On the Predators …
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: GM David Poile on if he’d trade one his defensemen for some help at forward.
“We are very happy with our defense corps,” Poile said, like a politician repeating the party line. “It gives us a chance to be competitive and have a chance to win every game, along with our goaltending.”
Though it doesn’t mean that he would not consider it.
“You’re always trying to improve your team. That’s what a manager’s job is,” said Poile.
“When the right time is there, when the deal is there. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, the trade deadline, whether it’s in the summer, trade or free agency situation, we’ll do whatever we can to improve our team.”
On the Blue Jackets …
- Frank Seravalli of TSN: Ryan Johansen said he wasn’t surprised that his name came up in trade rumors, but it caught his parent off guard.
“It’s new,” Johansen said. “It definitely catches your mom and your dad’s attention. You know, they’re always thinking about their boys. It is what it is. I haven’t been down this road, but a lot of players have been down this road. It’s my job to play hockey.”
Dreger reported that GM Jarmo Kekalainen is not “dismissing the interest” and would listen to offers. Sources say that there may still be some discord between Johansen and the Blue Jackets, but Johansen said that it’s not the case.
“We’ve come out and we’ve said to everyone already that we’ve moved past that and it’s totally in the past,” Johansen said. “We have a great relationship, I feel, and my agent with them. I love being a Blue Jacket. People are going to say whatever they’re going to say. We’ve moved past that.”
Johansen has been benched by coach John Tortorella, and was demoted to the fourth line in one game.
“He’s trying to make me the best player I can be,” Johansen said. “He’s going to push me and try and get the most out of me – that’s his job. I have a good understanding of what he’s trying to do … He’s not going to reward me if I’m not doing that. I’m sure we’ll have our moments. But our team has responded pretty well with Torts here. We’ve been playing better hockey.”