Posts Tagged Matt Moulson

Afternoon Rumors: Red Wings, Canucks, Kesler, Blues, Bruins, Phillips, Flyers and Oilers

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 28th, 2014

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Red Wings GM Ken Holland.

“The phone lines seem to be heating up,” Holland told ESPN.com Thursday. “We would prefer to do a hockey deal — meaning a player that’s on our roster going forward [past this season].

“Unfortunately, we’re on the bubble. It’s hard to risk that if we miss the playoffs, to trade a high draft pick or a real top prospect for not even a playoff run. At the same time, we feel that the kids that we’ve got — Nyquist, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco — they have really made a positive impact on our hockey team. Looks like they’re going to be around here for a while and they should be getting better.”

So you can likely rule out Thomas Vanek and Matt Moulson. They could look at low cost rental defenseman. LeBrun thinks the Ryan Kesler is the type of player that might interest the Red Wings.

Bottom line on Canucks Ryan Kesler.

•  A number of NHL teams have gotten calls from the Canucks on Kesler and vice versa.
•  The price is “significantly high,” says one Western Conference source. Says a different source, “Really high. And I guess I can’t blame them.”
•  The Canucks have made it clear to other teams that they don’t feel the need to move him before Wednesday’s deadline, that they’re more than happy to pick this up again in June if their price isn’t met. Or not move him at all if their price isn’t met.
•  Kesler is signed for two more seasons, which means if you’re trading for him now, you’ve got three more playoffs out of the gritty, two-way star. And at $5 million a year, he’s below market value.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong.

“We’re not at the area where the window is closing,” he said. “You also have to look at the dynamics of your team. A team like Boston or a team like Pittsburgh, they’ve been cap players for at least a half-decade. We’re a cap team this year, but we’re a team that has to manage our resources differently than the top-spending teams on a year-to-year basis. We’re not a heavily free-agent-based team. It’s my belief that we have to make sure we’re maintaining some view of the future, as well.”

“I’m not saying we won’t do it, but we have to be careful,” said Armstrong. “We’re a team that wants to win, but we still have to understand that our winning comes through drafting and developing.”

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli

“I’d like to get a defenseman,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com Thursday. “If we don’t get one, I’m fine with that, too.”

“But having said that, the way the market has been so far, I don’t want to force a square peg into a round hole,” Chiarelli said.

LeBrun mentions to keep an eye on Senators defenseman Chris Phillips and the Bruins.

Darren Dreger: Chris Phillips contract talks are expected to resume today. A trade is still an option with the Bruins among the teams that are thought to be interested.

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren will have a decision to make on whether to trade Andrej Meszaros or not. He is a pending UFA, but he does have them depth on the blueline. When asked if he wanted to stay in Philly.

“I love Philadelphia, and I love everything here. It’s my last year of my contract, obviously, and whatever will happen will happen.”

The Flyers would likely get a third round pick or a prospect for him. He carries a $4 million salary cap hit.

Tim Wharnsby of CBC: The Oilers would like replace the second and third round picks they sent out to acquire David Perron and Ben Scrivens. The Oilers have nine pending UFAs and Sam Gagner to use as trade bait. They have held preliminary talks with defenseman Justin Schultz. Andrew Ference has a no-movement clause. Pending UFAs: Anton Belov, Ilya Bryzgalov, Mark Fraser, Ales Hemsky, Ryan Jones, Corey Potter, Nick Schultz, Ben Scrivens and Ryan Smyth.

Ian Mendes: “If Martin St. Louis is asking for a trade and is only willing to go to NYR, is that any different than what Dany Heatley did in Ottawa?”

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Morning Rumors V: Senators, 10 Player Scenarios, Flames, Oilers, Capitals, Leafs and Edler

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 28th, 2014

  • TSN Insider Trading: Darren Dreger on the Senators pending free agent Chris Phillips.

    In terms of Phillips, there’s a negotiation that’s ongoing between the Ottawa Senators and Phillips to keep him a lifer in Ottawa. If that doesn’t go well, if Phillips doesn’t like the offer that has been presented, then Bryan Murray may have to make a very difficult decision. There would be interest in Chris Phillips, a veteran player, very sound defensively, maybe he’s a good fit with the Boston Bruins.

