Scouting the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks …
Eurolanche: Scouts listed to attend last night’s Avalanche – Sharks game: Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Arizona Coyotes, Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
The Fourth Period: Though both are currently injured, the Red Wings could get calls on two of their pending unrestricted free agents – winger Thomas Vanek and defenseman Brendan Smith. Smith is carrying a $2.75 million cap hit, but a $3.25 million salary.
Steve Ott is another pending free agent that might get some interest.
GM Ken Holland could talk with the agents of Vanek and Smith, if he hasn’t done so already. It’s unlikely they would sign either to a contract extension before the expansion draft, so it’s possible they could move both by the deadline.
Greg Krupa of the Detroit News: Unless they are able to trade for Kevin Shattenkirk before the deadline, the only help they may get for their blueline is from their well ripened AHLers like Xavier Ouellet and Niklas Jensen. Both have been playing more and the Wings may be now going with “play the kids back there.” Both have looked like they are NHL ready.
Maybe the Red Wings have been showcasing some of their young defenseman for the Blues in the event of a potential Shattenkirk trade.
It’s possible that none of the Wings defensemen will turn out to be a No. 1 or even a strong No. 2 during their careers. The same could be said for Shattenkrik, but he’s the best defenseman that appears to be available.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Forward Brian Gionta is in the last year of his three-year deal with the Sabres, and he plans on continuing playing after this season. Gionta has a limited no-trade clause this year. There should be plenty of interest in Gionta if the Sabres want to move him, and if he wants to go.
“That’s out of your control,” Gionta said. “The only thing you can control is on the ice, and I’ve had it before throughout my career where your contract’s up. You can’t worry about what’s going to happen.
“Being where I am now, I’ve learned to basically just go out there and control what you can control.”