- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are looking for a defenseman to replace Dan Boyle who will be out for up to six weeks. There are not a lot of options, so they may go with what they have on their roster and from within the organization for now. They will move Kevin Klein up to the second paring and have Matt Hunwick on the third pairing with John Moore. Michael Kostka was recalled.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Darren Dreger on Wednesday night:
The Edmonton Oilers are weak up the middle of the ice. We know that Craig MacTavish is looking for a centre; it’s not a perfect scenario to have an 18-year-old in Leon Draisaitl be your number two centre. Jeff Petry, defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers, name is out there. Not suggesting that the Oilers are shopping him – they need to see what they’ve got in Klefbom, they need to see what they have in Darnell Nurse – but he’s a piece of the puzzle they might use if there is a centre that fits what they need.
Jeff Petry is making over $3 million and could be looking for more than that as a UFA. Willis notes that Petry was arguably their best defenseman last year and with their depth chart not being that deep, it wouldn’t been a good idea to trade him.
- Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes haven’t ruled out moving Sam Gagner from center to wing.
“His injury kind of set us back on that evaluation a little bit,” coach Dave Tippett said. “We put him back to where he’s most comfortable. We feel like with Klinkhammer and Korpi beside him, that’s size and speed with him, and hopefully it can be a good line for us.”
The Coyotes are still owed an All-Star Game as the lockout in 2004-05 wiped theirs out. Last year the Coyotes were rumored to be in the running for an outdoor game.
- Renaud Lavoie: The NHL is forecasting a 3.5 percent increase in HRR for this season. Players will pay 14 percent into escrow in the first quarter.
- Hope Smoke: Elliotte Friedman said that the NHL has been asking Joe Nieuwendyk for years to join the Department of Player Safety but he kept refusing.
