On the Blues …
- Jeremy Rutherford: (after the announcement that Jaden Schwartz fractured his ankle and will be out at least 12 weeks) … “My guess is that the Blues will now be further inclined to deal from their defensive depth and find some help up front.”
On the Blue Jackets …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot:Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on Blue Jackets Kerby Rychel.
“I think Calgary is looking for a little help on the wings and is maybe willing to get a little bigger there. Columbus would like to trade Kerby Rychel, but they’re asking a lot – as they should. From what I understand, it’s a price that Calgary is not willing to pay at this particular point in time.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if it was getting another look in at him, because a lot of teams are watching Kerby Rychel. But I’ve been told that unless Columbus is willing to come down a little bit on what it wants, that’s not a deal that Calgary is willing to make.”
Why would the Blues Jackets consider trading Rychel? They have a lot of forwards, and although he’s a good prospect, he’s not one of their best forward prospects.
“And Columbus is looking for defensemen, young ones, and I think they realize Rychel is potentially a guy that could get them somebody. But they’ve been asking a lot. I mentioned in my blog this week that I think they’d asked Anaheim about Shea Theodore, and it’s possible they offered Rychel for Theodore. Anaheim wasn’t doing that. So that gives you an idea of the kind of thing they’re looking for, and teams are balking at that so far.”
- Larry Brooks: Was told that after the first period of his first game behind the bench, John Tortorella told Ryan Johansen that he’s not in shape. Johansen only have four shifts in the third period.
On the Panthers …
- George Richards of the Miami Herald: The 36-year old Brian Campbell is entering the final year of his eight-year, $57 million deal that he originally signed with the Blackhawks. Some wonder if the pending UFA would return to Chicago, possibly as early as next year. Campbell hasn’t thought much about what could happen after this season, other than he wants to keep playing.
“I have good memories here and hopefully we can cap that off and do something this year. For me, I hope to have a good year and see what happens. If I feel good, I want to keep playing. I’m feeling good on the ice right now. Those things take care of themselves.’’
On Scouting the Lighting-Jets …
- Sara Orlesky: Scouting the Lighting-Jets last night: Flames (2), Ducks, Canadiens, Hurricanes, Predators, Devils, Kings, Maple Leafs, Blue Jackets, Sabres and Avalanche.