Will the Montreal Canadiens sign Jonathan Drouin to an offer sheet?
Le Journal de Montreal: Yvon Pedneault wonders if Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin will attempt to make a bold move this summer by signing restricted free agent Jonathan Drouin to an offer sheet this summer. Pedneault cites the Lightning’s salary-cap issues this summer as a reason why they could be vulnerable to an offer sheet. If Bergevin were to successfully sign away Drouin with a long-term deal worth $7 million annually, it would cost the Habs a first-, second- and third-round picks as compensation to the Lightning.
Ilya Kovalchuk not likely to sign with the New Jersey Devils
New York Post: Larry Brooks reports Russian forward Ilya Kovalchuk “is all but certain” to return to the NHL next season, but not with the New Jersey Devils. Kovalchuk’s return could be via a sign-and-trade deal. Brooks also said he was told to expect significant interest in the 34-year-old winger.
Will the Toronto Maple Leafs pursue a top-4 defenceman?
ESPN: Pierre LeBrun doubts the Toronto Maple Leafs will pursue a top-four defenseman at any cost, especially if that cost is a good young forward such as William Nylander. If the Maple Leafs go shopping for a blueliner, they’ll either trade left wing James van Riemsdyk if they can’t re-sign him to a contract extension this summer, or they’ll draw upon their depth of draft picks and prospects
