- The Fourth Period: Sources saying that Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin wants to make a “big splash” and acquire a “top-tier” player. The Canadiens currently have $1.74 million in cap space, allowing them to take on just over $3 million without moving someone out. They are dangling players to create more cap space. Ottawa Sun saying they are trying to move Rene Bourque and his $3.3 million cap hit. It’s not known who they are targeting. They have been linked to Evander Kane in the past.
- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals coach said that Martin Eratrequested a trade after he was made a healthy scratch on Saturday. GM George McPhee doesn’t have an issue with Erat asking for a trade eight months after he was acquired.
“I admire him for it,” McPhee said. “He’s been professional. He’s not pointing fingers or anything like that. He just basically said, ‘These things happen. It’s not working for me and I’d like an opportunity someplace else.’ I said, ‘OK, we’ll try to accommodate you. There’s no promises on when it happens. We’ll see how long it takes.”
McPhee doesn’t think that his trade request will decrease his market value.
“He’s a good hockey player and there are teams that would like to have him, so we’ll continue those discussions,” McPhee said. “All I know is it didn’t work for him here. But he’s good guy, a good player, a good pro. I have no issues with him.
- Dave Isaac: Thought over a month ago that a Andrei Mezsaros for Martin Erat made sense, but is not sure there is a fit now.
- Mike Halford: “There’s something hilarious about Martin Erat and Vern Fiddler having the two most publicized trade demands of the season so far.”
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: Staple’s thinks the Islanders should take a run at Rangers Michael Del Zotto. The Rangers would like a defenseman in return, but the Islanders don’t have many to offer up. Rangers could take a forward from the Islanders and find a defenseman somewhere else.
- Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun: Flames Mikael Backlundon trade rumors.
“I get Twitter, so I saw it on there. And I watch TSN, so I heard it there, too,” Backlund said after Saturday’s practice at the Saddledome. “Watching TV and my name comes up, it’s a little surprising. But at the same time, it’s part of the business and it hasn’t been a great start, so you kind of expect it, too, a little bit.”
- The Fourth Period: Islanders GM Garth Snow is looking for a defenseman. Among the defenseman available are: Nikita Nikitin (CBJ), Alec Martinez (LA), Francois Bouillon (MON) and Dmitry Kulikov (FLA).
- Harvey Fialkov: Even with defenseman Matt Gilroy going on the IR, Fialkov still thinks the Panthers are shopping Dmitry Kulikov.
- David Pagnotta: 16 teams scouting the Maple Leafs and Blue Jackets game, some regular people.
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “It’s going to be interesting to see how long before Nonis wades into this. Record is good but this team has not played well” … “Nonis isn’t afraid to pull the trigger. Maybe he does something more significant. Maybe those Gardiner calls are finally answered” … “Tuomo Ruutu in Carolina may be a good fit in Toronto, but that salary doesn’t fit.” … “Maybe it’s time for Nonis to finally get that centre that this organization needs.”