LeBrun: New Timo Meier suitors emerge, Mattias Ekholm value and extra grumbles

Over the weekend, I heard a rumor that undoubtedly caught my consideration.

It was that the Blues, now armed with three first-round picks on this yr’s draft, reached out to the Sharks about Timo Meyer.

It’s not a rumor I used to be capable of confirm on the time. However it’s not only a rumor anymore. as a colleague Frank Serravalle reported For the Day by day Faceoff on Tuesday throughout his podcast, I additionally confirmed that the Blues have already inquired about Meier. I feel they’re open to transferring two of their first-round picks as a part of a possible commerce provide to him. Whether or not or not the Blues can entice the Sharks sufficient to achieve a extra critical degree, I can’t say at this level.

Blues normal supervisor Doug Armstrong has indicated his need to make this a fast turnaround re-turner, probably utilizing a few of his first-round picks to get it achieved. Meyer is 26 and would match the standards, age-wise, for the form of gamers the Blues hope to retool with.

One other workforce I’m instructed has inquired about Meyer? Planes. Think about the ahead energy of skating in these prime six. However whether or not or not the Jets have the form of bundle that may area San Jose is difficult to say.

New Jersey, Carolina, and Vegas, I feel, are the entrance runners for Meyer. As talked about earlier, the Devils will seemingly want a contract extension with Meyer to be part of issues, whereas the Hurricanes are open to creating that commerce with out an extension.

Mayer’s agent, Claude Lemieux, till Tuesday afternoon wasn’t allowed to talk to the groups instantly.

I nonetheless assume Carolina and New Jersey are the lead canine right here. I feel they’ve probably the most enticing items to show. However it’s clearly fascinating to see new groups in battle.

Sliding bridges

The Predators haven’t given up on their season, although Sunday’s loss to Minnesota was crushing. They’ve winnable matches on the schedule this week. So the administration has not raised the white flag but.

However the Breeds haven’t any alternative however to start out making calls concerning the groups’ curiosity in gamers, and that course of has already begun. I wrote final week that this may increasingly quickly be the case. Once more, I feel veteran normal supervisor David Boyle is listening to most of the gamers on his roster to get a way of the market. However since he doesn’t have any excellent unrestricted free brokers, it gained’t be straightforward to make offers this near March 3 involving gamers on fixed-term contracts. That’s why Deadline could be quiet for Nashville.

One participant who has been getting fairly a little bit of consideration over the previous week is Matthias Ekholm, 32, who has three extra years left on his deal after this cope with a median annual worth of $6.25 million. He’s nonetheless a stable participant within the defensive 4, which is a little bit of a curiosity for some groups.

However his age, 33 in Might, is a priority given the remaining time period on the deal. The asking value will likely be excessive – maybe as much as two first-round picks. I’m undecided there’s a workforce prepared to pay that a lot. However not less than the Breeds are speaking groups about it.

I feel the Maple Leafs, for instance, have checked out him, however I don’t simply see how Toronto can meet his asking value, and there’s the problem of his contract.

Hear capitals

The Caps don’t essentially store anybody with curiosity, however the sense I get is that GM Brian MacLellan takes calls on the various pending UFAs and actually has no alternative however to not less than hear.

What he does ultimately actually relies on how he feels about his workforce’s probabilities.

I wrote final week concerning the faltering contract talks with Dmitry Orlov. He’s UFA’s prime hanging roster fixture, so far as different golf equipment are involved: probably a wonderful defenseman if groups make it unattainable for Washington to say no.

However I additionally assume the Caps haven’t given up attempting to signal Orlov to an extension. So I feel it can actually come right down to what it takes to signal him versus what’s on the desk by way of commerce from the groups.

My TSN colleague Chris Johnston additionally reported Tuesday evening within the insider buying and selling phase that the caps are getting calls on Orloff.

Greater than half of Washington’s roster is on expired offers. This has all the time been the caps’ candy deadline of March 3 relying on the place they’re within the standings.

Middle Lars Eller will likely be one other key UFA commentator whose two-way recreation appeals to playoff groups.

However once more, what the caps finally determine to do earlier than March third is, I feel, nonetheless to be determined.

Hurricane Commerce Targets

Carolina has about $10 million in max room to spend earlier than March 3, so it’s no shock Don Waddell is as energetic as any GM in exploring the market.

Meyer, as famous above, stays his primary goal. I feel there’s additionally an actual curiosity in Patrick Kane if the Blackhawks star goes to contemplate Carolina. And The Canes clearly do their homework on absolutely anything. There’s a gap to fill with Max Pacioretty for this season.

However I additionally assume the sticks are on the lookout for potential targets on protection. With that cap house, they will afford so as to add each up entrance and protection.

Talking of Ken

We’re nonetheless ready for phrase on whether or not Patrick Kane needs to entertain a deal. In an ideal world, that call might need already been made, however it’s comprehensible that Ken seems like he wants extra time. It’s an emotional determination after spending his total NHL profession in Chicago.

Hopefully, he’ll determine by the tip of the week, however there’s no assure.

If Ken says sure to scouting the industrial market, I perceive he and agent Pat Bryson will give you his first vacation spot and convey it to the Blackhawks to scout. So we’re speaking about one workforce right here. Not an inventory of groups.

Now, there’s clearly an opportunity that the highest workforce on Kane’s record gained’t be capable to make it work. Then you could determine whether or not to maneuver on to the following workforce.

However the level is, I feel Bryson would go to Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson with one workforce if Kane was actually open to exploring a commerce. That is the impact of the entire immobility clause.

And if Kane’s reply is that he needs to remain put, you must surprise if meaning probably pre-season surgical procedure, although Kane has downplayed his pesky well being points.

Prolonged talks to Larkin

Contract talks on extending suspended UFA place Dylan Larkin are on maintain in the meanwhile as either side agree the main focus ought to be on the playoff race the Crimson Wings discover themselves in.

Clearly, that might change at any second if the Wings lose a number of straight video games, however these contract talks appear to be ready in the meanwhile. And once more, Larkin has a full no-trade clause, so nothing will occur on that entrance until he needs to anyway. He’s now in a playoff race.

(High photograph by Timo Meyer and Matthias Ekholm: John Russell/NHLI through Getty Photos)