{coyotes} Coyotes' Vermette trying to ignore trade talk: report

Friday, 13 February 2015

{coyotes} Coyotes' Vermette trying to ignore trade talk: report

Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette said he doesn't need to follow all the speculation surrounding his future. He told TSN on Thursday he has others to do that for him.

"It comes from people around you, and TSN does a good job of keeping me updated," he said. "But I'm not focusing on the rumors. It's just part of the situation. Being from Canada I know how passionate fans are. I get that and I just try and deal with it as best I can."

Vermette said he has spoken to Coyotes general manager Don Maloney about what could happen between now at the trade deadline, which is 3 p.m. ET on March 2.

"We talked about the interest and Don said he would meet with [owner Andrew] Barroway to see if the direction has changed," Vermette said. "He said there was no guarantee he would wait until the deadline, but he also said he didn't see anything happening quick. It was nice and respectful."

Vermette, 32, has 12 goals and 34 points in 55 games, and he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. However, TSN is reporting a number of teams have expressed interest, among them the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche.

TSN reported Maloney's asking price for Vermette is a first-round pick and a prospect or young roster player.

Whatever happens, Vermette said he's not losing sleep over things.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself," he said. "Plus I like it here and I'm always happy being around the guys."