- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review: The Penguins still need to add a second-pairing defenseman to play with Christian Ehrhoff. They also need that cushion of a second-pairing Dmen as Ehrhoff just returned from a concussion. The Penguins could also use a winger for Evgeni Malkin. Rossi thinks the Pens should keep an eye on Jaromir Jagr as a winger for Malkin. When Jagr’s name was brought up to Malkin.
“Yes,” Malkin said. “Of course. Yes. Jagr is great with (the) puck, still great at passing, still has (the) shot. You watch. He is still great. He would be great for us. Guys (would) see him work. He works hard every day. He makes big plays still. He wins. Yes.
“You think maybe he can come here?”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: (mailbag) Would think if the Blue Jackets were able to trade James Wisniewski, it would be for a young player, a significant pick or a player with term. You can’t limit your demands for someone as it could be different team-by-team. Curtis McElhiney is a pending UFA and the club may be interested in bringing him back.
- Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie on NBCSN NHL Live last night on the Capitals, Blackhawks and Curtis Glencross.
“Washington is definitely interested in Curtis Glencross and Curtis Glencross may well be interested in Washington. He’s got a no-trade clause that allows him to specify only six teams that he could go to.
“Now, the Washington Capitals are not on that list of six teams. But he is open-minded about going to Washington because they’ve obviously had a good year and that list was submitted quite some time ago. So while it has not been officially documented with the Calgary Flames that Washington is an okay destination for Curtis Glencross, the belief is that he is open to going to Washington and that Washington is one of a number of teams that are interested.
“Chicago Blackhawks have scouts at the Calgary-New Jersey game tonight. Everybody is wondering: ‘Would the Blackhawks be interested in Jagr?’
“Much more interested in Glencross than they would be Jagr.”
McKenzie on the Bruins.
“There’s no question the Boston Bruins are talking to the Buffalo Sabres about Chris Stewart and maybe some other elements there to try to make something happen. Very precarious situation in Boston with all of the pressure on general manager Pete Chiarelli and head coach Claude Julien.”
McKenzie on the Rangers.
“One name that’s been linked to the New York Rangers is Tyler Bozak, a center with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who would not be an easy deal to do because of the financial implications. Bozak has term and dollars left on his deal, so it’s not easy for a cap team like the New York Rangers. But at least that’s one player’s name who’s out there as maybe the Rangers having some interest if they could find a way to facilitate the dollars.”
McKenzie on the Blackhawks.
“Patrick Sharp, it’s almost a foregone conclusion he will need to be dealt in the offseason.
“Johnny Oduya, he’s an expiring contract. It’s going to be extremely difficult to sign Johnny Oduya to a contract.
“Bryan Bickell, there’s all sorts of talk of whether he’s there for the long term or whether there are going to be too many financial pressures on this group as currently constructed.