Morning Hits: 2012 Draft, Backlund, New Avs lines, Dubnyk and the Sabres
Aaron Portzline: Former Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson was thrilled when the Oilers drafted Nail Yakupov over Ryan Murray in 2012. The Blue Jackets wouldn't have drafted Yakupov at No 2. Portzline thinks (if remembers correctly) that Howson would have taken Alex…
Afternoon Hits: Baertschi, Weber, LaBarbera, Kuemper, Rome and Morin
Roger Millions: Sources saying that Flames coach Bob Hartley has reached his peak in frustration with Sven Baertschi. Looking like he'll miss tonight's game and maybe more. Bob McKenzie: The Canucks put Yannick Weber on waivers. The Oilers put Jason…
Morning Rumors: Oilers, Flyers, Flames, Jets, Canadiens, Canucks, Sabres and Scouting Avs-Blues
TSN: Some quotes from Oilers GM Craig MacTavish: "I have not seen the same, beat-up, negative group that I've seen here in the past. If I thought for one instant it was a lack of work ethic on the players'…
Injury Notes: Quick, Emelin, McQuaid, Green, Vanek, Volchenkov, Dvorak, Skinner and Glencross
Jon Rosen: Kings Jonathan Quick has a grade 2 groin strain. John Lu: Canadiens Alexei Emelin said he'll return to the lineup on Saturday against the Rangers. Joe McDonald: Bruins Adam McQuaid was able to ride a stationary bike. Chuck…
Morning Rumors: Yakupov, Lundqvist, Goalie Market, Hemsky, Candiens, Leafs, Panthers, Caps and Flyers
Craig Custance: Nail Yakupov's agent said that if the Oilers are unhappy with Yakupov, they are open to a trade: "We're willing to make a move. Any team. That happens and that's part of life." Bob Stauffer: On Larionov and…
Morning Hits: Steckel, Briere, Downie, Whitney, Mottau, Beleskey, Fasth and Berra
Ryan Kennedy: Ducks signed Dave Steckel to a one-year, two-way deal. Renaud Lavoie: Daniel Briere will be back in the Canadiens lineup tonight. Tim Panaccio: Flyers Steve Downie has been cleared to play. George Richards: The Panthers send Ryan Whitney…
Injury Notes: Lightning, Leopold, Islanders, Getzlaf, Koivu, Emelin, Moore, Nash and Stempniak
Erik Erlendsson: The Lightning confirm that Steven Stamkos has a broken right tibia and will be out indefinitely. Nick Kypreos: The break isn't overly complicated and participating in the Sochi Olympics may not be out of the question. Damian Cristodero:…
Morning Rumors: Oilers and Flyers, Scouting Avs-Flames and Ducks goaltenders
Ryan Rishaug: Don't hold your breath on another Oilers trade coming soon. Sense is they are done for the time being, nothing imminent. Dan Tencer: Oilers GM Craig MacTavish on the rumor mill: "Certainly no moves imminent and hopefully none…
Injury Notes: Hall to return … Skinner out a couple weeks … Glencross out six weeks
Lonnie Herman of NHL.com: Oilers Taylor Hall will return to the lineup tonight against the Lightning. He'll be wearing a knee brace for the remainder of the season. "When they told me I'd be out four weeks you always think…
Lines and Goalies: Flames, Leafs, Oilers, Lightning, Rangers, Devils, Panthers and Flyers
Roger Millions: Flames lines: Cammalleri Colborne Galiardi - jackman Monahan Hudler - Bouma Stajan D. Jones - Reinhart Backlund McGrattan David Alter: Maple Leafs lines: Lupul-JVR-Kessel Raymond-Kadri-Clarkson Bodie-McClement-Kulemin McLaren-Smithson-Orr Ashton. Defensive pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf Fraser-Ranger Gardiner-Franson Rielly-Liles Bob Stauffer: Oilers lines:…
Afternoon Hits: Tootoo, Anders, Moore, Fraser, Ericsson, Omark, Reinhart and some line combos
Renaud Lavoie: The Red Wings put Jordin Tootoo on waivers. The Panthers put Steven Pinizzotto on waivers. Helene St. James: If Tootoo goes unclaimed and is sent to the AHL, the Wings will get $925,000 in cap relief. Bruce Garrioch:…
Morning Rumors: Vanek, Kings, Senators-Panthers, Tennessee Tax and MacDonald
Bruce Garrioch: Thomas Vanek said that he never discussed a new deal with the Sabres. No offer was made. David Pagnotta: The Kings tried to make a trade to clear up room for Linden Vey. Ended up putting Keaton Ellerby…