Bob McKenzie of TSN: There is some talk around the league that Stars forward Brenden Morrow “may” become available before the trade deadline. The Stars are in 10th spot, but only 3 points out and have played less games. Morrow has a no-trade clause and one more year left with a $4.1 cap hit. The Stars won’t aggressively shop him, but contenders could target him. If the Stars could get a nice young package for him, and if he’d agree to it, they would have to consider it. A Stars source said they’re “probably not” going to trade him. One team executive heard:
“Morrow might be available” and “we certainly intend to find out if he is.”
Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Gordon lists some players that “could actually impact the playoff races”: Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin, Antoine Vermette, Andrei Kostitsyn, Martin Havlat, Mason Raymond, Evgeni Nabokov, Luke Schenn, Tim Gleason, Antero Niittymaki, Hal Gill, and Marek Zidlicky.
Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: If the Blues need to add a proven scorer is a tough question to answer. Will they be fine when Alex Steen and Andy McDonald return from injury? There may not be a lot of legit scores that are available, and what would be the cost to get one? If Steen and McDonald return, Hensley doesn’t think they need to bring in scoring help, but if they don’t, they may need to explore some other options.
Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Devils goalie Martin Brodeur has said he’s having fun this year and is leaning towards coming next year. Chere notes that Zach Parise won’t be dealt at the trade deadline, but the odds of him re-signing with them are 50-50.
Jason Botchford in the National Post: Canucks forward Mason Raymond has battled his way back from a broken back this year, but he hasn’t been producing and could find his days in Vancouver numbered. He’s well liked, a good penalty killer, has good wheels, but has only scored 33 goals in his last 171 games.
Chris Botta via twitter: Ducks Jason Blake is getting some trade interest. Botta notes that the Ducks got better when he returned from injury.
Tim Sassone via twitter: If Ducks Jason Blake is available, Sassone thinks he’d look good as the Blackhawks 2nd line center. He wonders if Bob Murray would trade with Stan Bowman. (I don’t think Blake has played center at any point in his NHL career)
John Wawrow (AP) in the Globe and Mail: Gary Bettman says there are 3 groups that are showing “serious” interest in the buying the Coyotes that would keep the team there. One of the groups is led by former Sharks president and CEO Greg Jamison and the other is Jerry Reinsdorf.
“We’re going to try to avoid a move of the Coyotes, but if we don’t sell the club, I’m not sure that this won’t be the last season here,” he said.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators captain on Daniel Alfredsson on playing next year:
“The way this season is going, if I’m still healthy after this season, I’m hoping I can go one more,” said Alfredsson. “This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true.”
David Pollak via twitter: The Sharks have traded defenseman Sean Sullivan to the Panthers for Tim Kennedy.
Mark Everson of the NY Post: If the Devils can’t afford to sign Zach Parise (Everson guesses 10 years at $80 million) to a contract extension before the trade deadline, they may have to decide if they want to trade him or possibly lose him for nothing after the season.
Darren Dreger TSN video link: Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter is 100% available, but his contract could be an issue for most teams. The Maple Leafs are not interested in Carter, nor have they talked to Columbus about him. Carter has a cap hit $5.27 million for the next 10 years. The Blue Jackets would need at least 1st round pick and a good young roster player in return. Dreger notes that a Tuomo Ruutu could be traded as early as next week. The Hurricanes think if may cost $4 – $4.5 million on a new deal. The Oilers have said they aren’t shopping Sam Gagner but he keeps coming up in discussions.
Darren Dreger via twitter: “More productive trade discussions this week among teams which means next week might see some action. Not surprising..many teams after D-men.”
David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: It is not clear if Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier is thinking about trading defenseman P.K. Subban. There appears to be some disappointment within management with the development of Suban. Subban has had some verbal battles with assistant coach Randy Ladouceur. Staples wonders if the Oilers would be interested if he would become available.
Adam Jahns via twitter: Jahns has been told “nothing is close” regarding Chicago Blackhawks trades.
Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: After the Maple Leafs signed John-Michael Liles to a 4 year contract extension yesterday, Luke Schenn may now be a prime candidate to be traded.
“We want to get ourselves into the playoffs,” Schenn added. “(Trades) are the business side of hockey and we really can’t focus on that. There’s a lot of talk and speculation outside, but that’s out of our control.
“I was talking to my roommate Cody Franson and he said he’s never dealt with anything like this (before arriving this season). He said in Nashville, there might be a bit of rumbling on the day of the deadline, but not a month or two in advance. “That’s part of being in Toronto.”
Brian Burke noted:
But if (trades) are not there, then they’re not there. Sometimes, you have to keep pitching. We’re doing a lot of listening and working the phones. Nothing I would characterize as imminent or close.”
The Fouth Period: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier was scouting the West Coast. Before the trade deadline he could move any of: Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn, Chris Campoli, Yannick Weber, Mathieu Darche and Travis Moen. Gauthier would like to make another big trade, but it’s believed that upper management would have to give the okay before a deal is made. The Canadiens have expressed interest in Ryan Suter, Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard.
Dave Stubbs via twitter: Teams scouting the Canadiens-Red Wings game: Blues, Canucks, Penguins, Blue Jackets, Kings, Red Wings, Flames, Coyotes, Senators, Wild and Maple Leafs.