On Claude Julien, Ken Hitchcock, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators …
TSN Insider Trading: Pierre LeBrun: Unless the perfect opportunity arises, can’t see Claude Julien taking on a position in-season.
Darren Dreger: Vegas would definitely be interested in Claude Julien.
Bob McKenzie: Ken Hitchcock has gone off the grid for the time being. Unlikely that Hitchcock would be a short-term fix for anyone this season. He could consider something this year if there is a long-term fit, and if he could work with the GM.
Pierre LeBrun: Coyotes GM John Chayka was at the Chicago Blackhawks-Dalllas Stars game last week. Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said again last week that he doesn’t see them as a big player at the deadline.
Bob McKenzie: If the Vancouver Canucks don’t have a successful road trip, they could be sellers. GM Jim Benning has said in the past that he won’t ask players to waive their no-trade clauses – ie Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Miller. Belief now is that if they are sellers, and if a teams asks about a specific player that has a no-trade clause, they would go to that player and explain the situation.
Darren Dreger: The Winnipeg Jets have been looking for depth on the blueline. Tyler Myers is going to be out for awhile.
Pierre LeBrun: The Ottawa Senators checked in the Colorado Avalanche about the asking prices – not sure if it was Matt Duchene or Gabriel Landeskog. Don’t think the Senators were interested in the prices.
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger on TSN 1040 was asked about the Winnipeg Jets potential plans for the NHL trade Deadline.
“I think if you want to look at Winnipeg specifically, you’re looking at contract guys that Cheveldayoff may consider moving out,” said Dreger. “But that’s a team that’s still on the cusp of the playoffs. They’re certainly still in the march.
“I’m not going to call Kevin Cheveldayoff a buyer on March 1, but I think that he’s interested in buying right now. I do. I think he wants to do everything within his power to give his head coach, Paul Maurice, three solid defensive pairings. Right now, the Winnipeg Jets don’t have that and they’re not going to get that back anytime soon with the news that Myers is out potentially two months.”
The Jets are looking for a defenseman, and they are joined by probably 12 other teams looking for the same thing.
