On the Boston Bruins …
- Michael Felger of CSNNE: If the Bruins are not able to get a first round pick in a Loui Eriksson trade, they might as well hold on to him and let him walk at the end of the season. They don’t need any more “middling draft pick.”If the prices are going to be low and they could use a second round draft pick for a veteran defenseman, why not look to add?Probably unrealistic, but Felger would be trying to trade Zdeno Chara. There has been no indication that Chara would be willing to waive his no-trade clause, and no indication that the Bruins could be interested in making such a move. Chara’s value seems to go down every day.
On the Ottawa Senators …
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Clarke MacArther has been out since October 14th with a concussion. He is hoping to know soon if he’ll be able to play again soon. He hopes to get back in the lineup and help the Senators in their playoff push. If he gets into some games, he can head into the offseason knowing he’ll be okay for training, or they can hold off on his return this year and wait until training camp to make sure he’s ready.
“At the end of the day, I want to be safe, and it’s the hardest question I’ve had to deal with ever,” MacArthur said. “I want to play but at the same time I want to play the next four years. Obviously, I want to play. Everybody wants to play.
“You go into the summer (and want to) know you’re okay. If it comes to the (point) I don’t play, I’ll have seven pre-season games (in September) and I’ll be able to settle back in and get going. The more time you get, the better, but at some point you’ve got to dip your toe.”
Teams will be calling the Senators before the deadline about Mika Zibanejad, and you would have to think that GM Bryan Murray would listen on pretty much everyone. They like Zibanejad, but he’s been inconsistent. They should be able to get a good return for him due to his upside potential if they decide to move him.