On the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers …
Jimmy Murphy of Murphy’s Hockey Law: Recently multiple sources have said that the Edmonton Oilers were one of the multiple teams that inquired about forward Frank Vatrano. Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli has scouted the Bruins three times in the past month.
It was also reported a couple weeks ago (on Murphy’s Hockey Law) that Chiarelli also likes Bruins forwards Danton Heinen and Peter Cehlarik. At that time, the Bruins showed some interested in Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but Chiarelli wasn’t ready to entertain offers for him.
On the Florida Panthers …
Craig Morgan of FanRag Sports: The 36-year old Radim Vrbata could be playing in his final NHL season.
“This is probably my last season,” the Florida Panthers forward and three-time Coyote said Monday. “Hockey-wise and how the body feels and family-wise with the kids, I’m not saying it 100 percent, but this is probably where it’s going to go. I’ll be 37 in the summer so I think it’s time.”
Vrbata is on a one-year deal with the Panthers – $2.5 million salary with up to $1.25 million in bonuses – and is playing a career low in minutes, 13:36.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins have lost five of their past seven games and GM Jim Rutherford could be looking to shake things up.
Rutherford said last Wednesday that if they don’t turn things around soon, he could make a move. They only collected two of six points since he said that.
The holiday roster freeze kicks in at 11:59 pm tonight, so he’ll have to move quickly. Another option would be for the Penguins to call up forward Daniel Sprong.
After the Penguins 4-2 loss to the Avalanche.
“Obviously we’d like to see our team play with a lot of conviction and a lot of determination,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s what it takes to win in this league.
“That’s where the game is rooted — in the passion. We’ve got to find a way to bring more of that more consistently.”