- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators might be mildly interested in Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard, who could fit in as their 2nd line center. Cost could be a concern for the Senators, as he carries a $3.2 million cap hit through 2013-14. The Islanders are also believed to be interested. Another option could be Kyle Turris, who needs to sign a deal by December 1st. Flames center Matt Stajan and his $3.5 million for 3 years is available. Though teams are looking for defenseman, Filip Kuba and Brian Lee are not getting much interest.
- Dan Rose of NHL.com: Milan Lucic escaped punishment from Brendan Shanahan.
“I had the hearing because I did make an initial assessment of the play as I do with all plays, but I did have some questions for Milan and I wanted to hear directly from him,” Shanahan told NHL.com. “They were regarding his intent; at what point did he know there was going to be a collision; and whether or not he felt he had the time to avoid the collision. I was satisfied with his answers.”
“The minor penalty called on the ice was the correct call,” Shanahan said. “And, while it’s unfortunate that Miller was hurt I saw nothing egregious about this hit that would elevate it to supplemental discipline.”
- Elliotte Freidman of CBC: Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin, who was rumored to be traded for Evgeni Nabokov, is part of the teams solution. Speculation started as he was asked to stay behind after their game with Kris Russell, Russell was traded to the Blues, so someone assumed Tyutin was being traded as well. Tyutin was asked to hang around in case they needed someone to talk to Nikita Nikitin, who doesn’t speak much English. Islanders GM Garth Snow told Eric Francis that there isn’t much interest in Evgeni Nabokov. One GM: “There are a lot of us who don’t like our teams.” Kyle Turris’ agent met with Coyotes GM Don Maloney on November 2nd when the Coyotes were in Colorado, neither side is saying anything.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Senior league sources are saying that this will be the last year the NHL owns the Phoenix Coyotes. There are 2 groups that have been approved to buy an NHL team, but neither has consummated a sale. There is an estimated 50/50 chance the team will remain in Glendale. Quebec City is at the top of the list for possible relocation. A 2nd southern Ontario team is an option.
- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Flyers chairman Ed Snider spoke about realignment. The Flyers and Penguins will remain in the same division. Eastern Conference clubs want traditional rivalries to remain. A realignment suggestion of having the Penguins and Flyers in different conferences didn’t get enough votes.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Mike Green has a strained groin according to sources. He won’t travel with the team to Nashville.
- Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times: Brent Seabrook, who was injured over the weekend, traveled with the team to Vancouver. If Seabrook can’t go, Sean O’Donnell or Sami Lepisto would step in.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Talk that the Flames are swamped with interest in Rene Bourque is manufactured according to a source within the club. Flames GM Jay Feaster wouldn’t talk specifically about Bourque, but did say it’s getting harder to find trading partners.
“In the post-lockout world, it just isn’t about whether you like a player or not,” Feaster said.
“It’s also about the term (years) of the contract, the current cash requirement and the AAV (average annual value or cap hit), and that’s before you ever start talking about what you want or need in return for the player.”
- Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets are finally getting healthy. Only Radek Martinek, Mark Dekanich and Kristian Huselius remain out. Huselius could be back in two weeks.
- BD Galiof via twitter: Galiof thinks the Islanders should make an addition by subtraction deal to send a message and to create room for more kids.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Martin Brodeur will start for the Devils on Wednesday.