NHL Rumors: Blues, Canadiens, Wild, Avalanche, Bruins, Canucks and Stars
Matt Duchene and Pekka Rinne
On the St. Louis Blues …

Lou Korac: Blues GM Doug Armstrong: “Our focus now changes to signing some of our restricted free agents. That could change w/1 phone call but I don’t envision that.”

On the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild …

Dennis Bernstein: Not convinced that the Canadiens will trade Alex Galchenyuk. Do think that Wild defenseman Marco Scandella gets traded shortly.

Eric Engels: As Michael Russo already reported, the Wild were likely looking for a first round pick for Marco Scandella, which would have been No. 25 for the Canadiens.

On the Colorado Avanache …

Pierre LeBrun: Avs GM Joe Sakic said last night that they weren’t close on a Matt Duchene trade. They didn’t find anything that made sense for the team.

Pierre LeBrun: The Predators are still interested in Duchene, but they don’t want to give up one of their top-four defensemen.

Pierre LeBrun: Wonder if the Predators would need to get a third team involved if they are able to land Duchene.

On the Boston Bruins …

Fluto Shinzawa: Bruins GM Don Sweeney said that they offered the No. 18 pick for a “target-specific” player, which was obviously not accepted.

On the Vancouver Canucks …

Matthew Sakeres: Canucks GM Jim Benning said that they didn’t try to get back into the late first round because the player they were interested in was selected before the 20th pick.

On the Dallas Stars …

Chris Johnston: GM Jim Nill expects to move one of his goaltenders – Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen – but wouldn’t say if by trade or buyout.

Sean Shapiro: GM Jim Nill said they had some very good offers for the No. 3 pick, but the chance to draft Miro Heiskanen was too valuable.