- Lance Pugmire: Dany Heatley will have a chance in the AHL to show what he has left. If things go well for him, he could become trade bait or a fill in for the Ducks.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: (mailbag) Zack Kassian could be an interesting fit for the Bruins, though he hasn’t shown that he can be a top-six guy. Have heard of a Kassian and Kevin Bieksa package. Blues T.J. Oshie could be a good fit for the Bruins. Problem on bringing any of the players mention in would be the cost to acquire them and cap space. It would take a nice package of players, prospects and picks to land a Kassian and Bieksa package. No deals for the Bruins are imminent. They will make a trade or two before the trade deadline.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Don’t expect a roster shake-up for the Wild according to GM Chuck Fletcher.
“I like our group,” Fletcher said. “Every year since I’ve been here, we’ve routinely got outshot, we routinely can’t score goals. We dominate most games we play in, our goal scoring’s getting better. Now we’ve got to get our defensive structure back, get back to the details of the game. But I think anybody that has watched our team this year sees the talent and ability of the team. It’s a good hockey team and right now we just have to get back to doing what we do well.”
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“You can’t every time you go through a little slump or have struggles look to the outside and airlift somebody in and assume they’re going to solve all your problems for you,” Fletcher said. “You’ve got to battle through. … Learning how to win means you have to see your mistakes and overcome adversity.
“It’s all the clichés, but especially with young players, this is how they grow, this is how they gain experience. To me, it would be the wrong time and the wrong message.”
Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 690 radio. Before the Christmas roster freeze, the Jets told teams they are looking for a top-nine forward, but with Evander Kane’s injury, they may be looking for a top-six now. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been patient, but he may willing to make a trade soon as they are in a playoff spot.
- Dreger on TSN 1040 radio on the Bruins and Leafs. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is working the phones. They are a cap team, and when hit with injuries, it creates bigger holes. They could be a desperate team. The Maple Leafs aren’t desperate yet, but if they continue to lose, that could change quickly.
