On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: By the end of the week the Lightning could have all of Tyler Johnson (returned last night), Ondrej Palat and Brian Boyle back in the lineup. Smith doesn’t think the Lightning are considering a big roster shakeup, but GM Steve Yzerman is constantly looking for ways to improve the team. With bodies returning real soon, the Lightning will 14 forwards, which is not ideal.Jonathan Marchessault has been playing well and odds of him clearing waivers now are slim.
The Lightning had been scouting the Blues a couple weeks ago. The Lightning could use a right-handed defenseman and the Blues have plenty of them. If Kevin Shattenkirk were available, he’d provide a big boost.
The Wild have depth on the blueline and could use a center. The Lightning have some options there.
Yzerman said that teams are “leery” of taking back players with term, so it would be hard to trade someone like Matt Carle. Carle carries a $5.5 million cap hit through 2017-18.
Yzerman a couple weeks ago.
“If everybody is sitting around waiting for this big huge deal that’s going to turn things around, those are hard to do,” Yzerman said. “We have a good team that’s been (in) a grind, injuries have been another complication for us. We’ll keep working towards it. We generally like our team, but all I can say is, if something makes sense to make us better, we’ll do it.”
On the Nashville Predators …
- Kevin Kurz: Two Predators scouts at the Sharks – Avalanche game last night.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on if Penguins should make a drastic move. Will likely get sorted out in summer. The team is for sale and may be more valuable with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the roster. Would need the trade approval from Crosby and Malkin as they both have no-movement clauses.
“The other thing too is – and I can’t believe I’m asking this question because it sounds so ridiculous – but let’s just say you decide to trade Sidney Crosby. What’s his trade value right now? Could you ever be trading Sidney Crosby at a lower point in his career? I’m not sure what you’re getting in return. I think you’re getting something. Some people say, ‘You’re not getting anything.’ I think that’s just a joke. But to me, it’s like, ‘What are you trading for at this point in his career?’