- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: A league executive told Garrioch that teams are calling about Senators center Mike Fisher, but acknowledges that he’s not having a good year along with many other Sens. “I just don’t think they can get enough for him to warrant that kind of move,” said another executive. “That’s a drastic move and they’ve got to play (well) next year. They need to have some players.” Kings GM Dean Lombardi is looking for scoring, and even called the Rangers about Marian Gaborik. The Sharks are still looking for a defenseman and could dangle winger Devin Setoguchi, who’s a RFA at seasons end and is making $1.8 million this year. Garrioch thinks the Senators should make a pitch for Canucks goalie Cory Schneider. Sources are saying Brian Burke continues try attempt to move Francois Beauchemin and/or Mike Komisarek for younger players, and there is always Tomas Kaberle and his no-trade clause. Sharks, Bruins, Predators and Avalanche are looking for defenseman. The Panthers are looking to clean house, offering up G Tomas Vokoun, LW Cory Stillman, and RWs Radek Dvorak and Rostislav Olesz. Stephen Weiss is also being shopped and is getting interest. Philadelphia could have an interest in Tomas Vokoun.
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa left the game part way through the first period after a fight with Tom Kostopoulos. Coach Vigneault said he didn’t receive a concussion, but his eye was swelling shut. The Canucks have also been without Aaron Rome who’s been out the last 4 games with a knee injury.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Peter Forsberg will take the next couple days and weeks to determine if he’ll feel good enough to return to the NHL. Yesterday he skated with injured Ryan O’Reilly and their assistant coach.
“I want to be sure this time if I am going to be good enough. I don’t know how long it’s going to take,” Forsberg said. “I’m going to try to do it as soon as possible, but I think it’s going to take some time at least.”
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins center Marc Savard had to be helped off the ice after he was hit into the boards by former Bruin Matt Hunwick.
“Marc is going to be heading back home (today),” said B’s coach Claude Julien. “He got shook up, obviously, on that hit. He’s going to be re-evaluated. We don’t have anything concrete, other than that we’re going to be cautious and send him back home to get checked out.”
- Bob McKenzie of TSN: Evgeni Nabokov has said he doesn’t want to report to the Islanders who claimed him on waivers yesterday. The Isles could suspend him and not have to pay him anything. “The Islanders could appeal to the NHL to “toll” the contract, which essentially means push it to next year. In that case, Nabokov would then “owe” the Islanders a year and Nabokov would not necessarily become a free agent on July 1.” They could look to trade him but he’d have to go through waivers for only the teams that put a claim on him. They could also just place him on full waivers without intent to trade. Nabokov also has a no-movement clause.<
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: The Devils may have started Johan Hedberg against the Flyers to ‘showcase’ him to other teams.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said that GM Bryan Murray and coach Cory Clouston won’t fired before the end of the season, and that there is a plan in place to put the team back on track.
“There is no one, no one, on this planet that bleeds more than I do for this team, as a fan and as an owner,” said Melnyk. “I am more disappointed in the performance of the team than any fan could imagine. The time has come to make some of the most difficult decisions that an owner can make. Do we need a game-changer? I believe we do. I’ve lost sleep. Bryan Murray loses sleep. Cory Clouston loses sleep. Everybody who loves this team doesn’t sleep well at night.”
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Ales Hemsky and Jordan Eberle have informed the NHL that they won’t be participating in the all-star game and skills competition.
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Rangers Brandon Prust left after the 2nd period after blocking a shot in the foot in the 1st period. Dan Girardi also left last night’s game after hurting his ribs in a fight. The Rangers recalled Michael Del Zotto and Evgeny Grachev after the game.
