Rumors VI: Bruins, Blues, Panthers, Ducks and Leafs
  • Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston: The Bruins are in a position to make an impactful move or two. The Bruins can put David Krejci and Kevan Miller on the LTIR to create some extra cap space. Gary Bettman doesn’t think the Bruins are trying to pull a fast one.

    “We frown upon the use of loopholes, but I don’t think an injury was sustained in order to create a loophole,” Bettman said. “The rules are the rules. They’re competitive. The collective bargaining agreement tends to be fairly clear, and we try to enforce it consistently across the board.”

    “You can only ice a certain number of skaters, and the fact of the matter is, who’s to say how severely the injury will impact his play longer term, what kind of shape he’s been in?” Bettman said. “These are all speculative questions, and I’m not trying to duck them; it’s just simply let’s wait and see what happens before we draw any conclusions.”

    A six week timeline would put Krejci back at about the first week of April. The Bruins have five games in April, with their last game on April 11th. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will make a trade by the deadline.

  • Jimmy Murphy: One NHL executive said: “If Dennis Seidenberg is really on market, Red Wings should so whatever it takes to get him! I know I would!”
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Blues Kevin Shattenkirk has started skating but is still “weeks” away from being able to get back into the lineup. The Blues may be interested in adding a defenseman. Potential targets could be Marek Zidlicky, Keith Yandle and Zbynek Michalek. The Blues could also look to add something up front. Among the forwards that are available are Jaromir Jagr and Antoine Vermette.
  • The Fourth Period: Blues GM Doug Armstrong scouted the Flames-Rangers last night and the Devils-Coyotes on Monday. The Blues have been linked to Leafs Joffrey Lupul.
  • Jameson Olive: Source outside the Panthers said that the Panthers could have gotten more for Sean Bergenheim if they traded him within the East.
  • Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “I think the Ducks want to improve their D & their F ranks. I think Anaheim still wants to do more”
  • Hope Smoke: Nick Kypreos on the Fan 590: “I don’t think the jury’s completely out on but in a perfect world they’re negotiation a 5-6 year deal that puts Bernier among the top 10-15 paid goalies in the NHL & that’s not happening anymore”