- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Predators defenseman Ryan Suter said he won’t sign a contract extension before the trade deadline.
“I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything,” Suter said of signing now. “We’ve never had a timeline or deadline. We’re just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself.”
“I don’t see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something done,” Suter confirmed. “I’m a Nashville Predator until July. I will focus on making my team better.”
The Preds do have on of the lowest payrolls, but GM David Poile says that have the go ahead from ownership to change that.
“I think that’s the hardest part, you look at the past and seeing guys go through your team like Forsberg, Timonen, Hartnell — you go down the list, all you see is guys leaving,” Weber said. “You want to believe him , they’ve got the right things in mind. If they say they’re going to do it , then they should do it and we’ve got to trust them.”
- David Pollak via twitter: A Sharks source says there is “zero chance” that Ryane Clowe is available for trade before the trade deadline.
- Chris Botta via twitter: Botta hasn’t heard of the Corey Perry to Vancouver rumors, and doubts it would be Ducks GM Bob Murray’s to team to trade him to.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Enrico Ciccone on a TV said that Patrice Brisebois claims a trade is being considered between the Ducks and Canucks. The Ducks would trade Corey Perry for Cory Schneider, Mason Raymond and Keith Ballard.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Jeff Carter’s name has been connected to the Kings, but Bernstein wouldn’t bring him in.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein doesn’t believe there is anything to the Jack Johnson for James van Riemsdyk rumor, but the Flyers are definitely shopping him.
- Mike Boone of the Montreal Gazette: Boone thinks the Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier shouldn’t think about trading defenseman P.K. Subban.
- Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk: Brough lists some pending UFAs that could be available: Hal Gill, Pavel Kubina, Tim Gleason, Bryan Allen, Adrian Aucoin, Andy Sutton, Chris Campoli, Steve Staios, Milan Jurcina and Brett Clark.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: There have been rumors of the Maple Leafs have an interest in Sam Gagner. The Oilers are looking for a defenseman, and should look at Carl Gunnarsson or Luke Schenn. Schenn’s name as been in the rumors more often than Gunnarsson of late.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Marty Turco signed with EC Redbull Salzburg, but he has an out clause until the trade deadline.