On the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres …
Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: If Red Wings GM Ken Holland is convinced that Petr Mrazek is their No. 1 goalie, the Wings could look to move Jimmy Howard, but may have to retain some salary. Howard carries a $5.3 million salary cap hit for the next three season. If the Wings retained a third of his salary, a team could have a proven No. 1 goalie for about $3.6 million a year.
The Bruins could land winger Jimmy Vesey, but their biggest issue remains their blueline.
Dupont thinks that if the Sabres are able to sign Vesey, they will look to trade Evander Kane.
On the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers …
Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: (chat) Nothing to report on Kevin Shattenkirk trade rumors. Shattenkirk to the Rangers for Rick Nash had grown some legs, and Rutherford wouldn’t dismiss the possibility. The Rangers could use someone like Shattenkirk to replace Keith Yandle who left in free agency. Blues coach Ken Hitchcock is familiar with Nash from their time in Columbus. The Blues could use someone with Nash’s skill and experience. Nash carries a $7.8 million cap hit and is owed $8 million and $8.2 million in salary over the next two seasons. The Rangers would have to retain some of Nash’s salary and other players may have to be involved to keep the Blues under the cap ceiling.
Shattenkirk has some leverage in a potential trade as the acquiring team would only trade for him if he was going to re-sign with them.
On the Florida Panthers …
George Richards: Dale Tallon said that they are making decisions by committee in Florida, but he has the final say on moves: “It has been a real good process.”
Steve Goldstein: Tallon on signing their core players: “It’s important to lock up our core guys. That’s the commitment (ownership) has made” and added “We expect to win and win for a long time.”
