- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Source confirmed that Flames GM Brad Treliving has discussed the idea of acquiring Kings center Mike Richards. It would be a long-shot. The Flames are one of the few teams that could be able to handle Richards contract (five years left with a $5.75 million cap hit). The Flames would have to insist the Kings to sweeten the pot by adding someone like Tyler Toffoli or Tanner Pearson. Another option would be to include a first round pick and a top prospect along with Richards. Any deal may also have the Kings retaining some of Richards salary.
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes coach Bill Peters is running out of patience with Alex Semin. Semin has been scratched 10 of their last 14 games. Peters and Semin have talked several time but,
“Obviously something’s not right. Talk is cheap, though, right? We left the lineup the same way we had it in Toronto and Ottawa, for a reason. Back-to-back wins on the road. The goaltender (Anton Khudobin) who was in against Toronto and Ottawa is in again tonight.
“I talk about competitive people being in a competitive environment and we want to win. We are playing our best 20 players in order to win hockey (games). That’s the lineup. It’s not hard.”
Options for the Hurricanes regarding Semin are putting him on waivers, sending him to the AHL or buying him out. GM Ron Francis has said they won’t be buying him out.
“Alex is a part of the Hurricanes and we’ll continue to work with him and try to help him be the player we think he can be,” Francis said. “Things are different now in the way we are running things and what we expect. Our job is to continue to work with him and get the message through.
“We think we can do it. We’re not giving up on him at all.”
- Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes coach Peters doesn’t think they are that far away. GM Ron Francis has said that some of their pending UFAs will be dealt for players or draft picks. Pending UFAs include: Andrej Sekera, Jay McClement, Jiri Tlusty, Patrick Dwyer, Tim Gleason and Brett Bellemore. Sekera carries a $1.75 million cap hit.
- Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050. Dreger doesn’t think the Maple Leafs are strongly going after Avs Ryan O’Reilly. It doesn’t mean they won’t. but they may be wondering if they would be able to afford him in a year and a half.Bob McKenzie on TSN 1040. Normal price for a rental defenseman is usually a 2nd round pick and decent prospect or young player. If there is lots of interest, the 2nd rounder could become a 1st rounder, which is what the Maple Leafs will be trying to do with Cody Franson. The Ducks might be interested in Franson. Andrej Sekera and Zbynek Michalek could also become available, as well as Keith Yandle. There are plenty of teams that are looking for top-four defenseman. The Canucks will likely be very careful of the assets they may give up for a scorer or defenseman.