- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Leafs are not sold on Phil Kessel’s future as their franchise centerpiece. His $8 million a year contract that runs through 2022 may keep him in Toronto though. The uncertainty of next year’s cap makes it hard for teams to take on that type of money without sending contracts back. If Kessel is going to remain in Toronto, they need to do two things, add “more skilled players, especially a center, to complement the right wing’s quick-strike game, and a coach to set him straight.”Dion Phaneuf would be a good second-paring defensmen for some teams. He could be a fit in LA, but he makes $7 million through 2021 and the Kings may have trouble fitting that in with pending RFAs in Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson, as well as having Anze Kopitar a UFA after next season. It would have to be Phaneuf for Mike Richards and other assets.
The Flames could be chasing Chris Stewart, along with the Bruins.The Panthers are still in reach of the Bruins, so it’s making it harder for them sellers. They have pending UFAs in Tomas Fleischmann, Tomas Kopecky, Scottie Upshall, and Sean Bergenheim.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Senators will be sellers at the deadline and will look to trade two or three players. It was thought that Chris Neil could be moved, but source saying he’s happy to stay, even with his diminished role under Dave Cameron. As of Friday, 10 teams called the Senators about him. His fractured thumb could also take him off the market. If a team calls the Senators about Chris Phillips, it will be up to him if he wants to go there or not. As of Friday there didn’t appear to be much interest in him. He has another year left at $2.5 million. The Senators have eight defenseman and would like to move at least one of them. They could also move Patrick Wiercioch. They would definitely trade David Legwand, who is owed $3.5 million next year with a $3 million cap hit. GM Bryan Murray would like to add a top-six forward somehow. That might have to wait until the offseason.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks could use some depth up front and on the blueline. They need to get younger. They have a void in players between the ages of 20 and 26. They could make a couple moves at the deadline to accomplish this without hurting their on ice product. Assets they could move to get deeper and younger include:
Zack Kassian – value could be a 2nd round pick or player the same age as Kassian that could use a change of scenery.
Chris Higgins – could get a B prospect or early draft pick, especially if he would go the Islanders or Rangers.Eddie Lack – no much of a goalie market, maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick, or possibly a middle-of-the-road prospect.
Jannik Hansen – B+ prospect if traded alone, or something more if part of a package.
Shawn Matthias – maybe a 3rd liner or a 2nd round pick.
Kevin Bieksa – a good young player or a decent prospect and a draft pick.
