Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Michael Leighton lead the Philadelphia Flyers to the Stanley Cup last year, now he finds himself as the #3 goalie in Philly. The Flyers don’t want to send Leighton or Brian Boucher to the AHL as they’d have to clear waivers and would likely be claimed. Sergei Bobrovsky is on a 2-way contract but has claimed the #1 job. The NHL Christmas trade freeze is in effect until Dec. 27th. Tampa could use a goalie, and Washington may be interested in a veteran.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Injuries are taking toll on some Ottawa Senators; Kovalev has a bad knee, Milan Michalek has had knee issues since being drafted, Daniel Alfredsson rarely practices, and Mike Fisher has a bad shoulder. The Columbus Blue Jackets in search of a offensive defenseman have inquired about NY Rangers Michael Del Zotto. They may have been offering former Rangers, Fedor Tyutin, but it would take more. Nikita Filatov? The Philadelphia Flyers have been trying to clear some cap space, including Daniel Carcillo, Nikolai Zherdev or James vanRiemsdyk. They want a 1st round draft pick plus another pick for James vanRiemsdyk.
Terry Frei of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey will undergo season ending shoulder surgery. Team doctor, “After physical and diagnostic tests, the decision has been made to repair his shoulder at this time.”
Dan O’Neill of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The St. Louis Blues activated defenseman Roman Polak from IR yesterday and returned Ian Cole to the AHL. The Blues also announced that Dave Scatchard will be out 4-6 weeks with a knee injury.