On the Montreal Canadiens …
Eric Engels of Sportsnet: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said that the 24-year old Nathan Beaulieu was “at a crossroads” and that “the clock was ticking” on his developement. The clock may have sped up after the Canadiens signed KHL defenseman Jakub Jerabek on Monday.
Jerabek is a left handed shot, so Beaulieu’s days with the Canadiens could be numbered.
Canadiens left handed defensemen – Beaulieu, Jerabek, Brandon Davidson, Alexei Emelin and Mikhail Sergachev.
Right handed defensemen – Shea Weber, Jeff Petry and Jordie Benn. Those three are also likely to be protected by the Canadiens for the expansion draft.
The 38-year old Andrei Markov is a left handed shot and pending UFA.
Beaulieu would like to remain with the Canadiens but isn’t sure where he sits within the organization.
“I had almost 30 points, played almost 20 minutes a night. That’s pretty good,” said Beaulieu on April 24. “I’m 24 years old, I gotta take this as a good stepping stone.”
Pierre LeBrun: Jerabek received offers from eight other teams and was talking to others as well.
Eric Engels: The Canadiens won’t be signing Vadim Shipachyov. He’s looking to come to the NHL but the Canadiens are looking elsewhere. He’s getting some big offers.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun: At the moment the Canucks don’t appear to be interested in auctioning off 26-year old defenseman Chris Tanev.
A lot of teams are interested in Tanev though, and it may get hard for them to ignore.
The Canucks have said they are rebuilding, so if they are truly rebuilding, they have to seriously consider trading Tanev. He’s also their biggest trade chip.
Tanev is under contract for another three seasons at a $4.45 million cap hit. His modified no-trade clause (eight teams he can’t be traded to) kicks in on July 1st.
Some think the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning could have interest. The Lightning might have to move Jonathan Drouin.
Some people – all just fiction right now – wonder about a Tanev and a draft pick for Jonathan Drouin and bad contract like Ryan Callahan (three years at $5.8 million).
