NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2022

by | Sep 2, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 2, 2022

The Stars sign Jake Oettinger to a three-year contract, an update on the Canadiens’ contract talks with Kirby Dach, Rangers defenseman Nil Lundkvist requests a trade, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed Jake Oettinger to a three-year contract worth $4 million annually. The 23-year-old goaltender was a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (NHL Images).

Oettinger took over as their starting goaltender midway through last season. He backstopped them to the seventh game of the first round of the 2022 NHL playoffs, making a franchise-record 64 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a reasonable bridge deal, giving Oettinger a well-deserved raise that doesn’t break the bank for the Stars. It also sets him up for a more lucrative new contract if he can build upon last season’s promising performance.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports the Montreal Canadiens are discussing a new contract with Kirby Dach. The 21-year-old restricted free agent was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in July. One of the options being discussed is a four-year contract with an average annual value of around $3.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dach, a third-overall pick of the Blackhawks in 2019, struggled through injury and inconsistency in his years in Chicago. However, he still has plenty of time to regain his promising form. Perhaps the move to the rebuilding Canadiens will help.

Habs management could be banking on it if they’re willing to sign him to a four-year deal. The $3.5 million wouldn’t be extravagant but it could be argued that he hasn’t earned that pay level yet.

NEW YORK POST: Multiple sources claim the Rangers are attempting to trade Nils Lundkvist. The 22-year-old defenseman informed management that he’s unlikely to report to training camp in the absence of a deal.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury is working with Claude Lemieux (Lundkvist’s agent) to find a trade to a club that will give his client an opportunity to see top-four minutes and powerplay time. It’s believed Drury is seeking a young, top-nine center who can grow within the Rangers’ organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report adds that Lundkvist has no issues with the Rangers. He just doesn’t see an opportunity to develop on their deep blueline.

This situation resembles Vitali Kravtsov’s standoff with the Rangers last season when he went to Russia to await a trade rather than report to their AHL affiliate. He still remains with the Rangers, however, and will try to earn a roster spot in training camp.

Time will tell if Lundkvist suffers the same fate. He could have more value in the trade market than Kravtsov given his position as a puck-moving, right-shot defenseman. Perhaps the Vancouver Canucks, Arizona Coyotes or Detroit Red Wings will be among his suitors.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Columbus Blue Jackets signed James Neal to a professional tryout offer. Neal, 34, spent most of last season with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Neal has reached or exceeded the 20-goal plateau 10 times in his NHL career. However, his best seasons are now well behind him. This is probably his last chance to stay in the big league.

THE ATHLETIC/WINNIPEG SUN: Leah Hextall is speaking about her difficult first season calling nationally televised NHL games for ESPN. She was subjected to sexist and misogynistic threats on social media and phone messages.

The worst came from someone threatening to track her down in her hometown of Winnipeg to sexually assault and kill her. “It was that shocking, more than anything, that someone would have that much anger towards me because I was calling a hockey game,” she said. “A hockey game. I’m not saving lives here. I’m just calling a hockey game, and you were willing to threaten my physical and sexual safety?”

Despite the abuse, Hextall will be returning behind the mike this season with ESPN. She wants to inspire girls and women who hope to one day follow her path into hockey broadcasting. She also hopes hockey will bring more women into the game.

Hextall has been covering the NHL since 2012 with several major sports networks before joining ESPN’s NHL broadcast team last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I encourage everyone to read the links attached for the full details of Hextall’s story.

It’s one thing to be critical of how someone reports or broadcasts the game. I’ve faced it myself and it’s part of the job.

However, the abuse and threats Hextall faced, mainly because she’s a woman, were uncalled for and shocking. There’s no need for it at all and no one should have to face that.

I hope Hextall perseveres and becomes a role model for everyone who wants to get into the industry.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 1, 2022

by | Sep 1, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 1, 2022

Stars owner Tom Gaglardi on the status of contract talks with Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger, the Wild trade Dmitry Kulikov to the Anaheim Ducks, the latest contract signings and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: During an appearance on “The Cam & Strick Podcast”, Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi spoke about the contract talks with restricted free agents Jason Roberton and Jake Oettinger. Both players are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts. 

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (NHL Images).

Gaglardi pointed out it takes time to get these deals done. “You’re an RFA, there’s really no deadline, there’s no hurry, and that’s kind of how things go,” he said. 

