An expected and quiet deadline day for the Blue Jackets, and they’ll be keeping an eye on defenders this offseason.
Aaron Portzline of Atletico: The Columbus Blue Jackets had a quiet day leading up to the trade deadline, which was expected since they had made their biggest moves before.
“You take the phone calls and see if there’s anything, see if somebody has some ideas and something comes up. But we weren’t really looking to do much today.”
GM Jarmo Kekalainen would have liked to add Jakob Chychryn, but it didn’t work out.
NHL Rumors: Coyotes, Blue Jackets, Panthers, Blackhawks and Sabers
“We have a lot of work to do in the offseason, and right now the opportunities aren’t there because 20 teams are trying to charge (for the playoffs) and they’re not willing to give anything up,” Kekalainen. saying.
“Those opportunities will come in the offseason, when there will be 31 disappointed teams.”
The Blue Jackets will focus on their blue line this offseason and look for someone to add to their top four. Prospect David Jiricek could eventually be a candidate to play in the top pairing with Zach Werenski, but the 19-year-old may not be ready for that big role just yet.
Could the Canadiens re-sign Sean Monahan?
Marco D’Amico of Montreal Hockey Now: Injuries prevented the Montreal Canadiens from trading forward Sean Monahan at the deadline.
The Canadiens could consider giving him a bonus-packed one-year extension. Bonus Shop contracts are usually awarded to 35+ players or for entry level contracts. According to the CBA, Monahan could qualify since he has played more than 400 games and, after March 16, he will have been injured for at least 100 days.
They could give Monahan games played or something like the number of goals scored, which would top out at $1 million for each type of bonus. The Canadiens could offer him a $2 million base salary contract and say $2 million in potential performance bonuses.
NHL rumours: Injuries handcuffed what the Montreal Canadiens could do
NHL expansion rumors
Andy Strickland: A league source said Atlanta and Houston are two cities that have shown some expansion interest, but those two cities aren’t ahead of any other potential cities, and nothing will happen anytime soon, if at all.
The source added: “I’m not sure these two cities are even at the top of our list.”
where it starts
