- Mark Pardy of the San Jose Mercury News: The Sharks are barely holding onto a playoff spot, and how they do in the next six weeks leading up to the trade deadline could determine the fate of pending UFA Antti Niemi and head coach Todd McLellan. On the rumors that McLellan and GM Doug Wilson are not seeing eye-to-eye.
“I would say our relationship is very strong,” McLellan said of his rapport with Wilson. “Do we always agree? No. But that’s part of having that relationship.”
“I would say exactly the same thing,” Wilson said. “We have healthy disagreements, but our relationship is strong.”
If the Sharks look to add a player or two before the deadline, it would be a bit of a reward for playing hard so far this season. If they trade Niemi or Tyler Kennedy and James Sheppard for draft picks, it shows they are in rebuild mode. Wilson may be trying to rebuild while still making the playoffs. He won’t give up high draft picks for aging veterans. He might give up a promising young player for another promising young player.
“I will not be acquiring any rent-a-players,” Wilson said Tuesday. “I will be giving young players a chance to perform.”
- The Fourth Period: The Jets are looking for a top-six forward leading up to the deadline. It is thought that they are open to adding a rental, but could consider other possibilities. They could look at trading someone from their surplus of blueliners.
- The Fourth Period: The Devils have pending UFAs in: Jaromir Jagr, Michael Ryder, Martin Havlat, Steve Bernier, Bryce Salvador, Marek Zidlicky and Peter Harrold. Zidlicky has a no-movement clause and a source has said that it’s unlikely he waives it. The Bruins, Canadiens, Penguins and Rangers are believed to be interested in Jagr.
- The Fourth Period: The Kings are sitting out of the playoffs and GM Dean Lombardi is looking for help. They have shown interest in Andrej Sekera, Marc Methot, Cody Franson and Zbynek Michalek. Lombardi will continue to watch the trade market and entertain calls for Mike Richards.
- George Malik of Kukla’s Korner: Red Wings GM Ken Holland was on XM Radio yesterday and said that they will very likely wrap up Mike Babcock’s contract extension after the season.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: (from earlier in Jan.) Nick Schultz is on a one-year deal and the Flyers may have interest in re-signing him. They were to hold preliminary talks with him a couple weeks ago.