- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Answers from Matheson’s Q&A. Fernando Pisani may be the easiest to move for picks. Ethan Moreau and Steve Staios could also go for draft picks. Maybe one of either Sheldon Souray ($5.4 million) or Lubomir Visnovsky ($5.6 million); and maybe one of either Tom Gilbert or Denis Grebeshkov. Patrick O’Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano might also draw some interest. He lists the untouchables as: Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky, Ladislav Smid, Brule, Sam Gagner, Zack Stortini, Shawn Horcoff, J.F. Jacques and prospects Taylor Chorney, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Anton Lander or Jeff Petry.
- TheFouthPeriod.com: Teams are keeping an eye on Maple Leafs winger Niklas Hagman. Toronto may be inclined to keep him and his $3 million salary (2 more years), but his value on the trade market would be higher than a Stajan, or Stempniak.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Bruins GM, Peter Chiarelli, has been working the phones of late, but nothing is close at the moment. The Bruins have had trouble scoring lately, and will be without Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron for at least a couple weeks.
- Sean Gordon of the Globe and Mail: The Montreal Canadiens have roughly $44.8 million tied up next year for 13 players. They should be able to re-sign 2 of the 3, Plekanec, Price and Halak, but will still have some work to do to fill out their roster under the cap. Glen Metropolit, Paul Mara, and Marc-Andre Bergeron most likely won’t be brought back.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators and UFA defenceman Anton Volchenkov haven’t had any talks yet, but Volchenkov’s agent is sure they will.
Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to have surgery to repair a hernated disc.