- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Teams appear to be concern with next seasons salary cap – the declining Canadian dollar and if the players will use the 5 percent inflator.
“Lots of teams are wondering what’s going to happen with the cap and they were scare off from doing anything,” said another executive.
“That’s why they were so careful with their moves.”
The Blue Jackets were seriously interested in Canadiens Lars Eller, but the sides couldn’t get a deal done at the deadline.
Teams were scouting Cam Fowler, but the Ducks pulled him off the market.
The Blues tried to acquire Capitals Jason Chimera, who has a year left at $2 million. Not sure how serious the talks got.
Talks between the Wings and Maple Leafs about Dion Phaneuf may have been deep enough that Brendan Shanahan may have been involved. Wings GM Ken Holland may feel that it’s a deal better suited for the offseason and that is why he dealt for Marek Zidlicky.
“What usually happens is these trades get too big to do at the deadline,” said a league executive.
“It’s OK for the Leafs because they’re going nowhere this year and trying to rebuild. The Wings have something pretty good going.”
The Ducks and Kings were interested in Phaneuf.
Talk is the Coyotes will try to sign Antoine Vermette and Zbynek Michalek in the offseason.
Jack Eichel will likely be drafted No. 2, and he’ll have to decided whether to return to school or not. If drafted by the Oilers or Coyotes, would it be better for him to stay in college for a year?
“My guess it’s something he has to consider,” said a league executive.
“Gives him another year to get stronger and how good are those two teams going to be next year?”
The Blue Jackets had several offers for Cam Atkinson and Artem Anisimov.
The Flames may have been close a Jan Hejda deal at the deadline.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: A Phil Kessel ‘hockey’ trade may be possible as his contract isn’t terrible by NHL standards.The Maple Leafs will almost certainly have to retain some of Dion Phaneuf’s salary or take back a bad contact in any trade. They can’t afford to just give Kessel and Phaneuf away. The Leafs could keep one of Kessel or Phaneuf.
The Leafs thought they had a trade with the Devils that might have involved Ryane Clowe.
The Leafs received interest in Roman Polak at the deadline.