Plenty of teams looking a top 6, and players who may qualify … Ryan back on track … Flyers approach with Pronger out … Suter after $7+ million
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Teams that could be looking for a top 6 forward at the deadline: Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Wild, Kings, Red Wings, Rangers, and Predators. The Sharks could look for a top 6 or checking line forward. The Bruins and Canucks are looking for depth. Predators GM David Poile:

    “There’s 15 to 20 teams right now that are aggressively calling the three or four or five teams that they think are appropriate to call. And there’s nothing happening with those teams right now.”

    Potential top 6 players that could be available: Derek Roy, Brad Boyes, Drew Stafford, Vinny Prospal, Antoine Vermette, Kristian Huselius, Ales Hemsky, Tuomo Ruutu and Jason Blake. The Predators and Red Wings like Hemsky. The offseason may be a better time for the Ducks to trade Bobby Ryan. Some people think that Blues AHL goalie Ben Bishop is the best goalie not in the NHL and could get some interest. LeBrun thinks Ryan Suter’s side is sitting back to see what Poile will do at the deadline to improve the Preds. GM David Poile:

    “If you’re asking what I’m going to do, my gut is that we’re going to be trying to add to our team and if we’re adding to our team, we certainly don’t want to be taking away from it by making a deal like that.”

  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Bobby Ryan has been reunited with the Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and is back on pace for a 30 goal season. Ryan said that he hasn’t spoken with GM Bob Murray regarding all the trade rumors that he’s been mentioned in this season. Toronto Sun:

    “It’s frustrating because I think my play over the past 10 games has been good enough to where (the rumours) should cease a little bit and there should be some protection there,” Ryan told the Orange County Register.

    “It’s the nature of the business I guess. We’re still a team that’s (13) points out of the playoffs. We didn’t have a good first half and set ourselves so far behind the 8-ball.”

    Randy Miller via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren on if Chris Pronger could be ready for the playoffs: “I don’t know. We’ll see. I would say the odds of that happening aren’t very good.”

  • Tim Panaccio of CSN Philly: Do the Flyers approach the trade deadline like Chris Pronger’s career could be over?

    “I’ve talked to Chris enough to know things aren’t going good,” Holmgren said. “We’re not going to make any rash decisions. We’ll continue to look at the team for the present and the future and if something comes up that makes sense, we’ll see what we can do.”

    James van Riemsdyk is making progress with his concussion, but isn’t skating yet. Blair Betts won’t play this season due to knee and other injuries.

  • Andy Strickland via twitter: Strickland has been told that Predators defenseman Ryan Suter wants to stay in Nashville, but also wants to win. Talks continue. Strickland of True Hockey: Word is that Suter could be looking for an extension north of $7 million per season. Add the Blues to the list of teams that would be interested in Rick Nash if he were to become available. Don’t expect a deal though. Defenseman to keep an eye on at the trade deadline: Tim Gleason and Bryan Allen of the Hurricanes, Filip Kuba (Ott), Johnny Oduya (Win), Matt Carle (Phi), Bryce Salvador (NJ).
  • David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Sportsnet Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean made it pretty clear that they are sure Oilers Ales Hemsky will be traded at the deadline. MacLean doesn’t see teams paying a big price for him. Kypreos is a little more positive towards Hemsky, “There’s a lot of teams right now looking for a top six forward and he certainly fits the bill.” Kypreos names the Penguins, Blackhawks, Red Wings as possible destinations. MacLean name the Senators, Capitals, Canucks, Red Wings and Sharks.