- Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050 on Mike Babcock. Babcock would likely get $3 to $3.5 million from the Red Wings, and could be offered $5 million from a bunch of teams. McKenzie could see Babcock getting big offers from the Flyers, Maple Leafs and Bruins. Don’t think the Sharks would spend that much money if they make a coaching change. The Ducks could be looking for a new coach if they exit the playoffs early.
Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on Babcock: Babcock isn’t looking for a project, but if the Maple Leafs came in with an offer of five years and $25 million, he might give it another thought. Connecting the Ducks and Babcock if they fire Bruce Boudreau. Can’t rule out interest from the Flyers.
Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on the Ducks and Matt Beleskey.
“I think the interesting one was Beleskey. They really – Bob Murray wouldn’t talk about it very much, but it sounds like they really came close to A) signing him and B) not signing him and trading him on the deadline. But I think ultimately they just decided to go for it this year. It’ll be interesting to see what his situation is at the end of the season.”
On the Ducks trade deadline additions.
“Wisniewski was a little bit of a different one. They felt they didn’t have a shot from the blueline, so that’s why they went out and got him.
“The interesting one to me is Despres. That’s a deal I look at and I think they were caught a bit by surprise. Jim Rutherford called them, I guess, the night before the deadline and said they were interested in making that move.
“Bob Murray was apparently going to draft Despres in 2009. He had the 37th pick overall. The 7th pick of the second round. He was going to take Despres there and the Penguins, who just won the Stanley Cup, took him seven picks earlier. So they’ve always liked him. And that’s the deal I look at and say, ‘Wow, I’m surprised Pittsburgh would want to do that.’
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on Leafs Stephane Robidas: “Robidas signed a 3 year deal in Toronto when he could have had the same deal in Detroit.” “He chose a Canadian market b/c he wants to feel that passion from the fans”
- Chris Kuc: Blackhawks Kimmo Timonen said that he’ll definitely be retiring at the end of the season. He might be interested in getting into coaching: “I have little tips for a lot of players.”