NHL Rumors: Robert Thomas, and who is interested in Artemi Panarin

Robert Thomas’ talks slowed due to his injury

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, when asked about St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas, who has had his name in the rumor mill but is currently injured.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

“So there’s been a lot of talk about Robert Thomas and his future in St. Louis, and one thing that’s happened is he had surgery earlier this week. A little bit of a clean-up procedure. So he’ll be out of the lineup until right after the Olympics.”

So that could delay any conversations there. I will say this, that a number of teams that talked about it said there aren’t many people in the league that can do what St. Louis might want to do here.

But luckily it’s not serious. It won’t cost him anything for the rest of the season. But Thomas is out until after All-Star. The Blues have, I think, two games left.”

NHL Rumors: St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks

Teams interested in trading and signing Artemi Panarin to an extension, and those interested in signing him as a rental

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, when asked about the New York Rangers pending UFA Artemi Panarin. He has permission to talk to teams about whether there is interest in a possible extension. A list of teams that might be interested in extending him, and those that would be interested in trading for him as a rental.

** NHLRumors.com transcription

Friedman: “You know, a couple of teams said it was some kind of free agency thing. Panarin is basically cleared to do it, and they’re basically talking to teams about where he wants to go and who’s interested in doing it with an extension.

As we sit here tonight, there is no doubt that extension is still important to him. I think there are teams hoping that will change, but right now an extension is important for him.

I think the teams that are interested in it; Washington, LA, San Jose, FL. And there are many teams wondering if the Panthers can actually pull this off.

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And Detroit. I just put them there. You know, (Steve) Yzerman is a safe. I just think that given his history of wanting terms for boys, people put them there.

Carolina was in two places there, and the reason is that it depends on who you talk to. Carolina may or may not be interested in doing it with an extension. I think they are flexible. It only affects what they are willing to pay for the player.”

Ron MacLean: “And you said Dallas, Jason Robertson, it’s all up in the air with him.”

Friedman: “As long as Dallas’ goal is to sign Jason Robertson, I don’t think they can do that. And I think their goal is still to sign Jason Robertson.”

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