Rumors II: Pitkanen, Flames, Expansion and Trade Candidates

Elliotte Friedman and Damien Cox …

  • Belief out of Anaheim is that GM Bob Murray isn’t ready to fire Bruce Boudreau just yet. Expectation is that he’ll be behind the bench for their five game road trip that starts later this week.
  • In Columbus it’s believed that GM Jarko Kekalainen may be wanting to make a trade before he fires head coach Todd Richards.
  • Slava Voynov headed back to Russia instead of fighting deportation. St. Petersburg and another KHL are fighting over his rights.
  • Johan Franzen’s career is in jeopardy. Red Wings GM Ken Holland will only say he’s out indefinitely.
  • The 32-year old Joni Pitkanen is thinking about make a comeback. He’s playing in an upcoming charity game later this month and could look to return next season.
  • Team Canada will look to name their head coach for the World Cup in the next month.
  • MLSE is looking for their next president and could be looking at Canadiens COO Kevin Gilmore.

On the Flames …

  • Jason Gregor: Flames GM Brad Treliving: “Ultimately you don’t want to carry three for an extended period, but really the only one truly affected is the #3 goalie.”

On Expansion …

  • Vegas Wants Hockey: Bill Foley expects an announcement regarding expansion by December.
  • David Pagnotta: An NHL executive on the expansion process said that “there has not yet been any follow-up with Exec Committee.” He added that there hasn’t been anything scheduled with the NHL Executive Committee and that they are still reviewing the applications.

On potential trade candidates …

  • Lyle Richardson on Bleacher Report: Richardson looks at pending unrestricted free agents that could be traded at some point this season: Dustin Byfuglien (WPG), Shane Doan (ARI), Loui Eriksson (BOS), Jonas Hiller (CGY), Milan Lucic (LA), Kyle Okposo (NYI), Luke Schenn (PHI), Ben Scrivens (EDM), Eric Staal and Cam Ward (CAR).