Draft and Trade Rumors: Avalanche, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Senators, Penguins and Ducks
Adrian Dater: Lots of talk that the Avalanche are trying to create a smokescreen by saying they are taking a forward at No. 1. General managers aren't buying it. Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Joe Sakic didn't back down from saying…
Morning Hits: Bickell, Canucks, Rangers, Top 3 draft slots, Gudbranson, Duchene, Flyers, DiPietro and the Islanders
Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports: The Blackhawks would like to re-sign Bryan Bickell for around $1.5-$2 million a season, but he would get more than that if he hit the open market. The Canucks will interview former Stars coach Glen…
Morning Hits: Avs first overall, Time to part ways with Horcoff and Hemsky? Havlat on way out?
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Some potential trade scenarios involving the Avalanche's 1st overall pick.1. Trade the 1st pick to the Panthers (No. 2) or Lightning (No. 3) for an establish player or two and their own 1st round…
Morning Hits: Rask, McDonagh, Bryzgalov, Elias, Dupuis, Stastny and the Avs draft options
Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: It was a "prove it" year for Tuukka Rask as he took over the No. 1 job from Tim Thomas. He was left off the Vezina Trophy ballots after posting the third best save percentage (.929)…
Olympic and Free Agent Notes: Soderberg, Budaj, Howard, Kadri and Rask
From twitter unless otherwise noted Pierre LeBrun: The NHL, NHLPA, IOC and IIHF will meet on Friday to continue their discussions on participating in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. An agreement is not expected yet. Darren Dreger: Carl Soderberg could be…
Quick Hits: Visors, Duchene and O’Reilly not talking, realignment and scouting Leafs-Senators
Eric Macramalla via twitter: The players said no to mandatory visors last year. It needs players consent as per the CBA. Larry Brooks via twitter: Bill Daly said in an email that mandatory visors was "discussed briefly" during the CBA talks…
Trade Rumors: Avalanche, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Flames and Blues
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: If the Avalanche want to trade Ryan O'Reilly at some point, they are going to have to give him the minutes to put up the points. That would mean that either Matt Duchene or…
Blues notes … Avalanche got Burned … Scouting the Flyers, Blues-Hawks, Bruins-Sens … Leafs Will Need to Make Roster Moves
Andy Strickland of TrueHockey: A Blues trade of Kevin Shattenkirk for Daniel Briere makes zero sense for the Blues. Shattenkirk will eventually sign a contract extension with Blues. They talked before the lockout and will resume talks at some point, which…
Injury Notes: Kesler, Malkin, Diaz, Gustafsson, Smith, Khabibulin, Duchene, Johnson, WIlson, Wingles and Havlat
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Canucks Ryan Kesler played six games with a broken foot. He initially suffered the injury back on Feb. 15th and will now be out for 4 to 6 weeks with a fractured right foot. “He…
Injury Notes: Duchene, Franzen, Smith, Quincey, Filppula, Lehtonen and Brassard
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche's Matt Duchene missed last night's game with a groin injury. The Avs are hoping that it isn't long-term, but no timetable is set. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Johan Franzen,…
Injury notes: Karlsson, Kesler, Hiller, Zubrus, Duchene, Jovanovski, Malhotra, Franzen, Schultz and Gleason
Ottawa Senators via twitter: Senators GM Bryan Murray: "Erik had surgery this morning to repair a 70% cut in his achilles. Recovery time is 3-4 months" ... "Erik Karlsson's season is effectively over." Senators.NHL.com: Audio of Murray talking about Erik Karlsson. Vancouver Canucks…
Gerbe had back surgery … Mezsaros back skating … Schneider, Duchene may be heading home … Letang to SKA
Steve Vesey of WIVB: (hat tip to Dobber for link) Sabres forward Nathan Gerbe had offseason back surgery. He couldn't skate for 6 months, and just got back on the ice in the last couple weeks. "It's been a good time…