Scouting the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres …
Bruce Garrioch: Scouts listed to attend last nights the Senators – Sabres game: San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.
Bill West: The Penguins are scouting the Senators-Sabres and they don’t play either team until March 5th.
Scouting the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders …
David Pagnotta: Scouts listed to attend the Maple Leafs – Islanders game: Los Angeles Kings (2), Montreal Canadiens (2), Dallas Stars (2), Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Arthur Staples: Kings GM Dean Lombardi was at the Maple Leafs – Islanders game.
On the Florida Panthers …
Harvey Fialkov: Panthers coach/GM Tom Rowe said that they may look at add some depth at the trade deadline, but added that they are happy with what they have at the moment.
Harvey Fialkov: Rowe said they would talk about his coaching status after the season.
Harvey Fialkov: Source saying the Panthers are giving permission to any team that is interested in talking with former coach Gerard Gallant.
On the Buffalo Sabres …
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Brian Gionta has been the Sabres captain for the past three seasons, and the pending free agent knows his time with the team might be coming to an end. Gionta and his agents have let GM Tim Murray know that he’d rather not be traded.
“It’s not really been a formal conversation but the team understands our intentions,” Gionta said in Canadian Tire Centre, confirming a report first issued Tuesday by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “Absolutely, I want to stay. I’ve been here three years. I’d love to see this through and keep pushing in the right direction.”
The 38-year old Gionta has 27 points in 56 games this season. Gionta doesn’t plan on retiring after the season. The Sabres could trade him by the deadline, then look to re-sign him when free agency starts on July 1st.
GM Murray said earlier this month that he would talk Gionta before the deadline. Gionta has no-trade clause in which he lists only five teams which he would accept a trade too.