- Darren Dreger: Sounding like a Ryan Kelser trade is inching closer, could happen in the next 24 hours.
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile is dangling the 11th overall pick for a top-six forward as the free agent market is a slim. Pros of trading the No. 11 pick:
1. You tend to get a greater return with an NHL-level player you acquire in a trade than with a draft pick.
2. You don’t have to wait for production.
3. It’s something for the fans to get excited about.Cons of trading the No. 11 pick:
1. It lessens your farm system.
2. It gives you fewer assets for trades.
3. Nashville needs a forward in its system.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Paul Stastny would fit in nice as the Blues No. 2 center, but it could be pricey, in the $6 – $7 million a season range. The Wild and Rangers are also said to be interested. The Blues are also in talks with the Senators about Jason Spezza – who are said to be looking for a 1st round pick, top-six forward and a prospect.
- Adrian Dater: Paul Stastny’s agent will circle back to the Avs before a final decision is made. If the Avs can’t come close to the offer, they can move one. Dater notes,
“There are a lot of plates spinning on this whole thing. The Avs are interested in other potential forwards, but they don’t know if they can get them or not (they’re the same names everyone else is interested in). If they think they can, they’d feel more comfortable letting Stastny go. If not, they might feel they have to come up to match the offers for Stastny.”
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Blues pending UFA Carlo Colaiacovo is not expected to return. They’d like to bring an experienced Dman to their AHL affiliate.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Mirtle’s top 10 free agent defenseman: 1. Matt Niskanen 2. Dan Boyle 3. Tom Gilbert 4. Anton Stralman 5. Willie Mitchell 6. Kyle Quincey 7. Mark Fayne 8. Andre Benoit 9. Stephane Robidas 10. Mike Weaver