- Craig Custance of ESPN: Acquiring a first round pick is getting harder these days.
“The second-round pick has become the currency of choice on deadline day,” said one Western Conference executive. “The first-round-pick trend has moved to second-round picks.”
The Hurricanes want a first round pick for Andrej Sekera, but they might have to include another piece to get one. Would Sekera and another rental like Jay McClement or Jiri Tlusty be enough to get a first? A second round pick and prospect for Sekera seems the most likely scenario.
The Panthers have been looking for a scorer for over a year, so the talk of Phil Kessel makes some sense as long as the Panthers don’t give up a cornerstone piece. Getting out of the media glare may be good for Kessel. Panthers GM Dale Tallon was part of the USA Hockey management for the 2014 Olympics that featured Kessel.
If the Kings remain in the playoff hunt, the odds of them trading pending UFA Justin Williams decrease. Source saying the Kings are not looking to trade pending RFA Martin Jones. They will get calls for him.
- Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Sharks goalie Antti Niemi is reportedly available for trade heading into the March 2nd deadline. Niemi is a pending UFA and it’s understandable that GM Doug Wilson would prefer to try and get something for him as opposed to losing him for nothing. Alex Stalock hasn’t had the season the Sharks had hoped for and moving Niemi would make it more difficult for them to make the playoffs.
- Darren Dreger: At least six teams are interested in Leafs Roman Polak. The Leafs are hesitant to trade him. He’s under contract for one more year, he’s a hard worker and a good role model.
- Habs Links: Bob McKenzie: “1 player I believe MTL would be interested in talking to TOR about is Roman Polak“
- Chris Johnston: Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas: “We have to do things the right way. That may mean starting from the beginning.”