- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Sami Salo left last nights game with a lower-body injury (possibly groin). The Canucks are already without defencemen Kevin Bieksa and Willie Mitchell. This is a good lead in Jeff Gordon’s post below, and Matt Sekeres’.
- Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Canucks have been scouting some Blues games, GM Mike Gillis was at the Blues-Canadiens game Wednesday night. The Canucks have been rumored to be looking for some scoring depth and a Dman. Darryl Sydor was added to the Blues lineup for that game, and UFA Carlo Colaiacovo might draw some interest.
- Matt Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Canucks-Blues speculation. The Canucks signed David Backes to an offer sheet back in July 2008, 3 years, $7.5 million. Backes scored 30 goals last season, but is only at 10 so far this year. The Canucks are looking for a 3rd line center and Backes would be a nice addition. According to a Winnipeg Sun article, Blues president John Davidson scouted Vancouver’s AHL team. Canucks top goalie prospect, Cory Schneider would definitely be a player the Blues would have interest in.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leaf who might bring the most return back, not named Tomas Kaberle, might be Alexei Ponikarovsky.
“I think you might be able to get a late second-round pick for him,” one GM said. “He’s a big body guy who could go to the dirty areas in front of the net. He has some good hands too.
“I don’t think you would get much more than that. He’s not as refined as Antropov.” - Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Ray Whitney and Niclas Wallin have yet to waive their no-trade clause. I’m sure this will happen before the deadline. Untouchables for the Hurricanes: Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Brandon Sutter, Tim Gleason and Tuomo Ruutu.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Detroit Red Wings and Todd Bertuzzi may start talking contract extension. Both Bertuzzi and GM Ken Holland would like to get a deal done. The 35 year old Bertuzzi is making $1.5 million this year.
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins all-star center Marc Savard has skated the last 2 days, and is hoping to return next Friday against Buffalo. Savard has been out the last 2 weeks with a partially torn right MCL.