[PeteMoss]

Bonus sections:

New Jersey Devils: According to several sources, the Devils have not surrendered on Jacob Markstrom. If he is not traded to them this week, they will try again this summer. They’ve decided he is their target in goal. I’m also not convinced Tyler Toffoli is going anywhere. The price is high, and negotiations continue. It’s poker, so we will see where we are in a few days, but the Devils like him, and I don’t think they wish to easily give up their playoff pursuit, no matter how tough their trip through southern California was. In addition to a goaltender with term, they have to be considering a defender too, but those are very hard to find. They’ve dangled Alexander Holtz, but resisted Dawson Mercer.

Tampa Bay Lightning: I do believe the Lightning are as interested in Hanifin as he is interested in them, and are looking for defensive help anyway because Mikhail Sergachev is out. When I was younger, I loved a boxer named Marvellous Marvin Hagler. In 1986, he fought an undefeated John Mugabi, who won 24 of his first 25 fights by knockout or technical knockout. Hagler knocked him out, and I remember when Mugabi was staggered and backing up, the commentators saying, “We’ve never seen him like this.” That’s why I find it hard to feel Tampa’s pulse.

Julien BriseBois has never been GM during a time the Lightning had to consider retreat. They’re still full of future Hall-of-Famers to be discounted at your peril, but they look more vulnerable than they have in a decade. They don’t have high picks or too many coveted prospects. That’s a factor in the Hanifin conversations.

Other teams mentioned with Hanifin in the blog: Washington, Toronto, Boston, Florida.

Here is the Florida mention:

They’ve got cap space, but don’t have draft capital. The Panthers have been asked about Anton Lundell, and when you can win, you are forced to consider these things. I get mixed responses to Hanifin, with some sources saying definite interest, but others saying it won’t happen and they’ll chase defensive depth instead. So, I’m not much help there.