On the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers …
Harvey Fialkov: Source confirms that there is no truth to the Alex Petrovic for Nail Yakupov trade rumors. The Panthers are high on Petrovic and his toughness is needed on their blueline after trading Erik Gudbranson.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) The Red Wings would like to trade one or two forwards for a top pairing or No. 3 puck-moving defenseman. If they aren’t able to do that, they could look to move someone for a draft pick. They could run the risk of losing someone to waivers.
Khan thinks the Wings feel Anthony Mantha needs a little more time in the AHL and could start the season there.
Would imagine that the Wings would be interested in Jimmy Vesey when he becomes a free agent, but they are not among the leading candidates.
If the Avalanche decide to trade Tyson Barrie, the Red Wings would be interested.
Would be difficult for the Wings to trade Jonathan Ericsson if they wanted to move him – four years left at a $4.25 million cap hit.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: (chat) Jamie Benn‘s $9.5 million cap hit on his new deal likely sets the bar for Tyler Seguin‘s next deal. Can’t see the Stars willing to pay Seguin more than Benn.
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Stars GM Jim Nill on TSN 1040 on where free agent signee Dan Hamhuis could fit in on their blueline.
“I think it’s wide open,” said Nill. “I think we’re going to come to training camp. There’s a chance he could play with John Klingberg. John’s got great offensive skills. I think Dan Hamhuis might be a great fit for him, to be the guy back there moving the puck out, giving the puck to him.
“And then after that, there’s lots of other options. We’ve got Stephen Johns. We’ve got this Esa Lindell. Patrik Nemeth. We’ve got Jordie Benn. So we’ve got lots of young defensemen that could always use the mentorship of a veteran like Dan Hamhuis.”
