- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The sagging Canadian dollar could cut into league revenues and will play a roll in the salary cap for next year. The league will update the board of governors at next months meeting. One league executive doesn’t expect it to go down from the current $69.3 million.
“It would have a tough time going down. There’s so much money there,” he said. “I could see it only going up slightly or staying the same. It may not go up as much as people projected that’s all.”
Many think that the Avs could be getting itchy to make a change, moving one of their young assets for help now. The Avs and Rangers have been following each other of late. Both teams are looking for help on the blueline.
Could get ugly with the Oilers if they don’t improve. Sames questions around Dallas Eakins as their were during the first week of the season.
American Thanksgiving is November 27th: “Some teams are getting nervous and the talk is picking up a bit,” said a league executive before the weekend. “If you’re not in a playoff spot by U.S. Thanksgiving or within sniffing distance, then it can be pretty tough to make the playoffs. Don’t think some guys aren’t thinking about that right now,”
Looking for defensemen: Flames, Avs, Jets, Stars, Red Wings, Oilers and Sharks.
The Sharks would like to move pending UFA Tyler Kennedy and his $2.35 million salary.
Coyotes GM Don Maloney will listen to all offers. He watched the Islanders-Kings the other night. Islanders may have some interest in Keith Yandle, and have the prospects. The Coyotes have been looking for help at center. Islanders Josh Bailey has been used on the wing but can play center.
Some wonder how good Drew Stafford, Chris Stewart and Tyler Myers would look like on a better team.
The Canucks wouldn’t mind trading Shawn Matthias. The Canucks would want a forward in return.
Garrioch thinks Hurricanes GM Ron Francis should see if the Penguins would be interested in Alex Semin. Rutherford did sign him to that contract.
Some wonder if the Blue Jackets will look to move assets and look towards next year. If they are not able to re-sign Nick Foligno, he could bring in some nice assets.
- Adam Muir of SI: The Stars may be looking for a backup goalie. They could use a defenseman, but there is a premium on defenseman, so that is unlikely. Their physical game has dropped a bit, so maybe someone like Travis Moen would fit.
- Roger Millions: It’s shocking that the Panthers are reportedly losing over $100,000 every single day.
- David Staples: Staples thinks that Wild’s Kyle Brodziak would make so much sense for the Oilers, but thinks that the Oilers may view him as “soft.” Jonathan Willis: Would be surprised if the Wild are less eager to move Brodziak now compared to the how they were in the summer.
- David Staples: For the right No. 1 defenseman Staples would move Nail Yakupov or Jordan Eberle. For the right No. 2 center Staples would move David Perron.