On the New York Rangers …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Bob McKenzie was on NBCSN and was talking about what the New York Rangers could do leading up to the trade deadline and if it could involve Blues defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk.
“Obviously a right-side defenseman is what the New York Rangers would like to get,” said NHL Insider Bob McKenzie during the first intermission of the Rangers-Rangers clash on NBCSN. “29 other teams would like the same thing. Shattenkirk would fit the bill for a lot of teams, including the Rangers. But here’s the problem – right now the New York Rangers are not necessarily in the mode and definitely don’t want to be mortgaging the future anymore. They gave up first-round picks for too many years in a row.
“Now, never say never on Shattenkirk. But the St. Louis Blues are not going to give this guy away. It’s not going to be a soft deal, by any stretch, especially if the team they’re trading Shattenkirk to is one where he may decide to sign long term. So the price is going to be exorbitant for a guy like Shattenkirk, if the Blues decide to move him.”
Shattenkirk would be ideal right-handed defenseman for the Rangers, but they may have to settle on something less.
On the Detroit Red Wings …
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings winger Tomas Jurco has requested a trade this season. The Wings decided to waive Drew Miller on the weekend and for the time being keeping Jurco on their roster
“If I were in Jurco’s shoes, I’d love to have 20 games,” Blashill said today. “I get that 100%. I think Jurcs is a good NHL player — that is one of the reasons why my advice has been to be real reticent about giving up on him. I think he’s got lots of ability. He’s a guy who can be a top-three-line player in the NHL.
“I’ve, obviously, chosen other wingers ahead of him in the lineup, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have lots of belief in him.”