NHL Rumors: Stars and Panarin … Knights and Franson … Canadiens and Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty's agent said that he never asked the Montreal Canadiens for a trade.
Stars on Panarin’s short list of teams

Sean Shapiro: Aaron Portzline reported that the Dallas Stars are on Artemi Panarin’s short list of teams he would be interested in signing with, but …

“1. Stars have long-term cap for Seguin and Panarin, (just like they did for Tavares and Seguin), but will lead to other tough cap decisions

2. This is just players wish list, does not mean CBJ will actually trade him.

3. Based of ’s report and the list, he likes NY”

Could the Golden Knights turn to Franson?

James O’Brien of NBC Sports: Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt was suspended for 20 games for violating the terms of the  Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

The Golden Knights will need to fill Schmidt’s over 22 minutes per game. Colin Miller, Deryk Engelland, Shea Theodore, and Brayden McNabb may be asked to carry more of a workload.

GM George McPhee could look at Cody Franson who remains unsigned and could be a bottom pairing defenseman.

Schmidt carries a $2.25 million salary cap hit ($2.3 million salary) and will forfeit just under $500,000 in the last year of his deal.

Pacioretty never asked the Canadiens for a trade

TSN: Max Pacioretty’s agent Allan Walsh was on TSN 690 radio and said that Pacioretty has never asked for a trade out of Montreal.

“I would tell you this and I’m going to say it directly and I hope everybody hears me and understands this. Max Pacioretty has never, never ever requested a trade out of Montreal, period. End of story.”

Walsh also added that Pacioretty’s top priority is to sign an extension with the Canadiens, but there have been no negotiations.

“When Max and I started discussing his situation, there was one marching order: I want to stay in Montreal, do your best to make it happen. But as of now we’ve received no offers from the Montreal Canadiens since I’ve been working with Max since the second day of the draft in June.

“There has been no offers and no negotiations.”