Rumors I: Avalanche, Housley, Kalinin and Enroth
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: It’s hard to see the Avs passing on defensemen Ivan Provorov or Zach Werenski if they are available at No. 10 at next months draft, but those at Eurolanche are saying they are high on Czech center Pavel Zacha. Zacha to Eurolanche:

    Have you talked with anybody from the Colorado Avalanche organization yet?
    Not directly. They talked about me with my agent and he told me they had big interest in me. They haven’t come to meet me yet, because we will see each other at the NHL combine. I’m supposed to have dinner with them there. My agent told me they were talking a lot about me.

    Could we say that the Avalanche have the biggest interest in you, or are other teams very intersted as well?
    I can’t say that all teams have such a big interest, because they may tell every player that they are best for them. I am happy when teams want me. Talking about Colorado, it sounded like they have a really big interest in me. I’m yet to speak with them, however. We will see what happens at the combine.

  • Rich Chere of the Star Ledger: Phil Housley is on Devils GM Ray Shero’s short list to become their next head coach. Shero is also considering Guy Boucher, Todd Reirden and John Hynes. Housley as emerged as the favorite. Housley was an assistant in Nashville this past season and led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships.
  • Tom Gulitti: The Devils signed Russian Sergei Kalinin to a one-year, two-way contract yesterday and GM Shero can see him competing for a NHL roster spot next season. The CBA says that his deal has to a be a two-way deal. Kalinin is open to staying and playing in the AHL if he doesn’t make the Devils. The Devils won’t be signing 2013 seventh round draft pick Anthony Brodeur.
  • Mike Heika of hte Dallas Morning News: Heika looking at if the Stars should bring back pending UFA goalie Jhonas Enroth. Enroth won four in a row for the Stars at the end of the season, posting a 1.23 GAA and .952 save percentage. It seems as though Enroth wants to test free agency and the Stars appear to be okay with that. They will likely keep the lines of communication open and he could return as a well paid backup.