Will the Dallas Stars have room to bring back Chris Tanev?
Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News: Chris Tanev played a major role in the Dallas Stars’ playoff run. He hopes to return to the Stars next season.
“I had a great time here. The organization treated me very well. The coaches were great. I learned a lot. It was a great trip,” he said. “Hopefully, I can stay here. I had a great time. My family had a great time here. We’ll see how that goes. It’s obviously very early.”
Stars coach Pete DeBoer said he would like Tanev to return. Will the Stars be able to find a place to bring him back?
NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs
They may have to pay him more than $4.5 million, and they may deserve it. They won’t have Joe Pavelski under contract next year and other UFAs may not return. They will have to make a decision about Jani Hakanpaa.
Will the Colorado Avalanche bring back Jonathan Drouin and Jack Johnson?
Corey Masisak of the Denver Post: Jonathan Drouin’s agent, Allan Walsh, said Drouin was a good fit with the Colorado Avalanche and loved playing there. Avs manager Chris MacFarland hopes he can bring Drouin back.
The Avs don’t have much salary cap flexibility right now. Valeri Nichushkin is suspended until mid-November, and his condition makes things difficult. Strikers Gabriel Landeskog and Artturi Lehkonen are trying to return from injury.
“What I can say is that Chris MacFarland is one of the most respected GMs in the NHL,” Walsh said. “And he is known to be a young man with a good creative ability. When you put two creative guys in a room who are both motivated to get to a certain point, you usually get to that point.”
Defenseman Jack Johnson’s agent, Pat Brisson, thinks the Avs will want to re-sign Johnson and bring back the 37-year-old player.
NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche, and Vancouver Canucks
“I haven’t talked to (Chris MacFarland) recently, but I’m sure we will have conversations. They have a lot of moving parts. I think Jack has another year in him if not two. I saw him in the play-offs and it was amazing. “
