- Mike Halford of Pro Hockey Talk: With Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist out for at least three weeks, GM Glen Sather could look at bringing in a veteran goalie. Options could be Jonas Gustavsson (might be a hard move for the Red Wings to make, helping out a conference rival), Jason LaBarbera (ANA) and Michael Leighton (CHI).
- Draglikepull: Darren Dreger said that the Kings are willing to retain up to 30% of Mike Richards salary. That would make the cap hit $4 million.
- Jon Rosen: Kings GM Dean Lombardi on the trade market: “I’m not the lone voice in the woods here when I say that a lot of teams are doing the same thing we are, that we don’t know what we can do because we’re unsure of the cap. It does put a chilling effect in some cases on the market.”
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish on Jeff Petry.
“In his last 20 games he’s really settled into what I think is his best hockey as an Oiler,” MacTavish said. “He’s aggressive, he’s assertive making decisions, he’s decisive on the ice, he’s jumping on the play at a level he did from time to time, but he never really felt comfortable doing it because he’s a conservative guy by nature, but he’s playing the game. He’s playing the game to win and everybody around the league to add. And pending his UFA status there’s motivation on our part to move him or get him signed, but it will be one of those things.”
- Jonathan Willis: With Ben Scrivens under contract for next, it’s very unlikely the Oilers will bring Viktor Fasth back. Willis wonders if there will be any value for Fasth at the deadline, or if the Oilers will just let him walk at the end of the season. The Islanders and Capitals could be a teams that would be interested in Fasth.
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sabres still insist they are not shopping Tyler Myers. Renaud Lavoie mentioned that talks were heating up with the Ducks and could involve Cam Fowler. A team that is not in the playoff hunt could go after Evander Kane, offering up assets that would help the Jets this season. Jhonas Enroth and Michael Neuvirth could be options for the Rangers with Lundqvist out for a bit.
“I can focus on myself and my game,” Neuvirth said. “Right now I’m playing for the Buffalo Sabres. I will do my best to help my team win a hockey game. I got traded before in juniors. It’s just part of the business. Right now I’m not thinking about trade at all. … I’m just focusing on the next game.”
- Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on TSN 1050. The Ducks and Red Wings are looking for a defenseman, and have talked to the Sabres. People are saying the Sabres are asking too much for Chris Stewart or Drew Stafford, can you image what they are asking for Tyler Myers.
Elliotte Friedman on 630 CHED on Jeff Petry. Would be a surprise if he’s an Oiler after the deadline. The Stars might be looking for another right-handed defenseman. The Kings will be looking to add at least one defenseman, but don’t know if Petry is a fit. Would the Oilers and Canucks be able to make a trade? The Canucks are saying they won’t add at the expense of their prospect base. The Red Wings are looking as well.Craig MacTavish on 630 CHED on the trade deadline.
“I’m not seeing or hearing a lot of activity right now. I think the experienced managers are biding their time to see exactly what they need. They’re surveying the marketplace to see what’s out there and what the cost is. But there’s not been a ton of activity so far.”
…
“As far as we’re concerned, we’re probably to be less active than we have in the past.”