- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: If the Coyotes fall out of contention, Ray Whitney could become available. Whitney has a no-movement clause that lists 8 teams he’s willing to be traded to. The Bruins, Rangers and Sharks could be interested. Islanders GM Garth Snow on the trade front and re-signing of Evgeni Nabokov: “We have no intention of moving Evgeni,” Snow said. “He’s been great for us. His performance speaks for itself.” … on re-signing “Yeah, we’d consider all options, we’re just not at that point yet.” Snow has begun talks with P.A. Paranteau. Senators GM Bryan Murray: “We’ll see if there’s anything that makes sense, but in all likelihood it’s status quo at the moment, anyway.” If the Ducks are going to move one of their big players, it may happen in the offseason as opposed to the deadline. The Ducks could move Lubomir Visnovsky, but they aren’t going to give him away. Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina has a limited no-trade clause. Kubina submits a 5 team list, he hasn’t been asked yet. Mikhail Grabovski’s agent, who recently met with the Leafs:
“I spoke with Maple Leafs management a couple days ago and I believe they understand our position and we understand their position,” Greenstin told ESPN.com via email Wednesday. “Like I said before, Mikhail loves the city, organization and the fans, and we know the fans like him too. He would like to stay in Toronto and win the Stanley Cup with them, but he is in his prime years in his hockey career and this has to be right for Mikhail and it has to be right for the Maple Leafs.”
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: (Chat) LeBrun doesn’t think the Ducks will trade Getzlaf or Ryan at the deadline unless they get a crazy offer. The Flyers are trying to add a defenseman with experience. LeBrun also thinks the Flyers should add some depth at forward. It’s hard to tell if the Blue Jackets will be able to find a taker for Jeff Carter at this point. On the Penguins search list are Travis Moen and Dominic Moore. The Canadiens could move Hal Gill and Moen. The Blues may look to add a forward if one of Andy McDonald or Alex Steen doesn’t make it back or isn’t playing like their old self. LeBrun doesn’t think they’ll get their #1 center by the deadline. The Rangers are not interested in Marek Zidlicky. The Lightning could move defensemen Brett Clark and Pavel Kubina. The Kings are looking to upgrade their top 6.
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said “It’s very quiet,” with regards to the trade front.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Russo thinks the Wild have a strong interest in Hurricanes Tuomo Ruutu. The asking price is high as their are many teams interested in him. Rutherford hopes to have a decision made by the start of next week as to whether they will re-sign him or trade him. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Rutherford told ESPN: “So our priority now is to try and re-sign him.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika doesn’t think the Stars will be buyers at the deadline unless they win their next 6 or 7. They should have a better idea on Feb. 20th. Heika thinks they need to either sign Nicklas Grossman to a 4 or 5 year deal at $3 million a season or trade the pending UFA.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika thinks it might be a good idea to keep Mike Ribeiro as opposed to trading him, especially if they bring in another top 6 to play with Jamie Benn. Riberio is being used in a #1 center role, but may be better suited as a #2 center.
- Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Gordon doesn’t see why there are rumors that the Blues need to add a defenseman like Hal Gill or Andy Sutton. Their pairings are playing well and they have Kent Huskins in reserve.
- Dave Feschuk of the Toronto Star: Luke and Brayden Schenn shrug off trade rumors:
“(The Luke-to-Philly rumour) has obviously been tossed around for the past month and a bit,” Brayden said. “It’s hard to go around naive and don’t read anything or hear anything or watch TV. You come to the rink the next day and there’s going to be someone talking about it. Obviously (Luke’s) name has been tossed out there over the past month and a bit. But those are just rumours and I guess we’ll see what happens.”
Said Luke: “One day it would be cool to play together down the road. But right now I’m happy in Toronto and would love to be a part of the Leafs organization. In saying that, you also can’t control what goes on as far as trades go and the trade deadline . . . Anyone can get traded.”
