- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and Jeff Carter’s agents won’t speak publicly about the situation. Carter agent did confirm though that Carter has not requested a trade. There are probably 5 or 6 teams that would be in the market for Carter. The Kings, Flames and Maple Leafs could be in the hunt for him. If the Kings are involved, Jonathan Bernier would be in the mix. If Calgary is interested, maybe Jay Bouwmeester could be part of the deal. Portzline wonders if the Blue Jackets and Canucks would do a Carter (10 years, $5.27 million cap hit) for Roberto Luongo (10 years, $5.33 million cap hit) deal.
- David Boclair of the Nashville City Paper: Predators GM David Poile on Alexander Radulov:
“He’s a top-six forward that a lot of people would say we’re missing.” “He’s the best player not playing in the NHL.”
If/when he returns to the NHL, he still have 1 year left on his entry level deal. Once Salavat Yulaev is finished this season, Radulov is free to come back to the NHL and Predators if he chooses. Poile has been told that Radulov’s KHL deal has an ‘out’ clause. His NHL deal is for $980,000 and his KHL deal was a reported 3 years at between $8-$13 million. If Radulov was to return this season, the Preds would be adding a top 6 without having to give up a player or prospect.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: A decision to either re-sign or trade Tuomo Ruutu is not expected until later this week.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals owner Ted Leonsis: “wish us speedy recovery to some of our players – and hope we can add some jump via the trade markets during the next few weeks.”
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Kings fans are frustrated with the lack of deal for a scorer, but Bernstein assures that the Kings are considering many options, some of which are not publicized yet.
- The Fourth Period: Avalanche forward Paul Stastny could be in the Kings list of possible trade targets.
“(The Kings) healthy scratched Dustin Penner and put two rookies (Dwight King and Jordan Nolan) playing their first NHL game this season with Mike Richards against the Islanders, looks like they’ve hit the panic button to me,” an NHL insider said Saturday evening. “I know Statsny is a center, but so is Jeff Carter and Paul only has two years left on his deal and there are zero concerns with his attitude.”
The Avalanche could use Stastny to rebuild their defense and to add depth at forward. A source added if they could get Jack Johnson in a package, they look long and hard at a deal. Stastny has a $6.6 million cap hit through 2013-14. Lightning winger Ryan Malone could be another Kings target.
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said that head coach Joel Quenneville is “absolutely the guy” and that he’s not looking for a goaltender.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks forward Chris Higgins has been battling staph infections. Higgins should be skating today, and an update could be coming later. His progress could determine if GM Mike Gillis looks at their top 6 or bottom 6. Defenseman Keith Ballard’s neck injury should be updated today as well.
- Vicki Hall via twitter: Flames winger Curtis Glencross is estimated to return the first week of March.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Flames center Mikael Backlund suffered an upper body injury on Saturday and will be out at least a month.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Matt Duchene practice today in a no-contact jersey. It’s looking like he could be back soon.
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals defenseman Mike Green took part in Capitals optional skate today.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils lines: Parise-Henrique-Kovalchuk; Sykora-Elias-Clarkson; Ponikarovsky-Zubrus-Bernier; Boulton-Josefson-Janssen.
- David Alter via twitter: Maple Leafs lines: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel,MacArthur-Grabovski-Connolly, Crabb-Lombardi-Kulemin, Boyce-Steckel-Brown-Armstrong. (I made the Connolly correction from the tweet link)
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: “If a player waives his “no trade” clause once he no longer has a “no trade” clause in his deal.” … “A player can provide a letter saying he is only waiving his “no trade” clause for that purpose. If he doesn’t, he is open season.” Kevin McGran via twitter: according to 2 sources: “a player retains NTC /NMC clause even if he waives it to accept trade. Rec’v’g team accepts player and all terms of deal.”
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Thomas Greiss will start in net for the Sharks tonight against the Capitals. Michal Neuvirth said he’ll be starting tonight.
