- Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets Marian Gaborik has missed a good portion of the season with a sprained knee and broken collar bone. Gaborik could return soon if doctors clear him. He’ll be a UFA at the end of the season and there have been no contract extension talks. There has been no indication that they are interested in re-signing him. It is possible that he could be dealt if he’s healthy.
“The situation is going to take care of itself one way or the other,” Gaborik said. “I like it here. I really like the guys and the city. But I’m just going day-to-day right now and focusing on getting healthy.”
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Mikhail Grabovski’s agent said contract talks have started with the Capitals and that “most likely he’ll stay here.”
“I’m very comfortable here, except I still think I can play better, our team can play better and win the games, that’s more frustrating,” said Grabovski, who agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract last summer after he was bought out by the Maple Leafs. “I feel like I can do better here because I’m more comfortable here.”
It may not be a surprise if Grabovski gets a deal in the $5 million per season range. The Capitals have 22 players under contract for next season, with a cap hit of almost $62 million. The cap ceiling is expect to be around $71 million.
- The Fourth Period: There are rumors that Ales Hemsky could land in Detroit. The Red Wings may only have around $500,000 in cap space, so any trade may have to be dollar-for-dollar. Panthers Brad Boyes and his shootout ability could help the Wings.
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has a history of making trade around the trade deadline, and this year may be no different.
“Let’s put it this way: If we can get something to make us better, I think you know the answer,” he said. “I don’t think any team is as good as you’d like it to be. We’re going to do everything we can to get better. But if you look back a year ago and look back at the summer, I think we have to feel pretty good about our new players.”
- Luke DeCock: Regarding TSNs report of the Hurricanes sending an email out to say that Tuomo Ruutu, Jiri Tlusty, Riley Nash, Drayson Bowman and Brett Bellemore are available …. The first four are not a surprise, but Bellemore is odd.
- Mark Armstrong: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said that Brett Bellemore is absolutely not on the trading block.
- David Alter: Maple Leafs Nazem Kadri on trade rumors, said he’s flattered that teams are interested but wants to stay with the Leafs.