- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Blackhawks will have pending UFAs in Johnny Oduya, Michal Rozsival and Brad Richards, and losing those salaries may not be enough with regards to next year’s salary cap situation. They will need to bring in some depth on the blueline and a No. 2 center. Bryan Bickell will make $4 million through 2016-17 and could be the odd man out.The Bruins may be in the same position with regards to cap issues for next year. Adam McQuaid, Matt Bartkowski, Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell may not be back. Carl Soderberg is a UFA and they’d like to keep him as their third line center, but he may get a second line offer and more money.
Maple Leafs Cody Franson could turn into this year’s Matt Niskanen (seven-years, $40.25) if he hits the open market. Franson will contend with Johnny Boychuk as the top right-handed UFA defenseman. The Leafs should lock Franson up before he hits the open market.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli won’t make a trade for the sake of making a trade.
“I am patient,” said Chiarelli after yesterday’s 3-2 B’s shootout loss to Ottawa. “We’re always trying to improve the team. But you can’t force things, you just can’t force things.
“I see what everyone else sees: We’re squeezing our sticks. We’re competing, but I feel we have to be more competitive. We’ve lost seven-of-nine, and we’ve got to be better. So to specifically answer that question (about urgency in finding help via trades): I’m looking.
“I feel we probably have to make a couple of changes. But the last thing I want to do is force something. So, we’re patient. I don’t like losing. But there’s no magic potion here – whether it’s in a player, whether it’s getting back to basics, whether it’s personnel-wise or whether it’s playing-wise.”
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Khan doesn’t think the Red Wings will make a trade before Thursday’s roster freeze. A right-handed shooting defensman is their biggest need, but there is no urgency due to how well they have started the season. The Wings aren’t prepared to give in to the high asking price for Tyler Myers, and could look at Mike Green closer to the March 2nd trade deadline.