NHL Rumors and Notes: Blue Jackets, Golden Knights, Lightning and Maple Leafs
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights may have trade in place where David Clarkson ends up in Vegas
On the Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights …

@akaRCN: Elliotte Friedman said on Sportsnet 960 that the thinks the Blue Jackets and Golden Knights have a deal in place where the Blue Jackets send a 1st round pick and a prospect to Vegas and David Clackson ends up there.

On the Vegas Golden Knights …

Pierre LeBrun: Though it can change, sense is that trades involving Vegas won’t be announced until the June 18th to 21st window opens. Does it give them a strategic advantage?

Pierre LeBrun: So any deals that the Golden Knights make this week may be handshake only and not registered with the Central Registry.

On the Tampa Bay Lightning …

Joe Smith: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said that if the salary cap remains flat, they are going to have to make some big decisions. They currently have about $18 million in salary cap space.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

The Fourth Period: 28-year old James van Riemsdyk has a year left on his deal at a $4.25 million salary cap hit and has a 10-team no-trade trade list.

Teams have called the Maple Leafs over the years about him, and they might consider it this offseason if they get the right offer.

The Maple Leafs are looking for a top-four defenseman and have been linked to Anaheim Ducks Sami Vatanen and Minnesota Wild’s Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella. The Leafs are looking at other defensemen as well and it’s not known if they are close to a deal.

On League Notes and dates …

John Shannon: NHL could announce next seasons home openers on as early as Friday, with full schedule coming on June 20th.

Renaud Lavoie: Teams must submit their protected lists on Saturday. Vegas is eligible to make trades and sign players, but the rest of the league is on a signing/trade freeze from June 18th until the June 22nd