On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Chris Kuc: Source saying that the Chicago Blackhawks are “listening” to trade offers. Still not known if they will be active in the trade market.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Renaud Lavioe: Multiple sources are saying the Tampa Bay Lightning are not finished yet. GM Steve Yzerman is still working the phone to look at any trade possibilities.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Bill West: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford has indicated he’s open to adding another defenseman, but has noted that it might get difficult if he took on another NHL contract when Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley are able to return to the lineup before the end of the regular seaosn.
“We’ll stay in the mix right up until the deadline and see what happens,” Rutherford said. “There’s always ways to figure out a deal if it’s there. But like I said, it’ll be very creative.”
Pending UFAs: Chris Kunitz, Nick Bonino, Matt Cullen, Trevor Daley, Chad Ruhwedel, Steve Oleksy and Cameron Gaunce.
Pending RFAs: Conor Sheary, Justin Schultz and Brian Dumoulin.
On the Dallas Stars …
Mark Stepneski of Dallas Stars Inside Edge: Stars Jim Nill said the Jordie Benn trade came about quickly and the expansion draft played a role in it/
“Montreal has been watching us very closely and called this morning to propose some situations, some different deals. This was one of them,” Nill said. “There’s a lot that goes into this between trades and expansion.”
Nill added that moving Benn, it will help them with decisions for the expansion, and they were able to get an asset back. Getting the 4th round pick was the key part of the deal, with the Stars now having nine. The Stars could trade some of those picks in a deal, or keep them for future prospects.