- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers and Canucks are among the teams monitoring the Milan Lucic situation. Lucic didn’t show up in good shape after more than four months of “living the soft life” during the lockout. Lucic has scored one goal in the last 26 games, six on the season. His 3-year, $18 million deal kicks in next season.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if the Ducks would call the Oilers this summer to see if Sam Gagner is available to fill their hole in the second line center spot. The Ducks could look into the free agent market: Stephen Weiss, Derek Roy or Mike Ribeiro. The Oilers don’t really want to trade him, but they will be getting offers. He’ll be a restricted free agent after next season, and will be looking for a long-term deal. He’s set to make $3.2 million next season. He’d like to remain with the Oilers, but management knows he’ll be looking for something in the $4.5 million to $5 million range. Would sending Cam Fowler for Gagner be too much?
- The Fourth Period: Predators coach Barry Trotz said that they have “too many similar players” and some moves need to be made.
“To build a really nice house you need a foundation, you need a roof, you need a plumber, you need all different elements, so you need a balance,” he said. “Through injuries and what have you, we had too many similar … we have to get bigger, we have to do a lot of things. We’ve got lots of work.”
The Preds are second last in scoring at 2.27 goals per game. GM Dave Poile will be looking for offensive help this summer.
- The Fourth Period: Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix is debating big changes that could affect GM Greg Sherman and coach Joe Sacco. Reports are that Lacroix has attended some games and is weighing options both on and off the ice.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said that the acquisition of Steve Mason at the deadline was to add depth and not as a replacement for Ilya Bryzgalov next season.
“Steve is a guy that we’ve liked. When the opportunity came up to make the trade for him, it was the intention of having good goaltending,” Holmgren said. “I think right now with Ilya and Steve, we’ve got good goaltending moving forward. Any talk of anything other than that I think is out of bounds.”
When asked about the rumors of a potential amnesty buyout for Bryzgalov, Holmgren responded with a “No.”
- Chicago Blackhawks: Blackhawks Patrick Sharp missed last night’s game, but coach Joel Quenneville said that he could play on Wednesday.
