- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Sabres GM Tim Murray is willing to trade almost anyone. He’s been shopping Chris Stewart, Christian Ehrhoff, Luke Adam and Drew Stafford. They will also listen to offers on Marcus Foligno, Johan Larsson and Chad Ruhwedel.
“He’s just open for business,” said a league executive about Murray before the weekend. “He hasn’t drafted any of these current guys.”
Pat LaFontaine interviewed 15 people before deciding on Tim Murray.
Coyotes assistant Brad Treliving may be one of the top candidates for the Canucks GM position.
The Penguins and Blackhawks were close to trading for Ryan Kesler at the deadline. Trading Kesler could be revisited at the draft.
There could be lots of changes in Carolina this offseason.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma will be under the microscope if they don’t go far into the playoffs.
The Kings could be a landing spot for Mike Cammalleri.
John Ferguson Jr. could be the top candidate to replace Brendan Shanahan.
One option for Martin Brodeur next season is to mentor Marc-Andre Fleury in Pittsburgh. The Islanders also need a goaltender.
Panthers GM Dale Tallon may be on the hotseat. Garrioch suggests bringing in Doug MacLean as president to help Tallon.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators will have to decide if they want to re-sign pending UFAs Milan Michalek, Ales Hemsky and Matt Kassian. One year away from free agency will be Jason Spezza, Bobby Ryan, Craig Anderson, Clarke MacArthur and Marc Methot. Spezza knows changes are coming.
“I don’t look at it that way. I think that when you do have a season of disappointment there’s going to be change in the room. This isn’t going to be the same group next year and we’re all well aware of that,” said Spezza, in his first year as captain.
- Steve Simmons: Dave Nonis’ inclination may have been to keep Randy Carlyle as coach. Brendan Shanahan may not think that way. Reports from New Jersey may be that Shanahan would like Peter DeBoer as they coach. Simmons likes the Leafs core of Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, Jonathan Bernier, Tyler Bozak, Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, but the contracts of Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and David Clarkson will make it hard for them to build around their young core.
- George Richards: Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanoski said wants to play year. The Panthers will have to pay him $4 million whether he plays or not. Steve Simmons: (responding) The Panthers will look to trade Jovanovski if possible. They are fed up with his lack of leadership as he’s not showing the kids the way.
- Hockey Night in Canada: Hotstove Tonight. Panel discussing the Canucks, Maple Leafs and Predators.