- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Maple Leafs have been offered a 2nd round pick and a prospect for center Mikhail Grabovski. They could get more, and they still hope to re-sign him. The Leafs may keep Grabovski despite contract status, but will consider a 1st round pick, or the existing offer. James Mirtle via twitter: The only way Mirtle sees the Maple Leafs letting Grabovski go is if his contract demands are way to high. The next 10 days will be interesting.
- Scott Burnside and Craig Custance of ESPN: As of yesterday afternoon, the Ducks were 6 points out a playoff spot after a 14-2-3 run. Don’t count on a Ducks fire sale now. Kings GM Dean Lombardi is under pressure to fix their offensive issues, and could be burning the phone lines with Columbus. The Kings may benefit the most from a Rick Nash deal more than any other team. Jeff Carter may be a better fit salary wise for the Kings.
- Jonathan Willis of Hockey Prospectus on ESPN: Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman could be an option for the Capitals. He’s under contract next season, and has fallen out of favor in Anaheim. Canadiens defenseman Chris Campoli could interest the Panthers. Islanders defenseman Milan Jurcina may be a nice fit in Winnipeg.
- Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets forward Andrew Ladd on what they need at the deadline:
“With the troubles we’ve had scoring, if it’s not going to come from within this room, we probably could use some help, there,” he said. “We’ve got a great goaltender, we’ve got D that can move the puck and play both ways.”
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Talk of the Leafs doing a deal with the Flyers including Luke Schenn may be off now that they acquired Nicklas Grossman. Mirtle thinks the smart move for the Maple Leafs may be to sit still and take their lumps in the playoffs if they make it.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The Flyers would like to add 1 more defenseman and looking at all options: Luke Schenn, Jack Johnson and Hal Gill.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: If the Blues were to make a trade for a defenseman, it would be a for a left handed shot. Pavel Kubina doesn’t fit.
- Dan Tencer via twitter: Pierre McGuire said the Devils, Rangers and Bruins would have had interest in Ryan Smyth.
- Louis Jean via twitter: The Canadiens like Travis Moen and are considering keeping him.
- John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini won’t jeopardize their young core:
“At no time are we going to be selling anything that is going to hurt our future, what we think is part of our core or something that is going to sustain good play for a long time,” Tambellini told reporters during an Oilers practice at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. “If it’s something we feel will make us significantly better, long-term and short-term, of course we’ll consider it.
“But nothing for just a short-term gain.”
Ales Hemsky’s desire for a long term deal may signal his end in Edmonton. Tambellini said he isn’t looking to deal Sam Gagner or Nikolai Khabibulin. The Oilers would like to improve along the blueline. Oscar Klefbom and juniors David Musil, Martin Marincin and Martin Gernat are a couple years away.