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray continues to work the phones for a scoring winger. The asking price for Thomas Vanek and Matt Moulson remains high, which the Senators will want no part of. The Senators remain interested in Chris Stewart. Murray has players in the system to offer up in deals, but hasn’t found a fit yet. There has been interest in a couple of Senators pending UFAs: Chris Phillips and Milan Michalek. Both players would like to stay in Ottawa, but it’s not known if there have been any talks.
  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: 10 players who could be traded and a guess as to what will end up happening with them.

    1. Martin St. Louis: “St. Louis remains a Bolt until at least the draft.”2. Ryan Kesler: “Kesler stays in Vancouver, for the time being.”

    3. Ryan Miller: “Miller in a Bluenote jersey strikes the right chord for us.”

    4. Thomas Vanek: “Vanek is a King by week’s end.”

    5. Ryan Callahan: “Yes, he stands as a straight rental and there are suggestions the Buffalo Sabres will push hard to sign Callahan come July (he’s from nearby Rochester), but a long run in the sun this spring could change all that, no?”

    6. Matt Moulson: “Moulson joins the Penguins’ mighty arsenal.”

    7. Mike Cammalleri: “If the Bolts move Martin St. Louis, would Cammalleri be a nice fit with Steven Stamkos? Yes.”

    8. Ales Hemsky: “Hemsky had a nice Olympic tournament with three goals and an assist in five games, and a change of scenery could make him a nice deadline steal, assuming the Oilers don’t price themselves out of the marketplace.”

    9. David Legwand: “Detroit. And there would also be a chance for the Wings to keep Legwand beyond this season at a modest salary given his connection to the community.”

    10. Martin Brodeur: “And what about Chicago, which rode Corey Crawford all the way to the Stanley Cup last spring but had Ray Emery as a Plan B? Not sure Antti Raanta is the same kind of safety net yet, so perhaps Brodeur would fit.”

  • Darren Dreger: Flames GM Brian Burke said there is no chance that he’ll be the GM next season.
  • Darren Dreger: Based on the trade chatter that is going on, Burke expects league wide activity leading up to next Wednesday.
  • Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: ”Edmonton needs 2-3 20-25 minute defenseman” … ”Edmonton also needs a goalie and size up front. There are a lot of pieces needed there”
  • Adam Vingan: Vingan would prefer the Capitals to stand pat at the trade deadline, but if they are to bring someone in, Canucks defenseman Alex Edler would be a big upgrade.
  • Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger: ”Alex Edler to the Leafs makes a lot of sense”

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Morning Rumors III: Sabres Edition: Myers, Ehrhoff Asked For List And Others On The Block

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 28th, 2014

  • TSN Insider Trading: Sabres Tyler Myers is getting plenty of interest. The Maple Leafs, Ducks and Avalanche could be interested teams. The price could be high for him.
  • Craig Custance: The Sabres are getting calls on Christian Ehrhoff. He has a no-trade clause, but has submitted a list.
  • The Fourth Period: Christian Ehrhoff has a limited no-movement clause, and has already submitted his list. Teams looking for a defenseman include the Kings, Red Wings, Flyers, Blue Jackets and Bruins. For the right price, it’s believed that Tyler Myers could be had. Other Sabres on the block include Ryan Miller, Matt Moulson, Steve Ott, Henrik Tallinder, Cody McCormick and Drew Stafford.
  • Bob McKenzie: There is no guarantee that Ehrhoff will be traded, but the Sabres asked for a list of eight teams he doesn’t want to be traded too.
  • Bob McKenzie: Sabres GM Tim Murray is basically open to trading anyone on his roster. Teams that are looking for defenseman will be calling on Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers.
  • Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: ”Ryan Miller is not playing in Edmonton. I can’t see him playing anywhere in Canada for that matter”

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Evening Rumors: Kings Look AT Forwards and Dmen … Wings Looking For D … Risks/Rewards for Six

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 27th, 2014

The Fourth Period: The Kings have shown interest in forwards: Matt Moulson, Thomas Vanek, Mike Cammalleri and Ray Whitney. On the blueline they have shown interest in: Andrew MacDonald, Henrik Tallinder and Dan Girardi. Multiple sources saying they even discussed a deal with Islanders involving both Vanek and MacDonald. The Islanders are looking for a 1st round pick or top prospect in a Vanek deal, and a defenseman and high draft pick for MacDonald. This is thought the Islanders had interest in Kings defenseman Alec Martinez earlier this year.

