On the Winnipeg Jets, NY Islanders and LA Kings …
- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Andrew Ladd last asking price was a six-year deal at $41 million ($6.83 million), and talks have now gone cold. The Panthers and Blackhawks are two teams looking for a rental forward. If the Jets look to trade him, they could be happy with a draft pick and a prospect. The Blackhawks don’t have a second round pick this year.
- After Dustin Byfuglien re-signing and Dion Phaneuf being traded, Dan Hamhuis and Kris Russell’s stock as risen.
- Hard to see the Islanders trading Travis Hamonic by the trade deadline.
- The LA Kings are looking for another defenseman.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
- Lisa Dilman of the LA Times: After locking up Anze Kopitar and Darryl Sutter to contract extensions, Milan Lucic is the next order of business for the Kings. Contract negotiations are in the early stages.
“Nothing to get excited about,” he said. “There’s been two or three little talks here and there. My plan is to remain a King and hopefully finish off my career here. Like I said, I go day by day and you never know what tomorrow is going to bring.
“If I could look eight, nine, 10 years down the road, hopefully I play that long. I hope it is right here in L.A. and that something can get done and conversations can get picked up in the near future because I really have enjoyed my time this season and love being a King and living here in L.A.
“Hopefully, it can last more than one season.”
- The Fourth Period: The Kings were interested in Dustin Byfuglien had he been made available. One source saying that if the Jets put Byfuglien on the trade market “it sounded like he would have ended up in Los Angeles; they’re going all-in.”The Kings will now look at other defenseman like Dan Hamhuis and Keith Yandle.The Kings will also be checking out available forwards. They are thought to be keeping an eye on Andrew Ladd and Jiri Hudler.
