Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Philadelphia Flyers and Ville Leino continue talks and agent, Bill Zito texted, “I am optimistic we’ll get a deal done.” The Flyers have about $4.1 million in ‘tagging’ space for next season. Leino is making $825,000 this season and could be looking for a deal in the $2.3 million range. Other Flyers UFA’s are Brian Boucher, Sean O’Donnell, and Nik Zherdev. RFA’s are Dan Carcillo, Andreas Nodl, and Darroll Powe. James van Riemsdyk is nursing a groin injury but should be ready to go after the break.
Ottawa Sun: Garrioch was originally surprised the Senators didn’t put a waiver claim on Evgeni Nabokov. They contacted his agent and found out he wouldn’t go to Ottawa. Brennan thinks they can find someone who’d be interested in Sergei Gonchar, and points out that if they find a team to take Filip Kube, that GM should be fired. Garrioch thinks Jarrko Ruutu will be traded, and that the Bruins should take a run at Chris Phillips. They’ll listen to offers for Mike Fisher.
Darren Dreger via twtter: Dreger talked to Fisher’s agent who said he hasn’t submitted a list of teams that he’d okay/not okay a trade to, and won’t until he’s asked.
Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The NY Rangers activated Ryan Callahan and Vinny Prospal from the IR and sent Michael Del Zotto, Brodie Dupont, Evgeny Grachev, Chad Kolarik and Kris Newbury back to the AHL.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Heading into the all-star break Cox makes 2 points (1) That James Reimer is the teams best goalie at the moment and should continue to play for the big club. (2) “this notion that the Leafs will be looking to add talent by next month’s trade deadline for some kind of late-season playoff run is at best fanciful and at worst incomprehensible.” They should sell off and acquire futures. The team should look to improve for next fall, acquiring prospects or draft picks.
Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Kevin Bieksa is putting together a solid season, and may force the Canucks into deciding to either re-sign him or Christian Ehrhoff, both will be UFA’s after the season. “I’ve got more,” Bieksa said. “I’d love to be here. Love to finish my career here. Maybe the feeling is mutual.”
Ed Willis of the Vancouver Province: Shea Weber will be a RFA at the end of the season, and may start thinking at a change of scenery may be good after not getting past the 1st round of the playoffs in 5 years (4 times in the playoffs). Many pieces have been traded off, and the team has trouble getting to the next level. He could tell the team (could, not has), “Look, I’ve given you six good seasons. I’m going to be unrestricted in another season and I’d like to win. Why don’t you move me while you can still get something for me?” The Predators would likely want to lock him up long-term at a reasonable number.
