On the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars …
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin made the first move by firing Michel Therrien and hiring Claude Julien. The next move should be to acquire a center, preferably a top-line center. GM Bergevin has said that those are not available and they are not giving up Mikhail Sergachev.
The Avalanche want a young top four defenseman for Matt Duchene, and if Bergevin’s not wanting to trade Sergachev, there may not be a deal between the two.
They could look acquire another center, but won’t be giving up someone who could be a long-term impact player. Martin Hanzal could be that option.
The Dallas Stars are getting close to deciding which way they will go at the deadline, and it’s looking like they’ll end up being sellers.
Pending free agents that could be moved include Patrick Sharp, Jiri Hudler, Patrick Eaves and Lauri Korpikoski, and Johnny Oduya.
GM Jim Nill will have make a decision on their goaltending as Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi aren’t getting it done again. Both Lehtonen ($5.9 million) and Niemi ($4.5 million) have a year left on their deals and would have to be included in any trade made before the deadline. Nill may want to get a jump on the goalie market and make a deal before the deadline as opposed to waiting until after the season.
On the Boston Bruins …
The Fourth Period: The Boston Bruins are looking at add a top-six forward and a depth defenseman. The Bruins would ideally find a long-term, left-wing solution.
They’ve been tied to Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog, and talks continue. The Avs asking price is high, and the Bruins have been back and forth on Brandon Carlo.
The Bruins have some cap flexibility at the deadline. Other forward options could be Martin Hanzal, Patrick Eaves and Patrik Berglund.
