NHL Rumors: Avalanche, Senators, Oilers, and Penguins
Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche talking Matt Duchene
On the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators …

Adrian Dater: Hearing more talk about the Senators and Avalanche talking trade involving Matt Duchene.

Adrian Dater: The sticking point in a potential Duchene deal between the Avalanche and Senators is Colin White.

Adrian Dater: Can’t confirm anything more about the rumor, but the Avs and Senators have talked.

On the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators …

Jim Matheson: thinks that the Oilers would like to trade for Senators forward Curtis Lazar. Lazar could use a change of scenery and he has contentions with the Oil Kings (WHL).

Jim Matheson: Sources say the Oilers aren’t as keen as is. He needs a change of scenery and a year in the AHL.

On the Pittsburgh Penguins …

Wes Crosby of NHL.com: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford on Marc-Andre Fleury.

“I’m going to say what I’ve said all along. I’d prefer to keep him,” Rutherford said. “We play a lot of games in March. You don’t know when players are going to get hurt. He’s handled the situation very well.

“I’m going to have some communication with him in between now and the and see exactly where he sits and how he feels. That will play a part in the final decision. But I’m not going to get too far ahead of myself because he very well could be a part of our team going down the stretch.”

Rutherford admits it’s not a great situation for Fleury, but compliments him on how he’s handled it.

“It doesn’t work out ideally for both goalies because they both want to play,” Rutherford said. “When one goalie was hurt and the other one was playing, they played extremely well. When you have a No. 1 goalie sitting as long as Marc has, there’s a frustration level, so it doesn’t work ideally for those guys.

“In the long run, certainly if we get another injury, be the right thing to do. With playing a lot of games, it’s always good to have depth at that position.”