- Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Flyers GM Ron Hextall could be looking towards next year and beyond.
“We’re not at the point where we’re looking at getting rid of guys, but I would say that probably we’re not far from the point where if we don’t get it going, we’re going to have to start thinking about some things,” the Flyers’ general manager said.
“In saying that, you look at those things all the time. Every day, who can help us now and who can help us in the future. If there is anything out there, then we will move forward with it. Obviously, we’re not happy with the performance of the team.”
If the Flyers were able to get back into the playoff race, they wouldn’t look at trading young players for veteran, short-term fixes.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks Matt Beleskey is having a career year and he’s a pending free agent. He hopes to remain in Anaheim.
“You do think about the future,” Beleskey said. “I want nothing more than to stay in Anaheim. I’ve never been anywhere else and I don’t think there’s a reason to go anywhere else.
This is where I’d like to be. Hopefully we’ll see what happens.”
Beleskey’s agent said that preliminary talks have started. The 26-year old makes $1.4 million this season. He could get a deal in the $2.5 to $3 million range.
- The Fourth Period: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis is thought to be looking for a two-way forward and a top-four defenseman. Nonis could also be exploring the trading out one of his top-six forwards for another top-six forward. It has already been reported that they are dangling Joffrey Lupul. The Leafs have been linked to Coyotes Antoine Vermette, but the asking price could be more than they want to pay.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Mirtle on how the Maple Leafs core is fatally flawed. Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are defensively flawed, and are both continually asked to be more than they are. They lack a No. 1 center and a No. 1 defenseman. The likes of James van Riemsdyk, Joffrey Lupul and Jake Gardiner also lack defensive acumen. The tough part for Brendan Shanahan will be how to fix the roster. They can’t just give away their talent for nothing. Trading just to create cap space without their being anything to add doesn’t make much sense unless you are going for a complete rebuild. Getting younger and adding some prospects does make sense.
- Bruce Garrioch: Todd Bertuzzi has call the Senators and other teams about a PTO. Bob McKenzie: PTO with Ottawa was for Binghamton in the AHL, but nothing has been formalized as of yet.
- Terry Koshan: The IIHF will consider holding the entire 2017 World Junior Championships in Toronto. They want to return to Montreal but will look at options.