- The Fourth Period: The Blues will be exploring trade options leading up the deadline, and Patrik Berglund could become a player involved.
“They’ve been looking to deal him for the longest time. If they add, he’s the one to be at the top of the package,” one league scout told TFP Senior Writer Dennis Bernstein.
The Blues could also look at trading Brian Elliott. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli scouted a Blues game last week. Berglund is in the first year of a three year, $11.1 million deal.
- The Fourth Period: The Hurricanes aren’t having a fire sale just yet, but they would trade a player or two right now if they can find a deal. GM Ron Francis could end up trading defensemen Andrej Sekera, John-Michael Liles and Brett Bellemore. Pending UFA forwards Jay McClement and Jiri Tlusty could also be traded. It is thought that Francis may still listen to calls on Cam Ward and Eric Staal, but those types of trades may happen at the trade deadline or in the offseason, if at all. The Hurricanes will try to re-sign Sekera, but if they can’t get a deal, they will likely move him.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Some within the Red Wings organization are becoming more confident that head coach Mike Babcock will sign a contract extension during the season or shortly afterwards. The Wings are willing to make him the highest paid coach on four- or five-year deal worth around $3 million a season.
- Craig Custance: Coyotes Anthony LeBlanc on the speculation that they will have to cut salary: “100 percent false. That one upset me more… it’s 100 percent not true.”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “One win does not move the blade off Eakins’ jugular”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “There were also some rumours heading into last week about Berube in Philly”
- Craig Custance: Sabres GM Tim Murray may be getting close to the point where he reaches out to the agents for Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth to get an idea for contract talks. The Sabres haven’t received any trade calls for their goalies, but that will option them as well.
- Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1040 on the trade scene.
“I would suggest to you that the Buffalo Sabres are really eager to move forward on the Chris Stewart file. You know that he’s UFA and I think GM Tim Murray would like to sort of go to the next level with a number of teams that have phoned on him and to get something done sooner rather than later. So I know Boston has shown interest. The Ottawa Senators have shown interest, among other teams. But he’s a guy that has a chance to be moved here probably quicker than a lot of players.
“Drew Stafford could be another name to look at. And here’s the other tidbit: Both his goalies are UFA. Now, I don’t think he wants to get rid of both, but – they’ve actually both played pretty well. Neuvirth and Enroth. But I would tell you I don’t think he’s ready to sign both. So that could be another interesting thing for a team looking to shore up its goaltending. I would tell you that he would probably be listening on one or the other.”