On the Detroit Red Wings …
Dennis Bernstein: After Vern Fiddler was traded for fourth round pick, think that the Red Wings could get a 2nd round pick plus for Thomas Vanek. Wouldn’t trade a first round pick for him.
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Thomas Vanek will be one of the best rentals on the trade market. It’s unlikely the Red Wings would be able to land a first round pick for him. If the Wings can get a second round pick, they should make the deal.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Erik Erlendsson: Feeling that coach Jon Cooper’s job is not jeopardy in the immediate future. Can always change at some point though.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Some teams will make some trades before the trade deadline with the expansion draft in mind, but the Sabres won’t be one of them.
Goaltenders Anders Nilsson and Jason Kasdorf are draft exempt. They’ll protect Robin Lehner and expose Linus Ullmark.
Kyle Okposo is the only player the Sabres are required to protect due to his no-movement clause.
The Sabres didn’t honor Zach Bogosian‘s no-movement clause when they acquired him in 2015 according to a source, so they don’t have to protect him.
On the Boston Bruins …
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: The Bruins only have one win from their backups in 16 games this year, a 1-9-2 record. It’s an area of weakness that they are aware of.
“I think we recognize that situation and we know what it is. We’re in game 53 and we’ve got one win from our backup goaltender. We’re not blind to the matter,” said Claude Julien. “What we have to do right now is to get into the best position possible, but having said that we’d also like to get Tuukka Rask less games than he’s had .”
Adding a backup could help their playoff drive and would give Tuukka Rask a mental and physical break.