On pending free agent defensemen that could be available …
Bob McKenzie: Pending free agent defenseman leading up to the trade deadline that could be available: Kyle Quincey ($1.25 million), Ron Hainsey ($2.83 million), Dmitry Kulikov ($4.33 million), Kevin Shattenkirk ($4.25 million), Dennis Wideman ($5.25 million), Paul Postma ($887,000), Mark Streit ($5.25 million), Michael Del Zotto ($3.875 million), Nick Schultz ($2.25 million), Johnny Oduya ($3.75 million) and Brendan Smith ($2.75 million)
On the Montreal Canadiens …
Dennis Bernstein: (asked about Thomas Vanek and Mike Cammalleri) Can only see Vanek as an option of the two for the Canadiens. Cammalleri can’t get into the Devils lineup and he has term left on his deal. The Canadiens bigger issue is at center and not on the wing.
On Mike Richards …
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Fox wonders if anyone would consider signing the 32-year old Mike Richards.
“He’s cut. He’s ready to play if somebody wants to make that phone call. He’s working out,” Ron MacLean said Friday.
“He could play. I think he’s in great spirits.”
On the Boston Bruins …
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Brandon Carlo knows his name is in the rumor mill and connected to Avs winger Gabriel Landeskog.
“My mom saw some of that stuff,” he said. “Overall, I try not to pay attention to it. I love being in Boston, and that’s where I hope I stay for a long time.”
The Bruins have made Matt Beleskey a healthy scratch three times this season. He missed six weeks with a knee injury earlier this season.
Beleskey has a limited no-trade clause. Beleskey carries a $3.8 million cap hit and would be a prime trade candidate.
The Coyotes might be a good trade partner for the Bruins. The Coyotes will likely trade Radim Vrbata by the deadline, and Beleskey would give Coyotes a winger under contract for three more years.
