Latest on the Jets, Senators, Canadiens, Oilers and Maple Leafs.
Jets hoping to re-sign winger Drew Stafford.
WINNIPEG SUN: Winger Drew Stafford remains at the top of the Jets’ list of free agents they hope to re-sign this summer. The improvement in Stafford’s numbers after joining the Jets in a trade in February has boosted his free-agent value.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coming off a four-year, $16 million deal, it could cost the Jets over $5 million annually on a four-year deal to keep Stafford in Winnipeg.
OTTAWA SUN’S Bruce Garrioch reports via Twitter no one has sought permission to speak with former Senators coach Paul MacLean or Binghamton Senators coach Luke Richardson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a bit of a surprise. MacLean is a former NHL coach of the year while Richardson is a highly-regarded AHL coach. Indeed, I expected the Buffalo Sabres would contact Richardson regarding their vacant head-coaching position
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Despite the Canadiens playoff disappointment, team owner Geoff Molson is pleased with the overall direction of the club and optimistic over the future.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Despite the incompetent handling of Leon Draisaitl’s NHL debut by the Oilers’ previous management and coaching, he remains a stellar prospect for the club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With can’t-miss prospect center Connor McDavid expected to be in the lineup next season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins centering one of the top two lines and the possibility Derek Roy could be re-signed, it’ll be interesting to see where Draisaitl will fit into the Oilers lineup next season. He could become their third-line center if Roy isn’t re-signed or if McDavid fails to crack the roster, or perhaps they’ll shift him to left wing.
TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs signed forward Sam Carrick to a one-year contract.
I don’t see Edmonton bringing Roy back. No need. Anton Lander is now the #3 C. If Draisaitl moves to LW he may play next season, as Fraser’s skating isn’t up to NHL standards, other wise he will be seasoned in the minors until injuries or a trade open up a roster spot.
I see Edmonton’s roster at forward built something like this next season.
Pouliot, RNH, Eberle.
Hall, McDavid, Yakupov.
Fraser/Draisaitl, Lander, Purcell.
Hendricks, Gordon, Klinkhammer.
Spare Gazdic.
Thoughts from the bench.
Draisaitl will go the AHL, if McLellan’s history of handling kids is any tell. He should go there and play top minutes against men in all situations. I think he’ll be better for it.
Draisaitl is a tank against kids, it’ll be harder against men with man strength, but, although I hate comparisons, he reminds me of Joe Thornton with speed. Remember he beat Hall in the speed category at Edmonton’s skills competition this past year.
Roy is a journeyman center who can provide depth on the third line. His best days were with the Sabres.
Wonder if there is any chance for Babcock and MacLean to reunite in Toronto….
Stafford picked up his game for the Jets indeed. His performance for the Sabres could have been better if he scored more. I doubt he can be considered a first or second-line scoring right wing at this point of his career.
Stafford would succeed as a third line right wing for a team needing depth.
I agree with the statements by Molson. When Bergevin traded some veterans in Gionta and Gorges, they saw it as a step back to let the younger leaders to take over the team. Their best player and leader (Price) gave them a spectacular season of 110 pts. Then they went and made it to the last 8 teams. They were not that far from making it to the next round but a flawed PP sank them. When you can pinpoint so easily what area to reinforce, it helps the process. As an owner, Molson must enjoy the ride so far with the Habs.