- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: More Maple Leafs could be on their way out, with Tomas Kaberle’s name at the front again this year,
“You’re right, about the last few years, you listen to the same stuff all the time,” Kaberle told ESPN.com after the team’s morning skate at Air Canada Centre. “It’s not a thing that a player wants to hear. He just wants to concentrate on hockey. But obviously it’s happening , the media analyzes it more and more. I just have to focus on hockey.”
Kaberle holds the no-trade clause. The Bruins, Canadiens, and Rangers are reportedly interested. The Leafs will eventually approach Kaberle with an offer, and he’ll say either yes or no.
“That’s the NHL. It’s going to happen or not. I’m up to it, whatever happens, happens. It’s something every player has to go through at the deadline.”
Kris Versteeg is also wondering about his future as a Leafs as his name is in the trade rumors as well.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk instructed Bryan Murray to get rid of as much salary as possible. Mike Fisher didn’t really want to leave Ottawa, but Nashville is a great fit, professionally and personally. The Kings and Hurricanes had ‘acceptable offers’ on the table for him. Chris Phillips could be next, and Strickland is still hearing that they could be open to re-signing on July 1st.
- Corey Masisak of NHL.com: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson,
“Right now, we’re showing signs of climbing back in. If we can do a deal that makes sense for the team, we’re going to do it.”
If the Blue Jackets decide to sell, Jan Hejda and Mathieu Garon could be made available.
Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini,
“This year there’s not the pressure to move players in order to make room. We have enough room for our young players,” Tambellini said to the Journal. “But I’m approaching this as I have other deadlines — where I am wide open to listening to ideas of how other teams can help make us a better team now, and maybe importantly, in the future.”
Jim Vandermeer, Dustin Penner, and Ales Hemsky’s names have been out there.
Washington is happy with Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth and won’t be adding a ‘potential No. 1 goalie’ this month. Washington may look at adding a center.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein doesn’t think the Kings are waiting too long to make a deal, will go down to deadline day.
- Adrian Dater via twitter: Peter Forsberg may be in the Avalanche lineup tomorrow against Columbus.
- Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Edmonton Oilers GM Tambellini,
“There’s a lot of different scenarios that will come across the desk in the next couple of weeks and if it’s younger, great,” Tambellini said. “If it’s something that makes sense as far as a veteran, we’ll look at that, too.
“We’ll make a deal if it’s good for the Oilers moving forward. If not, we’re very comfortable with where we’re at. We have young players in young positions, we have good veterans playing hard in their positions and contributing from a leadership perspective.”