A Change of Direction is Needed with Certain Clubs
Anthony DiMarco of the Daily Faceoff joined TSN Radio in Montreal on Monday and was asked about teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, and Nashville Predators, and whether they shouldn’t be sellers.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
NHL Rumors: What is the Direction for the Calgary Flames?
Host: “Do you think we start to see Calgary, Vancouver, St Louis and Nashville sell?”
Anthony DiMarco: “I think St Louis and Calgary 100%. Vancouver is probably the most delusional organization in the NHL because of their ownership group. And you just never know what to expect from Jim Rutherford, but they should be selling.
Nashville is bizarre. I mean, Barry Trotz, who was arguably the best coach in the NHL, has become arguably the worst General Manager in the NHL. That roster construction is just completely bizarre, and you should just blow that thing up in Nashville.
I do like some of their pieces, particularly in the way that they’ve drafted. I think they’ve done a nice job in Milwaukee of the AHL, but I really think that you have some pieces there on the Predators that would be enticing, specifically Steven Stamkos, if you’re willing to retain and maybe make him a $5 or $6 million player for the next two years. So I’m hoping Nashville sees the forest through the trees, but I’m just very skeptical, because of how much they’ve committed to winning in the here and now.”
NHLRumors.com Note: All these teams should be sellers. However, ownership of the Flames, and maybe a disagreement over direction within the management staff committee in Calgary, will prevent them from being sellers. Are Craig Conroy and Don Maloney on the same page? The Vancouver Canucks just said they want to trade veteran UFA players to get younger. Nashville is staying the course, but St. Louis needs to move players. Prices are high, and these trade rumours are more threats than anything.
NHL Rumors: Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres
Ryan O’Reilly Most Coveted Center
Anthony DiMarco of the Daily Faceoff joined TSN Radio in Montreal and was asked if Ryan O’Reilly would be on the move and if he was the most coveted center on the market?
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Host: “What about Ryan O’Reilly?”
DiMarco: “Ryan O’Reilly, I think would be one of the biggest pieces available. Like, look at the New Jersey Devils, he’s exactly what they need. The Montreal Canadiens, exactly what they need. Because look, every team is looking for second line centers, third line centers. Obviously, first line centers, but like you have Nazem Kadri, you have Brayden Schenn, and then you add in Ryan O’Reilly.
NHL Rumors: The Nashville Predators and Steven Stamkos
I mean, it’s not the best pickings ever, but I think Ryan O’Reilly comes with that kind of those intangibles as well. All three of them have won Stanley Cups, but there’s just something about Ryan O’Reilly that I think, that he could bring a bit more in the way of intangibles than the other two.
I love Brayden Schenn as well. Nazem Kadri certainly serves a role, but I think Ryan O’Reilly, if he is made available, and especially for the cap hit. Kadri’s is at $7 million I believe—Brayden Schenn’s in the sixes. Ryan O’Reilly, I think his cap is $4.5 million.
So I think if they are willing to make Ryan O’Reilly available, he will be the most coveted center on the trade market.”
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