Morning Rumors: Orlov, Miller, Del Zotto, Oilers and Bishop, Avs, Brodeur, Habs, Kane, Gardiner and Devils
  • Elliotte Friendman of CBC: Capitals GM George McPhee on Dmitry Orlov: “He’s very similar to Voynov from L.A. … three full years in the minors and now a really good NHL player,” McPhee said. “He is ready for the NHL and it is time to find a full-time spot for him.” … “With us or somebody else — ideally, with us — he wants to get playing.” McPhee has been working the phones. He also has Martin Erat’s trade request.Friedman thinks Ryan Miller in a Ducks uniform might make sense.The Rangers want a fair price for Michael Del Zotto but his value is a little low right now. Doesn’t seem like there is a fit with Senators and the Oilers. Oilers would like some size on their blueline.

    From what Friedman understands, the Oilers offered a 2nd, 3rd and Ryan Jones to the Senators for Ben Bishop before he was dealt to the Lightning. The 2nd round pick was the Ducks (ended up being 56th) and the Senators wanted the Oilers pick (ended up being 37th).

    There is some interest in Flames Mikael Backlund.

  • Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov has been recalled five times this month without playing in a game. The Capitals are doing so to retain his rights. If he isn’t on the Capitals for at least 30 days by January 1st, he has clause that would allow him to return to the KHL. He has spent 19 days on the so far this season. He’s in the last year of his entry level deal.

    “It’s becoming increasingly hard for Dmitry to continue with this shuttle without any hope of playing a game,” Orlov’s agent, Mark Gandler, said. “The coach can’t see him in the lineup. He’s been around. Everybody knows what he can bring, there’s no question marks here. I think that the team can get something for him at this point and move forward. I think that would be the best solution for everybody.”

  • Chuck Gormley: First Martin Erat and now Dmitry Orlov.

    “Obviously, what Dmitry would like is to be traded,” agent Mark Gandler told CSNWashington.com Wednesday, “because he has no future in Washington whatsoever, zero chance for him.

    “I think his value as a player is diminishing with every day and the team is losing valuable time and also ruining his career.”

    Orlov has been recalled 5 times in the last month without playing a game. He’s been with tean for 19 days and hasn’t played.

    “He has to train hard, and then he has to get in the car and drive hours back to Hershey and work hard there and keep his head in the game and play hard and play well. That is very, very difficult to do for no reason whatsoever.

    “If he’s not an NHL player there’s no reason to marinate him in the minors,” Gandler continued. “Let him go. The easier solution, and it’s a great solution for everybody, is for him to be traded. I’ve been in this business 25 years. I don’t think there is a problem finding a team that would like him.”

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rangers Michael Del Zotto was scratched for the fourth time in the last seven games. It’s become clear that Del Zotto doesn’t fit into Alain Vigneault’s plans and he’s been part of trade talks for weeks. The Rangers haven’t received an offer they like enough to move the 23-year old. They don’t have the organizational depth to take a discounted return.
  • Andrew Gross: Seems clear that Michael Del Zotto’s future isn’t with the Rangers. Trading him now would be selling when his value is low. Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie: “Rangers are going to trade Del Zotto they just haven’t found the fit yet”
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: (mailbag) If the Avs are in a good spot at the trade deadline, Dater thinks they will become a buyer. If they are not, guys like Paul Stastny could be on the trading block. If they are serious about being a contender, they need to improve their defense. If they want to take a run this year and a defenseman is available that could really help, they could think about trading one of Chris Bigras, Duncan Siemens or Stefan Elliott and/or trading a draft pick.
  • Hope Smoke: Bob McKenzie on TSN Radio: “I can’t see Brodeur moving because Lamoriello doesn’t want to be the guy to move Marty from New Jersey”
  • Hope Smoke: McKenzie:  “Montreal wants to make a move and outside of their young core guys they’re willing to move anybody including Pacioretty”
  • Hope Smoke: McKenzie: “The Jets aren’t shopping Evander Kane but his name is out there too. There’s tension with the player and the team” … “Kane is a scary player to move considering his tools, but the player and that team and that city just don’t seem like a fit”
  • Hope Smoke: Darren Dreger on TSN Radio: “Teams around the NHL are telling me that Gardiner’s name is being discussed a little more” … “There is less resistance on the Leafs part when it comes to including Gardiner in a deal”
  • Dan Rosen of NHL.com: (mailbag) Rosen thinks the Devils should look for a defenseman with an expiring contract: examples Nikita Nikitin (CBJ), Tom Gilbert (FLA) or Nick Schultz (EDM). They are not linked to those players, but just the type of players they could look at.