On the New York Rangers …
John Hoven: The Rangers were scouting the Kings AHL team in Ontario last night, and are making a heavy push to scout the Kings organization.
On the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lighting …
Eric Stephens: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic watched the Ducks-Panthers game last night. The Avs play at home and then on to New York next week.
Eric Stephens: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman was also at the Ducks-Panthers game last night. The Ducks leave for Tampa today.
On the Nashville Predators …
Pierre LeBrun: Mike Ribeiro made his trade request to the Predators on Wednesday.
On Ken Hitchcock …
Andy Strickland: There may be only five GMs in the league that Ken Hitchcock would work with, with Doug Armstrong being one. The GM trumps players that are on the roster.
On the Colorado Avalanche and Jarome Iginla …
Terry Frei of the Denver Post: Forward Jarome Iginla has spoken with GM Joe Sakic about the possibility of being traded before the trade deadline.
“We’ve touched base about it,” Iginla said Friday. “As it gets closer, I imagine we’ll talk more about what he sees, what opportunities are there. It’s not bailing. It’s not that I said, ‘I want out,’ or anything. It’s just being realistic. Now we’re in the last month before the trade deadline. I’m saying if it works for the team and they’re going to get something, hopefully, it works for me if I’m going to have a chance to be part of the playoffs. I don’t know how much longer I have.”
Iginla thinks it makes sense for the Avs to move some players to acquire more assets.
“We’re going to be a rebuilding team, there’s no question,” Iginla said. “They’re going to try and move guys at the deadline to get whatever draft picks they can. I’ve seen that for however long I’ve been in the league. It’s just the nature of the game. I think it makes sense for the team to do that.”