On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: With Ryan Callahan undergoing another procedure on his hip, he’s likely done for the season. If he is, they can put him on the LTIR and use his cap space for additional moves before the trade deadline on March 1st.
“If we want to we can take advantage,” Yzerman said. “If there’s an opportunity to make our team better, we will.”
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: If Trevor Daley‘s injury is long-term – to go along with Justin Schultz and Olli Maatta‘s injuries – the Penguins may need add a couple defensemen before the trade deadline.
This is not much of surprise and may have been an area of need before their recent injuries.
Question may be to they go the rental route or go for a player with a bigger contract.
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: With Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley and Justin Schultz out with injuries, almost a guarantee the Penguins will add defenseman at the deadline.
Cap Situation – If Maatta is out for the rest of the regular season, the Penguins could put him and his $4 million cap hit on the LTIR.
Expansion Draft Forwards: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel have no-movement clauses. If they go the seven forwards, three defensemen route, they could also protect Patric Hornqvist, Carl Hagelin and Bryan Rust. They could protect one of Tom Kuhnhackl, Scott Wilson or Oskar Sundqvist, leaving the other two exposed.
Expansion Draft Defensemen: Kris Letang will be protected, and two of Olli Maatta, Justin Schultz, Brian Dumoulin, Ian Cole and Derrick Pouliot
Expansion Draft Goaltender: The Penguins will have to protect Marc-Andre Fleury if he’s still with the team when protected lists are due. There is basically no chance that is going to happen. GM Jim Rutherford‘s preference is to keep Fleury for the remainder this season. Rutherford said yesterday that Fleury hasn’t requested a trade, and added that there isn’t much of a goalie market at the moment.