- Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: The Blackhawks have entered the trade market, joining the Rangers who were waiting for the prices to come down to their liking. It’s hard to see the Rangers winning a bidding war over the Blackhawks for Antoine Vermette. Return for Vermette will at least be a second round pick and a high-level prospect. There has been some talk that the Rangers could trade Mats Zuccarello, but odds are they will keep him and try to re-sign after the season. They could look for an upgrade over John Moore and Matt Hunwick.
- Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider: Kings GM Dean Lombardi on if he’s “done” exploring the trade market.
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I don’t see a lot. You know obviously – knock on wood – Pears is making a lot of progress. I think collectively that’s a pretty strong group on the back end, and I think some of our forwards are starting to emerge. What I like, and what I think we’re seeing, and I’ve always said this, that the biggest area of improvement often times we forget is that a lot of our younger players are starting and continuing to get better. When you talk about going out and getting other players, I think the biggest way to get better is that we forget that players like Clifford, Nolan, and King and right down the line are far from their ultimate potential. That includes Muzzin and Doughty, everybody. I think the improvement in the other areas now you’re going to continue to see. You’ve seen the growth of Dwight King recently, this is just what happens with the development curve. I think Clifford’s been really good the last month, he’s a better player than he was last year, and I think we have confidence in these guys to keep getting better and assume bigger roles. So to answer your question, you never say ‘never,’ but as a practical matter, the focus was on the back…and obviously I don’t consider ourselves as sellers if we’re going out and being this aggressive on the buyers’ side.”
- Dennis Bernstein: There will be no official talks between the Kings and Andrej Sekera until after the season. Sekera is open to re-signing with the Kings.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings director of pro scouting Mark Howe on their lead up to the trade deadline.
“We had our meetings in Vegas in January, where we put a list of guys together, and then you try to see everyone on list, try to get best feeling you can,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen this last week. Last year we were going to stand pat, and then two more centers went down, so we were almost forced into a deal.”
Howe doesn’t feel there is any pressure for the Wings to make a trade by the deadline. It’s well known that GM Ken Holland is looking at defenseman, especially at right-handers. Michigan native Jeff Petry would likely cost the Red Wings a second round pick and would likely re-sign with them.
“I think every team would like to upgrade,” Howe said, “but at what cost? There are only seven picks in a draft. I have a lot of confidence in our players and their ability. Marchy has done a good job. Ouellet can play. I know Jakub Kindl can play.”
- Ian McLaren: Nick Kypreos on Hockey Central @ Noon: if you want to trade for Antoine Vermette, you’ll have to give up a first round pick and a prospect or two. Kypreos: “I don’t know how Chicago doesn’t get Vermette.”
- Nate Lundy: Avs coach Patrick Roy: “I have a lot of confidence in Ryan O’Reilly. I would be surprised if we trade him.” “Joe (Sakic) has spoken to (O’Reilly’s) agent. We would love to have him as an Av for a long time.”
- Sam Carchidi: The Flyers are expected to send Carlo Colaiacovo to the AHL to make room for Kimmo Timonen on Saturday. They will have to make a decision on who comes out.