- 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.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Don’t look for the Avalanche to inquire about Rangers Wojtek Wolski.
- 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.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Rick Nash has a no-movement clause for the next 4 years, last 3 years it’s a modified no-trade.
- TSN Insider Trading Link:
#1 by hotwings at January 20th, 2012
Just give up Bobby Ryan and pack your bags for Toronto…
I can`t see it making sense for Nashville to pay renne 7 mil.. suter 7 mil… and weber 7 mil…
I dont know how the red wings are gonna grab suter or weber … do they have the assets?….
i think nashville giving up cody franson is becoming more of a blunder as time goes on…
if i was an oilers fan, i would want them to stay away from weber and suter… with hall out, and anaheim surging, it looks like the oil can likely grab the number 2 pick at the draft… hopefully edmonton can get a nice return for hemsky and gagner
#2 by Steve at January 20th, 2012
Well Detroit does have 5.8 million cap space, so with a trade, they can get anyone they want. Watch them go. I hate Detroit.
#3 by AJ at January 20th, 2012
I think hotwings meant what they can offer in return. 5.8M cap space only means you can take on more money, not that you can trade for anyone. And frankly, I don’t see many assets there. They could offer Filppula or Hudler at the deadline for Weber or Suter, which won’t happen as they’re battling group rivals and would hurt both teams. In the offseason, a Filppula package is possible, Hudler is a UFA.
I think both for the preds and wings, their best chance to improve is to offer a good young dmen in a package for Hemsky. Wings have Brendan Smith, Preds got Jonathon Blum for that.
You can forget about Ryan. Toronto got nothing in return, unless you’re willing to part with Phaneuf, which you’re not. There’s no need for Kadri or Colborne, when you have Bonino, Holland, Smith-Pelly, Palmieri and Etem. Ryan’s not worth giving up for Schenn and the Ducks prospect pool is in great shape, doesn’t need a middle-low 1st rounder, especially when they can pick a great D-prospect higher on their own.
#4 by Jeff at February 4th, 2012
I wonder if a team would be interested in Tim Connolly. I imagine Colborne could be just as effective right now.