- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators pending UFA defenseman Chris Phillips knows that he could be dealt.
“Obviously my life is here. I’ve been here since Day 1 and right now no, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. But I have to be realistic about pro sports and everything that goes on with it, that there’s a possibility that could happen some day.”
“I feel like I’ve got lots of hockey left in me,” said Phillips. “I don’t want to get into talking about what’s been discussed, as far as contract stuff, but yeah, that’s how I feel.”
Milan Michalek is also a pending UFA.
“Yeah, you think about it, especially when I’m not having a really good season,” said Michalek, whose production has dropped off to 10 goals and 15 assists in 59 games so far this season. “If (a trade) happens, it happens. You’re not going to do anything about that.
“I’m just trying to do my best here. I like it here in Ottawa. I love the city, the fans are great here too. It’s been great here. I wish I was going to stay here, but if it happens it happens.”
- Jim Matheson of Edmonton Journal: (lots of quotes in the article) Oilers GM Craig MacTavish.
“I’d be disappointed if I can’t get a second- and a third-round pick back and have us sitting at the draft in June with our first-round pick and not picking again until the fourth-round.”
On how active the Oilers could be at the deadline.
“It’s a tough market to predict at this point, but we’ll be in all the conversations. It’s been pretty quiet through the Olympic break, but starting today, it’s going to heat up. We’ll be aggressively speaking to teams and letting them know what we’re doing. We’re looking for a fit.”
The Oilers will be sellers.
“Yes. That’s my expection now. We’ll try and accumulate some draft choices, and as I said, getting a prospect from another team is harder. It’s maybe a better scenario for because players are closer to playing (NHL) but teams are reluctant to giving those players up.”
- John Manasso of Fox Sports Tennessee: The Predators could use a player like Thomas Vanek in their attempt to make the playoffs, as well as in the future if they could re-sign him to a long, expensive contract. The asking price is reportedly three assets. The Predators could send Viktor Stalberg, a first or second round pick, and either Mattias Ekholm or Ryan Ellis. Vanek would need to be open to signing with the Predators.
