Friedman on Bruins' trades, Stamkos, Markstrom and more
/Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 Monday morning.
Key quotes and notes:
“Chiarelli said this morning he still wants to clear a bit of cap room, so I think there’s a move coming. Likely a defenseman. Although I’m not convinced it’s going to be Boychuk yet.”
“It’s been some combination of Bartkowski, McQuaid. I think there were some attempts to move Chris Kelly as well, up front, but I don’t know how much interest there is on that. Obviously Boychuk has been the main name out there, but I think the Bruins want to start the season with him. And I’ve also been kind of told, although it hasn’t happened yet, I do think at some point they will ask him or his representatives – Gerry Johansson – if there is any interest in extending. And if so, what that is going to mean. So as far as I know that hasn’t happened yet, so I’m not expecting Boychuk to be the guy.”
Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik “very quietly, has become – I believe - one of the best owners in the National Hockey League.”
“I think what you’re going to see – and he talked about Stamkos and said, ‘Obviously we want Stamkos to be here for the rest of his career.’ So I think what you’re going to see Tampa do is, they are going to try to sign him as soon as July 1 next year when they’re eligible. And they know it’s going to be a big number and I’m not sure if it’s going to be a Kane and Toews number, but it’s going to be close. And I think what you’re going to see is them take a big run to make sure next summer isn’t a loony summer, like this past one was with favorite tweets and crazy rumors and stuff like that. And they’ll say to him, ‘Steven, do you want to sign?’ I think they’re going to do everything they can to get that done as soon as they’re eligible to do it, which is Canada Day next year.”
“I think it all comes down to does Stamkos want to stay? I have no reason to believe he wants to leave, but until you really get down to those negotiations, you don’t have any of your answers.”
“They took a real run at the No. 1 pick. The rumor at the draft was no team made Florida think as much as Tampa did for that No. 1 overall selection.”
“I don’t know how you can look at that franchise (Tampa Bay Lightning) and say they aren’t doing anything but going in the right direction.”
“I do think Vancouver talked to a couple of teams, trade-wise (about Jacob Markstrom). I would suspect one was Winnipeg. I would suspect one was New Jersey. To say, ‘Look, are you interested in him?’ and we’ll trade you him for a draft pick. I don’t think that went anywhere.”
Friedman also addresses Jarome Iginla signing with the Colorado Avalanche and how it might take him a little while to get going with a new system, but Patrick Roy will figure out the best way to use him.
“By the way, I just got a note. I can update you on something. I was checking with all the RFA signings if there any progress in Dallas with Dillon or Eakin and one of the notes I just got was ‘As of right now, quiet. No progress.’ So it doesn’t look like those guys are getting anywhere.”
Source: Sportsnet 960/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey