- Craig Custance of ESPN: Teemu Selanne isn’t thinking trade:
“Everybody in this room believes we can make the playoffs. That would be almost wrong to think about any other option,” Selanne said on Friday. “ is not in my mind right now. Let’s see what happens. The main focus right now today and this road trip. This road trip is going to pretty much decide which direction we’re going to go.”
- Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Mitchell looks at the Maple Leafs and Dustin Penner. Penner and his 6′ 4″ 240 pounds has the size Burke covets. Why it could happen: Penner is in the final year of his deal that carries a $4.25 million cap hit, so if it didn’t work out, they wouldn’t have to re-sign him. The Leafs wouldn’t have to give up much to get him. Why it won’t happen: The Kings gave up a prospect, a 1st round pick and a conditional pick for him last year, so they may want to recoup some assets. He wouldn’t fit into the Leafs top 6, so he’d have to replace one of Tim Connolly, Matthew Lombardi and Joey Crabb.
- Eric Duhatscek of the Globe and Mail: Lightning Ryan Malone may get some interest. Despite missing 3 weeks, he’s 4th in team scoring with 10 goals and 27 points.
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins forward Nathan Horton suffered a setback on his concussion recovery after skating last Sunday.
“He’s been pulled back,” Julien said after practice at the Garden. “He’s got some symptoms, so we’ve pulled him back. That’s why I said (earlier this week) that it’s hard for me to come out every day and say whether it’s a step forward or a step backward. But he’s back to square one and we’re giving him some time here. Those symptoms, once he got on the ice, came back.”
GM Peter Chiarelli has said he wants to add a forward and defenseman. A top 6 forward may be targeted if Horton can’t return. Tuomo Ruutu and Ray Whitney could be targets.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Brenden Morrow will be out at least couple more weeks with his back, neck and shoulder stiffness. Morrow has been mentioned in trade rumors, and it’s not known how this will effect talks.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Kuc is starting to believe that the Blackhawks may start looking at doing something to address their goaltending issues.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Canadiens haven’t approached Hal Gill about a contract extension. A win over the Leafs tonight would put the Canadiens 7 points out of the playoffs.
“That’s the first thing on my mind is getting a win and getting back in the hunt,” said Gill. “That’s the first thing I’m focused on. Then I deal with everything else after that. But it would be nice to put a few more wins together, and hopefully ride that and give it a go.”
- Kevin Paul Dupont via twitter: Dupont thinks the Bruins will now look to re-sign pending RFA Tuuka Rask before July 1st. Having Tim Thomas could encourage free agent bidders for Rask. Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Garrioch responds to Dupont with: No offer sheets. No CBA No hurry. Dupont replies back that this is true, but still believes they will look to protect their asset in Rask.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins center Jordan Staal is set to return this afternoon after missing 15 games with a torn MCL.
- David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos thinks the Oilers should consider shutting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins down for the season.
“They got to be so careful with his kid. … And if it was me, I wouldn’t have any problems shutting him down.”
“Do you want this guy having shoulder problems the rest of his career? He’s got to get physically stronger going into next September.”
- James Gordon via twitter: Craig Anderson will start in net for the Sentors against the Oilers.
