Scouting the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks …
Mark Scheig: Scouts listed to attend tonight’s Blue Jackets-Blackhawks game: Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Scouting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins …
Michael Augello: Scouts listed to attend tonight’s Maple Leafs-Bruins game: Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings.
Healthy scratches to prevent injuries to trade candidates …
Buffalo Sabres: Coach Phil Housley said they will not dress forward Evander Kane tonight: “Management thought it was the best decision moving forward and the best decision for Evander.”
Arpon Basu: Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec won’t be in the lineup tonight.
Arpon Basu: Canadiens coach Claude Julien: “There’s no doubt guys are talking about Tomas not being in the lineup and what could happen and what couldn’t happen. I’m being very honest here, there has been no trade that’s been made and he could very well be back. So it’s a precaution.”
Brian Gionta will be heading back to the NHL …
Matthew Bove: Brian Gionta is expected to sign an NHL contract with a playoff contender in the near future.
Pierre LeBrun: Gionta could have a deal by Monday. There are a couple teams in the Eastern Conference that are interested, with Boston Bruins possibly being one of them.
Pierre LeBrun: Depends on the numbers of teams involved, but deal could be done this weekend.
John Wawrow: Talks between the Bruins and Gionta continue.
David Pagnotta: The Bruins and Devils are among the teams showing interest in Gionta. A deal may wait until Monday.
Islanders give up a draft pick for a defenseman …
Arthur Staple: The New York Islanders send a 2019 3rd round pick to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Brandon Davidson.
Arthur Staple: The Canadiens waived Davidson earlier this season and the Oilers had claimed him. He is a pending RFA and the Islanders don’t consider him as a rental.
Arthur Staple: Davidson has a $1.425 million salary this season. Even with salary arbitration, his salary wouldn’t go up that much. The Islanders could view Davidson as a low-cost replacement for Thomas Hickey next year.