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Wisniewski takes puck in face … Some guy named Kaberle, Leafs goalie issues … What the Blues could do … Kings in lead for Hemsky
Mark Easson
Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens defenseman James Wisniewski took a Taylor Hall shot just beneath his eye last night. He left a pool of blood on the ice and was taken to hospital. It’s unclear at the moment the extent of the injury. Nick Kypreos via twitter: There is the fear that he suffered a broken cheekbone, interest in Eric Brewer may increase.
Rob Longley of the Toronto Star: There is talk that a Tomas Kaberle trade to the Bruins could happen today. Burke met with captain Dion Phaneuf and told him that they had not given up on the playoffs despite making the trades and rumors of more deals coming. But if by some chance they get into the playoffs, Burke told NHL Live, “We’re not just putting together a team that’s going to get thumped in the first round.” There are rumors that Blake Wheeler could be heading to the Leafs in a Kaberle deal, Burke said they are talking to multiple teams.
Shawn Starr (Team 990) via twitter: Quotes Bob McKenzie on Kaberle to Bruins, “If the deal gets done, it gets done today, if I were a betting men, the deal gets done today”
Katie Carerra of the Washington Post: Mike Green missed his 3rd consecutive game with inner-ear trauma he suffered after taking a puck in the head on Feb. 6th. He underwent more tests yesterday which went well.
Katie Carerra of the Washington Post: The Capitals may biggest need may be a 2nd line center, but they also may look to add to their blueline. Tom Poti’s return is not known. Some possible blueline additions could be Chris Phillips, Tomas Kaberle, Ed Jovanovski, and Eric Brewer. GM George McPhee doesn’t intend to add a veteran goalie. Some forwards that could be available are Blake Wheeler, Ales Hemsky, Alex Kovalev, and Niclas Bergfors.
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs are running out of healthy goalies with JS Giguere possibly not able to backup James Reimer on Saturday due to his sore groin, 5th string Ben Scrivens may get the call up. It was a Boston radio station that suggested the Leafs were possibly getting Wheeler and pick for Kaberle. “But the rumour mill suggested Burke was more interested in Bruins rookie forward Jordan Caron, a 20-year-old first round pick (25th) from the 2009 draft.”
Adrian Dater via twitter: Dater thinks the Leafs may be talking to the Avalanche about goalie Craig Anderson. Dater later responds to McGran, “I just said I believe there have been some “talks”, not that they’re hot on his heels”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Jeremy Rutherford thinks Eric Brewer may be the only Blues piece that could net much of a return for the team. He’ll be a UFA at the end of the year, but if they have a desire to re-sign him, they likely wouldn’t trade him. Dan O’Neill thinks that Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman may get some interest, and under certain circumstances they may consider a Erik Johnson deal if the package is right. Brad Boyes might be in play. Jeff Gordon thinks trading a defenseman for a forward makes sense, but getting draft picks back doesn’t. They need to spend some money in this off-season. Andy Strickland (of True Hockey) thinks Brewer is 3rd on the list of available defenseman behind Kaberle and Philips. They may also look to move a player or 2 from their AHL team. The ownership situation doesn’t allow them to take on salary.
Dennis Bernstein via twitter: The LA Kings may be the leading team to acquire Ales Hemsky, but they are not the only team involved. Jim Matheson via twitter: Wonders if Wayne Simmonds and Colten Teubert would be enough of a return for Hemsky? Simmonds is a 3rd liner, and some scouts wonder about Teubert’s smarts.
Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson thinks Dustin Penner would look good in the Canadiens lineup, their forward group is small. Defensive prospect Jarred Tinordi would be nice coming back.
David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Antero Niittymaki’s return from his lower body injury is up in the air which may force GM Wilson to look for a backup goalie before the deadline. Thomas Greiss could be a possibility when his Swedish season ends in March.
Globe and Mail Audio: Eric Duhatschek, James Mirtle, Sean Gordon and host Darren Yourk talk “Mario Lemieux’s scathing criticism of the NHL, Sunday’s Heritage Classic and who is buying and who is selling at the trade deadline.”