- Darren Dreger: Sources saying that Daniel Alfredsson won’t be playing this season due to his lingering back issue. The Wings haven’t heard directly from Alfredsson, but they are aware that he won’t be playing.
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Friedman wonders if the Oilers would trade Martin Marincin for a centerman.The Penguins are dangling some of their young defensemen for a top-six winger. Teams may be intrigued by Derrick Pouliot. Scott Harrington may draw some interest as well. From an executive:
“He’s different than their other young defencemen. He’s more of a solid, stay-at-home player. I could see there being interest in him. But, you wonder how important they consider him because he’s different than the other ones they have.”
Friedman was surprised that nobody claimed Coyotes David Schlemko. If Canucks Dan Hamhuis’s injury is for an extended period of time, Friedman wonders if they would be interested. Schlemko did say two years ago that Willie Desjardins was his biggest hockey influence.
Don Maloney told other GMs at their meetings that he still wants to see how his current team goes. Not in sell mode just yet.
Predators Matt Cullen said he could consider retirement if his on ice play drops below his expectations.
“I don’t want to be frustrated with who I am on the ice,” he said this week. So far, though, he feels pretty good.
Doesn’t appear to be any truth to rumor that the NHL was considering bring the glow puck up. Friedman does think the NHL is considering putting a chip in the puck, but for tracking purposes.