- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Penguins are looking add forward and defenseman, or at least one of them. They are keeping an eye on Maple Leafs Daniel Winnik and Mike Santorelli, but they aren’t alone. It is believed that the Leafs are asking for a second round pick for each, which some teams think is too high. On the blueline they’d like to add someone with a bit of experience. On their radar are Cody Franson, Jeff Petry and on the lower side of things, Scott Hannan and Jan Hejda. If Marc Methot doesn’t sign with the Senators, he could become an option.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Source saying Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is still looking to add a top-six forward, or at least a top-nine forward. They gained some cap flexibility from the Kane trade.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Injuries to Jason Zucker, Matt Cooke and Ryan Carter may have the Wild looking to add eventually.
“Every time you have injuries, you can’t just run out to the market and pull the trigger to fill the hole that’s been created,” Fletcher told ESPN.com Thursday. “Sometimes you can do it, but you can’t go out and force things. The first look always has to be inside your group and hopefully there’s opportunity there for players to either move up in the lineup or players to get called up and play. You can’t always look to the outside.”
The Wild have traded a bunch of prospects and picks the past couple seasons and they can’t continue with that. GM Chuck Fletcher didn’t want to send a second round pick to the Sabres last month for Jhonas Enroth, instead he sent a third to the Coyotes for Devan Dubnyk.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Sources from other teams are saying Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin has been active on the phones. He could be looking to add a forward and a defenseman before the deadline. He’d rather make a hockey deal and get someone with term left. He could end up doing a rental at the last minute if he can’t get another deal done.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: On the 2018 Olympics.
“Future Olympic participation is something we will need to focus on at an appropriate time, both with the IOC and with the players’ association,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN.com Wednesday. “There continues to be a lot of moving pieces, including the recently announced World Cup of Hockey scheduled for September of 2016. That tournament and its success may not be determinative with respect to the decision we ultimately make on the Olympics, but it certainly will play a part in the overall discussion.”
The players have always wanted to play in the Olympics.
“Participation in the Olympics has always been important for NHL players,” NHLPA executive director Don Fehr told ESPN.com Thursday. “We look forward to an enhanced series of international hockey events, including the Olympics, provided, as in the past, that an appropriate agreement is reached with all relevant parties.”