The Fourth Period: The Red Wings are looking for a veteran defenseman, but GM Ken Holland isn’t looking to give up top prospects or draft picks.

“What’s the expense of the rental,” Holland asked MLive. “When you’re one point up on the last playoff spot it’s hard to trade a top prospect or a first-round draft pick to rent a player.

“At the same time we’re always looking to upgrade. If there’s a hockey trade out there — I call a hockey trade a trade that affects your team going into next season – I’m obviously open to it.”

The Wings have spoken to the Canucks in the past about Alex Edler, and could have some interest in Christian Ehrhoff.

“I think this time of year you’re always looking for defensemen, but obviously there’s a lot of teams looking for defensemen,” Holland said. “We’ll see. It depends on what’s available. I don’t see us playing a big price on a rental. I don’t believe that’s the direction we should go but you never know when you get to Wednesday.”

Neil Greenberg of ESPN: Six potential trade candidates who come with a risk/reward proposition:

Thomas Vanek: Risk – “doesn’t do much in terms of puck possession.” Reward – “does a lot in terms of scoring.”

Ryan Miller: Risk – “is 33 years old, and, for goalies, that is near the end of the line.” Reward – “would be a candidate for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the league’s best goaltender, if he played for any other team.”

Martin Brodeur: Risk – “Compared to Miller, Brodeur is well past his prime, and could very well be costing the Devils a playoff spot.” Reward – “Little.”

Mike Cammalleri: Risk – “Injuries.” Reward – “Despite playing for the Flames, who rank 26th in the NHL in goals per game (2.3), Cammalleri has 21 points in 41 games.”

Matt Moulson: Risk – Pessimists were right in that his goal scoring would decrease when not playing with John Tavares. Reward – “A team looking to bet that his shooting percentages will trend back to his career norms could end up with a steal at the deadline.”

Andrew MacDonald: Risk – “At even strength, the left-handed blueliner has been on the ice for 824 shot attempts against (team high) and the Islanders see just 43 percent of shots in their favor.” Reward – “There aren’t too many defensemen available who play more than 25 minutes per game, as MacDonald does.”

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2013-14 NHL Trade Deadline Feature: Phoenix Coyotes

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on February 27th, 2014

Written by Dale Lamontagne , who can be followed on twitter at @Dale Lamontagne

Coyotes-deadlineWe’re just a few short days away from the 2014 NHL trade deadline, and the Phoenix Coyotes find themselves in a tight playoff race with the Dallas Stars.

Coyotes General Manager, Don Maloney is still a believer of making it to the post-season, however, the club will need to add another forward, preferably LW, to their top-9 to give themselves a well needed boost.

It’s pretty obvious that the team has been suffering offensively all season long, and it’s one of their biggest issues that needs to be addressed asap.

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2013-14 NHL Trade Deadline Feature: Washington Capitals

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2014

Submitted by Patrick O’Connor, and can be found on twitter at @PatOConnor28

Sabres-deadlineWith the trade deadline fast approaching,  after the Olympic break the Capitals should be very active if they want to make a run this season. The Caps currently find themselves sitting in fifth place in the Metropolitan, however only three points out of a playoff position. The Capitals fall in the middle of the pack in just about every statistically team category except for their fifth ranked power play. The sore spot comes with the 19 regulation/overtime wins, only five teams in the league are worse, Florida, Buffalo, New York Islanders, Calgary, and Edmonton. If this team wants to make a playoff run, they are going to need be better 5 on 5 play and avoid overtime games.

George McPhee finds himself in a very difficult position to make moves that will really benefit the team this season. Three roster players have requested trades at one or multiple points this season, Michal Neuvirth, Martin Erat, and Dmitry Orlov. Neuvirth and Orlov have seen their playing time increase and have proved that they belong on the roster for now. Orlov has been playing with Mike Green and Neuvirth has been splitting the net with Holtby since the rookie Phillip Grubauer was sent back down (where he will probably remain for the rest of the season barring injury). Leading up to the Olympic break Martin Erat had been playing like he did not want to be on the team, taking foolish offensive zone penalties and showing little to no heart in games. Although he has played close to 800 games in the NHL his trade value may be at an all time low. Erat has one goal this season, an empty netter, and has seen playing time on the fourth line for long stretches at a time.

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Morning Rumors: Avalanche, Devils, Penguins, Kings, Islanders, Maple Leafs, Islanders and Sabres

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 23rd, 2014

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avs coach Patrick Roy on the March 5th trade deadline.

    “Sometimes you’re just afraid to say, ‘hey, if we bring this guy in and he doesn’t gel with our guys, are we a better team?” Even watching these (Olympic) games, I mean, look at the Finns: they don’t necessarily have a superstar, but they work hard together, and everything is possible. And our group is believing in each other, our group is working every day, our group is having fun playing together, our group is playing with that intensity and receptive to the teaching we’ve been doing, they’re receptive to the adjustments we want to make. I think it’s hard right now to think of making some changes. Joe (Sakic) and I are always going to be looking to have the best team that we can. But at the same time, it’s very, very dangerous to try to do too much. Am I comfortable to go with the team I have? The answer is yes. We’re going to have some tough decisions to make at the end of the year, we know this. Paul’s (Stastny’s) contract is up and we’re going to have to look at our options. But at the same time, our fans are very important to us and we want to give them the best we possibly can. Fans are coming to our games and having a blast, and we want to keep it that way.”

  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Will the Devils look to trade Martin Brodeur and/or captain Bryce Salvador?

    “I’ve been traded before. Once you’ve been traded, it takes a lot of that uncertainty off the way you look at it. You know the world doesn’t end when you get traded,” Salvador told The Star-Ledger.

    “But it may be a unique situation with Marty. We’ll see what happens there. For myself, at this point Lou hasn’t talked to me about anything.”

    Salvador could be traded if the right offer comes along.

    “Things can happen. It just depends on what the team does and what direction they go,” said the 38-year-old veteran, who has another year left on his contract at $3.25 million.

    “Every organization has to look at what they’re doing with the future. Last year Jarome (Iginla) got traded. Obviously it was a bit different because they knew they were out, but he was in Calgary his whole career. I’ve learned never to be surprised.”

  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins are thought to be looking for a right winger to replace Pascal Dupuis, a bottom-six winger with grit and a veteran depth defenseman. Potential targets could be: Andrew MacDonald, Steve Ott, Brad Boyes, Matt Moulson, Lee Stempniak, Ales Hemsky, Henrik Tallinder and Marcel Goc.
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Shinzawa thinks that Matt Moulson would be a good fit with the Kings. The Sabres will look for a first round pick for Moulson. Since the Islanders will now be sellers, GM Garth Snow’s first priority is to get a first round pick back to make up for the one he sent to the Sabres for Thomas Vanek.
  • Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: With Josh Harding still out indefinitely, and Niklas Backstrom not making a start since January 11th, the Wild may look to add a goaltender. Ryan Miller is available, but the Sabres will be looking for a big return, and Wild may only want to give up a big return if they would want to re-sign him long-term. Martin Brodeur could also be an option for the Wild.

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Injury Notes: Predators, Blue Jackets, Stars, Canucks and Sabres

Posted by Mark Easson in Fantasy Hockey News, NHL Injuries, NHL News on February 23rd, 2014

  • Josh Cooper: Predators Pekka Rinne is hoping that an AHL conditioning stint isn’t too far away.
  • Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin is out two to three weeks with an ankle injury.
  • Mark Stepneski of Stars.NHL: Stars Stephane Robidas is progressing in his recovery from his broken leg, but still has a ways to go.

