East Notes: Red Wings, Bowness, Pacioretty

While there has been speculation that the Red Wings are a candidate to slide back from the sixth pick in the draft, Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch notes that speculation around the Draft Combine is that Detroit is looking to move up and may be willing to move their second first-round pick (from Vegas which will slot in 30th or 31st) to do so.  Detroit is believed to be looking for defensemen so jumping up a spot or two would likely guarantee they’d get the second-best blueliner available (beyond Rasmus Dahlin who is expected to go to Buffalo at number one).

More from the East:

• The Rangers could be interested in hiring assistant coach Rick Bowness, Garrioch suggests in a separate column. The 63-year-old was just let go by the Lightning earlier in the week.  New York is believed to want at least one assistant coach with NHL experience on their staff and certainly has that as he has worked behind the bench since the mid-1980s.  However, Lindy Ruff remains on the coaching staff and he too has plenty of NHL experience.  If the Rangers do indeed pursue Bowness, that could mean that Ruff may be going elsewhere.
• While preliminary talks have occurred on an extension with Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated in an interview with Sportsnet 960 (audio link) that he still believes Montreal’s captain will wind up being dealt this summer. He mentions Florida as a team that has interest in him and that Pacioretty would have interest in going to.  Friedman adds that the perception around Montreal is that there isn’t as much pressure to make the playoffs next year and that they’re looking to rebuild a little bit.  If that is the case, that could open up the potential for a more futures-based return.