Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Players who could be moved before the trade deadline: Joe Thornton (SJ), Chris Stewart (BUF), Antti Niemi (SJ), Paul Martin (PIT), Curtis Glencross (CAL), Nick Leddy (CHI), Bobby Ryan (OTT), Mike Green (WAS), Drew Stafford (BUF) and Lubomir Visnovsky (NYI). Other players who could be available: Cam Ward (CAR), Nick Foligno (CBJ), Marc Methot (OTT), Tomas Fleischmann (FLA) and Cody Franson (TOR).
Andy Strickland: “Now is normally a good time to sneak players thru waivers w/o being claimed as most #NHL teams are still overloaded with players #stlblues.”
Hope Smoke: Pierre LeBrun: “There are going to be bargains found on cutdown day. I don’t know if that’s something the Leafs are interested in “
Aaron Portzline: If Ryan Murray is ready for the start of the season, the Blue Jackets could see what the market for defenseman Cody Goloubef is as he’s unlikely to clear waivers. The Blue Jackets are comfortable with Goloubef being their eighth defenseman, but with teams needing defensemen, they might not be able to get him through waivers. The Stars and Red Wings only have left-handed defensemen, so there could be teams that might be interested in the right-handed Goloubef if he’s put on waivers.
Darren Dreger: Mike Babcock has an idea of what his worth is on the open market. GM Ken Holland has the support from ownership to get a deal done that makes sense. Both sides would like to get a deal done by the start of the season.
Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “I can’t come up with a firm opinion of what’s going to happen here b/c I honestly don’t believe Babcock knows what’s going to happen” … “I guess what’s bothering me a little bit or making me lean towards the side of him not returning is…” … “if he were returning, & the Wings were committed to him long-term – as they’ve been for last decade – why isn’t the deal done now?” … “Why wouldn’t Holland & the Ilitch family sit down with Babcock an hour after Holland signed his extension?” … “The longer this thing lingers obviously the more we lean to the side of him leaving Detroit” … “If that happens, sky’s the limit. Leafs have been rumoured but there will be a handful of teams that would want a crack at Babcock”
