Garrioch roundup …
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Penguins have been listening to offers on winger Chris Kunitz. David Peron will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
- Something has to give soon in Anaheim, and the betting money is that Bruce Boudreau will be fired. Replacement candidates include assistants Trent Yawney and Paul MacLean, Dallas Eakins and Randy Carlyle.
- Flames GM Brad Treliving and Avalanche GM Joe Sakic were active on the phones at the start of the season, but both have stepped back a bit lately due to the play of their teams. Both are back in the playoff picture and there isn’t as much urgency. The Flames have been looking at the goalie market, but there aren’t a lot of options there.
- When the Kings get Anze Kopitar locked up, they’ll turn their attention to Milan Lucic.
- The Jets aren’t close on signing UFAs Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien, and RFA Jacob Trouba. No one is happy that their asking prices got leaked last week.
- There is a lot of interest in Blue Jackets Ryan Johansen. The Wild and Jets are among the teams kicking tires Johansen. GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t shopping him, but they are listening to all inquiries.
- Patrick Marleau trade rumors are quiet. It’s believed that that Marleau will finish the year with the Sharks, and it wouldn’t be a surprised if he remained with them next year. Marleau’s $6.6 million cap hit through next year isn’t an easy contract to move. Marleau has a no-movement clause. It might make sense for the Sharks to hold onto Marleau and Joe Thornton until next year’s trade deadline.