On the Anaheim Ducks …
Steve Fryer of the OC Register: The Ducks have added Jonathan Bernier after trading Frederik Andersen, re-signed Korbinian Holzer earlier this week, and they probably aren’t finished making moves this offseason.
They have nine defensemen on their roster. Trade talk continues with Cam Fowler.
The Ducks are a little weak at left wing. They would still be fine if they either kept their roster the same, brought in an average left winger and kept Fowler, or if they traded Fowler for a high-quality left winger.
On the New York Rangers …
Pat Leonard of NY Daily News: Rick Nash‘s $7.8 million cap hit appears to be difficult to move without the Rangers making some unwanted concessions.
Despite Derek Stepan‘s name coming up in the rumor mill, it doesn’t make much sense to trade him – even if it were to upgrade their defense.
RFA Chris Kreider has an arbitration hearing on the 22nd, and he may be GM Jeff Gorton’s most tradeable asset.
The Rangers have about $12 million cap space for RFA Kreider, Dylan McIlrath, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller – all have arbitration dates. (Miller signed after this article was posted – two years with a $2.65 million cap hit)
Kyle Palmieri‘s five year, $4.65 million per season deal could be comparable on a long-term deal for Kreider. A one-year deal is also an option.
If they looked at trading Kreider, it might land them someone like Matt Dumba or Kevin Shattenkirk. Ducks Cam Fowler is rumored to be available, but he prefers playing on the left side, but the Rangers need help on the right.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: David Backes had been the 20th captain in Blues history, and after his signing with the Bruins, the Blues won’t be in a rush to name a new one.
“We were hoping not to have to get to this point, so Ken and I and Mike (Yeo) and the whole staff will sit down and we’ll name our captain prior to training camp,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. “We were hoping not to get to this point, so … we’ll put brain matter into this over the next eight weeks.”
Alex Steen and Alex Pietrangelo would be the top two candidates for the captaincy.
