- Craig Custance of ESPN: Teams are closing in on the point where they know what they have and what they may need. Blue GM Doug Armstrong:
“A lot of groundwork has been laid and (Tuesday) was more putting fertilizer on some of those seeds you planted to see what happens. You get more work done when you’re in the room with 30 people than trying to pick up the phone 30 different times.”
Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster:
“We have a lot of work to do,” Flames GM Jay Feaster said. “We’re not happy where we are. We need to improve in a lot of areas. This isn’t acceptable to be where we are right now.”
The Hurricanes are 1-5-0 in their last 6 and are in need of a shakeup. The Islanders have dropped to last in the Eastern Conference. The Jets may be thinking long-term and have 2 UFA’s in Chris Mason and Johnny Oduya. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff:
“I’m not a big believer on putting deadlines on anything,” he said. “You make decisions based on what the right timing is for you. The league puts a lot of deadlines on you for signing guys or trading deadlines, so you certainly have parameters. But I’m not going to put any deadlines on it.”
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The NHL board of governors will vote on realignment at the Dec. 5th-6th meetings. The Wings would like to move to the Eastern Conference, or at least play home-and-homes with the other Conference. Western Conference teams don’t want to see the Red Wings move to the East. Coyotes GM Don Maloney reiterated his stance with Kyle Turris.
“For the 15-hundredth time, we have no intention of trading him, regardless of the offer, at all whatsoever,” Maloney told ESPN.com.
Turris has 1 and 2 year offers from the Coyotes sitting on the table. The Blue Jackets have intensified their efforts to get a goalie. Antero Niittymaki won’t be back for another 3-4 weeks, but could be on the move at some point. Teams have inquired to see if he’s available.
- The Fourth Period: The LA Kings and NJ Devils maybe talking trade, they are both scouting each other. The Devils have been interested in Jonathan Bernier in the past, but sources close to the Kings have said they are not interested in trading Bernier at this moment, unless blown away by an offer. The Devils may also be looking for some scoring help, but that help likely isn’t coming from the Kings, unless they are interested in Dustin Penner. Dustin Brown and Jack Johnson could be trade candidates as well.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson notes the Predators have positioned themselves well to retain both Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. They may be able to get Suter in the 7 years for $49 million range and Weber for 6 or 5 years at $7.5 million. Matheson doesn’t see them trading either defenseman and wouldn’t be surprised if Alexander Radulov returns to Nashville next season. Matheson also thinks that if Linus Omark isn’t called up in the next month, he’ll head back to Europe.
- James Murphy via twitter: Murphy calls the Rask for Nash rumors bogus and comical.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Haggerty thinks that David Krejci could be the odd guy out in Boston with Bergeron and Seguin down the middle. The Bruins aren’t sure he’s a $5 million a year guy.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: CSKA of the KHL is working on a loan with the Senators regarding Nikita Filatov.
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has said again that he is not interested in Marty Turco. Names on Burke’s radar could be Scott Clemmensen (FLA), Evgeni Nabokov (NYI) and Antero Niittymaki (SJ). Saturday will mark 4 weeks since James Reimer has hit by Brian Gionta. Ben Scrivens will start tonight, marking his 6th start in the last 7 games.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein wonders if it’s time for the Trent Hunter experiment in LA to end, and to bring up a young speedy forward.
- Tim Sassone via twitter: If Blackhawks Rostislav Olesz is sent to the minors, they’ll have $6.95 million in cap space. Plenty of room for a center and/or a power play QB.