On the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks …
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: If the Colorado Avalanche are out of the playoff race at the trade deadline, it will be interesting to see what Jarome Iginla will want to do. The 39-year old is still looking for a Cup. Iginla has a full no-movement clause. The Chicago Blackhawks don’t have much cap room, “but how cool would it be to see him playing on a line with Jonathan Toews, trying to win a Cup?” What about the Edmonton Oilers?
Shane Doan has only one goal in 18 games for the Coyotes this season. Doan will likely decide how his 40-year old body feels after the season before deciding on whether to retire or not. The Coyotes could ask Doan at the deadline if he wants to go to a contender or not.
The 35-year old Radim Vrbata will earn $250,000 if the team he’s on makes the playoffs, and an additional $250,000 for each round they advance.
It’s likely that the 38-year old Brian Gionta will want to continue playing after this season. He’ll be a UFA on July 1st. Do the Sabres approach Gionta at the trade deadline if they are out of it? He could be a nice rental for a contender.
Have been told that Ryan Miller wants to play for at least one more season. A team could call the Canucks at the deadline. Would the Canucks think of bringing Miller back at a lower salary next season to continue to mentor Jacob Markstrom? Miller may not be interested though.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: (mailbag last week) When asked about the Blues-Bruins trade speculation involving Kevin Shattenkirk and David Krejci.
“The rumors have been hot and heavy, and I do think there’s something to it. Armstrong was in Toronto for the GM meetings and I understand that he did have trade talks. I can’t confirm that they strictly involved Shattenkirk, but he had talks. Furthermore, Armstrong was not at last night’s Blues-Sharks game. He is on the road and I believe out East. Also, I believe Brodeur is headed to Boston to catch up with a couple of Blues’ prospects this weekend. The Bruins host Winnipeg on Saturday, so there’s that. Krejci is a name that I’ve heard is a possibility. He’s got a cap hit of $7.25 million, so the Blues would have to make it work financially. The Bruins, or any team that the Blues talk to about Shattenkirk, would likely contact his agent about an extension and I don’t believe that’s happened yet. But I would pay attention to anything you hear about Shattenkirk and Boston.”