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)…
Morning Hits: Hawks-Pens at Soldier Field, Ribeiro not thinking contract, Jets, Avalanche and Bergeron talks
Hockey Central: The Blackhawks will host the Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1st. Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times: Capitals UFA Mike Ribeiro said he's not worried about his next contract. He could earn his next contact with a good…
Morning Hits: The Avalanche, Miller’s time over in Buffalo? UFAs Brunner and Jones
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Dater thinks that the Avalanche will have to trade one of their centers at some point. Paul Stastny and Ryan O'Reilly are likely the two they'll consider trading. O'Reilly can't be moved until Feb.…
Garrioch Rumor Roundup … No talks with Iginla … Perry to test open market? Scouting CBJ-DET and CAL-LA
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Two league executives have said that Panthers GM Dale Tallon is willing to listen to all offers as they are basically out of it. Exceptions are Jonathan Huberdeau, Erik Gudbranson, Jakob Markstrom and Drew…
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…
Garrioch’s Rumor Roundup … Kick-starting a Flames Rebuild … Canucks Knew About O’Reilly Waiver Issue
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: On the Flames offer sheet to Ryan O'Reilly, "Calgary should have known (the Avs) were going to match it no matter what," said a league insider Friday. "By doing this, what they've done is…
Leafs and Blues talking trade? Might be time for “much needed and anticipated” changes in Calgary
Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources in Toronto have the Blues and Maple Leafs on each other's radar. Nikolai Kulemin's name keeps coming up. Kulemin may need a change of scenery. He's taken a defensive/penalty killing role and gets limited…
Quick Hits: Realignment, O’Reilly, Entry-level contracts, Benn, Stamkos, Kovalev, McGrattan and Panik
Nick Kypreos via twitter: The NHL and NHLPA may soon announce an agreement in principle on realignment for next season. The new realignment agreement may give the players a window to revisit the agreement after the NHL moves on possible…
Flames Offer Sheet for O’Reilly Almost Became Extremely Costly
Chris Johnston via twitter: "For what it's worth, Bill Daly says any quotes from him refuting my story aren't legitimate." Chris Johnston of SportsNet: The Flames may have gotten real lucky that the Avalanche matched their 2-year, $10 million offer…
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…
Calgary Flames File Offer Sheet on Ryan O’Reilly
10:00 PM Colorado Avalanche via twitter: The Avalanche have matched the Flames offer for Ryan O'Reilly. 5:46 PM Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger is reporting the Calgary Flames have signed Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly to a offer sheet. Contract: Cap…