On Claude Julien, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Claude Julien’s firing had presidents Cam Neely‘s fingerprints all over it regardless of what he said on the radio last week. Vegas will show interest in Julien, but it would take an offer he couldn’t refuse to go there. Depending on how their seasons finish, coaching new options for Julien that could open up include Tampa, Vancouver, Dallas, Philadelphia and Winnipeg.
Coyotes GM John Chayka scouted the Minnesota Wild, creating some Martin Hanzal speculation. The Montreal Canadiens have kicked on Hanzal. Chayka is looking for two big pieces for Hanzal.
The Vancouver Canucks are getting calls on Jannik Hansen. Hansen has a year left at a $2.5 million cap hit, which interests teams. Hansen can play up and down the lineup and has decent speed. He has a modified no-trade clause, so he has some control.
The Carolina Hurricanes could be making a big push for Colorado Avalanche’s forward Matt Duchene. The Avalanche would likely want 20-year old defenseman Noah Hanifan as part of the deal. Avs GM Joe Sakic has been telling teams he wants a young, established defenseman, a high-end prospect and a first round pick. At that price, Duchene could remain with the Avs past the trade deadline unless Sakic is willing to come down a bit. The Nashville Predators, Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators have shown interest but find the price too high.
It is believed that the St. Louis Blues gave an Eastern Conference team permission three weeks ago to speak with Kevin Shattenkirk‘s camp. It’s believed the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have made a trade pitch to the Blues. The Bruins are the only team that has the ability to sign Shattenkirk to a long-term extension.
