NHL Rumors: Capitals, Knights, Predators, Coyotes and Lightning
Nate Schmidt and Kevin Shattenkirk
On the Washington Capitals …

Isabelle Khurshudyan: Source saying the Capitals were talking to the Golden Knights about a deal to protect Nate Schmidt but the Caps decided the asking price was too high.

On the Vegas Golden Knights …

Craig Custance: Vegas had a couple conversations with UFA defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk but they weren’t going to get a deal done this week.

David Pagnotta: Mikhail Grabovski has been skating in Toronto for months but he will not be cleared to play next year.

Frank Seravalli: Sounding like Blackhawks Marcus Kruger could still end up in Vegas.

On the Nashville Predators …

Brooks Bratten: Predators GM David Poile said that with the loss of James Neal in the expansion draft, they will look at filling the position from within but will look at trades and free agency.

On the Arizona Coyotes …

Jason Gregor: Shane Doan on the his upcoming free agency: “I want to see if there is a fit for me and my family. If we can’t find one, I’ve had a good career.”

On the Tampa Bay Lightning …

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning were able to free up $4.6 million by losing Jason Garrison in the expansion draft – an arranged deal.

“We can’t just look at this year. We have to plan somewhat ahead,” Yzerman said. “Things always change, but you still have to keep an eye on the future.”

The move allowed the Lightning to keep a couple young defenseman and free up cap space to sign their own RFAs. When asked if he had any other deals in place.

“We’ll wait and see what happens in the next day or so and reassess the situation and see if there are hypothetical opportunities,” Yzerman said. “We’re going to explore every opportunity to make our team better.”