- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Reader asks if the Oilers could get a 1st round pick for Sam Gagner from the Islanders? Matheson doesn’t think Gagner could get them a 1st round pick. He’s not a true playmaker or scorer. If they decide to move Gagner, they may package him with a defenseman to sweeten the pot. The Flames need a center but they wouldn’t trade him there. The Senators, Devils and Islanders could use a centerman. The Oilers have too many forwards and possibly too many defenseman. The Oilers want to see Ales Hemsky playing healthy before deciding to offer him a long-term contract. He could be looking for a 3 or 4 year deal, possibly around $5 million a season.
- Elliotte Freidman of CBC: If the St. Louis Blues are paying Ken Hitchcock less than $1.3 million, the Blue Jackets will make up the difference. When asked about why the Blues just don’t offer a million or less, Freidman found out that: there is a formula the NHL uses for situations like this where coaches receive an average salary of coaches that have similar experience. Rick Nash has a full no-trade clause for the next 3 seasons. Teams that have called about Nash have been told “He has not asked to be traded and will not be traded.” Martin Brodeur has indicated he wants to play next year.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers winger Ales Hemsky could return tonight. Coach Tom Renney said he’s thinking about it. Hemsky said: “I think I’m ready, but it’s not in my hands.”
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers forward Wojtek Wolski will be out for a month as he requires surgery to repair a sports hernia. Wolski was placed on the IR on Friday.
- Jeff Miller of the OC Register: Ducks forward George Parros will be out a month after undergoing laser surgery on his left eye to correct a torn retina. Parros has hit with a deflected puck at Friday’s practice.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens center Scott Gomez is getting closer to returning to their lineup. When he returns it will put them with 5 centers, so 1 will have to move to the wing. It will have to be one of Gomez, Lars Eller or David Desharnais. Gomez is a better faceoff man and will likely center the 2nd or 3rd line. Eller found himself on the wing at yesterday’s practice. Gomez is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Coyotes.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Sergei Kostitsyn practiced yesterday and will be a game time decision for tonight. Kevin Klein didn’t practice but is a game time decision as well.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen may return to the lineup this week. He won’t play tonight but could go on Friday against the Rangers.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Kristian Huselius is still 2-3 weeks away from returning to the Blue Jackets lineup.
- Rich Hammond of the LA Kings Insider: If Kings coach Terry Murray sticks with the plan he laid out on Sunday, Jonathan Bernier should get the start tonight against the Predators.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Corey Crawford will start in net for the Blackhawks tonight against the Blues.