- Scott Powers of ESPN: (mailbag) Blackhawks pending RFA Brandon Saad will likely be offered a bridge deal which will be around $3 million per season. The Blackhawks currently have $65 million committed to 15 players next year. The cap is estimated for around $71 million next season, they’ll have to create some space.
Bryan Bickell is a candidate to be moved. Other names that have come up include Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford, though they don’t make much sense. Michal Rozsival and Johnny Oduya are likely gone after the season.Powers doesn’t see that Blackhawks going after Antoine Vermette or any other forward.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: The Coyotes could hold a fire sale soon. It’s unlikely that the Red Wings would give up the assets needed to land Keith Yandle, which could be a top prospect and/or a good young roster player.
- Steve Zipay of Newsday: The Rangers could be interested in Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette. The price to acquire Vermette will be high. Trading someone like J.T. Miller and more for rental like Vermette may not be a smart idea.The Rangers should target Coyotes Martin Hanzal, who carries a $3.1 million cap hit through 2016-17. The Rangers could offer Miller, John Moore and a mid-round draft pick for Hanzal.
Acquiring a two-center is a top priority, and if they trade Moore, they will need a cheap, sixth-seventh defenseman. Avs Jan Hejda could be an option.
Five players who could draw the Rangers interest include: Mike Santorelli, Andrej Sekera, Cody Franson, Chris Stewart and Marek Zidlicky.
