Adam Proteau of the Hockey News: Proteau thinks it may be time for the Predators to trade defenseman Shea Weber. Weber carries a $7.8 million cap hit until 2026. Pekka Rinne is out a month and their replacements have played in three NHL games. They are second worst in goals per game, 2.27. Trading Weber for offense help could help their perennial problem in scoring. Losing Weber would hurt their blueline in the short-term, but Seth Jones could be a franchise defenseman. GM David Poile could get a haul for Weber. The Flyers were willing to lose four first round draft picks when they signed him to an offer sheet. What would they offer now? What would the Oilers offer? Proteau would start with either Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Taylor Hall. Weber doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
Louis Jean: Sources are saying that the next week or so could be critical for teams that are looking to improve. It’s likely that trade talks will start to heat up.
Chip Alexander: Scouting the Hurricanes and Wild last night: Sabres, Flames, Oilers Panthers, Kings, Canadiens, Senators, Penguins, Blues, Capitals, Canucks and Jets.
Randy Sportak: Scouting the Flames and Stars last night: Seven scouts from seven teams. There were 14 scouts at the Flames game against the Coyotes, 25 against the Kings.
Eric Stephens: The Ducks and goalie Frederik Andersen are likely to announce a two-year contract extension today.
