- TSN: Bob McKenzie: The Canadiens are “absolutely not” shopping Max Pacioretty, but teams may be calling about him. They are listening to offers on him, but not saying he’s available. The Evander Kane and Jets situation is the same as Pacioretty and the Canadiens. Kane hasn’t asked for a trade.
Pierre LeBrun: Teams are interested in Martin Erat as his salary is $2.25 million next season. The Canucks are one of the teams that has some interest in him. Erat would be an easier trade that Martin Havlat.
Darren Dreger: The Hurricanes have Tuomo Ruutu, Jiri Tlusy and Tim Gleason on the block. Gleason could be the first to go. They could likely trade him for John-Michael Liles, but they Canes may need the Leafs to take back Ruutu as well. The Leafs currently are not interested in taking on Ruutu.
McKenzie: Bettman said no to expansion again yesterday. The earliest it could take place would be 2015-16, so if anything was to happen, it would have to escalate in the next 10 months.
LeBrun: With Viktor Fasth’s recent injury, don’t expect Jonas Hiller to be traded in the near future.
McKenzie: Red Wings Jonathan Ericsson is close to signing a contract extension.
- Darren Dreger: There are daily rumors for the Rangers, but defenseman Dylan McIlrath has earned a shot to play in the NHL.
- Darren Dreger: There is no fit between the Senators and Rangers. Was told that Eric Gryba, Colin Greening and Erik Condra were made available.
- David Pagnotta: Should expect the NHL to make the expansion “process” formal in the near future. Quebec and Seattle will be on the list. Dan Rosen: Gary Bettman confirmed yesterday that expansion is not something they are looking at right now. Allan Walsh: Everyone knows expansion is coming. “Does anyone think NHL will say no to hundreds of millions in expansion fees?”
- L.A. Lariviere: Jose Theodore’s agent said he still hopes to sign with an NHL team and is not looking to retire.
- Harvey Fialkov: Source saying the Panthers aren’t actively shopping defenseman Dmitri Kulikov. Kulikov agreed that he has a fresh start with a new and realized that he needs to be more consistent.
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: “The Phaneuf contract will probably end up being 7 or 8 years between $7-$7.2 million a year”
- Hope Smoke: Dreger: “Nonis will absolutely embrace a big time change on the D.”
- Hope Smoke: Dreger: “I know there were discussions between the Leafs and Rangers about a Del Zotto for Gardiner swap”
