On the Bruins …
- CSNNE: Bruins president Cam Neely on 98.5 radio denied Joe Haggerty’s report that the team has discussed trading defenseman Zdeno Chara and forward Brad Marchand.
On the Blue Jackets …
- Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch: People are curious to see how John Tortorella and Ryan Johansen get along.
Tortorella has a reputation for preaching accountability and treating everyone like a sixth-round draft pick, and some think Johansen, a former first-round pick, has had poor body language lately and doesn’t always go all out.
Talented young players can sometimes be a paradox, and Tortorella’s demanding style makes for an intriguing match.
On the Flames …
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Trade talk involving Dennis Wideman will continue, which could potentially free up some money for them to re-sign defenseman Kris Russell.
- With Jiri Hudler’s potential price tag of $7 million likely will mean he won’t be back with the Flames, so speculation will follow him as well. If the Flames continue to struggle, you can bet that Hudler will be traded.
- An ” inordinate number of scouts” have been at Flames games lately.
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050 on the Flames, Lightning, and Steven Stamkos.
“It’s my understanding – there’s no question that Brad Treliving is trying to shake the Flames up. And there’s no question that he’s talked to a number of teams and I don’t doubt for a moment that he’s spoken to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“But as best I can tell, and I certainly stand to be corrected if I’m wrong, I don’t think the Flames and Tampa are talking about Stamkos right now.“
….
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Brad Treliving is trying to find that big deal to shake things up. I don’t think that Monahan or Gaudreau are getting traded anytime soon, but when you’ve got young players like that and you’ve got a wealth of them – Sam Bennett is another one – well, maybe there is a deal there for somebody for one of those younger players. And I’m not suggesting Gaudreau by any stretch, or even – I’d be shocked at Monahan because there’s such maturity to his game. But I wonder, at some point, could Sam Bennett be available. I guess It really depends.
“Again, I don’t believe the Calgary Flames are trying to get rid of Sam Bennett. They’re not shopping him. But I believe the Calgary Flames are working the phones and seeing what they’ve got. And I know that when teams call and ask for Gaudreau or Monahan, they’re likely to get a, ‘(No,) not going to happen.’ Whereas with some of those other players on the team, they might get a, ‘Well, make us an offer. Knock our socks off and we’ll see where we’re at.’ “