Does Montreal rethink the trade deadline?
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: An unexpected run positioned Montreal in this spot and now Marc Bergevin must ponder. Do the Canadiens scour the market for an extra piece or two? Or, does Montreal stay the course and go with what they have?
Montreal clearly possesses needs. For one, their power play is abysmal at 12.9% (10.7% since November 27th). Their penalty kill fares almost as badly at ninth worst in the league over the past two months. No one expects Bergevin to swing big but Montreal has a few options. They range from Thomas Vanek all the way to Marcus Johansson. Even Richard Panik or Alex Chiasson could be less expensive options. Whatever it will be, Montreal expects to tinker err tread lightly.
Without Koivu, what does Minnesota do now?
James O’Brien of NBC Sports: Will Minnesota become sellers with the devastating injury to Mikko Koivu? Their first game without him was a disastrous home loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Even with Koivu, Minnesota clung to wildcard hopes.
They are also without a fourth and fifth-round pick this year. Add in the fact that Devan Dubnyk has been nothing like his first year in town doesn’t help.
So what is next? The trade for Victor Rask screams sell to this day and was not optimal. That is being kind.
What could Eric Staal fetch on the market? Consider his attractive $3.5 million salary and the return Brian Boyle got.
Basically, Minnesota and Paul Fenton should leave no stone unturned. Explore everything from trading Zach Parise to Devan Dubnyk. The sell light is on.
Has LA had enough of Phaneuf?
Adam Gretz of NBC Sports: With the Jake Muzzin trade, the next thing may be what to do with Dion Phaneuf. Consider that Phaneuf’s ice time is down to 14 minutes a night and he has been healthy scratched.
A buyout eats too much cap space to be worthwhile (he makes $7 million AAV). That salary is for two more years. The other option is a trade. This requires an asset to tag along with Phaneuf to make it more palatable. Either way, Los Angeles tired of Phaneuf and wants out.