NHL Draft will see plenty of trade talk
The NHL Draft is less than 4 weeks away and there will be plenty of movement as teams look to shed salary in the wake of the salary cap decreasing by $2-$2.5 million.
Among the big names currently being shopped are Anaheim’s Chris Pronger, and Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier, Ryan Malone.
We’re hearing

LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi is targeting Penguins center Jordan Staal and will make a play for Staal at the draft.
Lombardi who made a play for Staal at the trade deadline is currently in talks with the Tampa Bay Lightning about Vincent Lecavalier.
Trade talks have centered around LA Kings defenseman Jack Johnson being apart of the deal but a deal is unlikely as Johnson has made it known to Kings management that he will not play for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Reports indicate his father is exploring opportunities in Russia if Johnson were to be traded to Tampa Bay.
Johnson, an RFA, is Sidney Crosby’s best friend and has his sights set on joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in the near future.
The two have remained close ever since their days at Shattuck St. Mary’s and workout together in the summer.
With a deal for Lecavalier unlikely, league sources expect Lombardi to turn his sights to Jordan Staal again.
Lombardi is looking to build down the middle, similar to how Pittsburgh has built a Stanley Cup Contender.
Kings Scouts believe Staal has 35 goal potential in a top two line role.
Penguins General Manager Ray Shero will listen to offers for anyone not named Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Marc Andre Fleury.
Despite Jordan Staal’s salary rising to $4 million per season, Shero is in no rush to move Staal.
Shero will listen to what Lombardi has to offer but it’s going to take more than an offer of Jack Johnson for Shero to part ways with Staal.
Will Lombardi meet Shero’s high demands to part with his young center?

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