- Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times: Source saying the Blackhawks are kicking tires on a group of rental, depth defensemen. They have cap issues for next season, and will have to more at least one big name player, but that isn’t expected to happen until the offseason.
“In order to make a deal, it’s going to be money for money,” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman told the Sun-Times recently. “So to bring in a player, you’d have to give up somebody who’s a regular in your lineup. … If we get back to completely healthy, then there might be a smaller move. But I’m not looking at the trade deadline as a big moment.”
- Scott Lewis of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos was on Sportsnet 590. Hypothetical trade was brought up: Nail Yakupov for Jonathan Bernier.
“Edmonton would not make that deal,” Kypreos said. “Not a chance. If they are, someone should be fired immediately.”
Kypreos doesn’t think the Oilers should be looking to move Yakupov just yet.
“You let this thing ride out,” Kypreos said. “You’re going to find out how good of a pick, at first overall, Yakupov is before you even think about moving him out in the off-season… unless you get an offer you can’t refuse.
- Andy Strickland: The Red Wings are loaded with left-handed defenseman and are looking for a right-handed one. They are strongly interested in Jeff Petry but won’t overpay.
- Jim Matheson: Jeff Petry’s agent, Wade Arnott, usually returns messages. Quiet now so maybe he’s talking deal with the Oilers. Wonder why he wouldn’t try free agency.
- Jim Matheson: Petry didn’t seem worried about his ribs. If he misses a game or two it’s no big deal for a trade possibility.
- Jameson Olive of Fox Sports Florida: Panthers Sean Bergenheim wished things stayed quiet and GM Dale Tallon is trying to accommodate Bergenheim’s request.
“I wish none of this would have come out,” Bergenheim told the Miami Herald last week. “When I asked for a trade, I thought everything would be kept — as it should — within the team. This shouldn’t have been done this way.”
“There’s some interest. We’ll see what happens there,” Tallon told the Sun Sentinel. “I’ve said from Day 1, if you don’t want to be a Panther, then we’ll accommodate you.”
