On Vladimir Sobotka …
Aivis Kalnins: Can expect Avangard to start having contract extension talks with Vladimir Sobotka as soon as next week.
On KHL’s CSKA Moscow …
Aivis Kalnins: The president of CSKA Moscow: ”We will do everything in our power to bring back, Zaitsev, Marchenko, Grigorenko and Lyubimov.”
Darren Dreger: (Replies to Kalnins) Interesting given that Nikita Zaitsev is close to a seven-year contract extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Aivis Kalnins: (Replying to Dreger) “I am aware of that but it’s Russia, they will say whatever they need to say in order to cause a distraction.”
Aivis Kalnins: The Russian agent for Mikhail Grigorenko said that it’s highly unlikely that Grigorenko would sign with CSKA because of family issues.
On the Los Angeles Kings …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 talking about the Los Angeles Kings, who will miss the playoffs again and have only one playoff win in the past three years. McKenzie was asked about what is next for their management. Ownership will be evaluating from the top on down.
“I couldn’t in good conscience just automatically assume that there won’t be any changes there. With that three year stretch that you talked about where they only made the playoffs once and had just the one playoff win, I think it’ll be a real critical assessment of where the team is at, what the direction is headed in.
“So yeah, I think that the future of Dean Lombardi and/or Darryl Sutter are very much being scrutinized and that’s one I’m sure where ownership is going to review management. If they were to get a vote of confidence, then management is going to review coaching.
“Put it this way: I’d be surprised if the Kings came back intact in terms of the management and the coach. But we’ll see what happens.”
