On the Calgary Flames …
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: The Dallas Stars traded for and took goaltender Ben Bishop off the market. The Flames were interested in Bishop. Options now for the Flames in net include:
Jimmy Howard – The Red Wings have some cap issues. Howard was injured for part of last season and only played in 24 games, but had a decent year after struggling for a couple years. He carries a $5.29 million cap hit.
Steve Mason – He had a bad year with the Flyers after three good ones. Showed the previous season that he’s capable of being a No. 1 goalie.
Jaroslav Halak – He asked for a trade last season, was sent to the AHL and the Islanders re-signed Thomas Greiss to a three-year, $10 million contract. Has a year left at $4.5 million.
Marc-Andre Fleury – Would Fleury want to play in Calgary? The 32-year old has a no-movement and no-trade clause. If the wants to be a starter, he may have to agree to a trade.
Brian Elliott – For the most part Elliott’s season didn’t go as planned. He struggled for most of the season, but had a good final two months. He made $2.5 million and isn’t lined up for a big raise on a new deal. Could do a short-term deal with him.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: (mailbag) The Red Wings are one of many teams looking to upgrade their blueline this offseason. They have to decide if they are willing to pay the price to get a good one. Are the Wings willing to trade any of Dylan Larkin/Anthony Mantha/Andreas Athanasiou/Evgeny Svechnikov? wouldn’t.
If the NY Rangers don’t sign defenseman Brendan Smith before July 1st, the Red Wings would likely try to re-sign him.
Other free agent defensemen include Andrei Markov and Kevin Shattenkirk.
wouldn’t be surprised if they brought Steve Ott back.
The Wings could lose Riley Sheahan or Luke Glendening in the expansion draft.
