- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News:
- The starting goalie flip-flop in Montreal may have taken place again, with Jaroslav Halak winning 3 consecutive games. Carey Pirce had lost 4 straight decisions. It’s looking like the Canadiens might be keeping Halak.
- Columbus is currently having a franchise worst stretch, 2-11-5, and coach Ken Hitchcock job is safe for at least the time being. Columbus has reportedly been looking to make a few shake-up deals, but have been unsuccessful so far. Team Leadership is something they need.
- This season could be the last for Sergei Gonchar in Pittsburgh unless he’ll take a pay cut. The 36 year old is looking for a 3 to 4 year deal worth between $15 and $20 million. The Pens seem to be fine with the years, but not at $5 million a season. Kris Letang needs a big raise from his current $625,000 salary, and looking for between $3 and $4 million.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com:
- It’s no secret that the Bruins are looking for scoring, but it probably won’t happen until closer to the deadline. They don’t expect anything in the upcoming weeks, the there is the 2 week Olympic shutdown. Until the Atlanta Trashers-Ilya Kovalchuk contract talks are resolved, you’ll read/hear the Bruins are a possible destination.
- Last season at the trade deadline, the Bruins and Blues were discussing Keith Tkachuk and David Perron for Phil Kessel.