Robyn Norwood of the LA Times: The Anaheim Ducks will be without Teemu Selanne for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery to repair 2 broken bones in his jaw after he took a puck in the face the other night. His participation in the Olympics is in question. He should be fully healed by the trade deadline day.
John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators find themselves in a situation similar to the Montreal Canadiens, they have 2 free goalies (Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis) who think they should be a number one goalie. The Preds have been rotating between goalies lately. They may be leaning towards keeping both goalies for the remainder of the season and then trade one before July 1st and at least receive some compensation. “I don’t see (a goalie trade) happening now, but if one of our guys was to play 15 games in a row before the deadline, or if there were injuries, problems or holes in another area we needed to fill … ” Poile said before the team left on its three-game swing.
Rich Hammond of the LAKingsInsider.com: Hammond interviews GM Dean Lombardi. Lombardi has a meeting scheduled this month with Frolov’s agent. If they are unable to reach a deal by the trade deadline, they are still most likely going to hang on to him instead of trading for draft picks. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Frolov would be part of a package to bring a star, such as some guy playing in Atlanta.
Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero has begun contract talks with defenceman Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. I think it will be tough to fit both Gonchar and Letang under the Pens salary cap, unless both players sign for a friendly number.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Pascal Leclaire suffered a mild concussion at yesterday’s morning skate after taking a shot to the head. The Sens goaltender statistics rank among the worst, and sf the Sens begin looking for a goalie, expect to hear Martin Biron’s name come up. Same could be said for any team that might be in the market for a goalie.
The Calgary Herald: The Flames would like to re-sign both Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque. Jokinen would have to take a pay cut, and Bourque will be looking for a big raise as he’s having an excellent season. Some are saying Bourque could get in the neighbourhood of $4 million a season.
