- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Ryan Kesler remains the Penguins top target. The Penguins are feeling that the Flyers and Blackhawks are gaining interest in Kesler as well. If the Canucks don’t move Kesler at the deadline, the Penguins could still circle back in the offseason. GM Ray Shero wants to make a hockey deal to address their third line scoring and toughness. Shero has ownership’s backing to go all-in for Kesler because he has two remaining years on his contract. The Penguins want to keep Derrick Pouliot and Scott Harrington and give up draft picks instead. That could obviously change. A deal could also expand to include more players.
The Penguins are also watching the Matt Moulson situation and could fall back to it if they feel they are going to lose out on Kesler, or if the Canucks plan to keep him. The Penguins won’t overpay for a rental.
The Penguins are interested in Andrew MacDonald. Upgrading their blueline is their second priority after Kesler. The Pens maybe okay with adding a rental on the blueline.
The Penguins have sent pro scout Don Waddell to watch the past couple NJ Devils games. The Devils have three pending free agents on the blueline: Marek Zidlicky, Mark Fayne and Eric Gelinas (RFA)
- Mark Spector of SportNet: The Red Wings like Canucks Alex Edler and plenty of teams like Ryan Kesler. The Penguins are the front-runner for Kesler. The Blackhawks may have trouble fitting Kesler’s cap hit in. The Leafs giving up Nazam Kadri or a first to acquire Kesler in a Stanley Cup hope would be foolish.
The Senators are still talking about adding Chris Stewart.The Rangers could be interested in Ales Hemsky for a third round pick. The Oilers don’t have a second or third round pick in this year’s draft. They will be looking for second round pick for Hemsky. Nick Schultz, Ryan Smyth and Ilya Bryzgalov could be dealt for picks.
The Jets are looking for a winger, which could then allow them to move Dustin Byfuglien back to the blueline. It would have to be a money in, money out deal. The Jets could decide to shop Byfuglien. The Flyers would be one of many teams that would be interested.
The Flyers are interested in Andrew MacDonald.
The Flames will trade Mike Cammalleri.
The LA Kings and Matt Moulson remain linked to each other.