On Las Vegas …
Pierre LeBrun: On the 48-hour free agent window for Las Vegas before the expansion draft. “Vegas must select 20 contracts among its 30 players picked. So only a max of 10 free agents can be picked – RFA or UFA – as part of those 30 expansion picks. This is essentially the reasoning behind the 48-hour free-agent window for Vegas in June. And likely more pertinent as it comes to RFAs.”
On the Winnipeg Jets …
Gary Lawless: Multiple teams have contacted the Jets about their goaltending. Teams are asking about Ondrej Pavelec, but also about the Jets other goalies (Connor Hellebuyck and Michael Hutchinson).
Gary Lawless: The Jets have goalies for all situations – long-term, an immediate starter and insurance.
On the New York Islanders …
Allan Walsh: (agent) “Hard to figure out NY Islanders using 3 goalie system for 2nd year. Biggest issue is goalies don’t get enough practice time to stay sharp. Starting goalie for NY Islanders last game had only 1 quality practice in last 5 days before Penguins game. Going on 2 years of this now.”
Elliotte Friedman: The Islanders have no official response to Walsh’s comments. They don’t want to put J-F Berube on waivers as they don’t want to lose him. They have had injuries in net.
Elliotte Friedman: Islanders GM Garth Snow has let teams know that Jaroslav Halak is available for trade.
B.D. Gallof: Halak had been available for trade all offseason.
Rory Boylen of Sportsnet: Jaroslav Halak carries a $4.5 million cap hit that runs through 2017-18. J-F Berube will be a RFA at the end of the year, and Thomas Greiss will be a UFA.
The Kings have been looking for looking for a goalie, but they have under a $1 million in cap space.
The Stars spent part of their offseason trying to upgrade in net, but they would need to move out Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen. They about about $2 million in cap space.
Other potential trade candidates include the Sharks, Senators, Hurricanes and Jets.
