Did anyone mention Friedman speculating the Preds might try and sign a top-4 defenceman, so they could use one of their own in a trade?
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-free-agency-buzz-rumblings-around-league/
This rumour has been posted a couple of times throughout the last week or so. Granted this seems more like speculation from Friedman, but we know a couple of things based on all the rumours we've heard. One of them is that the Preds and Poille really do like Duchene. The other one is that Sakic supposively wanted Ekholm as the major part of the deal, which Poille declined at the time as he wants to keep four top 4 defenders for this club. So now maybe Poille wants to head back to Duchene if he's able to land a top 4 defender on the free agent market.
The biggest issue I see now is cap space, considering that the newest rumour is that Johansen wants 8.5 million per year. But I suggest that Avs can get more in a deal, maybe one around Ekholm+Fiala/Kamenev+Fabbro or 1st 2018 if Avs retain some of his contract.
What are your guys' thoughts on this situation?