NHL Rumors II: Blackhawks, Blues, Canucks, Maple Leafs, Predators, Rangers and Jets

From twitter unless otherwise noted

  • Tracey Bowman: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said that it’s unlikely that he’d move any of his roster: “This group has earned the right to see what we can do as a group.” … “The focus is to keep this group together and add to it.”
  • Mark Spector: Blues David Perron (3 years at $3.8 million left) is Spector’s vote for who is most likely to be dealt next by the Blues.
  • Pass it to Bulis: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said they need a “versatile forward” who can play center, wing, kill penalties and play on the power-play.
  • Josh Rimer: (before the Kiprusoff talk picked up) Rimer is hearing that there is good chance that Roberto Luongo could end with the Maple Leafs.
  • Farhan Lalji: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that “it might not be the right time” to trade Luongo and suggested that it might be easier to trade him in the summer. Gillis added, “we’re talking to 4 teams with varying levels of activity and various proposals”
  • Gary Lawless: The Jets were in the hunt for center Michal Handzus but not able to land him.
  • Jim Diamond: Diamond expects a quiet trade deadline for the Predators. The players they would move don’t have much market value.
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: It’s unlikely that Rangers GM Glen Sather will take a run at any of the bigger names available on the trade market. They aren’t good enough to deal young assets or draft picks for veteran help. It’s doubtful they would get into a bidding war for Ryane Clowe or able/willing to put together a package for Dan Boyle. A Boyle deal might make sense if Marian Gaborik was going the other way. Sources are saying there is lots of interest in center Brian Boyle. Sather will look to improve their blueline.
  • Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Jets could be both buyers and sellers at the trade deadline.

    You can be both, I think. It just depends on what you’re looking for,” said Cheveldayoff. “If you’re just buying rentals, it’s one thing. If you’re looking for things with term, it’s another.

    “We’re going into a unique situation here too, with the salary cap moving down. You have to be open for anything, at this point and time. There are lots of different options out there. It’s one of those things where if any action is going to happen, it’s probably going to happen late.”

    The Jets could be looking for top-six right winger, but GM Cheveldayoff isn’t limiting this search to that one area. They have some extra draft picks and the cap room.