On the Vancouver Canucks …
Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks are in a “transition period” according to GM Jim Benning and a “rebuild.”
The Canucks will have around $20 million in cap space heading into the offseason, and will need to re-sign Bo Horvat, Erik Gudbranson and Nikita Tryamkin.
They could re-sign Ryan Miller, or they will need to add another veteran goalie
“I don’t see a big splash in free agency,” Linden said. “That’s not a direction we need to go. We’ll look for value, but I don’t see us signing a long-term deal.”
On the New Jersey Devils …
Tom Gulitti: Devils GM Ray Shero said that he plans to speak with Patrik Elias when they return from their road trip to see where he’s at. Shero said he’d like to see him play if it’s possible.
On the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets and Vegas Golden Knights …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Calgary Flames had hoped to been able trade Dennis Wideman, but were unsuccessful.
The Montreal Canadiens could have used some offense, but weren’t able to add any at the deadline.
How were the Buffalo Sabres not able to at least get a late round picks for pending free agent defenseman Cody Franson and Dmitry Kulikov? Kulikov does have some injury issues.
Assume the New York Islanders will do what they can to trade for Matt Duchene this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to trade goalie Marc-Andre Fleury before the expansion draft. Maybe he would waive his no-trade for a move to Winnipeg as current Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck isn’t ready to be an NHL starter yet.
Calgary Flames pending UFA defenseman Deryk Engelland lives in Las Vegas in the summer. Vegas could take a flier on Nail Yakupov. If the Flames don’t protect Troy Brouwer, he be a good captain for the Golden Knights.
