NHL Rumors: LA Kings, Colorado Avalanche, and Montreal Canadiens
Max Pacioretty
On the Los Angeles Kings …

Dennis Bernstein: Assuming that Kings forward Jeff Carter is healthy by the trade deadline, that would be a huge add for them. They could use a top-four defenseman.

On the Colorado Avalanche …

Ryan Boulding: TSN is saying that the Avalanche will sign defenseman Conor Timmins to entry-level deal early in the new year. If they had signed him earlier, it would have burned a year of eligibility.

On the Montreal Canadiens …

Chris Nichols of Fan Rag Sports: Pierre LeBrun was on TSN 1290 yesterday and was talking about the growing trade speculation involving Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty.

 “But I probably talked to eight or nine teams in the last three days that some of them I would see as potential fits that put it very bluntly – sources in those front offices – that they don’t believe they had talked to Montreal.

“Now, it leads me to believe this: I’ve got to think that either there are teams now that have seen the speculation – it’s funny how this league works, I swear to God – but now that they’ve seen the speculation, whether it’s founded or not, that probably will phone Montreal and check in on Pacioretty.”

Chris Nichols of Fan Rag Sports: Darren Dreger on 690 when asked if Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin‘s position with the Canadiens strong enough to trade captain Max Pacioretty.

“As far as we know the answer to the question is yes,” said Dreger. “If Geoff Molson or Michael Andlauer or anyone involved with ownership are second-guessing whether or not you step in and prevent your general manager from making a pretty significant transaction, then it’s time to fire the general manager. And I don’t believe that’s the case. I believe that Molson especially still has a fair bit of support going away of Marc Bergevin. He’s loyal, he believes in him.”