With the conference finals starting up this weekend and the vast majority of NHL teams focusing on contract negotiations and draft needs, the ol’ rumour mill has picked up speed as we near general managers’ busiest time of year.
Leave it to last summer’s wheeling-and-dealing standout, Jim Benning, to give us a juicy nugget out of Vancouver.
A lack of drama in Vancouver net? No way
Anyone else excited for the draft?
Canucks general manager Jim Benning told the Vancouver Province Tuesday that the Canucks will make a decision on its goaltending situation before the June 26.
If Eddie Lack, stellar in relief of Ryan Miller this season, is not part of the team’s long-term plan, Benning told Iain MacIntyre he will try to trade Lack rather than risk losing him as an unrestricted free agent in 2016.
“We’ve had preliminary talks with Eddie’s agent, and we know what it’s going to take to get him signed,” Benning said. “We’re bringing in all our pro scouts and we’ll meet here in the next couple of weeks… and as a group make that decision.”
The veteran Miller ($6 million cap hit) has two more seasons on his deal, but Lack is much more affordable (i.e., tradeable) at $1.15 million and has endeared himself to the fans.
“I kind of feel like I’m almost coming up to that age where I’m really ready to compete, you know?” Lack told the Sun. “I have one year left on my contract and I love the city and love the fans. Obviously, there’s a business side and if they want to get rid of me, I can’t really say anything. But I want to spend more time here.”
Complicating matters in a good way, Jacob Markstrom, who cleared waivers early on in 2014-15, enjoyed a stellar season in the AHL (.934 save percentage with five shutouts). Markstrom is only 25. Does he move up to backup or get used a trade chip?
The Canucks crease: Where hockey articles are born.
“@VancouverSun: Iain MacIntyre: No Lack of commitment http://t.co/ALsriWzBE3” – we wont leave Vancity without a fight go Canucks
— Mia Läck (@mammamialack) May 13, 2015
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Eichel to follow heart with stay-in-school decision
The Jack Eichel “Buffalo Sabres T-shirt” interview at the World Championships that went viral was actually longer than five seconds.
The No. 2 prospect and Team USA star was again asked about whether or not he will make the immediate jump to the NHL next fall or return to Boston University.
“I think my heart will tell me what to do,” Eichel told reporter Olga Khmylev. “It’s going to be my own decision at the end of the day.”
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Brodeur to remain with Blues?
Don’t expect Devils legend Martin Brodeur to make a New Jersey return anytime soon, especially now that president Lou Lamoriello is slowly letting go of the reins.
“Especially with the change [the Devils] made, I think it’s a great opportunity for me to take a step back and go somewhere – or stay somewhere – that I’ll be able to learn and do things I want to do and try to learn as much as possible and who knows what the future holds,” Brodeur told northjersey.com.
“But, it’s less and less likely it’s going to happen in New Jersey for a few years, that’s for sure.”
The future Hall of Famer is reportedly seeking a more defined role with St. Louis Blues management.
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Word on Hitchcock still awaits
In other Blues clues, Ken Hitchcock and management are still undecided about whether to renew their relationship for 2015-16.
St. Louis owner Tom Stillman offered insight Tuesday into what’s going on with the team after its third straight first-round exit.
“We’re taking a harder look this year,” Stillman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “We’re in a process of looking at everything, and that means everything.”
He didn’t deny that Hitchcock’s hard style might be taking a toll on some players.
“I would also point out if you named the Top 10 coaches in the NHL over the past decade, in virtually every case you would find the players can’t stand (the coach). They hate (the coach). That’s just the way it is,” Stillman said.
“I kind of discount that kind of stuff. That goes for those [coaches] who are seen as the best now, the best ever and those who have recently won Stanley Cups. Almost to a man, the players can’t stand (the coach). I don’t know how much stock I would put in that kind of a thing.”
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Flames to sort out logjam in net
The simplest solution to the three bodies crowding the Calgary Flames’ crease would be to allow UFA Karri Ramo to walk this summer. The catch is, coach Bob Hartley leaned on Ramo nearly as much as last summer’s signing, Jonas Hiller. In fact, Ramo saw more ice time (336:15) in the playoffs than starter Hiller (322:19).
The younger and cheaper Joni Ortio, 24, was decent in his brief NHL look this season (4-2-0) and is looking for a step up from the AHL. His contract becomes a one-way deal next season and he becomes a RFA in the summer of 2016.
“A wise man once told me there’s only one net,” Flames GM Brad Treliving told the Calgary Sun. “You can do it for a short time, but carrying three goaltenders doesn’t make sense. I’m happy all three have shown they can play. We need time to decompress and think clearly on what we think is the best decision.
“I thought both Jonas are Karri were a very big reason why we got to where we got to. It seemed one guy ran with it then the other guy picked him up. Ortio is pushing and showed he’s knocking on the door. That’s a decision we have to make.”
The Sun‘s Eric Francis point-blank asked Ramo if he’d play for Edmonton next year.
“Why would I say no?” Ramo said. “They’ve had some bad years, but it’s not a bad place. There are no bad places in the NHL.”
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Looks like Saad will stay in Chicago
Brandon Saad, a restricted free agent worth holding onto, wants to remain with the Blackhawks. GM Stan Bowman wants to keep him. But with the Blackhawks tight to the cap and Saad no doubt deserving of a significant raise from his $894,000 salary, that spells change elsewhere.
