On the Red Wings …
- Bob McKenzie: Justin Abdelkader and the Wings are finalizing a seven-year contract extension with a cap hit expected to be over $4 million.
Update: Bob McKenzie: Deal is now official – seven years with a $4.25 million cap hit.
On the Lightning …
- Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times: The Lightning are 7-8-2 heading into tonight’s action. They have lost seven games in their past nine, and are averaging 1.3 goals per game over that span. GM Steve Yzerman isn’t planning on make a trade just for the sake of shaking things up.
“I don’t believe in that,” Yzerman said. “I’m not going to do something just to do something. … We talk 12 months of the year around the league, talking to guys, exploring ideas, trying to find fits for things. But if the stars align, you have something that makes sense.”
On the Avalanche and Hurricanes …
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) Don’t see why the Avalanche would trade Matt Duchene. They moved Ryan O’Reilly in the offseason, and lost Paul Stastny to free agency the year before. Depleting depth down the middle is something you don’t really want to do in the West. Rosen does think that the Avs need to do something. They could improve their defense.
- Rosen thinks the Hurricanes will trade Eric Staal before the trade deadline. He would offer a good but expandable player that has some salary, one of a teams better prospects, and a third round pick. That wouldn’t get a trade done, but it would be a start. It might take a first round pick to get a deal done, but you don’t start with one.
On Mike Richards …
- Bob McKenzie: UFA Mike Richards is skating with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL).
On the Devils …
- Rich Chere of NJ.com: 24-year old defenseman Eric Gelinas has been a healthy scratch the past three games. On if he thinks Devils’ management feels he’s in their long-term plans.
“I can bring some things that other players can’t,” Gelinas said. “The way I can shoot the puck is one of my strengths. It’s probably one of the best shots in the league. If I can put everything together, I believe I am a key player. That’s what they want me to be.”