The Stars owner pointed out his club has the cap space to sign them but it’s finding the right fit in dollars and term. “These conversations are happening, I can’t tell you that a deal is imminent, but maybe one of them is more imminent, I don’t know.” 

Cap Friendly indicates the Stars have over $10 million in cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One or both players could be under contract before training camp opens later this month. That leaves roughly three weeks for both sides to sort this out. 

Robertson and Oettinger have no real leverage other than to withhold their services by not reporting to training camp until a deal is signed. Both are core members of the Stars roster so management would prefer to avoid them missing any valuable training time or have this situation drag on into the start of the regular season. 

TWINCITIES.COM: The Minnesota Wild traded defenseman Dmitry Kulikov to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a straightforward salary dump by the cap-strapped Wild, shedding Kulikov’s $2.25 million cap hit for the coming season. The rebuilding Ducks, meanwhile, bring in some additional veteran depth to take some pressure off their younger defensemen. 

WGR 550: The Buffalo Sabres signed goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a two-year, $1.675 million contract. 

Speaking of the Sabres, they’re bringing back their black and red “Goathead” jersey for 12 games this season, starting in November. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: At least it’s not the dreaded “Buffaslug”.

THE SEATTLE TIME: The Kraken signed defenseman Cale Fleury to a one-year, two-way contract worth $750K at the NHL level.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers recently signed winger Hayden Hodgson to a two-year, $1.6 million contract. The deal is two-way in the first season and one-way for the second. 

TORONTO SUN: Former NHL player and coach Orval Tessier passed away last Thursday at age 89. 

Tessier played 59 games with the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins between 1954-55 and 1960-61. He went on to a successful coaching career in Juniors and the AHL, winning the Memorial Cup in 1972 with the Cornwall Royals and the Calder Cup with the New Brunswick Hawks in 1982.

In 1982-83, Tessier became head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, winning the Jack Adams Award as that season’s NHL coach of the year. Fired midway through the ’84-’85 season, he became a scout and won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Tessier’s family and friends as well as the players who were coached by him. 










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 28, 2022

by | Aug 28, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 28, 2022

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: speculation over Dylan Larkin’s next contract and future with the Red Wings plus a look at the contract talks of Stars youngsters Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan mused over what center Dylan Larkin’s next contract with the Detroit Red Wings could look like. The 26-year-old Wings captain is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

Khan reports the two sides have been discussing a contract extension since mid-July. No deal is done, suggesting Larkin’s agent and Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman remain far apart.

Larkin is coming off a 31-goal, 69-point performance in 71 games last season, putting him in line for a substantial raise over the $6.1 million average annual value of his current contract. That could put him in the $8 million AAV range though Khan wouldn’t be surprised if the Larkin camp was seeking $9 million.

If talks extend into the coming season, Larkin’s performance could become a factor in determining his next contract, likely an eight-year deal. However, his name could surface in the rumor mill if there’s no contract in place leading up to the 2023 NHL trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could take time for Larkin’s representatives and Yzerman to hammer out an agreement. I’ll be surprised if a deal isn’t in place before the trade deadline.

Larkin is seen as a key member of the rebuilding Red Wings’ core. I think Yzerman wants to maintain some continuity within his roster, especially with homegrown talent to provide leadership to the youngsters already in the lineup and coming up from their system.

I’m not suggesting talks won’t fall apart or Larkin won’t be traded, though his full no-trade clause gives him plenty of leverage. However, I believe the two sides will get a deal done that keeps him in Detroit for the long term.

THE ATHLETIC: In his latest mailbag segment, Saad Yousuf was asked how nervous Dallas Stars fans should be about Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger not being signed right now. The two 23-year-olds are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts.

Yousuf isn’t too concerned right now though he acknowledged the snail’s pace of negotiations given the lack of urgency at this time. “There was no arbitration hearing to contend with, there’s no imminent threat of an offer sheet and there has been no requirement for players to report anywhere,” he said.

Robertson and Oettinger are team-oriented players who don’t want to miss the start of training camp. However, that becomes a possibility if negotiations remain unsolved by that point. Yousuf suggests a bridge deal for both players might be best for both sides right now, speculating Robertson could get a $7 million AAV and Oettinger coming in at $4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The threat of an offer sheet remains but I doubt Robertson or Oettinger are going to get one. That’s a rarely used tactic that has only succeeded twice in the salary-cap era. If they were to receive offer sheets it likely would’ve happened after the free-agent market opened on July 13 when most teams still had sufficient cap room.

