On the St. Louis Blues …
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: (chat) Don’t think the Blues should trade Kevin Shattenkirk right now as they are in a win-now mode and trading him would likely lessen their chances. GM Doug Armstrong would likely wait until the offseason to make that type of move.
Pending UFA David Backes has a full no-clause, so even if the Blues were considering trading him, it’s up to Backes. If they can’t re-sign him before the deadline and he’d be okay with a trade, the Blues have to explore the option. Can see him not being re-signed before the deadline, but remaining with the Blues.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
- Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) Khan thinks that Steven Stamkos will either re-sign with the Lightning or sign with the Maple Leafs.
Khan could see the Red Wings taking a look at some of the UFAs that have size (though some will re-sign before hitting the open market) – Andrew Ladd, David Backes, Milan Lucic and Eric Staal.The Red Wings could use some toughness.
The Wings are unlikely to even get a draft pick or prospect for Jakub Kindl.
The only way the Red Wings are going to move move Jimmy Howard’s contract in the offseason would be if they retained some salary or to take back a bad contract. The Flames could be on the short list of teams that might be interested.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said that Jason Garrison’s injury won’t change his trade deadline plans. It’s not easy to trade for a top-four defenseman and the price is high.
“I think there’s a little bit of a trickle-down effect,” coach Jon Cooper said. “Is it coincidence we’ve lost four of five with him out, or is it that much of an impact? I don’t know, but it’s definitely had an impact.”
List of all unrestricted free agents: Centers | Left Wingers | Right Wingers | Defensemen | Goalies
List of all 2016 Traded NHL Draft Picks
