The lower-than-anticipated return that the Hurricanes received for winger Jeff Skinner isn’t going to help the Canadiens in their efforts to move winger Max Pacioretty, suggests Jared Clinton of The Hockey News. The two have been statistically similar over the past three years so while Pacioretty has the stronger long-term track record, it’s going to be challenging for them to justify commanding a significantly better return even though unlike Skinner, he doesn’t have any no-trade protection.
With that in mind, it’s fair to wonder if they would be better served holding onto their captain to start the season despite their reported desire to move him as soon as possible. While that would create a media frenzy, it would give Pacioretty a chance to rebuild his value as he enters a contract year while giving the Canadiens time to see if something happens elsewhere that gives them the opportunity to potentially leverage a better return.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
- Djurgarden of the SHL is interested in bringing back Blackhawks prospect Robin Norell, reports Johan Svensson of Expressen (link in Swedish). The 23-year-old has one year left on his entry-level deal and Chicago would need to sign off on loaning him back home. Norell is certainly familiar with Djurgarden having been a part of their system for parts of seven seasons before coming to North America. He has been a regular on the back end with their AHL affiliate in Rockford the last two years but has yet to make it to the NHL level and isn’t expected to contend for a spot in training camp.
- Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni has long been viewed as one of the top goaltenders outside the NHL. While he still has one year left on his current contract with SC Bern of the Swiss NLA, he has now committed to EV Zug of the same league for 2019-20 and beyond. Per a team release (link in German), the 31-year-old has agreed to a five-year deal that will keep him in Switzerland through 2024 and with it, any chance of him crossing the pond one day to try the NHL has now been put to rest.
A first rounder is still within reach though, because Skinner got what, a 2nd, a 4th, a 6th and a decent prospect right? Maybe a first and a fourth then?
decent prospect is pushing it but yes it’s possible Montreal gets a first but at this point I wonder if waiting makes the most sense
And it may depend on what team is offering the 1st round pick (if it may be thought of to be a lower 1st if he goes to a perennial playoff team). MTL may want a contingency 1st rounder with the ability to swap what year they get the pick.
Je pense que la meilleure chose à faire pour Marc Bergevin, est de débuter la saison avec Max Pacioretty. Attendre qu’il y ait une équipe qui perde un joueur clé dans son alignement, et avoir plus pour Pacioretty. Présentement il n’a pas une grande valeur.