Cap Friendly shows 13 teams already over the $82.5 million cap for the coming season with another 11 having less than $5 million in cap room. Only three teams – Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes – have sufficient cap space to make the type of competitive bids to successfully pry away Robertson or Oettinger. If either of those three clubs were going to make that move they would’ve done so by now.

I also don’t see any team making a robust trade offer for Robertson or Oettinger. I’m sure some general managers have called Stars GM Jim Nill to see if either guy is available but he’s probably not interested in their trade pitches. Both youngsters are already part of the Stars’ core and will take on bigger roles over the next couple of years.

The Stars have $10.3 million in cap space for 2022-23 and only Robertson and Oettinger to re-sign. They have the leverage to get those two youngsters under bridge contracts with the promise of more lucrative deals down the road, especially when aging Stars such as Jamie Benn ($9.5 million AAV) and Ryan Suter ($3.65 million) come off their books at the end of 2024-25.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2022

by | Aug 12, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2022

How will the Golden Knights replace sidelined goalie Robin Lehner? What’s the latest on Coyotes’ defenseman Jakob Chychrun? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

EXAMINING THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS’ OPTIONS TO REPLACE LEHNER

THE ATHLETIC: With Robin Lehner sidelined for the upcoming season by hip surgery, Jesse Granger examined the Vegas Golden Knights’ options to replace the 31-year-old goaltender. If Lehner goes on long-term injury reserve, they’ll have roughly $7 million in usable cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are already above the $82.5 million salary cap for 2022-23 by over $5.7 million with Shea Weber on long-term injury reserve. Most of Lehner’s $5 million cap hit is expected to be used to sign their remaining restricted free agents.

The Golden Knights could promote promising Logan Thompson as their starter backed up by Laurent Brossoit or Michael Hutchinson. That would provide them with the cap space to add a free agent such as Paul Stastny, Sonny Milano or Phil Kessel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They would have to be careful in how much of that cap wiggle room they invest in other players. Spend too much and they won’t have enough room to address their goaltending if Thompson, Brossoit and Hutchinson can’t get the job done.

If they decide to seek a replacement for Lehner outside the organization the pickings are slim. Braden Holtby remains unsigned but his career may be over due to injuries. Granger noted Cory Schneider is still available. He spent the past two years in the AHL.

New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget about free agency. Holtby’s done and Schneider’s last decent NHL season was 2017-18.

Granger suggested New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov as a trade option.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Owen Krepps included Varlamov among his list of suggested trade options. He also mentioned the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Joonas Korpisalo, the San Jose Sharks James Reimer, and the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello reportedly prefers to keep his goalie tandem intact for the coming season. As Krepps pointed out, however, there are rumors that he’s looking to clear cap space to sign free agent center Nazem Kadri officially. Lamoriello could change his mind provided the Golden Knights aren’t on Varlamov’s 16-team no-trade list.

The Blue Jackets signed Korpisalo to a one-year deal where he’ll be serving as Elvis Merzlikins’ backup so he’s probably unavailable. There is talk the Sharks could trade Reimer for the “right price”. Earlier this summer, Gibson denied rumors claiming he’d welcome a trade out of Anaheim. He carries a 10-team no-trade list.

What hurts the Golden Knights is their lack of trade capital. Since 2018, they’ve mortgaged their future by acquiring stars such as Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and Jack Eichel. Investing big money in those players (plus free agent signings like Alex Pietrangelo) also forced them to make cost-cutting deals such as practically giving away Pacioretty last month to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Perhaps they could get Varlamov if the Isles are only looking to shed salary but I don’t think Lamoriello wants to move him. The Sharks will want something decent for Reimer while the Ducks’ asking price for Gibson could start with a first-round pick. Given he’s carrying a $6.4 million annual cap hit through 2026-27, they probably can’t afford him over the long term.

Granger also mentioned the possibility of signing Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to an offer sheet. He points out that the Golden Knights lack their own second-round pick in 2023. That means an offer sheet would have to be between $4.2 million and $6.3 million to meet the compensation requirement of a first and third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget it. The Stars have $10.3 million in cap space. I estimate it’ll take between $6.5 million and $8 million to sign Oettinger to an unmatchable offer sheet. The compensation there is a first, a second and a third-round pick. As Granger observed, they lack their own second-rounder next year.

