- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Four GMs that could be on the hotseat: Greg Sherman (COL), George McPhee (WAS), Jay Feaster (CAL) and Dale Tallon (FLA).Marian Gaborikturned down a $79 million from the Wild in 2009, thinking that he could get $100 million. He ended up signing a 5 year, $35 million deal the with Rangers. The Blue Jackets were the only team interested in his $7.5 million contract for next season.
Sources say the Blue Jackets offered one of their three first round picks to the Stars for Jaromir Jagr. The Red Wings were also interested in Jagr at the deadline.
A decision on the Phoenix Coyotes is imminent. “In Canada, the fans have been very forgiving,” said a league executive. “There are 20 owners in the United States who are sick of writing cheques for $1 million to prop this thing up.” Garrioch thinks that moving them to Quebec City and keeping the Blue Jackets in the West makes the most sense until they have expansion.
The Sharks thought about trading defenseman Dan Boyle but they went on a 5 game winning streak. The Flyers, Rangers and Red Wings were interested. They could look to move him in the summer.
Ryane Clowe gave up on his sign-and-trade thoughts when he found out that nobody would give him an 8 year deal in the $5.5 to $6 million range.
The Devils and Sabres had interest in Jets Alex Burmistrov.
It wouldn’t surprise some people if the Wild bought out Dany Heatley and his $7.5 million salary in the summer.
Expect the Flyers to be looking for a new coach at the end of their season.
- Adrian Dater: Avalanche winger Milan Hejduk remains out with a shoulder injury and he could retire after the season. “Hejduk, 37, has hinted this season will be it for him. He could change his mind, and here’s hoping he might. But I doubt it. Age is the great equalizer, and Hejduk has suffered his share of injuries in recent years. Along with the shoulder, he has had serious knee injuries and a troublesome back.”
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis called both James Reimer and Ben Scrivens five minutes after the trade deadline to let them know that neither was offered in a trade. The Canucks did ask for Scrivens in their offer, but the Leafs wouldn’t do unless they included a “significant portion” of Roberto Luongo’s salary. The Flames had agreed to take a 2nd round pick from the Maple Leafs for Miikka Kiprusoff. The Leafs didn’t get one call on Mike Komisarek.
- Dave Isaac of the Courier Post: Isaac notes that Flyers fans shouldn’t expect to see Shea Weber in a Flyers uniform anytime soon. After all of Weber’s signing bonuses, the Predators will pay him $27 million before next season and $41 million before the 2014-15 season starts, 37% of his contract. Weber also has a no-trade clause.
“That’s a financial unlikelihood for Nashville looking to move him, especially to Philadelphia,” said Stu Grimson, a former NHL tough guy who now is a radio commentator for the Preds.
The Flyers will have to look elsewhere. Coyotes Keith Yandle? Could they outbid the Islanders for Mark Streit if he doesn’t sign before free agency starts? Do they look at Senators Sergei Gonchar or Ron Hainsey?