Sam Carchidi via twitter: Carchidi thinks the Flyers should go after Luke Schenn if the Predators won’t trade Ryan Suter or Shea Weber. He’d give up a 1st and 2nd round pick for Schenn. Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Schenn isn’t going to the Flyers, not because of James van Riemsdyk’s concussion, but because they think he’s overrated. Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers could also go after Hurricanes Bryan Allen or Canadiens Hal Gill.
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: The Sabres are 14th in the conference, but only 8 points out. GM Darcy Regier indicated that some moves could be for both short term (playoff run) and long term (future cap room). Brad Boyes, Jochen Hecht and Paul Gaustad are UFAs. Marc-Andre Gragnani (RFA) has had a disappointing season and could be moved. There has been rumors that Derek Roy has been available for most of the season. Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold have 1 year left on their deals. Regehr had waived his no-trade last year to come to Buffalo, and may not want to move again. Drew Stafford has 3 more years and might get some interest. The Oilers might have interest in Stafford. Andrej Sekera has 3 years left at $2.75 million per, and might interest some teams.
The Fourth Period: The Canadiens could move pending UFAs Andrei Kostitsyn, Travis Moen, Mathieu Darche, Hal Gill and Chris Campoli. Moen may not be moved as his agent said “he’s been given every indication that he’s in their plans.” His agent did acknowledge that a trade is still possible.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild GM Chuck Fletcher wants to make the playoffs, but he’s not going to give up the future to do so. “When you look at it historically, when you’re talking about the rental type of trades, the vast majority of time, the team trading the player with the expiring contract and picking up future considerations almost always wins,” Fletcher said.
David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The Blackhawks could use a goaltender immediately, and unfortunately for them, Evgeni Nabokov is currently off the market. Nikolai Khabibulin may be the only goalie available, but he’s been inconsistent and has a 1 year left with a $3.75 million.
BD Gallof via twitter: Islanders GM Garth Snow has confirmed that Evgeni Nabokov won’t be dealt. But if someone were to overpay …
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers have reportedly taken defenseman Andy Sutton off the trade market after signing him to a 1 year deal worth between $1.5 and $1.75 million. The Oilers could be dangling Cam Barker. They won’t give Ales Hemsky a new 4 or 5 year deal, but they might go 2 years. The Predators are looking for a top 6 forward, and have been dangling Jonathan Blum.
Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News: Leonard lists Ray Whitney, Brad Boyes, Pavel Kubina and Hal Gill as pontential targets for the New York Rangers.
Kevin Paul Dumont of the Boston Globe: The Bruins could look at Hurricanes defenseman Jaroslav Spacek and forward Tuomo Ruutu. If the Ducks make Bobby Ryan and/or Corey Perry available, the Bruins might be interested. For Ryan it may take one of Milan Lucic or David Krejci and prospect Doug Hamilton. Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke to the USA Today: “Prices are inflated, and there is [only] one Stanley Cup parade at the end of the season. The trade deadline is a pit of quicksand.”
Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli believes “it’s a short list” of players that will be available at the trade deadline, and there may not be a lot of movement. Many teams are still in the playoff race. The asking price for players is high. Chiarelli wonders in the talent pool is thining out, and teams are re-signing their top pending free agents instead of trading them or letting them walk at the end of the season.
Mark Everson of the NY Post: Devils forward Zach Parise won’t be talking about his contract situation anymore. He wants to focus on hockey and not be distracted by negotiations, if possible. GM Lou Lamoriello is telling teams he isn’t trading him.
Nick Kypreos via twitter: Kypreos is hearing the Oilers and Andy Sutton are close on a 1 year deal in the $1.75 million range.
Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Several Western Conference teams might show some interested in Capitals forward Mike Knuble. Knuble was a healthy scratch on Thursday. He would cost a team a 3rd round pick. Gormley wonders if they could include Jeff Schultz and a pick or prospect for a gritty 2nd line forward like Dominic Moore, Tuomo Ruutu or P.A. Parenteau.
Aaron Portzline via twitter: Scouts at the Blue Jackets – Wild game last night: Jets, Blackhawks and Red Wings.
Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said, “We will make every effort to re-sign Zach.” Parise might get $8 million on the open market.
Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders GM Garth Snow has had preliminary talks with P.A. Parenteau’s agent, Allan Walsh. Parenteau, 29, is making $1.25 million and is having a career year. He could be looking to triple his current salary. Parenteau loves playing on the Island, and wants to stay. The Isles still could shop him at the deadline, but they need his scoring down the stretch.
Adrian Dater via twitter: Dater thinks that Peter Mueller could get extended for a year or 2.