- Adrian Dater via Sulia: Dater has also heard that an Avs-Panthers deal involving Dmitry Kulikov may have fell through due to the fear that Kulikov may bolt for the KHL on a big contract offer at the end of the season.
- Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders GM Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang watched the team extend their winless streak to nine games in LA on Saturday.
“We’re looking at all our options,” he told Newsday on Sunday just before he and Wang flew to Northern California for the league’s Board of Governors meeting at Pebble Beach. “The one thing we don’t do, whether it’s with the coaches or the players, is discuss conversations with anyone in the media. All the interactions I have with our team remain private.
“Obviously, we have some key players not performing at a high enough level. I understand the frustrations of our fans. We have those same frustrations in our locker room, in the coaches’ room, for myself. We felt we had guys who were ready to take the next step. Now we’re just trying to right the ship and win a few games.”
Sources saying he’s been looking for a goaltender for weeks. Evgeni Nabokov could be returning from his groin injury in the next few days. Snow would not comment on promoting Ryan Strome (9 goals and 24 assists) from the AHL, but sources saying that they are trying to find a way to bring him up. They would have to trade or waive someone.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson thinks the Senators will look to move Milan Michalek, maybe to the Coyotes for a young defenseman and a different type of forward. Though they’ve been taking calls on Michael Del Zotto, with Marc Staal’s injury, the Rangers may have to keep him. Devils Ryane Clowe said he’s only had two concussions and not the four or five that have been reported.
- Josh Cooper: You have to wonder if Predators coach Barry Trotz’s job is in danger at the end of the season if they fail to make the playoffs again. Cooper thinks the Predators need to make a trade for scoring, maybe looking at ‘renting’ winger Matt Moulson. Cooper thinks the Predators should send Filip Forsberg to the AHL when he’s ready to return from his injury.
“He’s a tremendous young kid. He has a lot of ability. He has a long way to go to play in the National Hockey League on a regular basis. I shouldn’t say play in the National Hockey League — to produce in the National Hockey League,” Trotz said. “I think he has a lot of great tools, exceptional hands and is a quality young man, but there’s still a long way for him to go.”