If Ilya Kovalchuk goes to the trade block, the Chicago Blackhawks could be a team that is interested. A deal would help clear some cap for next year. No talks between the 2 teams have taken place, it’s a theory presented by an executive from a Western Conference team.
Winter Classic talks for next at Heinz field in Pittsburgh for a Pens-Caps match-up. One problem is Pittsburgh has already been in a Classic game. Elliotte Friedman stated that Dallas might want to host a game at Dallas stadium. Not sure how that one would work.
Miroslav Satan signed with the Bruins for $700,000.
Randy Workman of Hendricks Hockey: Don’t know how reliable Randy or the Hendricks site is, but he is reporting that Dion Phaneuf has requested a trade. This is coming from his “confidential source” … Ahhh, not just a source, a confidential source, so it must be legit. I think I’d file this one under ‘not true’. Could Phaneuf get traded? Sure, but I doubt he’s requested a trade.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Avalanche might be interested in the Blackhawks Kris Versteeg in the summer, and could offer a 2nd round pick and prospect Kevin Shattenkirk.
ESPN Rumors via Ranger Rants: ‘Ranger Rants’ says they value Chris Drury a lot, and despite his no-movement clause, they would lean to keeping him. Yeah right, I doubt they could find a sucker for that bad contract. Players who won’t be moved by the Rangers: Michael Del Zotto, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, Artem Anisimov, Matt Gilroy and Brandon Dubinsky. It still boggles my mind how Sather still has a job after all these years of making terrible signings.
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Interview with newly appointed coach of the St. Louis Blues, Davis Payne. Payne replaced Andy Murray on an interim basis after Murray was fired yesterday. Payne has been given job until at least the end of the season, then they’ll determine which way they want to take the organization.
Marc Antoine Godin of Cyberpresse.ca: Andrei and Sergie Kostitsyn of the Canadiens could both be out the lineup Sunday afternoon for a game against the Sabres.
Rejean Tremblay of the Cyberpresse.ca: The Montreal Canadiens are now able to start negotiations with Tomas Plekanec. A problem facing GM Bob Gainey is that Plekanec will be looking in the $7 million range. Throw in the fact that both Halak and Price are RFA’s, and there is not a lot wiggle room for next years salary cap. This brings me back to a question I asked early last off-season, Why in the Hell did they trade for Scott Gomez and his awful contract?
