NHL Rumors: Hartnell, Russell and Drouin
Sounded like the Nashville Predators and Columbus Blue Jackets may have been close on a Scott Hartnell trade yesterday

On the Scott Hartnell, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators … (tweets are from newest to oldest)

  • Aaron Portzline: Scott Hartnell on trade talks: “It’s never fun. Obviously there are lots of rumors about myself and Toots. We read the papers and read the tweets. You can’t worry about it. Everything will work out however it works out and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
  • Aaron Portzline: (6:01 pm) “As noted, #CBJ and #Preds have had talks regarding Hartnell, way back to Jones-Johansen trade. But told nothing is imminent … as of now.”
  • Chris Johnston: (6:00 pm) Any talk of a Hartnell trade to Nashville was premature, nothing imminent there.
  • Aaron Portzline: Hartnell talked to his agent after the game and he hadn’t heard from GM Jarmo Kekalainen and wouldn’t comment on a potential return from Nashville.
  • Travis Yost: The Predators are waiting for the Blue Jackets game to end, as believes that Scott Hartnell will be traded to Nashville.

On Kris Russell …

  • Matthew Sekeres: Some teams see Kris Russell’s salary, his playoff performance from last year, the likelihood of re-signing and other factors make his as desirable as Dan Hamhuis.
  • Darren Dreger: Kris Russell was informed that he’s likely to be dealt, which isn’t really a surprise. The Penguins and Bruins are the frontrunners.
  • David Pagnotta: Kings GM Dean Lombardi has spoken to the Flames about Russell, but it didn’t go anywhere. They could re-visit it.

On Jonathan Drouin …

  • Brian Lawton: Hearing that the Lightning have five offers for Jonathan Drouin that they are mulling over and intend to make a decision today.
  • Bob McKenzie: No strong sense of where Jonathan Drouin could end up. 15 to 20 teams have shown some levels of interest at varying times.
  • Bob McKenzie: Some teams come and go, some have come back for a second time. Not all teams can make it fit, but think that the Lightning have a handful of legitiment offers for Drouin.
  • Bob McKenzie: Including Matt Carle’s contract could be part of the package, but that would decrease the return.