- Rich Chere of NJ.com: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello on trading their sixth overall pick at that this years draft.
“You never say never to anything. But it’s unlikely, unless there is something you can’t refuse,” Lamoriello said. “You never say no because somebody could come up with something you can’t say no to, or you have a situation like we had a couple of years ago (with the availability of goalie Cory Schneider).
“Something like that just presents itself. Is there anything imminent? Absolutely not. Trading the pick is unlikely.”
Lamoriello said they are looking at drafting a forward with the pick.
“Right now our focus is on where we are picking. As far as thinking anything else, you’re just distracting yourself. Right now that’s our pick and that’s the focus.”
Chere wonders if the Devils would trade the sixth overall for Maple Leafs Phil Kessel. Kessel’s contract could scare the Devils.
- Rich Chere of NJ.com: (answering twitter questions) Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas is the top candidate to be traded for a forward. Gelinas has even said that a trade is possible.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Former Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis on Phil Kessel.
“I don’t think they have to move Phil Kessel,” said Nonis. “You only move him if you decide the return is worth it. If you don’t get value for him, you’re only hurting your team. I believe the baggage that comes with Phil is overblown. Are there things he has to change? Absolutely. But I can assure you of this: Whatever team wins the Stanley Cup this year will have a Phil Kessel in the lineup. I can guarantee that.
“Does he have things to work on? Yes. But he has something other players don’t have. He does have pride and he does want to win. He has to learn to focus some of those characteristics and do a better job. But he’s not a player they have to move.”
Nonis on Dion Phaneuf.
“I could have traded Dion at the deadline. We had a deal, it wasn’t a great one, but it was a deal. I look at Phil and Dion and I still think they’re elite, upper-end players. They both could be traded, but it’s not like the Leafs are stuck with them if they’re back. I think they can come back and help them.”
Five teams showed interest in Phaneuf at the deadline. Less teams showed interest in Kessel.