- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: There is no new progress to report on the Steven Stamkos contract extension. Yzerman was in Toronto but didn’t meet with Stamkos’s side. “I go back to what I said before, we have to make a deal that makes sense for everybody involved, and I can’t give a time frame on how long that will take,” Yzerman said.
- EJ Hradek via twitter: Hradek doesn’t see the Penguins trading Evgeny Malkin, but it’s possible that they talk about it internally.
- James Murphy of ESPN: A source inside the Boston Bruins has said they may consider allowing Tyler Seguin join Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. This move would give the Bruins some cap relief. With the glut of centers, they may leave Seguin on the wing for the remainder of the season. Marco Sturm should be back in a few weeks, with the Bruins needing to shed between $3.1 and $3.2 million. Jordan Caron has struggled of late and could find himself heading to the AHL. If Seguins was loaned to the Juniors, Caron sent to the AHL, and a Daniel Paille trade (being shopped by the team), would get them cost to the cap when Sturm returns.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Marco Sturm has a no trade clause and not a no movement clause, Murphy still doesn’t see the Bruins waiving him.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: The Colorado Avalanche will move Tomas Fleischmann back to his natural left wing position, playing with either Paul Stastny or Matt Duchene.
- Elliotte Friendman of CBC Sports: A few GM’s think Marco Sturm will be placed on waivers. If Brad Richards hits the open market in July, he’ll be looking for a team with stable ownership after being in Tampa and Dallas. Friedman wonders if San Jose would be interested in Francois Beauchemin. Another option for the Sharks could be James Wisniewski. Friedman thinks Daniel Alfredsson is injured more than he’s letting on.
- Brian McNally via twitter: The Capitals had been talking with the Avalanche since August about bringing in Scott Hannan. The Caps had $3.8 million in cap room, they’ll now have $2.5 million in cap space for a deadline deal. Corey Masisak via twitter: Caps GM George McPhee says they would have cap space to add a $8 million player at the deadline, Masisak throws out Brad Richards name.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: LeBrun on Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle,
I believe Randy Carlyle is one of the best coaches in the league. But sometimes — and that time may be coming — you stay long enough in the same place and the players stop responding. It’s why great coaches like Scotty Bowman didn’t stay in the same place forever; the late Pat Burns coached four different teams to impressive levels of success. But like any coach, the players stop responding after a while. It may be that time has come in Anaheim.
- Jason Brough of the Vancouver Province: Kevin Bieksa’s name continues to the center of trade rumors, but there is a chance he stays with the Canucks as there is a chance Sami Salo won’t be able to play this year.
“I think it’s hilarious. It’s funny how you guys keep throwing my name out there and I’m still standing here. I don’t think I can comment on every rumour that’s out there, but certainly with this one, I’m still here today and that’s all I can say. Rumours are out there and I’ve had my fair share. I’ve learned to deal with it and it doesn’t bother me.”