Larry Brooks of the NY Post: An NHL GM told the Post that the Calgary Flames are ‘desperate’ to trade Dion Phaneuf. Flames GM Darryl Sutter scouted the Rangers-Flyers game on Thursday. The Rangers couldn’t make a move for Phaneuf without unloading Redden and/or Rozsival’s contract, and I don’t see the Flames wanting Redden. If they took Rozsival, the rest of the package would have to be really good. The Flames would be looking for a center, so Brandon Dubinsky would probably be the main player involved.
Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Duhatschek wondering a few things. Would the Thrashers be interested in Ponikarovsky if they trade Kovalchuk, potentially for a 1st rounder? Would the Penguins be interested in Nikolai Kulemin and would the Leafs trade him (Kulemin has a Malkin connection)? The LA Kings may be the only trade destination for Teemu Selanne, who will most likely retire at the end of the season. Colby Armstrong or Alex Tanguay to the Flames? (Not really his thoughts on Armstrong and Tanguay, as they were mentioned last week in a couple articles) Dallas Stars starting goalie for next could be Halak, Lehtonen or former Star, Dan Ellis.
E.J. Hradek of ESPN: The Flames need a number 1 center for Jarome, and they might have to trade one of their top 4 Dman to get it.
Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman thinks Huet and Niemi are good enough to lead them to the Cup. The Hawks have plenty of skill up front and on the blue line, but they still might look to add something.
Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: I wrote yesterday that Canucks GM Mike Gillis was scouting the Blues-Canadiens game earlier this week, and that he could be interested in several Blues. Botchford brings up that he might have been looking at some Canadiens, Josh Gorges and Ryan O’Bryne and some of their pricier blueline veterans. Another possibility could be Tomas Plekanec, a UFA who’ll want big money. I don’t see the Canadiens trading Plekanec, especially if they are close to a playoff spot.
Mark Everson of the NY Post: The New Jersey Devils have struggled scoring lately, and might be looking to make a deal. The names Scott Niedermayer and Saku Koivu come up again. Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla don’t appear to be untouchable according to Everson. Zach Parise would be the only Devil that is not available. Saying that Jarome Iginla is tradable is a big statement to make, and I don’t believe it one bit.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Trade Deadline deals but Brian Burke. He’ll be looking for draft picks, and not Kovalchuk.
