- TSN Insider Trading: Darren Dreger: Tyler Myers name is out there. The Sabres have had talks with the Red Wings, and the Ducks could be interested as well.Bob McKenzie: Sabres Chris Stewart and Drew Stafford could also be getting some interest. The Sabres may look for a young prospect for the pending UFAs. Travis Moen (MON) and Eric Brewer (TB) could also be available.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Ken Campbell of The Hockey News suggested the Oilers may need to trade Jordan Eberle to get help down the middle. Some others see this as a good idea as well, though GM Craig MacTavish sees Eberle as one of his core players, and a trade is unlikely. Staples would move David Perron before Eberle, though at this point, he doesn’t see that happening either. It may take until January or February. Staples adds that with RNH and Leon Draisaitl, a top two center may not be needed as much as a third line two-way center.
- Randy Miller of NJ.com: With Braydon Coburn’s injury, Flyers GM Ron Hextall could look to trade for a veteran defenseman. The Flyers have $2.055 million in cap space.
“We’ll look at all our options and pick our best option. I don’t have an answer for you right now. I don’t know how long it’s going to be. That will play into it.”
- Chris Nichols on Nichols on Hockey: Pierre LeBrun on TSN 690 on trade talk.
“There’s some tire-kicking. I mean, Anaheim was in on Boychuk and thought the price was too high, so I think the Ducks are continuing just to see what’s out there in terms of a defenseman.
“I think Detroit could use a right-handed shot defenseman and they’ve sort of made a few phone calls.
“Ottawa is a team that’s worth monitoring here as long as Marc Methot doesn’t sign an extension. I don’t think they want to let that play out until March, so something’s got to give there. Either he’s going to sign, or I think there’s a possibility he gets traded.”
- Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I’ll only say this from what I can understand I think there’s a level of cohesion among the players that you wouldn’t think exists when looking from the outside.” … “The players have banded together after going through the loss against the Kings, then going through the management saying they wanted to make changes & realizing they couldn’t do that.”
- Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos: “The friction started with the Neal move. He wasn’t happy they traded him.” … “There were some whispers that there were problems in the room with Neal. That was the furthest thing from the truth.” Hope Smoke: Doug MacLean: “I was told Mike Johnston travelled to Russia and Malkin wouldn’t even give him the time of the day” … “I talked to someone who would know and he said that’s the furthest thing from the truth, Malkin had dinner with him “
- Elliotte Friedman: “1) Interesting note on Pronger: he will be eligible to stay on LTIR, but sounds like PHI may (per @tpanotchCSN) put him on non-roster IR. 2) The basic difference is it means his salary would count against the cap. (Same as Rich Peverley in DAL). We’ll find out .”
- Aaron Portzline: The Blue Jackets are reportedly not happy with Ryan Johansen’s conditioning, GM Jarmo Kekalainen wouldn’t comment.