- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Rangers, Sharks, Bruins and Wings have interest in Ryan Smyth. If the Blue Jackets decide to move Rick Nash, it would take at least a top young player, a prospect and a first-round pick. The Rangers and Kings would be interested. The Blue Jackets higher priority is moving Carter. The Leafs have interest. The Wild are looking for a top end defenseman and may move either Niklas Backstrom or Josh Harding. The Sharks, Rangers, Bruins, and Red Wings are waiting to see what Teemu Selanne decides. Rumors are that the Leafs are willing to offer up Joe Colborne or Nazam Kadri for Tuomo Ruutu.
- Bill Watters via twitter: HNIC noted that the Montreal Canadiens are hot after Blue Jackets Jeff Carter. He is unhappy because he’s not winning in Columbus. The Canadiens will have a big sales job. Kings and Flames are the favorites. Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: (some discussed in hotstove video) Capgeek originally noted that Carter has a no-trade clause from 2012 to 2015, and a modified one after, but according to his agent Carter doesn’t have no-trade clause. It didn’t ‘travel’ with Carter after he was dealt to the Blue Jackets. The Oilers would consider moving Sam Gagner if it could land them a top 4 defenseman, but few teams are willing to give up that much for a small forward who isn’t a great skater. Andy Sutton, Eric Belanger and Ales Hemsky are likely Oilers trade candidates.
- Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove: Sam Gagner hasn’t talked contract with the Oilers. The Oilers are going to see if he can fit into their top 6 from now until the deadline. Healy thinks he’ll stay. Ales Hemsky isn’t getting much interest. Jeff Carter needs to get it going, especially if he wants to move on. The Preds are in a tough situation as they can fit 3 big contracts and not 4, so bringing in a big name player may be tough. If Grabovski wants to be a Leaf, Healy thinks he’ll take $5 million to stay.
- Corey Pronman of ESPN: Pronman lists top prospects for teams who are said to be buyers. Detroit Red Wings: Brendan Smith, Gustav Nyquist, Calle Jarnkrok, Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar. Chicago Blackhawks: Mark McNeill, Brandon Pirri, Brandon Saad, Jeremy Morin and Adam Clendening. Philadelphia Flyers: Eric Wellwood, Ben Holmstrom, Tom Sestito, Blake Kessel and Brendan Ranford. Toronto Maple Leafs: Joe Colborne, Nazem Kadri, Jesse Blacker, Matt Frattin, and Greg McKegg.
- Darren Dreger of TSN: (mailbag) The Rangers don’t really like Jeff Carter, but like Bobby Ryan a lot. They will be keeping an eye on the Predators Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. Marek Zidlicky is unhappy in Minnesota, and will have to waive his no-trade clause, teams will be interested. The Jets would love to add a top center and high quality defenseman, though they won’t give up Kane, Bogosian or any of their core assets. Dreger doesn’t buy that Carter’s contract makes him difficult to move. The Kings have moderate interest. He may be hard to fit in the Flames salary cap. Brian Burke hates big contracts, but Carter is the type of player he is looking for.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Wings goalie Jimmy Howard thinks he’ll be out 2 weeks, despite being told it could be longer.
“I’m hopeful it won’t take the 4-to-6 weeks that they’re calling for,” Howard said. “Hopefully, it’s only a couple of weeks. I’m being optimistic. I don’t really know what the time line is, to be honest. Hopefully, I can be back even sooner.”
- Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: The Wild could be close to signing defenseman Nate Prosser to a 2 year contract extension.
- Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea: The Sharks could use some 2nd and 3rd line scoring help. If they go after a the likes of Cory Perry, Derek Roy, Brenden Morrow, Zach Parise, Ales Hemsky, Patrick Elias, Jarome Iginla or Shane Doan, it would have take a big package. They may have to include a Joe Pavelski. Second level players that would take less than Joe Pavelski could be Tuomo Ruutu, Milan Hejduk, Vinny Prospa, Michael Ryder, Ryan Smyth, Andrei Kostitsyn, Ray Whitney, Dominic Moore or Andrew Ladd. Some have no trade clauses.