On the Los Angeles Kings …
Dennis Bernstein: Kings GM Dean Lombardi has been looking at goalie options for awhile now. How their current tandem of Peter Budaj and Jeff Zatkoff plays on their road trip could dictate if a move is made – possibly replacing Zatkoff if it doesn’t go well.
Helene Elliott of the LA Times: GM Lombardi said yesterday that he’s yet ready to “throw the kitchen sink” at a team to trade for a top-notch goaltender even if he were able to fit it into their salary cap. Jonathan Quick‘s expected return date was moved back a month until the middle of February, with early being the “worst-case scenario.”
With the expansion draft in June and only being able to protect one goalie, if they acquired a top guy, they could lose him.
“If he is a top guy you’re going to lose him, so what are you going to give up for a two-month asset? To be honest with you it hasn’t even been that type of player in play.”
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Darren Dreger: Even though things can change on a day-to-day basis, get the sense is that Canucks management still supports head coach Willie Desjardins.
On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times: The Blackhawks are in a good spot with back up Scott Darling and his $587,500 salary cap hit. Darling is set to be a unrestricted free agent after this season. He’ll be getting a nice raise, and it’s one that the Blackhawks may not be able to afford for next year. With Corey Crawford out, Darling could be auditioning for teams who could be looking for a goaltender for next year.
“I’m auditioning for the Blackhawks right now,” the Lemont native said following his latest brilliant effort, a 33-save 2-1 victory over the high-flying Rangers. “I want to be a Blackhawk. Nobody knows what’s going to happen at the end of the year, especially me. All I know is, if I don’t play good, it’s not going to be easy to be here, or be in the NHL.”