With hints that the Arizona Coyotes are interested in acquiring New Jersey Devils star Taylor Hall, The Athletic’s Craig Morgan (subscription required) confirms that the team is interested, but general manager John Chayka also has made it clear that he likes his roster as would prefer to keep his roster in tact. However, if the team continues to perform well, the GM might be willing to make a big splash.
“I view each season as sacred,” Chayka said. “Any time you get a chance to make a push, you have to look to do that. When players have earned that right and are serious about making a push — if they’re doing their job then I’ve got to do my job. If these guys keep playing hard and playing well, then yeah, I think it’s going to force us to make some additions to this team.”
Chayka might prefer to move picks and prospects in a deal for Hall rather than break up the team. However, Morgan does add that there are a few prospects that are off limits, including Barrett Hayton, Victor Soderstrom and Jan Jenik.
- While there is nothing official on the severity of his injury, Anaheim Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins said that the injury that forward Nick Ritchie sustained Friday against the Washington Capitals “does not look very good,” according to The Athletic’s Eric Stephens. Ritchie injured his knee after sustaining a late hit from the Capitals’ Radko Gudas and Ritchie had trouble putting weight on his leg as he left the ice, suggesting the injury could be long-term.
- The Edmonton Oilers look to be getting back a familiar face as the team announced that forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will return to the ice Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. Nugent-Hopkins has missed the past six games with a hand injury. Nugent-Hopkins has five goals and 16 points in 25 games.
- Little has changed for the Los Angeles Kings Ilya Kovalchuk, who has not appeared in a game since Nov. 9, according to The Athletic’s Lisa Dillman (subscription required). Regardless, Kovalchuk has continued to practice and travel with the team and has maintained a positive attitude despite sitting in the press box. “The situation with Kovy is a tough one for everybody,” Kings head coach Todd McLellan said. “I can tell you that he’s been outstanding. Kovy’s situation has nothing to do with him as a person or his work ethic or anything like that. He’s outstanding. He works as hard as anybody right now.
2 comments. If Kovy is a hard working team player does that mean he is not playing because he is awful? If so then why not release him? No team will trade for a guy who is so bad he can’t play on the 3rd line of the worst team in the NHL.
Chakya basically said if the players do their job then he will do his. Does that mean he won’t do his job if the players don’t? Odd quote. If he doesn’t try to upgrade that offense the Yotes are going nowhere. Kuemper can’t stand on his head all year.
Chayka may want to get Taylor as a rental, since that destination would be a bit unlikely as a long-term solution from Taylor’s standpoint. AZ would one of a few teams that *might* overpay to get him as a rental. John C. should ask Jarmo what it’s like to go all in and fall a bit short, only to see the inmates bolt for sunnier places. As long as the Ky-yoots keep winning 0 to -1, then they’ll keep on keepin’ on. As for Kovalchuk, that dead horse doesn’t need any more beating. As a 35+ contract, he’s effectively radioactive to most any other team in the league. Their kids (in L.A.) need TOI, and he isn’t able to bring much flavor to the party anymore.
Wait…. you mean signing an aging player, who had been out of the NHL for years, with declining speed in a game known to be getting even faster…. to a large multi year contract…. was a BAD move?!?!
That is brand new information!!
– Kings front office