Beauchemin trade bait? Fits for coach Bob Hartley … Quincey cleared but sits … Ryan to center?
  • Globe and Mail: Brian Burke’s daughter writes a letter to the Globe in response to Bruce Dowbiggin’s column early in the week.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey has been cleared to play after missing weeks with a concussion. He was a healthy scratch for last night’s game. The Avs are now carrying 8 defenseman and likely move one of them.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: With Joffery Lupul possibly returning soon to the Ducks lineup, they might consider moving Bobby Ryan to center, creating 3 lines with that could put the puck in the net.
  • David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period: There are lots of rumors out there what the New Jersey Devils could do once they need to clear some cap space, but why would they trade center Travis Zajac?
  • Craig Custance of the SportingNews: Bob Hartley’s name has been mentioned as possibly the next NY Islanders coach, but his best chance may be if/when Calgary Flames assistant GM Jay Feaster takes over the Flames. Larry Brooks wonders if Hartley would be a good fit in New Jersey or not since his did coach Ilya Kovalchuk in Atlanta.
  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs may have a trade chip in Francois Beauchemin for teams who are looking for a tough stay-at-home defenseman. Beauchemin is earning $3.8 million this season and next. Cox doesn’t think it’s too bad of a”‘cumbersome contract”, not sure if I agree with that. Devils forward Jamie Langenbrunner’s name keeps popping up in rumors. The Oilers may look to shake things up. Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky were both benched this week. Dustin Penner and Tom Gilbert have played poorly this season. All Oilers mentioned come with a big price tag, all in the $4 million plus.