- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: After sending Rostislav Olesz ($3 million) to the minors, the Blackhawks now have between $6-$7 million free.
“We’re not in a rush to spend money,” Bowman said before the Hawks played the Calgary Flames. “It’s a bit of an oddity for us. In the last couple of years, we’ve been so tight against .”
“We don’t have anything that we’re close to doing or looking at,” said Bowman, who’ll stick with a 23-man roster. “We’re always looking ahead at what might be there, but we’ll see what happens.
“Right now, we’re not looking to do anything in particular. We’re happy with the players that we have, as well as the start that our top guys have gotten off to.”
Defenseman Brent Seabrook is doubtful for Saturday against the Oilers. Jahns via twitter: GM Stan Bowman said that he was never approached by the Sabres about trading Patrick Kane, despite the reports.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: With all the injuries the Maple Leafs have encountered of late, it won’t play a role in trade talks according to VP of hockey operations Dave Poulin, not yet anyway.
“If something made sense for our hockey team, we’d do it tomorrow regardless of what’s going on,” Poulin said in a phone interview. “But circumstances right now have no factor with that.
“You have to be patient.”
- Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: Joe Colborne was spotted in the Maple Leafs room this morning.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk on affect of new ownership on payroll and with possible trades:
“I think it’s more environment and comfort in the short-term. I like our roster and I think we need to let it be for a bit. I don’t foresee any immediate moves that are necessary. But, in the long term, having an owner and possibly a higher budget could open the door for opportunities that we’re not able to study right now. It also will probably change the way other teams look at us, and maybe they will be more open to picking up the phone and making a call.”
Nieuwendyk has had discussions with RFAs Jamie Benn and Alex Goligoski, as well as UFA Nicklas Grossman.
- Louie Korac of NHL.com: Blues forward David Perron has been cleared for contact. Perron hasn’t played since taking a Joe Thornton hit on Nov. 4th 2010. There is no timetable for his return.
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Colten Teubert and Taylor Chorney were recalled by the Oilers to replace Andy Sutton and Corey Potter, who were both scheduled to have MRIs. Ryan Whitney practiced yesterday but won’t return until next week at the earliest.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Brendan Morrison will likely be back in the lineup within the week. He tested his knee in the pre-game skate but was a scratch. David Moss could be put on the IR when Morrison is healthy.
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Signs are pointing to Ondrej Pavelec starting in net for the Jets against the Flyers.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Jimmy Howard will start in net for the Red Wings against the Kings. Coach Babcock hasn’t decided on Sunday’s starter yet.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Curtis Sanford will start in net for the Blue Jackets.
- Mark Stepneski via twitter: Stars coach Gulutzan said they’ll make a decision on goaltending today, but may still be leaning towards Andrew Raycroft.