NHL Rumors: Senators, Stars, Canucks and Devils
Dion Phaneuf may not waive his NMC, could the Ottawa Senators trade him or someone else?
On the Ottawa Senators …

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Senators: Though a final decision hasn’t been made, sources confirming Dion Phaneuf is expected to not waive his no-movement clause for the expansion draft. He has until Friday at 5:00 to tell the Senators.

GM Pierre Dorion may now have to make some moves to keep his top-four defense together.

The Sens had been hoping to protect seven forwards and three defense, but may now have to consider protecting eight skaters. If they go with eight skaters, forwards Zack Smith, Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Derick Brassard could end up being exposed.

Dorion could make a deal with Vegas to not take Marc Methot, but that could be costly. Dorion could also look to trade Methot before Saturday, and there will be plenty of interest.

They could look to get a big haul for Cody Ceci.

Trading Phaneuf is another option. He has a 10 team list on where he’d accept a trade to.

On the Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks …

Jim Matheson: The Dallas Stars like Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev. He’s a second pairing defenseman and can’t be worth the No. 3 pick. Maybe a flip of the picks too?

On the New Jersey Devils …

Mike Morreale of NHL.com: Devils GM Ray Shero said they are open all options with regards to their No. 1 pick, but they expect to hold on to it.

“I’ve gotten calls asking if there’s interest moving down and other calls where it’s been more specific and it’s something to think about,” general manager Ray Shero said. “But I haven’t called them back. The idea is we’ll probably be picking, but we’re open to a lot of things.

“What would it get me to trade the No. 1 pick outright? I couldn’t even tell you. It hasn’t been done that much, but if we did do something like that it would be pretty apparent it was the right thing to do. You have to be ready for all different scenarios in moving up or down, and in this case down.”