Nash very unhappy … A Western Conference look … Canes and Ruutu to talk … Sharks looking for scoring … Kings considering Carter
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  • John Shannon of Sportsnet: Blue Jackets forward Rick Nash continues to say he won’t ask for a trade, but Shannon has spoke with some of Nash’s friends who say he’s very unhappy with the Jackets, and realizes it will be another couple years of rebuilding. Nash may now be realizing that if he wants to win, he may have to step into the spotlight. GM Scott Howson told Shannon that he won’t respond to rumors.
  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Blue Jackets have Vinny Prosposal, Sami Pahlsson and Jeff Carter available. The Oilers have Ryan Smyth, Ales Hemsky and Andy Sutton available. Smyth has a no-trade clause. The Oils might be reluctant to move Sam Gagner. The Ducks may move UFAs Jason Blake and Nicklas Hagman. Lubomir Visnovski has one year left but may interest teams. The Flames are looking to make the playoffs and like Tuomo Ruutu. The Blackhawks are looking for a defenseman and could look at Johnny Oduya, Mark Eaton, Hal Gill, Steve Staios, Jaroslav Spacek and Bryan Allen. The Avalanche are still in the race and are not sure yet what they will do. Dman Shane O’Brien could be moved. The Stars may make a push and hold onto UFAs Nicklas Grossman and Sheldon Souray. They’d like to add a top 6 forward. The Red Wings could look to add defensive depth or some size upfront, and will monitor their backup goalie spot. The Kings could use some scoring help. The Wild are looking for scoring but won’t give up any of their top prospects. Marek Zidlicky has been scratched lately and might have some value. They are getting interest in Josh Harding, and there might be a fit with the Lightning. The Predators will look to add a top 6 and a gritty defenseman. The Preds could use the rights to Alexander Radulov or Dman Jonathan Blum as bait. The Blues should look for a top 4 Dman, and could part with Chris Stewart. Sharks could be interested in Travis Moen. The Canucks would like to add some size and skill up front. They could get more for Cory Schneider if the dealt him in the summer.
  • Craig Custance of ESPN: The Bruins are able to take on $16 million in contracts at the trade deadline if they wish. “You can add a player and he could not fit in,” Chiarelli said. “It can upset the apple cart pretty easily.” They could look to add depth on the blueline and up front. Ryan Smyth would be a good fit but it sounds like he doesn’t want to move again.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford will have “an important meeting” with Tuomo Ruutu this week during their 3 game road trip.

    “I want to talk to him about where he’s at, this season and in the future,” Rutherford said. “We’ll talk about that and see where it goes. We’re closing in on the (NHL) trade deadline, so we need to make a decision.

    “I’ve had casual conversations with his agent the past month or so. The next step is to meet with (Ruutu) and make a decision on what direction would be the best for everyone.”

  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks GM Doug Wilson doesn’t comment on trade rumors, but said “We look every day for ways to improve this hockey team.” The Sharks could be looking for a proven scorer to play on one of their top 2 lines. Martin Havlat will out be out until early March. Teemu Selanne and Shane Doan would be nice, but don’t expect either to end up in San Jose. Blue Jackets R.J. Umberger could be available.
  • Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Flames winger Jarome Iginla still thinks the Flames has a shot at the playoffs, and isn’t paying attention to rumors.

    “I believe we can make it here. We’re four points out but that can change very quickly. That’s where the focus is,” he said. “I haven’t kept up on (any rumours). I don’t know where I’m supposed to be going or who’s going where or what. The focus is totally been on getting better here and we need to put a streak together and get in the playoffs ourselves.”

  • Dan Rosen of NHL.com: If things are tough in net for Ty Conklin and Joey MacDonald, the Red Wings could look at Evgeni Nabokov. Adrian Dater noted in the Denver Post that the Avalanche could make pending UFA Shane O’Brien, and RFA Kyle Quincey available. The Bruins could be a team to watch on the Tuomo Ruutu front due to Nathan Horton’s concussion.
  • The Toronto Sun: There is growing interest in Canadiens forward Travis Moen, with the Sharks among the frontrunners. Moen has been out since Jan. 21st, and is expected back next week. The Canadiens would love to find someone to take Scott Gomez.
  • Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets forward Mark Letestu will have the pin removed from his hand this week, and could return next week. James Wisniewski and Nikita Nikitin could be activated from the IR soon. Coach Todd Richards hinted that Feb. 14th against the Blues could be a return for all of them. Kristian Huselius could be done for the season.
  • Adrain Dater of the Denver Post: Avs forward Matt Duchene skated on his own before practice yesterday. He’s still likely 1-2 weeks away from returning. Tyson Barrie will make his debut.