- Darren Dreger of TSN: The Red Wings could trade for a defenseman at the deadline, but there is an equally strong chance that they do nothing, or very little. They won’t be giving up a first or second round pick or a quality prospect.Jeff Petry’s rib injury will keep him out a game, if that. It seems unlikely that he’ll reach a deal with the Oilers and will hit the open market on July 1st. Sources say that they haven’t formally shared numbers, but it is believed the Oilers like Petry at four years and no more than $4.5 million. On the open market, Petry could get more term and possibly $5 million a year.
- Jim Matheson: If the Ducks are interested in Jeff Petry as a rental, for a pick and a player, know that MacTavish like Dave Manson’s kid, Josh.
- Keith Gave of Fox Sports: (s/t Kukla’s Korner) Red Wings GM Ken Holland is trying to make a deal. He couldn’t find any takers for Jonas Gustavsson. Alexey Marchenko may not be the righ-handed power play quarterback the coach Mike Babcock covets, but he’s looking like a reliable NHL defenseman. Teemu Pulkkinen has replaced Tomas Jurco in the top-six. Teams looking for a top-six forward or a power play defenseman better be prepared to pay a big price.
“We have lots of cap space, and every day that goes by that space that we’re below the cap grows,” he said. “So if a player is available that will upgrade our team, we can do something. But I won’t trade away our futures for depth.”
The Wings have scouted Jeff Petry. Some within the organization think he’s “very average,” while other think he’d be a good fit. Holland is hesitant to overpay for a rental.
- Mike Morreale of Devil.NHL.com: The Devils won’t be doing a tear down according to GM Lou Lamoriello.
“I don’t think you tear it down by any means; that’s not in the philosophy of this organization nor do I think that’s something that can be done in this day and age,” Lamoriello said. “You don’t just simply tear it down because of free agency and the way the draft is structured. It’s almost impossible to do if you think like that. We made a decision at the NHL Draft a couple of years ago when we had the opportunity to acquire Cory Schneider and we did .”
- Bob McKenzie: The NHL/NHLPA have a much more detailed version of CapGeek, but they choose not to share it.
- Tom Gulitti: Scouting the Devils-Canucks: Sabres (2), Blackhawks, Stars, Jets, Penguins, Flyers, Canadiens and Blues.
- Chip Alexander: Scouting the Leafs-Hurricanes: Blackhawks, Jets, Lightning, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Blues and Rangers.