- Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: After Coyotes Keith Yandle, the best available defensemen include Zbynek Michalek, Andrej Sekera, Jeff Petry and Roman Polak. The Kings are looking at Polak. The Red Wings may be after Petry. The Ducks and Kings could be looking at Michalek. The Flyers have eight defenseman on their roster and may be looking to move at least one.
- Ken Warren of Ottawa Citizen: The Senators currently have eight defenseman under contract for next year, but GM Bryan Murray may not be in a rush to trade one.
“If we don’t move anyone before deadline, maybe that’s a good thing,” said Murray, suggesting trade options could be better in the summer. “The deadline doesn’t mean too much to us now.”
Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen could be the most likely defenseman to get moved by the start of next season. The Senators payroll for next year is over $60 million after Marc Methot’s signing, with pending RFAs Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson. The Senators might be able to get prospects and/or draft picks back for Cowan, who has two years left with a $3.1 million cap hit. Wiercioch may be able to be had for the same price. He carries a $2 million cap hit and a $2.7 million salary for next year.
- Chris Peters of CBS Sports: Players likely to be traded: Antoine Vermette, Andrej Sekera, Daniel Winnik, Chris Stewart and Jeff Petry. Possible to be traded: Zbynek Michalek, Keith Yandle, Tyler Bozak, Jaromir Jagr and Cam Atkinson.
- Larry Brooks: Would think that with Kevin Hayes’ play of late, would be more likely that the Rangers are looking for a winger, or someone that can play both wing and center. They could also use a defenseman.
- David Pagnotta: The Kings did speak with the Maple Leafs about Franson and Santorelli, but didn’t like the asking price. Talks remain on Dion Phaneuf but it’s a complicated deal.
- Damien Cox: Wonder if the trade market for Dion Phaneuf heats up now that Tyler Myers, Zach Bogosian and Cody Franson are off the market.
- Nichols on Hockey: Darren Dreger on TSN 1050 on Jaromir Jagr.
“So if you’re looking for a power play specialist, or a low-minute guy who can step in and give you that offensive injection, then there might be interest in Jagr.
“People want to connect him to Pittsburgh because of their history. I don’t have the information to say that it’s absolutely not going to happen. I’ve been told by people in Pittsburgh highly, highly unlikely.
“But we’re going to find out more about Jagr this week, and we’ll report that on Insider Trading. Because this is the week where Jagr and his people were to meet with where Lou Lamoriello is saying, ‘Okay, the Devils aren’t qualifying for the post-season, so let’s find a way to cut bait.”
