- The Fourth Period: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis has had some trade talks, and it’s thought that they are still willing to move Joffrey Lupul, who is currently out with a hand injury. Lupul joins the usual suspects in Nazem Kadri, James Reimer, Cody Franson and Jake Gardiner as potential trade bait. Nothing appears imminent. Lupul has a limited no-trade clause where he names 16 teams that he won’t go to. He’s in the second-year of a five-year, $26.25 million deal.
- The Fourth Period: Coyotes GM Don Maloney told the Fourth Period that he’ll listen to offers for Keith Yandle, but he won’t move him unless the right offer comes along. If they could land a top scorer, they might make a deal. He has one-year left on his deal. Yandle doesn’t have a no-trade clause. The Wings, Flyers, Oilers and Bruins have shown some interest in the past, but it’s not known if there have been talks this season.
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins defenseman Paul Martin is “open to contract talks as long as they aren’t a distraction to the team.” according to his agent Ben Hankinson. The 33-year old defenseman is currently making $5 million and will be a UFA at the end of the season.
“There is no time frame right now,” Martin said. “I’m focusing on the season. I’m sure we’ll come to it.”
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: Brough lists five defensemen that could become trade targets.
1. Cody Franson (TOR) – 27-years old right-handed defenseman with a $3.3 million salary cap hit. The Wings and Stars are looking for a right handed defenseman.2. Jeff Petry (BUF) – 26-year old right handed defenseman with a $3.075 million cap hit. Expected to be moved by the deadline.
3. Mike Green (WSH) – 29-year old right handed defenseman with a $6.08 million cap hit. Won’t come cheap if they do decide to move him.
4. Andrej Sekera (CAR) – 28-year old pending UFA with a $2.75 million cap hit. The Hurricanes would like to re-sign him.
5. Andre Benoit (BUF) – 30-year old pending UFA who carries only a $800,000 cap hit and has been playing over 20 minutes a game.
- Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1040 on Tyler Myers
“I think that… Buffalo would consider trading Tyler Myers. The Detroit Red Wings have probably been the most persistent and consistent in showing interest in Myers. They heavily scouted him last year. They continue to heavily scout him now. The asking price has always been too high. Most recently, I believe, it was Dylan Larkin, a prospect for the Red Wings, and maybe Jakub Kindl would need to be thrown into that mix as well. And it’s a bit too much of a gamble.
“But hey, I can appreciate what Tim Murray is doing. Tyler Myers might be a good fit in the rebuild. He’s young enough. He’s got size. He’s a right-shot D-man. There’s a lot of positives in Tyler Myers’ game. You don’t know that he’s topped out yet at his best. Some believe that there’s enough flaw that you don’t want to overpay to acquire him, but I don’t know that Buffalo sees it that way. So unless somebody does overpay to get him, then why wouldn’t you hold onto him and see if he is a part of the fix.”