On the Flames …
- Kristen Odland of the Calgary Herald: This week’s trade rumors for the Flames involve Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell.
“Whenever teams are losing (trade talk happens),” surmised Russell on Wednesday after the team’s morning skate at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre. “They don’t change winning teams. When rumours and things like that pop up, it’s when things aren’t going well, so it’s up to us in this room to change that.”
Russell on the trade rumors.
“To be honest, I don’t look at any of that stuff or read any paper,” said Russell, whose Flames contract expires at the end of the year. “If it happens, it happens. It’s something that’s part of the game. My focus is on this team and, personally, trying to make this team better.”
Bob McKenzie said on Tuesday’s Insider Trading on Wideman – the Flames “have some interest in possibly moving him.” McKenzie added that there is interest in Russell, but they intend to re-sign him. Wideman said the Flames haven’t approached him about his no-trade clause.
“I haven’t heard anything from my side,” said Wideman, who has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to approve a move. “But, obviously, I’d have to OK it.
“It’s part of the game. My name has been in trade rumours plenty of times. But, you know, when you’re not winning and things aren’t going well, the rumours always start to go around … you just go and continue to play.”
On the Red Wings …
- Ansar Khan of MLive: (mailbag) When Pavel Datsyuk returns, Dylan Larkin should still have a top-six role. The line of Larkin, Henrik Zetterberg and Justin Abdelkader have been dangerous.
- Datsyuk could line up with Tomas Tatar and maybe Darren Helm. They may not want to have Gustav Nyquist with Datsyuk and Tatar as they would be missing a physical, gritty element. Riley Sheahan could center Nyquist and Teemu Pulkkinen.
- The Red Wings would put Johan Franzen on the LTIR when Datsyuk is ready to return. They’ll likely need to create a roster spot for his return as well. Tomas Jurco is safe. Joakim Andersson could be the most likely candidate to be exposed to waivers.
- Doubtful that the Wings would trade Brendan Smith mid-season unless they are getting a defenseman back.