    “He’s not ready for physical play,” said Stars assistant coach James Patrick. “His skating has gotten better and better, and he’s way ahead of schedule. I don’t know what his timetable is, but I think he is still weeks away.”

  • NHL.com: Canucks Henrik Sedin is optimistic that he’ll be able to get into the lineup when the season resumes.

    “Right now it feels like it’s a possibility, for sure,” the center said. “We’ll take it day by day. Like I said, I felt good today with my shooting, skating and some contact, so it was very positive.”

    Defenseman Kevin Bieksa is also practicing.

    “They got through it and they felt fine after,” coach John Tortorella said of Sedin and Bieksa. “So we’ll see how the evening goes, we’ll see how they come in here tomorrow. At least with those two, it seems like they’ll be able to stay with us and seem to be heading in the right direction.”

    Sabres Matt Moulson, out with a rib injury, said he’s day-to-day.

    “I’ve never had a dislocated rib, but that’s what it felt like at the start. But luckily it wasn’t that,” Moulson, injured Jan. 30, said. “A little time off came at a pretty good time, if there ever is a good time, right before the break. Lots of time to rest it, so it’s feeling good now.”

    Sabres Tyler Myers (lower body) and Cody McCormick (upper body) could return on Tuesday.

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2013-14 NHL Trade Deadline Feature: Buffalo Sabres

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on February 23rd, 2014

Submitted by Cliff Hershley, on twitter at @CHershley

Sabres-deadlineComing into the 2013-2014 NHL season, the Buffalo Sabres were not expected to contend for a playoff spot. After a disastrous start of 4-15-1, The Sabres fired Head Coach Ron Rolston and longtime General Manager Darcy Regier. Pat Lafontaine immediately took over hockey operations and hired Ted Nolan as interim head coach. New GM Tim Murray was hired January 9th, and now must look at the direction the Sabres are headed in.

Thomas Vanek was traded in late October to the New York Islanders for Matt Moulson, a first round pick in 2014, and a second round pick in 2015. It should be noted that the 2014 pick is top ten protected and the Islanders can defer to 2015 if they choose.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Sabres have three players that will catch the eye of many other teams. Ryan Miller, Steve Ott and Matt Moulson will garner a lot of interest. The Sabres will be sellers at the trade deadline, as the playoffs are not a realistic option at this point in the season.

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Morning Rumors: Playbooks, Trade Talk Quiet, Avalanche, Islanders, Sabres and Seattle Expansion

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 21st, 2014

  • Bruce Garrioch: Talked to three teams yesterday who said all was quiet on the trade talk. They expect things to pick up on Monday.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Alex Tanguay’s season ending surgery may mean that P.A. Parenteau is no longer on the trade block, if he was ever on it. They may have able to use Parenteau to acquire a defenseman. Dater doesn’t expect the Avalanche to make a big trade by the deadline. Dater thinks the Avs will trade a prospect or two or future mid-round draft picks for a veteran defenseman or forward, a depth move.
  • Craig Custance of ESPN: Islanders GM Garth Snow will now be sell mode. He’ll be looking to move Thomas Vanek after contract extension talks with Vanek broke down. Vanek’s agent:

    “Things are going to come hot and heavy after the break,” Bartlett predicted on Wednesday.

    It may be a good move to get as much as you can for defenseman Andrew MacDonald if they can’t/don’t want to sign him to an extension.

    “Garth Snow and the Islanders will make a business decision, and we’re going to have to make a business decision,” said MacDonald’s agent, Peter Cooney, when we spoke on Thursday morning after the Tavares news. “He has wanted to remain an Islander, that’s been our goal and our indication to Garth. Our door remains open to continuing those discussions to get a deal done with them.”

  • Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News: The Islanders owe the Sabres a first round pick from the Thomas Vanek – Matt Moulson trade. It has a top 10 protection on this year,  but the Islanders have the option to send it to the Sabres if they so choose. The 2015 draft is thought to be stronger than the 2014 draft, so if the Islanders finish at say 9th, they may opt to do so and not risk giving the Sabres a shot at Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel or Noah Hanifin. With John Tavares’ injury, may be likely that they are picking in the top 5 though.
  • Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times: A Seattle group is heading to Vancouver to learn more about the NHL, a trip that was planned months ago.

