On the Penguins and Hurricanes …
- Stan Fischler of The Hockey News: Sidney Crosby remains untouchable in Pittsburgh. Evgeni Malkin is more likely to be their best trade chip.
The deal I can see — Malkin to Carolina for Eric Staal.
On the Hurricanes, Predators and Canadiens …
- Chris Nichols of Today’s SlapShot: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 1200 on Eric Staal and the Hurricanes.
“I certainly – I know Eric Staal doesn’t want to leave and with his no-movement clause, he doesn’t have to. But if I were him, I would think pretty strongly about leaving if that’s what Carolina wants. Now again, we are not saying they do. They haven’t met yet. But if that’s the decision, the reason I would if I were Eric Staal is that you augment your own market value heading into UFA by going to a contender and perhaps playing well. Or you at least have the chance to augment your value. So that’s something to consider.
“But given how rarely No. 1 centers are dealt mid-season before the trade deadline, usually it’s always off-season, I would think that the Hurricanes would get decent value on him.
“You think of some of the teams that could really use him, I think of Nashville. It just so happens his former coach, Peter Laviolette, is in Nashville. I think he’d be a great fit there.
“I mean, who knows about Montreal? They’ve been looking for a big center forever.
“But listen, we could do this all day. We could probably look at about 10 teams and think Eric Staal could help them, no question.”
On the Oilers …
- Mark Spector: Think that maybe one of ‘soft skill’ Jordan Eberle or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be viewed as tradeable by GM Peter Chiarelli.
- Steve Simmons: “I don’t know what move Peter Chiarelli needs to make, but it’s clear he needs to do something in Edmonton. That team just doesn’t compete.”
On the Avalanche …
- Adrian Dater: Nathan MacKinnon is the only untouchable: “Sakic said as much to me”
Scouting the Leafs – Oilers …
- David Pagnotta: 16 teams watching the Maple Leafs – Oilers last night: Blackhawks, Sabres, Stars, Hurricanes, Senators, Bruins, Coyotes, Avalanche, Blues (2), Jets, Devils, Rangers, Predators, Kings, Canucks and Blue Jackets.