- Mike Johnston: Nick Kypreos on Sportsnet 590 on Dion Phaneuf.
“I believe he’s ticked off for many reasons including not being traded,” Kypreos told Dean Blundell & Co. on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Thursday. “He was very upset he didn’t end up a Detroit Red Wings on trade deadline day, so he’s trying to get through it.”
The Maple Leafs were willing to eat some of Phaneuf salary, but the Leafs wanted Anthony Mantha and that was too much for the Red Wings.
“He’s not going to be a Leaf next year. He’s not going to be the captain next year. He knows that. He understands that. He just wants to get out of this thing relatively sane.”
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Penguins won’t be trading Sidney Crosby, but Matheson thinks they should dangle Evgeni Malkin as he would bring back a boatload. The Blue Jackets got four pieces for Rick Nash, and he’s no Malkin.
Just spitballing – the Red Wings have lots of young prospects. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are not getting any younger. The Panthers or Avalanche may have something the Penguins like.
Before the Oilers traded Sam Gagner to Tampa, who quickly flipped him to Arizona, heard there were talks of a Gagner for Cam Ward trade. Ward has one year left at a $6.8 million cap hit.Flames Jonas Hiller may be another option for the Oilers if the Flames wanted to move his $4.5 million cap hit (one-year left). The Flames are high on Joni Ortio and have pending UFA Karri Ramo.
- Jason Gonzalez of the Star Tribune: Blue Jackets draft pick Mike Reilly will be leaving college a year early and will be signing a pro contract soon. Who he will be signing with is not known though.
“ will not be returning and will know more after the tournament,” Reilly said. “I don’t want to talk too much about my situation. But I am going to worlds the 25th and I’m very excited.”
The Blue Jackets have been trying to sign him with no luck as of yet. He can become a free agent on June 1st.
“He’s going to] make a decision sometime in May what he’s going to do,” Guentzel said. “He’s 21 and he’s earned that right and opportunity, and he’s in a good situation. I really respect how much Columbus has tried to go after him and I think he’d be in a good situation there, but he has to make the decision that is best for him.”
Reilly was one of the top defensemen in college hockey this past season, recording 42 points.
- Darren Dreger: Matt O’Connor could begin touring NHL cities as early as next week with stops in Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Buffalo and possibly New York with the Rangers.