Ed Graney of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recommends the Golden Knights avoid over-reacting, especially when the trade and free-agent markets won’t be kind. He suggests seeing how things play out with Thompson as their starter before exploring other options. I daresay that’s how management will handle this for now.

COULD THE COYOTES MOVE CHYCHRUN BEFORE TRAINING CAMP?

TSN’s Shawn Simpson recently took to Twitter reporting the feeling around the league is the Arizona Coyotes could trade Jakob Chychrun before training camp opens next month. He said the Ottawa Senators were among the teams in the mix but the Coyotes’ asking price for the 24-year-old defenseman is “ridiculously high”. He credits Senators GM Pierre Dorion for being patient.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coyotes beat writer Craig Morgan of GOPHNX.com expects Chychrun will be in Arizona’s lineup when the season begins in October. He’s acknowledged that could change but feels the next best opportunity to trade the blueliner could be the 2023 trade deadline.

Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong tried moving Chychrun last season and during last month’s NHL draft. There’s plenty of interest in the blueliner but little in meeting Armstrong’s price, which is believed to be heavy on futures, including a first-round pick, a top prospect and a promising NHL-ready player.

It’s possible Chychrun gets moved before training camp or before the regular season begins. Unless Armstrong lowers his price, however, I wouldn’t hold my breath, especially with the rearguard under contract through 2024-25.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2022

by | Aug 9, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2022

Why hasn’t a club attempted to sign Stars goalie Jake Oettinger to an offer sheet? Should P.K. Subban or Phil Kessel try to sign with the Oilers? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHY HASN’T OETTINGER RECEIVED AN OFFER SHEET?

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons wonders why an NHL club with money to spend hasn’t taken a run at signing Jake Oettinger. The Dallas Stars goaltender is a restricted free agent. Simmons believes he could be a starter for the next 10 years.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oettinger, 23, quietly blossomed into the Stars’ starting goalie last season after a promising rookie performance during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign. His impressive performance against the Calgary Flames in the opening round of the 2022 postseason (1.81 goals-against average, a .954 save percentage with one shutout) pushed that series to the full seven games before the underdog Stars finally bowed out.

The Stars have $10.3 million in cap space for 2022-23 with Oettinger and fellow rising star Jason Robertson to re-sign. Both are coming off entry-level contracts and lack arbitration rights, giving Stars management the hammer in negotiations. They could end up with bridge deals with the promise of a larger payday down the road.

A team could throw a monkey wrench into that plan by offering Oettinger something between $6.5 million and $8 million for the coming season. It would cost a first, a second and a third-round pick if the Stars didn’t match but a goalie of his caliber could be worth it.

There are a few reasons why I believe no one’s signed Oettinger to an offer sheet. He might not be interested in one. Another is most general managers still prefer to avoid that route and risk a retaliatory strike down the road. The Montreal Canadiens’ ill-fated attempt to sign Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho in 2019 and the Hurricanes’ signing away Jesperi Kotkaniemi two years later remain fresh in everyone’s memory.

The biggest reason, however, is the teams with the cap space have factors preventing them from doing so.

Six teams – Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes – have the cap space to approach Oettinger with an offer sheet.

The Wings, however, already have two goalies in Alex Nedeljkovic and the recently-acquired Ville Husso at an affordable combined amount of $7.75 million for 2022-23. The New York Islanders are set in goal for this season with Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov. Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an annual cap hit of $6.4 million and a full no-movement clause.

The Blackhawks acquired Petr Mrazek from the Leafs and signed Alex Stalock. They’re also in the middle of a major roster rebuild and probably have an eye on next year’s draft lottery and the opportunity to select promising prospect Connor Bedard.

The Sabres have the cap space and a need for an improvement in goal with aging Craig Anderson and career backup Eric Comrie signed for this season. However, they lack their third-rounder in 2023 to make the type of offer that might successfully pry Oettinger away from the Stars. They also still believe in promising Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who could take on a larger role this season.

That leaves the Coyotes, who have the cap room and the draft picks to make a successful offer-sheet bid. However, they’ve committed a three-year deal to Karel Vejmelka as their starter. I suspect they could also have an eye on next year’s draft lottery and the chance of landing Bedard.

SUBBAN OR KESSEL TO THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins recently reported the Oilers are still linked to free agents P.K. Subban and Phil Kessel. Both players have already made a lot of money at this stage of their careers.

