Dan Murphy via twitter: Murphy doesn’t think the Canucks will trade Cory Schneider this year.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Answering mailbag questions: “If the Avalanche is in the playoff hunt when the deadline presents itself (Feb. 27), then I think there’s an excellent chance the Avs will be buyers. They’ve got the cap room to do something like pick up a name guy, even if as only a rental.”
Craig Custance of ESPN: Players who signed a 1-year deals can’t sign contract extensions until after January 1st. “What makes this year unique is that the CBA expires after this season, which means players and teams may not be as eager to sign midseason extensions until they have a good feel for what the structure of the new CBA will be.” Shea Weber is the most notable player waiting for Jan. 1st, but there are a few others who may also be looking to sign an extension. Blues ‘backup’ Brian Elliott signed a 1 year, $600,000 deal in the offseason and has a 14-4-0 record with a 1.63 GAA. Blues GM Doug Armstrong: “Right now our policy is we wait until the 45-50 mark until we worry about next year’s team,” Armstrong said. “We’ll get well into the New Year and see.” Oilers defenseman Corey Potter got off to a hot start before injuring his ankle, but is establishing himself as a top 4 Dman. Blues forward T.J. Oshie is on pace for 27 goals, and is willing to talk extension. “We’re open to it,” said agent Matthew Oates of O2K Management Group. “The biggest thing is for T.J. to keep doing what he’s doing and the team to keep winning. T.J. loves St. Louis.” Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray got a fresh start from GM Joe Nieuwendyk, and had put up 15 points in his 1st 33 games.
Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It’s not looking like Sidney Crosby will be returning to the Penguins lineup anytime soon. There is no timetable, and no indication from the team or medical staff if there are plans to shut him down for the season.
Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson on defenseman James Wisniewski ankle: “It’s broken. Our docs will look at him tomorrow.” It may not be season ending.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche center Matt Duchene left last night’s game in the 1st period with a knee injury. It looked like he caught his skate in a rut while delivering a hit. He’ll be re-evaluated today. Defenseman Jan Hejda took an elbow from Raffi Torres in the 2nd period. He finished the game, but said afterwards that he wasn’t feeling 100%.
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars captain Brenden Morrow left last night’s game after he took a puck right on the MCL that has bothered him for years. On what his prognosis might be, “I have no idea. I’ve sprained them before, but I don’t know if I’ve ever taken a slapshot off of one. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow and just try to keep the swelling down.”
