- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch confirms that Mike Fisher’s full no-movement clause ended after last season, he was to give the team a 10 team no-trade list but never did. There were reports that he would have to submit a list before he’s able to be dealt but hat may not be the case, and he’s not that worried about it. So it looks like the Senators would be able to trade him anywhere. Fisher wants to stay in Ottawa, and it would take a good deal to move him. The Sens are more likely to deal Chris Phillips and Jarkko Ruutu. “I really don’t think they’ll trade Mike Fisher,” said a league executive. “They’ll talk about it, but they’ll want a lot in return. Good players are hard to find. You should keep them. You can’t trade everybody.”
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche coach Joe Sacco on Peter Forsberg, “The ball is in his court.” Forsberg practiced again yesterday. Sources say Forsberg has experienced some discomfort with his foot, but is using a brace in attempt to get a better fit in his skate. A decision may come by Sunday. Peter Mueller practiced yesterday but no timetable is set. Ryan O’Reilly (shoulder) could return on Saturday.
- Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun: The Oilers will have to decide soon if they want to keep or trade Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner. There are centers and defenseman in the draft that could interest the Oilers, so collecting some draft picks could be option. They will listen to offers for Gilbert Brule, Andrew Cogliano, Kurtis Foster, Colin Fraser, J.F. Jacques, Nikolai Khabibulin, Steve MacIntyre, Ladislav Smid, Jason Strudwick and Jim Vandermeer. Jones thinks the Oilers could get more for Penner than Hemsky. Jones thinks they should keep Hemsky and trade Penner.
- George Richards of the Miami Herald: Tomas Vokoun hasn’t had any contract extension offers from the Florida Panthers, but he does hope to talk to GM Dale Tallon when they get back. Vokoun has a no-movement clause. Stephen Weiss and Bryan McCabe have no-trade clauses, with Weiss not knowing he had one until a few weeks ago. Winger Evgeny Dadonov will be out at last a month with a broken finger.
- Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: Brian Burke has said he wants to negotiate a contract extension for Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur is on a 1 year deal at $1.1 million after the Thrashers walked away from a $2.4 million arbitration ruling. He’s leading the Maple Leafs in scoring with 41 points, and will be looking for a nice raise.
“We have not approached him yet. That’s something we’ll get to in the next little while. You have to figure out what a fair salary is for a player who has had a breakthrough year,” said the GM.
“He’s not a player we intend to move at the deadline, whether he has signed an extension or not at that point.”
Responds MacArthur: “I’d love to be a Leaf for the rest of my career, but that’s up to them.”
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: The Vancouver Canucks have sent Sami Salo to the AHL on a 3 game conditioning stint, and should return to the Canucks next week. With Alex Edler out 2-3 months, the Canucks won’t have to move any salary when Salo returns.
- Ken Belson of the NY Times: One NJ Devil owner (Jeff Vanderbeek) wants to expand, 2 minority owners may be looking to sell their shares.