- Rich Chere of NJ.com: Devils Patrik Elias thinks some current players could be dealt to teams looking to make a Cup run, but he doesn’t want to be one of them.
“I think there are guys who could help some other teams in the playoff run, no question about it,” Elias told NJ Advance Media.
“I would not want to be traded. For me it’s different. I’ve been here my whole life,” Elias explained. “I kind of thought about it when Mats Sundin was in that situation. But he was in the last year of his contract. If that was the case with me and it was my last chance to go for a Cup it would be tempting. On the other hand, it’s tempting just to finish my whole career with one team.”
Jaromir Jagr, Marek Zidlicky and Scott Gomez could be three players the Devils move.
“I’m sure it’s a question that will come up, but as of right now I’m not even thinking about that,” said Gomez, who holds out hope of making the playoffs with the Devils. “I’ve been around long enough to know that weird things can happen in hockey. Trading guys hasn’t even crossed my mind yet.”
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Wild have the second lowest save percentage in the league, with Darcy Kuemper ranked 53rd and Niklas Backstrom 60th. Sources are saying that the Wild are looking for a goalie, and have talked to the Hurricanes about Cam Ward. Other goalies that could be available are Antti Niemi, Jhonas Enroth, Michal Neuvirth, Viktor Fasth and Martin Brodeur.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers could deal a handful of players leading up to the trade deadline. Vinny Lecavalier and R.J. Umberger have played better lately and could interest some teams. Defenseman Braydon Coburn could help a Cup contender, and he’s had many scouts watching him closely.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Staples thinks the Oilers should make a final push to sign Jeff Petry to a contract extension. For years he’s been their most steady defenseman. Though he’s not a No. 1 Dman, he’s shown he can hold his own against their opponents top players. The Oilers are considering moving him leading up to the trade deadline.
