On the Blue Jackets …
- TSN’s Insider Trading: Darren Dreger: Teams are calling the Blue Jackets about Ryan Johansen. GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t shopping Johansen, and Dreger doesn’t think he has any interest in trading him, but every player has a price. If the Blue Jackets were going to consider trading Johansen, it would be for a significant, multi-piece price.
On the Canadiens …
- TSN’s Insider Trading: Pierre LeBrun: teams are calling the Canadiens about defenseman Jared Tinordi. The Canadiens don’t want to put him on waivers to send to the AHL as he’d get claimed. They aren’t sure what to do with him. If someone offered up a second round pick for Tinordi, it would make the Canadiens think hard about it.
On the Senators …
- TSN’s Insider Trading: Bob McKenzie: Senators GM Bryan Murray told GMs at the meetings this week that they are open for business. He would like to trade a defenseman, with anyone other than Erik Karlsson likely available. McKenzie doesn’t think they’d move Marc Methot. Jared Cowen and Patrick Weircioch could be available. The team that trades for one of their defensemen would likely have to take Colin Greening’s contract.
- Shawn Simpson: The Senators biggest need is a veteran defenseman to play with Cody Ceci.
On the Blackhawks …
- TSN’s Insider Trading: Bob McKenzie: the Blackhawks will soon be faced with a surplus of defensemen. Someone could be sent to the AHL or traded. Trevor Daley hasn’t lived up to his $3.3 million salary and has another year left on his deal.
On the Avalanche …
- Adrian Dater of the Bleacher Report: Talk is the Joe Sakic is calling teams around the league to gauge interest in any potential trades that would help his team. The Avs are on a seven game road trip, and play 18 of 25 on the road. Sakic said that he’s not going to blow it up and start from scratch if he can help it. When asked if there are any ‘untouchables’ other than Nathan MacKinnon.
“You know what, it doesn’t matter what I say or what anyone says. Nate’s not going anywhere, and there are guys that don’t want to move. But you’re always talking with teams, and you’re wanting to listen on anybody, really.”
Jarome Iginla doesn’t want to be traded and said on Wednesday that he wouldn’t approve any trade this season due to family reasons above all.
Matt Duchene ($6 million) and Semyon Varlamov ($5.9 million) could be available for the right price.
“Any moves I might make…won’t be for a quick fix,” Sakic said. “We’ve got some good young players. Our moves are going to have to make sense down the line as well. It’s tough to make deals in a cap world.
“The cap plays a big role for all teams. Some teams are already at the cap and some teams have their own internal budgets. Everybody deals with what they’re allowed. It’s tough to make that big trade; the money’s got to even out. That’s why you see a lot of deals still at the deadline. You can take on a couple months’ salary if you think it’s the right move. It’s worth it if you really think you can win a championship.”