    But the timing couldn’t be better, given continued negotiations behind the scenes to bring an NHL expansion franchise to this city and a sense the league could begin moving seriously toward that soon after the Olympics in Sochi conclude.

    NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said during the Super Bowl week that the NHL hadn’t made an official decision on expansion yet. A local source said the NHL has had talks with a potential ownership group about a team starting in 2015-16. Expansion fees could be in the $200 to $250 million range. A second team would likely be needed balance out the schedule. Possible cities include: Quebec City, Kansas City, Portland, the Toronto suburb of Markham, Saskatoon and Las Vegas. Quebec City has already started building an arena.

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2013-14 NHL Trade Deadline Feature: Los Angeles Kings

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on February 20th, 2014

Submitted by Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period, on twitter at @DennisTFP

LA-KingsThe situation: A 9-1-0 run through early December had the Kings in position to take the lead in the NHL’s hotly contested Pacific Division but their Achilles’ heel, consistent offense has taken hold for the six weeks prior to the Olympic break. As a result, they’ve dropped to third in the Pacific behind the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks in the division. Pending a big rally in the season’s final quarter, they will start the playoffs on the road. While Los Angeles yields the lowest goals per game in the league, their 29th ranked offense and power play removes them from contender status unless there are significant changes down the stretch.

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Morning Rumors: Top Snipers, Ducks, Accepting Fate, Brodeur and the Lightning Spending Money

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 20th, 2014

  • Tim Kavanagh of ESPN: Top 5 Snipers: 1. Thomas Vanek – the Kings have been rumored to be interested and there are ties to Minnesota. 2. Marian Gaborik – could be plan B for teams that don’t land Vanek. 3. Mike Cammalleri – the Penguins have been rumored to be interested in Cammalleri and the Pens do have some young defenseman they could move 4. Matt Moulson – the Penguins, Kings and up to 12 teams have been tied to Moulson. 5. Ales Hemsky – the Canadiens, Sharks, Penguins and Coyotes are believed to be interested.
  • The Fourth Period: Ducks GM Bob Murray told ESPN that he won’t be trading Jonas Hiller before the end of the season. The Ducks are looking to add a stay-at-home defenseman and could look at Dan Girardi.
  • Bruce Garrioch: Five teams have accepted their fate leading up to the trade deadline. Two or three teams will wait until March 5th.
  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Martin Brodeur could be spending his last two weeks in a Devils uniform as he could be asked to waive his no-trade clause or even ask for a trade.

    “It won’t be (different) if I don’t say so. That’s the bottom line,” Brodeur said Wednesday as the Devils’ non-Olympians practiced at AmeriHealth Pavilion. “If I don’t say so, it’s going to be the same as the last 20 years.”

    Brodeur hasn’t talked to GM Lou Lamoriello and hasn’t decided if he’d waive his no-trade clause if asked.

    “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it until I talk to people, and there is nothing planned yet. I’m probably going to wait,” Brodeur said.

    “I have no indication one way or the other that anything is going to happen. I haven’t discussed it with anybody really about what my plans are going to be for the next 23 games. I haven’t talked to the coach about playing time, either. I’m just going to get back into playing shape for the next seven days and we’ll see if I’m able to get the net.”

  • George Richards: Several years ago there was a James van Riemsdyk (PHI) for Jay Bouwmeester (FLA) offer on the table.
  • Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times: Lightning owner Jeff Vinik said that even though they are operating in the red, it won’t stop him from spending higher towards the cap.

    “I don’t want to predict out because things can change,” Vinik said. “But for the foreseeable future our strategy is to have a great team on the ice and spend at or near the salary cap.”

    Vinik wouldn’t say how much they are losing.

    “We want to have an extremely competitive hockey team,” Vinik said. “It’s part of a strategy. First of all, I’m competitive. We want to win. We want to win a Stanley Cup. It’s a lot more fun for our fans, but it also helps us make the playoffs and, hopefully, go deep into the playoffs which is good for the financials.”

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