- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Blues are pretty happy with their roster, but they could look to add a depth player or two. It wouldn’t be a shock though if they don’t do anything at the deadline.Needs: if the price is cheap, they could look to add physical defenseman.
Finances: they have about $5.9 million in cap room.
Scouting the GM: Doug Armstrong has shown he’s not afraid to make a deal. He may look to make a ‘hockey’ trade and not rental.
- Matthew Coller of ESPN: Metro Division, team problem and a potential solution:Islanders – Problem: Kyle Okposo’s injury. Solution: Panthers Brad Boyes.
Penguins – Problem: scoring after Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Solution: Devils Jaromir Jagr.
Capitals – Problem: forward depth. Solution: Sharks Tyler Kennedy.
Rangers – Problem: Center. Solution – Coyotes Antoine Vermette.
Flyers – Problem: young top-nine forwards. Solution: Kings Tanner Pearson.
Devils – Problem: skilled forward prospects. Solution: Teemu Pulkkinen.
Blue Jackets – Problem: a quick turnaround. Solution: Patrik Berglund.
Hurricanes – Problem: elite talent. Solution: sell off UFAs for draft picks.
- Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on NHL Live. The Hurricanes tried hard to get Andrej Sekera signed, but he’s looking for Marc Staal type money, between $5.5 and $6 million. He’ll join Cody Franson, Zbynek Michalek and others as a rental. Teams are looking to get a 1st round pick or a really good prospect. They may have to settle for a 2nd round pick an average prospect.
- Dennis Bernstein: (answering question) Cody Franson would be a better fit with the Kings than Andrej Sekera.
- David Pollak: Scouting the Sharks-Capitals: Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Red Wings.
- Chuck Gormley: Salary cap effect on UFAs, the Capitals and Jaromir Jagr.