This is going to be a very important offseason for the Columbus Blue Jackets
Mark Scheig: (On Elliotte Friedman’s report that the Blue Jackets and Zach Werenski will meet after the draft) “Going back to our Q&A with Don Waddell, he explicitly said their number-one focus was the draft. They need to nail the draft and the offseason. Get through this week. Then talk when chaos of draft calms down.
Also important to note, as of now and according to multiple insiders and reporters, Werenski has not asked for a trade as of yet. We knew this was a pivotal offseason. Might be biggest one in franchise history now.”
The Dallas Stars want to extend Jason Robertson, but there are options they have to consider
TSN: Darren Dreger said at some point soon, the Dallas Stars will make their best and final contract offer to Jason Robertson. If he doesn’t sign it, they’ll consider trade options, and there will be lots of interest.
NHL Rumors: Werenski, Tuch, Byram, Hellebuyck, Larkin, Knies and Robertson
“So what about trade? Then do you allow the agent, in this case, Andy Scott, to negotiate with the new club? If you’re willing to go down that road, what does an extension look like with that team? So that might be option ‘B’.
Then it gets a little bit more greasy, to be honest, Gino. ‘C’ would be, what about the threat of an offer sheet? There are a number of teams, the majority of teams around the National Hockey League, who have the four first-round draft picks as compensation. That is a real threat and I think the Stars are feeling the possibility that it could get to that threat.”
The Stars’ priority is to re-sign him.
The Canucks and Canadiens are still talking Brendan Gallagher
TSN: Darren Dreger says the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens continue to talk about Brendan Gallagher. A buyout could become an option if they can’t work out a deal.
“If they can’t get a deal that makes sense done, then I do think that the Canadiens simply will trigger the buyout option sooner rather than later. Then that allows Gallagher and his representative, Jerry Johansson, to explore what the market is as a buyout free agent.
NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils, and the Ottawa Senators
So there are options, but it seems like option ‘A’ is still a trade between the Canadians and Canucks where Gallagher would land up in Vancouver.”
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