- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Trade talk should likely start picking up after the All-Star break ends on Tuesday.
“There really isn’t a lot going on,” said a league executive. “At this point, I would think teams are waiting for the first domino to fall and once that happens it might open things up for teams to make moves.”
Currently only the Hurricanes, Sabres, Oilers and Coyotes are considered true sellers. The Devils, Blue Jackets and Flyers have to accept their fate. The Senators, Leafs, Wild and Stars are hoping to get back into the race.
The Leafs are getting lots of calls on James van Riemsdyk and Morgan Rielly, but they aren’t going anywhere. They might not get much action in Dion Phaneuf. “You’re going to have a pretty tough time moving that contract unless you’re willing to take back somebody else’s problem,” said an executive. It’s doubtful the Leafs could get anyone to trake David Clarkson’s contract.
The Canucks are looking for a top-six forward. They are willing to trade Zack Kassian, and goaltenders Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom.
The Sharks are looking for depth and have been unsuccessful in trading Tyler Kennedy.
The Oilers will eventually trade Jeff Petry.
Sabres GM Tim Murray is being patient with Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford and Torrey Mitchell. The Flames and Bruins remain interested in Stewart.
The Kings are looking for depth upfront.
The Jets would like to move Adam Pardy. They’ll have nine healthy defenseman coming out of the break.
There is lots of interest in Coyotes Antoine Vermette. Would they move Shane Doan? He has a no-movement clause and thought is he doesn’t want to go. That could always change next year when he’s closer to free agency.
If the Panthers drop out of the playoff race, they’ll make Tomas Fleischmann, Scottie Upshall, Tomas Kopecky and Sean Bergenheim available.
The Bruins continue to look for a forward, but can’t get anything done. Wonder if the Bruins would be interested in Stars Erik Cole?
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: If the Maple Leafs want to trade Phil Kessel, there will be plenty of teams interested. James van Riemsdyk would be the easiest to trade. You can trade Dion Phaneuf, but you can’t get value for him. Summer will be the best time for the Leafs to make significant moves.Almost every junior hockey person that Simmons talks to insists that Mark Hunter will be the next GM of the Leafs. Simmons gets no indication from anyone that GM Dave Nonis could get fired.
- Scott Powers of ESPN: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman doesn’t think they’ll do much leading up to the trade deadline.
“I would never rule things out, but I don’t know if we’re going to be a really active player,” said Bowman before the Blackhawks played the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. “In the game today with the salary cap, we’re essentially right at the cap now. So if you’re going to be adding players, unless you’re trading players away, I’m not sure we’re in that spot.
“Sometimes you have a guy or two who is underperforming or whose contract you’re trying to get rid of, but we don’t really have anyone like that. We like our guys. They’re all contributing. Certainly they have slumps and they play well and struggle at times but, in general, it’s not like we have to get rid of this guy. If you were to trade one of those, you create one hole to fill another.”
