Craig Custance of ESPN: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is waiting for more teams to becomes sellers.
“There’s still a lot of teams that are deciding what to do, which way to go. You look at the standings, that’s easy to understand,” Holmgren said. “That doesn’t mean we’re not looking around trying to improve ourselves. I don’t think it’s any different than any other teams. You’re always looking to improve your team if you can, then you have to weigh the cost.”
The Flyers could use some help on the blueline, but their are not alone.
“Most teams in the league are,” he said. “Everybody’s looking for a defenseman right now. Even a team that has a lot of them kind of try to load up this time of year on defensemen.”
They’d love to get Ryan Suter, but they may have to wait till July 1st. Hurricanes Bryan Allen is an option, along with Canadiens Hal Gill. They are believed to be interested in Maple Leafs Luke Schenn.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs were lukewarm on Ducks Bobby Ryan due to his position and cap number, but if Blue Jackets Rick Nash is available, they’d view him very, very differently.
David Pagnotta via twitter: Dustin Penner to the Maple Leafs make 0 sense. They want a top 6 guy, and will likely get one.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson notes that if Nikolai Khabibulin didn’t another year left on his contract, he’d definitely be moved as a rental.
Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: Ales Hemsky’s agent and the Oilers have talked about a contract.
“We talked,” said Hemsky, who’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer. “And I’m open to whatever happens (staying or going). I’ll see what kind of offers they will give me and we will take it from there.”“We talked,” said Hemsky, who’s scheduled for unrestricted free agency this summer. “And I’m open to whatever happens (staying or going). I’ll see what kind of offers they will give me and we will take it from there.”
Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals GM George McPhee has some pieces he could move to help improve his team. He has 3 unhappy players in Mike Knuble, Jeff Schultz and John Erskine. They have 2 1st round picks, theirs and Colorado’s, and prospects Cody Eakin and Stanislav Galiev. They could also dangle Alex Semin. Nicklas Backstrom is likely out another month with his concussion.
David Pollak via twitter: Scouting the Sharks-Capitals game last night were: Blue Jackets (2), Ducks, Stars, Canadiens, Canucks, Flyers, Lightning, Predators, Blues, Red Wings and Coyotes. Ben Raby via twitter: Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier was at the Sharks-Caps game.
Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Scouting the Canadiens-Hurricanes last night were: Kings (2), Oilers, Canucks, Coyotes, Red Wings, Avalanche, Panthers, Ducks, Penguins, Capitals and Senators.
Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson and Jeff Carter’s agents won’t speak publicly about the situation. Carter agent did confirm though that Carter has not requested a trade. There are probably 5 or 6 teams that would be in the market for Carter. The Kings, Flames and Maple Leafs could be in the hunt for him. If the Kings are involved, Jonathan Bernier would be in the mix. If Calgary is interested, maybe Jay Bouwmeester could be part of the deal. Portzline wonders if the Blue Jackets and Canucks would do a Carter (10 years, $5.27 million cap hit) for Roberto Luongo (10 years, $5.33 million cap hit) deal.
David Boclair of the Nashville City Paper: Predators GM David Poile on Alexander Radulov:
“He’s a top-six forward that a lot of people would say we’re missing.” “He’s the best player not playing in the NHL.”
If/when he returns to the NHL, he still have 1 year left on his entry level deal. Once Salavat Yulaev is finished this season, Radulov is free to come back to the NHL and Predators if he chooses. Poile has been told that Radulov’s KHL deal has an ‘out’ clause. His NHL deal is for $980,000 and his KHL deal was a reported 3 years at between $8-$13 million. If Radulov was to return this season, the Preds would be adding a top 6 without having to give up a player or prospect.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: A decision to either re-sign or trade Tuomo Ruutu is not expected until later this week.
Stephen Whyno via twitter: Capitals owner Ted Leonsis: “wish us speedy recovery to some of our players – and hope we can add some jump via the trade markets during the next few weeks.”
The Fourth Period: Avalanche forward Paul Stastny could be in the Kings list of possible trade targets.
“(The Kings) healthy scratched Dustin Penner and put two rookies (Dwight King and Jordan Nolan) playing their first NHL game this season with Mike Richards against the Islanders, looks like they’ve hit the panic button to me,” an NHL insider said Saturday evening. “I know Statsny is a center, but so is Jeff Carter and Paul only has two years left on his deal and there are zero concerns with his attitude.”
The Avalanche could use Stastny to rebuild their defense and to add depth at forward. A source added if they could get Jack Johnson in a package, they look long and hard at a deal. Stastny has a $6.6 million cap hit through 2013-14. Lightning winger Ryan Malone could be another Kings target.
Bruce Garrioch via twitter: “If a player waives his “no trade” clause once he no longer has a “no trade” clause in his deal.” … “A player can provide a letter saying he is only waiving his “no trade” clause for that purpose. If he doesn’t, he is open season.” Kevin McGran via twitter: according to 2 sources: “a player retains NTC /NMC clause even if he waives it to accept trade. Rec’v’g team accepts player and all terms of deal.”