- Darren Dreger of TSN: A big move by the Oilers may have to wait until the offseason. Teams will have more flexibility to make bigger deals then. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle are not for sale now. Hall, Eberle, Nail Yakupov, Justin Schultz and David Perron will be high on teams lists at the draft.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: The Stars still need an upgrade on the blueline.If any potential Jordan Eberle trade doesn’t include a young top-six center or “difference-making denseman”, they should pass. Their best strategy may be to wait until the offseason unless they are blown away by an offer.
The Penguins have lukewarm interest in Sabres Chris Stewart. Alex Semin could be a wild card for the Penguins in Custance’s opinion. Rutherford brought him to Carolina. The Hurricanes would have to eat salary.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Vultures are circling the Flyers. The Oilers, Stars, Coyotes and maybe the Sharks are unhappy with their rosters as well. Flyers GM Ron Hextall has been trying to make a trade since October. Teams are likely calling about Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and likely Scott Laughton. They are likely not calling for Vinny Lecavalier, R.J. Umberger, Nick Grossmann, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn or Matt Read. If they were, they likely would have been moved by now. The Stars have scouted the Flyers and their AHL affiliate a lot this season.
- Randy Miller: Flyers GM Ron Hextall said that he has no plans to fire their coaches or tank to get a high draft pick.
- Pierre LeBrun: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli was at the Blues-Blackhawks game on Wednesday. Don Sweeney was at the Blues-Predators game on Thursday. No sense that anything is imminent at this point, but the Bruins continue to look for a forward. They are also still interested in Sabres Chris Stewart.
- David Pagnotta: The Bruins ideally want a top-six right winger, looking at Blues forward (via LeBrun) along with talks with Oilers and Sabres.
- Sarah McLellan: Coyotes GM Don Maloney said he met with players last Sunday to discuss the team/individual performances and told them that if things didn’t change, changes would be made. Coyotes pro scouts are in town for meetings.