NHL Rumors: Matt Murray Seattle bound, John Davidson next Sabres executive, and Wayne Gretzky TV analyst?
Anthony Scultore
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Wayne Gretzky TV analyst? The Great One could be the next great analyst if TNT can get its way. According to published reports, ESPN is out of the picture for old 99 but TNT is making a hard push.
Wayne Gretzky on TNT
The most interesting aspect of this story is that TNT is using Wayne’s old buddy and neighbor Charles Barkley to recruit him. If successful, Gretzky would easily be the biggest draw in hockey television coverage in ages.
ESPN is out on Wayne Gretzky, paving the way for The Great One potentially going to TNT as an analyst for its NHL studio coverage, The Post has learned. Gretzky’s role with TNT would be akin to Charles Barkley’s on “Inside The NBA.” If a deal is done, Gretzky, 60, is expected to command in the range of $5 million per year, according to sources. Turner has put the full-court press on for Gretzky by using Barkley, the Great One’s former neighbor in Arizona, as its chief recruiter, according to sources.
NY Post
Here’s to seeing Wayne Gretzky in beautiful HD talking about the great game of hockey.
John Davidson next Sabres executive?
As the fallout from Wednesday’s dismissals over at 2 Penn Plaza continue, rumors as to what’s next for John Davidson and Jeff Gorton are abound. For JD, at age 68 he could opt to retire or just sit back and see what arises that fits his needs. Erik Duhatschek knows JD well and believes either the Sabres or Blue Jackets are two possible destinations.
I do believe he would love to be part of a Stanley Cup championship team as a swan song to a lifetime in the game; that, of course, would require the right opportunity to come along with the right sort of club. A return to Columbus could be a possibility. After his experience with Dolan in New York, would he listen to the Buffalo Sabres if they ever called? Maybe. Both the Blue Jackets and Sabres could use a senior voice of reason to steady franchises that have been listing sideways of late.
The Athletic
Matt Murray Seattle Kraken bound?
The Ottawa Senators have five goalies under contract heading into next season. The biggest name in the mix is Matt Murray but according to many, he’s not likely to be protected by the Sens come expansion draft.
Of course, the biggest decision will come down to which goalie the Senators will protect in the expansion draft. Normally, the top choice would be Murray, but given his struggles in his first year with the club and the fact he has three years left on his deal at $6.25 million per-season he’s not likely to get touched by the Seattle Kraken… The talk will centre around whether it will be the Daccord or Gustavsson. Yes, people are fretting that whichever goalie is left unprotected will be picked up by the Kraken, but you have to look at the big picture and there will plenty of options available for Seattle so maybe they’ll opt look elsewhere on Ottawa’s depth chart.
Ottawa Sun
Will the Kraken take Murray in the draft? I’m not sure I agree with Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun thinking they won’t. While he may not be their target for #1 goalie, he could be the backup depending on the route the take.