- Rich Chere of NJ.com: Devils Patrik Elias’s role with the team has been changing, and he’s found himself centering the fourth line. He’ll be entering the last year of his contract next year and wouldn’t be thrilled at being a fourth liner next year.
“If they want to play me on the fourth line, I’m not willing to do that,” Elias told NJ Advance Media. “I think that’s a conversation I’m going to have after this season. I know what I’m capable of.”
If he’s asked to be fourth liner next year.
“I probably wouldn’t (accept) that because I don’t consider myself a fourth-line player and I wouldn’t be useful for this team to play that role. Simple,” Elias said.
Elias added.
“If they don’t want me, they have to let me know,” he said. “I’m sure someone would want me. I’m not worried about that.”
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in three years and have regressed under second year coach Craig Berube. Could Berube be on the hotseat? Would GM Ron Hextall ask owner Ed Snider how much money he’d be okay with, if Red Wings coach Mike Babcock hits the open market? Hextall on Berube.
“We’ll review everything after the year. In terms of , I think he’s done a pretty good job. We’ve had injuries and circumstances that I think he’s done a good job of handling. There’s a lot of player performance that falls on the player. We have certain players we needed more from over the course of the season, or parts of the season.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets 2011 4th round pick and Hobey Baker award finalist, Mike Reilly, will be deciding soon if he’ll return to college or to go pro. The Minnesota Golden Gophers season could be over in two weeks if they don’t qualify for the NCAA tournament. If Reilly decides to go pro, the Blue Jackets will have 30 days, or until June 1st, whichever is later, to sign him to a two-year entry-level contract. The Blue Jackets aren’t sure what he’s thinking.
- Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets created an extra spot on their blueline and extra cap space when they traded James Wisniewski. GM Jarmo Kekalainen wants to have roster spot open for Mike Reilly. Kekalainen said last week that Reilly could “step into some big shoes in our organization.”
- Aaron Portzline: If Reilly doesn’t sign with the Blue Jackets, it shouldn’t been seen as a slight to the organization. Kevin Hayes didn’t sign with the Blackhawks, instead became a free agent and signed with the Rangers.