- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The NHL trade deadline is March 5th. The Olympic roster freeze is February 8th till February 23rd.
“The roster freeze will act as a deadline, especially for those teams that want to save a little bit of money,” said a league executive.
“There’s a chance to get deals done in the next few weeks that will get money off the books.”
The Bruins have said they will try to fill the loss of Dennis Seidenberg from within. If that doesn’t work out as planned, they could look at Dan Girardi.
Ryan Miller may not be going anywhere as the new GM may look to re-sign him, and they may not be able to get what they want for him on the trade market. The asking price is three prospects and a first round pick. The Blues may be the only option for Miller, and they may not be looking to trade.
The Canadiens are looking for forward depth. GM Marc Bergevin may have looked at Flames Curtis Glencross, who has two years left at $2.55 million. The Canadiens are looking to trade Daniel Briere.
The Coyotes for looking for forward depth and may look at Sabres Matt Moulson.
Thought is the Hurricanes are not done trading. A couple teams have said the Hurricanes are willing to trade anyone but Eric and Jordan Staal. Teams will call about Jeff Skinner, but he isn’t going anywhere. Jiri Tlusty, Tuomo Ruuttu and Ron Hainsey will likely be traded by the deadline.
The Avs will have to make a decision on Paul Stastny before the trade deadline. If they are able to get a 1st round pick and a prospect for him, they may move him.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Ray Shero on the March 5th trade deadline day.
“A lot can happen between now and then,” Shero said this past week. “But I like our team. I don’t feel like we have to do something.”
Sense withing the organization is that if they make a move, it would be a “hockey trade,” giving up someone significant to get someone of worth and under contract. Shero may be looking for a winger for either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. Shero will listen to all offers, but doesn’t mean he’d be actively looking to trade someone like Olli Maata. The Jets are reportedly willing to trade Evander Kane, who has four years left with a $5.25 million cap hit. Shero and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have not talked about Kane.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: To retain Ryan O’Reilly’s rights, the Avalanche would have to pay the pending RFA at least $6.5 million. He can’t be traded until after February 28th. Matt Duchene will have a cap hit of $6 million for the next five years. There has been an “uneasy truce” between O’Reilly and the Avalanche since they matched his offer sheet with the Flames. The Avs could sign O’Reilly to an contract extension at any time, but they should draw a line saying, “We won’t pay anyone a dime more than Duchene, no matter what.” Dater doesn’t think they should trade him anytime soon.
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald is on pace for a career year in points and is a pending UFA. GM Garth Snow wouldn’t comment on if there have been contract extension talks. He could become the Islanders best trade chip at the deadline if they are out of the playoff picture.
“I think you realize it’s there, that it’s possible or whatever,” MacDonald said. “I’m hopeful things get done. We’ve dug ourselves a pretty big hole here so there isn’t really time to worry about that.”
- David Pagnotta: As Dennis Bernstein pointed out, the Kings are not finished trading. Nothing is imminent, but they are looking for a scorer.
- Dennis Bernstein: Oilers Scott Howson was scouting the Kings game last night. Talk is the Oilers are very active and looking to make a move now. Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner are in the mix.
- Adrian Dater via Sulia: The Rangers had two scouts at the Avalanche-Sharks game. There are rumors they are interested in Tyson Barrie, but he, along with Ryan Wilson, were not in the lineup. There Rangers were the only Eastern team scouting the game.
- Chip Alexander: Elias Lindholm could rejoin the Hurricanes in Buffalo for Tuesday’s game.
- Hotstove: The Sabres are getting closer to naming a new GM, with Bruins assistant GM Jim Benning being the leading candidate. The Oilers could be looking at trading Sam Gagner. Before last night’s game, Michael Del Zotto’s camp and the Rangers hadn’t met yet.