- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Sharks inconsistent play could put veterans Tyler Kennedy, Andrew Desjardins, Adam Burish, Scott Hannan and even goalie Antti Niemi on the trade market. They have some young players who are ready for bigger role within the organization.
- Sean Fitz-Gerld of the National Post: Despite the Maple Leafs trying to trade him in the past, pending UFA defenseman Cody Franson still wants to remain with the team.
“I’m hopeful that I can get a contract here,” Franson said on Friday. “I mean, that’s first and foremost for me. I’m hoping to be in this team’s plans for a very long time. I’m very happy with the opportunities that I’ve been given here, and I’m very fortunate for that.”
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: After Jason Spezza signed his contract extension with the Stars, the pending center UFA market is a little thin: Brad Richards, Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette, Matt Cullen, Daniel Briere, Shawn Horcoff, Jarret Stoll, Olli Jokinen, Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro.
- Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman: “I was talking to a PR guy from another team he said players told him they were angry at fans & wouldn’t do the celebration…”
- Hope Smoke: Stars GM Jim Nill: “We haven’t even had that discussion with Julius “
- Hope Smoke: Stars GM Jim Nill: “before I made the trade I spoke with Jason & his agent. We were one of the teams at top of his list”
- Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman on Prime Time Sports: “I wonder sometimes Canadian team not winning the Cup in 21 years & is it because of stuff like this?” “When players look at this do they say, all things being equal, why do I want to deal with that? Fans & media. We’re part of that” “I think there are a finite amount of players who can handle this. especially in the social media age” “I just can’t believe that there is no correlation between that & the pressures that hockey players in Canada face” “Is this the sole reason why teams in Canada haven’t won in 21 years? No. More I see days like this I wonder is it a reason?” “Is there a reason ownership just isn’t as patient because of that pressure?” … John Shannon thinks the Brendan Shanahan will take a whole year to make a decision on and off the ice, and Friedman agrees … “Wouldn’t you want somebody who would come in & say: ok, I don’t know these guys yet & would learn everything about them rather than a guy who comes in and says I need to show what a big shot I am” ….
- Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman “I think Kadri is probably the biggest evaluation between now and the end of the season” “I don’t know if there’s anyone on the roster that you have to make a bigger decision on in the next 5 months than him “