- Mark Everson of the NY Post: If the Devils can’t afford to sign Zach Parise (Everson guesses 10 years at $80 million) to a contract extension before the trade deadline, they may have to decide if they want to trade him or possibly lose him for nothing after the season.
- Darren Dreger TSN video link: Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter is 100% available, but his contract could be an issue for most teams. The Maple Leafs are not interested in Carter, nor have they talked to Columbus about him. Carter has a cap hit $5.27 million for the next 10 years. The Blue Jackets would need at least 1st round pick and a good young roster player in return. Dreger notes that a Tuomo Ruutu could be traded as early as next week. The Hurricanes think if may cost $4 – $4.5 million on a new deal. The Oilers have said they aren’t shopping Sam Gagner but he keeps coming up in discussions.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: “More productive trade discussions this week among teams which means next week might see some action. Not surprising..many teams after D-men.”
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: It is not clear if Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier is thinking about trading defenseman P.K. Subban. There appears to be some disappointment within management with the development of Suban. Subban has had some verbal battles with assistant coach Randy Ladouceur. Staples wonders if the Oilers would be interested if he would become available.
- Adam Jahns via twitter: Jahns has been told “nothing is close” regarding Chicago Blackhawks trades.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: After the Maple Leafs signed John-Michael Liles to a 4 year contract extension yesterday, Luke Schenn may now be a prime candidate to be traded.
“We want to get ourselves into the playoffs,” Schenn added. “(Trades) are the business side of hockey and we really can’t focus on that. There’s a lot of talk and speculation outside, but that’s out of our control.
“I was talking to my roommate Cody Franson and he said he’s never dealt with anything like this (before arriving this season). He said in Nashville, there might be a bit of rumbling on the day of the deadline, but not a month or two in advance. “That’s part of being in Toronto.”
Brian Burke noted:
But if (trades) are not there, then they’re not there. Sometimes, you have to keep pitching. We’re doing a lot of listening and working the phones. Nothing I would characterize as imminent or close.”
- The Fouth Period: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier was scouting the West Coast. Before the trade deadline he could move any of: Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn, Chris Campoli, Yannick Weber, Mathieu Darche and Travis Moen. Gauthier would like to make another big trade, but it’s believed that upper management would have to give the okay before a deal is made. The Canadiens have expressed interest in Ryan Suter, Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: There are many people unhappy with Tim Thomas snubbing the White House visit, and it could lead to something bigger. From Shinzawa:
Thomas’s decision, however, may be the first step in goalie and team parting ways. His no-movement clause expires at the conclusion of this season. Thomas has one more season remaining on his four-year, $20 million contract. Rask, a restricted free agent at year’s end, should be ready to assume the starting job in 2012-1.
The Bruins could get a big return for him from someone looking for a #1 goalie.
- Dave Stubbs via twitter: Teams scouting the Canadiens-Red Wings game: Blues, Canucks, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Kings, Red Wings, Flames, Coyotes, Senators, Wild and Maple Leafs.
- Pittsburgh Penguins via twitter: The Penguins have put Jordan Staal on the LTIR, but he can be removed at any time.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Sharks put Antero Niittymaki on waivers yesterday.