Time to aggressively shop Eriksson
Blake Price: If they aren’t already doing so, the Vancouver Canucks should be aggressively trying to trade forward Loui Eriksson.
Eriksson has a modified no-trade clause that kicks in next year. They may need to retain 50 percent of his salary.
Top-four or top-six for the Canucks
TSN Hockey: Canucks GM Jim Benning said that if they sign any free agent, it will be a top-four defenseman or a top-six forward.
Jeff Paterson: GM Benning said that they have one more meeting scheduled for a UFA this week.
A Canucks return for Ben Hutton seems doubtful … The Kings have inquired
Sportsnet 650: Irfaan Gaffar on Canucks UFA defenseman Hutton: “I don’t see Ben Hutton returning to the Vancouver Canucks, not for what he’s asking and what the Canucks are offering. I’ve been told multiple teams have been in contact with Hutton’s camp.”
Dennis Bernstein: Have heard that the Los Angeles Kings have inquired on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton.
Top UFA goaltenders and potential landing spots
Jon Lane of NHL.com: Looking at the top unrestricted free agent goaltenders and potential landing spots for each.
Sergei Bobrovsky – Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets.
Robin Lehner – Hurricanes, Islanders, Blue Jackets, Panthers, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers.
Semyon Varlamov – Panthers, Islanders, Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Avalanche, Oilers, Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs
Petr Mrazek – Hurricanes, Oilers, Panthers, Flames, Sharks, Maple Leafs.
Curtis McElhinney – Hurricanes, Oilers, Flames, Sharks, Maple Leafs
Mike Smith – Flames, Oilers, Ducks, Sharks
Cam Talbot – Flyers, Ducks, Flames, Islanders, Blackhawks
Cam Ward – Flyers, Ducks, Flames, Blackhawks
Talbot hoping to land a 1a role
Jim Matheson: Cam Talbot still thinks he is a starter, and that he just had a down year. He would love a shot at being a 1a, and he could come in around the $2 million mark like Brian Elliott got.
