Around the Boards: Niedermayer Retiring a Duck, Sens looking for a Center, Wings continue to get healthier, New center for Kessel
  • Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times: Scott Niedermayer is going retire an Anaheim Duck, and not get traded at the deadline. According to Ducks GM Bob Murray  “No. Scotty and I have been talking and he’s going to retire an Anaheim Duck. And that’s the way it’s going to be unless he tells me different. I have an agreement with Scotty and it’s my word. “We’ve talked about this. I see him staying here. Who knows, he might play next year.”
  • Bruce Harrioch of the Ottawa Sun:  Senators GM Bryan Murray is looking to add a center, but no much is available at the moment.
  • Dan Martin of the NY Post: Islanders GM Garth Snow is in no rush to trade his 3rd goalie, Martin Biron. That’s a smart move considering DiPietro’s history, he could get hurt in practice and be out for a year.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Happier times in Detroit with the all the potential returnees to their lineup lately. Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson could be back on Thrusday against the Hurricanes. Tomas Holmstrom is hoping to return on the 25th or 27th. Both Johan Franzen and Jason Williams are back skating.
  • Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: Phil Kessel has been in a 12 game scoring slump, and now the Maple Leafs have called up Tyler Bozak from the Marlies in an attempt to jump start Kessel. I think Bozak has the skill, speed and IQ to be a good center for Kessel, though I’m not sure if he’s ready just yet, time will tell. Bozak had 20 points in 32 game in the AHL, and battled the swine flu earlier in the season.