Leavins believes they still want to win after losing years in New Jersey and Arizona. He wondered if their agents might put in a call with a “Final 4 team” to see if there’s a fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: “If there’s a fit” is the key phrase here. Perhaps one of them would be willing to come to Edmonton for a season on an affordable contract if they believe the Oilers could give them a shot at winning the Cup. Whether the Oilers can squeeze them into their limited payroll is another matter. So too is whether their skills and personalities would assimilate well into the Oilers’ dressing room.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2022

by | Jul 18, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2022

A look at some potential offer-sheet candidates but recent speculation on Nazem Kadri, John Klingberg and more in today’s NHL rumor mill.

POTENTIAL OFFER SHEET CANDIDATES

RDS.CA: Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk could be a top candidate to receive an offer sheet. The Flames have the cap space ($18.45 million) to match any offer. However, the 25-year-old Tkachuk’s future in Calgary remains uncertain and it’s unclear if he’d want to sign a long-term extension with the Flames. A bid of $10.5 million for one season would cost four first-round picks as compensation to the Flames.

Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could let Tkachuk go if a rival club made that bid and use those four first-rounders to put toward retooling their roster. The winger didn’t file for salary arbitration, making him eligible to receive an offer sheet.

That one-year offer sheet could also backfire on the team successfully signing Tkachuk away from the Flames. He could decide to test next summer’s unrestricted free agent market, leaving them without their first-round picks in the next four drafts. If a team is going to go for it, they’d better be sure that they can lock him up beyond 2022-23.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson and goaltender Jake Oettinger could also prove tempting targets. The Stars have $11 million in cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are key parts of the Stars’ future and they don’t want to lose either guy. The club can afford to match for one but not both unless they’re willing to shed salary before the start of the season.

Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine are two other possible offer sheet candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubois’ reported desire to test the UFA market in 2024 has sparked speculation that the Jets could trade him for the right return. He’s been tied to the Montreal Canadiens as his agent recently admitted his client would one day like to play for them.

Some observers wonder if the Habs will go the offer sheet route if efforts to acquire Dubois via trade fall through. With just $1.2 million in cap room and ongoing uncertainty over whether Carey Price ($10.5 million AAV) will play next season, they don’t appear to be in a position to make a competitive bid.

The Blue Jackets’ signing of Johnny Gaudreau last week left them with just over $2 million in cap space. Management indicated its intent to continue negotiations with Laine, who opted not to file for arbitration. However, he could prove a tempting option if a club is willing to pony up a hefty deal for over $9 million per season.

RUMORS FROM FRIDAY’S “32 THOUGHTS” PODCAST

SPORTSNET: In the final “32 Thoughts” podcast of 2021-22, Elliotte Friedman reported hearing that Nazem Kadri is waiting for teams to clear salary-cap space to sign him. He thinks the Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders could be among his suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would explain why Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard ($5 million annual average value) has surfaced in trade rumors of late. Islanders winger Anthony Beauvillier ($4.15 million) was a fixture in the rumor mill last season but I haven’t seen his name being mentioned with their efforts to clear cap room for Kadri.

Speaking of the Islanders, Friedman believes they’re not done making moves. “They’ve been way too quiet,” he said.

Friedman also cast some doubt on reports suggesting the Calgary Flames could make Kadri a mega-offer. He thinks the two sides have talked but believes the Flames are trying to be careful in the aftermath of Johnny Gaudreau’s departure to Columbus via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve noted before, Kadri rejected a trade to Calgary by the Toronto Maple Leafs three years ago. Perhaps he feels differently now, especially if the Flames are willing to make a significant offer. That doesn’t seem to be the case based on Friedman’s assessment.

Jeff Marek believes the Detroit Red Wings could be the final destination for John Klingberg. However, he doesn’t think the Wings want to sign the 29-year-old free-agent defenseman to a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Klingberg is the other remaining notable in this summer’s UFA market. There was speculation also tying him to the Seattle Kraken. Like the Wings, they have the cap space to sign him. I doubt he will get between $7.75 million and $8.5 million per season that Marek had him seeking from the Dallas Stars last fall.

Friedman reported the Edmonton Oilers were trying to move Jesse Puljujarvi for a draft pick. He indicated that it’s difficult right now because the clubs with an interest in him have little or no cap space and didn’t want to make that deal.

According to Friedman, the New York Rangers were talking to the Vancouver Canucks and the St. Louis Blues. He asked them at the draft about their conversations with the Blues and they said they had nothing going on with St. Louis. Nevertheless, Friedman said he’d heard they were talking for a while.