- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings are on the lookout for another top-four defenseman to go along with Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Danny DeKeyser.For the Wings to get Ryan Kesler, it would likely cost Justin Abdelkader, one of Gustav Nyquist/Tomas Tatar/Tomas Jurco and either a first round pick or a prospect like Ryan Sproul, Calle Jarnkrok or Teemu Pulkkinen.
Thomas Vanek would cost the Wings high draft picks and GM Ken Holland said he’s done trading first round picks.
There are not a lot of defenseman available: Christian Ehrhoff (signed through 2021 at $4 million), Nick Schultz and Andrew MacDonald.
It is unlikely that the Red Wings do anything dramatic at the deadline.
- Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: Oilers Ales Hemsky is a pending UFA and knows what could happen.
“I had a lot of talks with (GM Craig MacTavish),” he said. “It’s between me and him what we talked about, but I think you guys will figure it out closer to the deadline.
“I know what will happen and I’m ready for it, I’m excited.”
- Renaud Lavoie: Lots of talk regarding Sabres Tyler Myers. He has a no-movement clause.
- Chris Botta: Still early, but if the Islanders were to finish in the sixth or seventh draft slot, they could give it to the Sabres so that they keep their 2015 first round draft pick.
- Chris Botta: The Islanders are looking for a 2015 first round pick in a Thomas Vanek deal. So far teams have been reluctant to include that.
- Sportsology: Scouting the Flyers – Rangers: Flames, Lightning and Oilers.
- Paul Hamilton: Sabres coach Ted Nolan was offered a three-year contract extension, negotiations to continue.