NHL Rumors: Hurricanes, Oilers, Sabres and Flames
Justin Schultz and Nail Yakupov

On the Carolina Hurricanes …

  • Bob McKenzie of TSN: The Hurricanes winning has complicated their situation and making it harder to trade Eric Staal at the deadline for potentially a first round pick and a good prospect.After his comments that he wouldn’t be crushed if he was traded, he may now be prepared to waive his no-trade clause if asked. If the Hurricanes keep winning, he may not be asked.Curious to see if the Rangers would be tempted on Staal if he becomes available. The Rangers know two things.

    1)Eric Staal could help them in their bid not only this season but for the next few years were he to sign there as a free agent, and,
    2) they have on their roster a defenceman who goes by the name of Marc Staal.

On the Edmonton Oilers …

  • Pierre LeBrun: The Oilers might be willing to retain salary on Justin Schultz to help get a deal done. Schultz has a $3.9 million cap hit.
  • Jason Gregor: Don’t see why the Oilers wouldn’t put Schultz on waivers if they can’t move him at the deadline. It might benefit him and the team to try and find his game in the AHL.
  • The Fourth Period: The Oilers are taking calls on winger Nail Yakupov. The Canadiens are believed to be one of the teams that have called Oilers. Yakupov was a teammate of Alex Galchenyuk in Sarnia (OHL)
  • Dustin Nielson: Philip Larsen’s agent said that the Oilers wanted Larsen to come back, but he wasn’t comfortable returning to the organization.

On the Buffalo Sabres …

  • Mike Harrington: Betting that Chad Johnson’s last game with the Sabres is Friday night against the Sharks.
  • Joe Yerdon: Starting to wonder if the Sabres will be looking move defenseman Cody Franson before the deadline.

On the Calgary Flames …

  • Darren Dreger: Flames players in play: Kris Russell, Jiri Hudler, Joe Colborne, Josh Jooris, Jonas Hiller and David Jones.