Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun. There are a number of quotes in there on the subject of free agency and trades, with MacT repeating the usual stuff we’ve heard in terms of what he’s targeting. Two particularly important notes though.
While discussing his need for a puck-moving defenceman and a defensive defenceman: “We’re not going to compromise our young prospects on defence. We’d rather they played in the American Hockey League or junior.”
On the free agency interview period helping the Oilers: “We think it does. It gives us a chance to make a more convincing case. We’re getting decent at communicating our situation.”
How does Alberta specifically help?
“It’s significant. It’s 10% more take home dollars than any other location. That’s a pretty significant thing over time. It’s probably not the premier deciding factor, but it’s a significant factor.”