Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Reports are that forward Kerby Rychel asked for trade before the season started, but the Blue Jackets have shown no interest in trading him. The New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings have all shown interest.
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen is listing to teams with regards to Ryan Johansen, but it doesn’t mean that he’s going to trade him. Kekalainen is gauging his trade value. No doubt that the Wild have inquired about him.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Steven Stamkos’s parents have moved to Tampa, which leaves some thinking that he’s going to re-sign.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Sounding like the ‘for sale’ sign could be up for the Carolina Hurricanes, with GM Ron Francis pretty much ready to talk about anyone – excluding their young guys. They’d like to move Jeff Skinner and his $5.725 million cap hit (four more years). They might even throw in a prospect to help the process along. Francis must decide on Eric Staal and Cam Ward before the trade deadline. Many people don’t think they will be back next year.
The Blue Jackets want a top-four defenseman for Kerby Rychel. Some think they want too much for him.
Chris Nichols of Today’s Slapshot: Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 on Blue Jackets Kerby Rychel.
“I think Calgary is looking for a little help on the wings and is maybe willing to get a little bigger there. Columbus would like to trade Kerby Rychel, but they’re asking a lot – as they should. From what I understand, it’s a price that Calgary is not willing to pay at this particular point in time.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if it was getting another look in at him, because a lot of teams are watching Kerby Rychel. But I’ve been told that unless Columbus is willing to come down a little bit on what it wants, that’s not a deal that Calgary is willing to make.”
Why would the Blues Jackets consider trading Rychel? They have a lot of forwards, and although he’s a good prospect, he’s not one of their best forward prospects.
“And Columbus is looking for defensemen, young ones, and I think they realize Rychel is potentially a guy that could get them somebody. But they’ve been asking a lot. I mentioned in my blog this week that I think they’d asked Anaheim about Shea Theodore, and it’s possible they offered Rychel for Theodore. Anaheim wasn’t doing that. So that gives you an idea of the kind of thing they’re looking for, and teams are balking at that so far.”
Larry Brooks: Was told that after the first period of his first game behind the bench, John Tortorella told Ryan Johansen that he’s not in shape. Johansen only have four shifts in the third period.