George Richards: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen on the report of Jack Johnson‘s trade request: “It’s the same with him as anyone else on our team: We’ll make a trade if and when we have something that makes sense for the Blue Jackets.”
Pierre LeBrun: It’s not a sure thing that the Blue Jackets trade defenseman Jack Johnson, but if they do, would have to think that a trade would include a forward coming back. A draft pick does little to help out the Blue Jackets this season.
Paul Gackle of The Mercury News: Trading defenseman Paul Martin won’t be easy since he has another year left on his deal at $4.85 million. The Sharks would likely have to retain some salary. Martin is also coming off offseason ankle surgery.
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks have had trouble scoring this season. They had hoped to get more offense from their blueline.
The Canucks been healthy scratching two defensemen each game, with Erik Gudbranson the most likely trade candidate.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: If the Coyotes decide to make defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson available before the trade deadline, there won’t be a shortage of interested teams. Some teams may be willing to offer up more of what GM John Chayka wants in the offseason, while others may want to get OEL for two playoff runs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers are in a group that have shown more than a passing interest in Ekman-Larsson.
The Coyotes are looking two high-end roster players and a first-round pick. Would a serious contender want to give up that much in-season? The Coyotes can ask for that now, and the asking price could come down closer to the deadline.
There is the report that Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson asked for a trade. There has been some talk that the Blue Jackets had offered Johnson a long-term deal at less than $4 million a season earlier this year. The Blue Jackets are looking for a top prospect and a first-round pick for Johnson.
There is nothing really new with regards to John Tavares and the Islanders. The Islanders can’t let him walk for nothing on July 1st. There could be some pressure come the trade deadline if he’s not re-signed.
The Coyotes have been shopping defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson, who has a 10-team no-trade list. It’s believed that he prefers not to play for a Canadian team.
The Canadiens can’t give up on the season yet, but they need to make a move or two. Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk are getting lots of interest.
Panthers GM Dale Tallon has been looking for some forward depth. The Panthers entered play yesterday six points out of the wildcard. They, along with the Blues, are among the teams interested in Ottawa Senators Mike Hoffman.
The Sharks are looking to move defenseman Paul Martin. Martin has a limited no-movement clause (six-team list) and a $4.85 million cap hit that runs through next season.
The Sabres are expected to trade forward Evander Kane. The Blues and Sharks are believed to be among the interested teams. The Sabres want a prospect, a first-round pick, and an extra pick if he re-signs. The Canucks have always been interested in Kane. Kane will more likely be a rental player for someone.
Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello would be happy to improve the Leafs before the trade deadline, but he doesn’t think that he absolutely has to do something.
“I think it’s solid. We’ll have to wait and see what is transpiring, but you’re never good enough.
“To do something for the sake of doing something is never a good thing. (When describing a possible trade) you don’t even want to use the word ‘substantial.’ Sometimes the smallest things become the biggest.
“There is constant communication right up until the trade deadline, all teams are doing that. We’re no different than anyone else.”
Darren Dreger of TSN: James van Riemsdyk will likely be the Maple Leafs “own rental” at the trade deadline – too valuable to the Leafs to trade at the deadline, but isn’t a guarantee to re-sign after the season.
Some think that Dominic Moore is or will be available at the deadline. The Leafs are likely to hold onto van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak and Leo Komarov.
The Sabres are reportedly asking for a first-round pick, a prospect and conditional draft pick for Evander Kane. What could the Leafs get for JVR?
It’s believed that van Riemsdyk would want a six-year, $6 million per season deal to remain with the Leafs. With the Leafs needing to re-sign Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander over the next couple years, and with their bonus overages, JVR’s deal won’t be easy to fit in.
One GM noted that if the Leafs were to sell JVR, Bozak and Komarov at the deadline, they could get significant assets that they could use to acquire a top-pair defenseman that could make them legit contenders next season.
Bob McKenzie: The Maple Leafs pending UFAs will be their “own rentals” at the trade deadline. They are worth more to the Leafs now than the futures they would get for them.