- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators talked to Daniel Alfredsson this summer about returning to the team for this season. Both owner Eugene Melnyk and GM Bryan Murray spoke Alfredsson, but were told that he’d made a commitment with the Red Wings.
“There was never an issue. We talked to (Alfredsson), and I specifically, as did Bryan, but I talked one-on-one with Alfie through the summer, at least two or three times,” Melnyk told the Fan590. “We talked about how he was going to look at this coming year and what it’s going to take for him to continue on. He made his final decision of whether he’s going to be able to play or not. He’s a very competitive guy.”
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers have only about $65,500 million in cap space and a projected $211,650 at the trade deadline. Loaning Anthony Duclair to Team Canada for the World Juniors could free up a little space. The Rangers have $46 million committed to 12 players for next season. They have five RFAs – Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, John Moore, J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast, that could eat up approximately $12 million. That would leave about $13-16 million. They also have UFAs – Marc Staal, Martin St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello, Cam Talbot, Lee Stempniak and Matt Hunwick.
If the Rangers figure they won’t be able to re-sign Staal and/or Zuccarello, they will have to look at potentially trading them like they did with Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi last season. Trading Staal would create a hole in their blueline and basically takes them out as a realistic contender for this year.
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “The thing is, MacT only wants to move Yakupov. He doesn’t want to move Hall, RNH or Eberbe and that’s what the other 29 teaks want” … “The only way you shake it up is by dealing a Hall, RNH or Eberle and you have to find a deal that helps both clubs”
- Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: “In return for Eberle the Oilers want at least a strong 2nd line C & a goalie. A team won’t do that at the moment for Eberle at $6”
- Jeff Pini of the Boston Globe: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was at the Blues-Blackhawks game last night. He has also scouted the Sabres, who could be looking to move Chris Stewart. The Blackhawks at some point may have to move Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell or Brent Seabrook due to future cap issues.