NHL Rumors: Goalie Market, Canucks, Wings and Blackhawks
Radim Vrbata

On the Goalie Market …

  • Craig Custance: Have been told that there are “six or seven” backup goalies available.
  • Craig Custance: Leafs fans may not be happy with the return for James Reimer, but it was a buyer’s market for backup goalies: “There’s lots of guys out there.”
  • Frank Seravalli: The Predators and Rangers maybe the only teams left in the goalie market. Lots of goalies available: Anton Khudobin, Jonas Hiller, Jeff Zatkoff, Chad Johnson, more.
  • Frank Seravalli: That is the backup market. The Rangers confidence in Antti Raanta has waned, and the Predators wouldn’t hate to push Pekka Rinne a bit.

On the Vancouver Canucks …

  • Jon Abbott: Radim Vrbata won’t comment on his limited no-trade clause, or if he’s been asked the list of eight teams.
  • Jon Abbott: Vrbata on if traded, the chance to play in the post-season: “That’s what you play for. We will see how it plays out by Monday…”

On the Detroit Red Wings …

  • Travis Yost: Brendan Smith is an interesting name on the trade block.

On the Chicago Blackhawks …

  • Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said he’s “most likely” finished making moves before the deadline.

    “We’ll look at what’s out there. I’m sure there will be more discussions, but I really like the way this team looks right now, and we’re excited to get on the ice and play,” Bowman said before the Hawks’ practice Saturday.

    After the additions of Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise, Tomas Fleischmann and Christian Ehrhoff.

    “Looking at our team, I like what we’ve done,” Bowman said. “We’ve actually had a great season to date. I think there’s always things you want to get better at. And when you look at your team, I think the one area we wanted to try and improve was our depth and our players with experience.”