- Jeff Miller of the OC Register: Miller thinks the Ducks should trade Ryan Getzlaf if there is a deal that significantly improves the Ducks. Miller: “For whatever reason, this just isn’t working. It isn’t working for the Ducks, and it certainly isn’t working for Getzlaf.” Getzlaf has only 6 goals and 25 points, and is on pace for 55 points. He entered the year averaging .965 points per game. Selanne may want to finish his career on a contender: “You never say ‘never,’ ” Selanne explained. “But I don’t want to waste any thoughts on it right now. It’s time to have fun here. You just keep fighting as long as you can breathe.”
- Stephen Whyno via twitter: Flames forward Rene Bourque has a hearing with the NHL over an elbow to the head of Nicklas Backstrom. Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: Capitals Niklas Backstrom left last night’s game after taking a Rene Bourque elbow to the head. He was removed from the game for precautionary reasons, and will be evaluated today. Video at bottom of entry.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: The NHL has terminated the purchase agreement between the Blues and Matthew Hulsizer. Blues minority owner Tom Stillman has the opportunity to step in and purchase the team. Hulsizer didn’t make the NHL’s imposed deadline to buy the club. Hulsizer was attempting to restructure the financing of the deal several times. Some sources are saying that Stillman has an exclusive 75 day window to complete the deal, while other are saying the Blues can negotiate with anyone, including Hulsizer.
- Josh Yohe of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins Pascal Dupuis, out with an upper-body injury, skated before practice and is day-to-day. Arron Asham is also day-to-day, didn’t skate yesterday but isn’t walking around with a limp after taking a shot off the knee.
- Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: The Coyotes have activated goalie Mike Smith off the IR. Curtis McElhinney has been assigned to the AHL.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers James van Riemsdyk will fill in for the injured Jaromir Jagr on the top line with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to start on Thursday.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Panthers goalie Jose Theodore will be out at least 2 weeks with a knee injury.
- Mike Organ of the Tennessean: Predators defenseman Shea Weber practiced yesterday with limited contact for the 1st time since suffering a concussion 12 days ago. “There is still no time line on him,” Trotz said. “It’s when he feels comfortable; when he feels that he’s ready to go, then he’ll come and let us know. Between the doctors, the trainers and Shea, they’ll make that decision.”
#1 by AJ at January 4th, 2012
No trading Getzlaf. Only way it would make sense if the Ducks could pull a Richards/Carter, which they clearly can’t and don’t need to.
Other than that, why would you trade your franchise player, a No1 center? They don’t grow in bushes. Hes the only proven center under contract from next year on. I can’t see trading him would bring anything (good), but a major setback.
#2 by hotwings at January 4th, 2012
the ducks are going to get one of grigorenko or yakopov… this much is pretty certain…
i hope they do trade getzlaf or ryan to toronto, but i agree it would be kinda hasty to do so…
they do have a lot of money comin off the books next year… (selanne, koivu, blake, ellis, beauchmin, hagman), so i think they should try to upgrade their d via free agency.
i think it would be most prudent to try to get another pick or d prospect in return for selanne at the deadline..
#3 by AJ at January 4th, 2012
Barring sudden drastic changes I think the Ducks and Selanne will agree to trade him to a contender for a nice return and eventually (if he decides to hang up) sign him for a one-day contract come July 1st, to announce his retirement as a Duck. Unfortunately, this might be the best way for him to help the organisation one last time.