- Fan 590 Audio: Elliotte Friedman on Prime Time Sports talking about Rick Nash rumors and the trade deadline.
- Fan 590 Audio: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk on Hockey Central @ Noon discussing the recent Stars struggles and the trade deadline.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland said ‘Nothing is imminent right now,” on the trade front. Holland would like to add some depth. A player with some grit, either up front or on the blueline. A goal scorer would also be nice. He is not interested in adding a goalie. “We like the chemistry of our team,” Holland said. “We like what we have. We feel we have a good team. We’re not going to trade away assets for a player who may not crack our lineup.”
- Craig Custance of ESPN: It’s likely the Red Wings will attempt to bring in depth at the deadline.
“There’s a little more chatter the last few days than there has been because the deadline is coming,” Holland said when we chatted on Tuesday afternoon. “Will we do something? We’re going to explore. We have cap space; we structured it at the beginning of the year that way. We’d like to give our team a bit of a boost.”
The Red Wings can add at least $15 million in salary at the deadline. Teemu Selanne would be a perfect fit. Travis Moen of the Canadiens, Sammy Pahlsson of the Blue Jackets and Paul Gaustad of the Sabres could be options. They won’t be giving up top D prospect Brendan Smith. A NHL scout on the Red Wings deadline strategy:
“For the Red Wings, it’s a matter of what are you willing to give up? You have to be careful; you have to keep your young guys. Depth up front would be great for them, not necessarily on the top two lines but in the bottom six and on defense. You’re not sure what you’re going to get out of Jakub Kindl in a playoff run; you don’t know how much hockey you’re going to get from Mike Commodore. Goaltending is not an issue as long as Jimmy Howard recovers.”
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Zeisberger thinks the Maple Leafs should take a run at Rick Nash. He has a special combination of skill and strength. If they did bring in Nash, don’t expect Mikhail Grabovski to get his $5 million contract from Burke. GM Scott Howson will demand Jake Gardiner as part of the package.
- Randy Miller via twitter: Miller thinks it may be worth a shot to do a Ryan Miller for Patrick Kane deal as the Blackhawks need a goalie bad. Tim Sassone via twitter: Patrick Kane is “absolutely not” on the trade block.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche lost J.S. Giguere to a groin injury last night. Peter Mueller missed the game with a torso injury, and TJ Galiardi left the game with a torso ailment.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Struggling Blues forward Chris Stewart found himself practicing with the 4th line yesterday, and is expected to remain their for their game tonight. Carlo Colaiacovo had x-rays on his wrist. Kent Huskins is expected to replace him. Alex Steen practiced but is not close to returning. Andy Strickland via twitter: Colaiacovo has a sprained wrist.
- Randy Miller via twitter: Carle, Bourdon, JVR, Read and Briere were on the Flyers 2nd power play unit yesterday at practice.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn was made a healthy scratch last night. Keith Aulie replaced Schenn.
- Seth Rorabaugh via twitter: Scouting the Penguins-Ducks game last night: Lightning, Rangers, Bruins, Canucks, Blackhawks, Jets, Avs, Oilers, Kings, Leafs, Devils, Hurricanes, Flyers and Red Wings.
#1 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
I can’t imagine Schenn would be a healthy scratch if Leafs were considering trading him.
#2 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
Sabres would LOVE to have hometown hero Pat Kane. I would do that deal. Chicago wouldn’t.
#3 by Phil at February 16th, 2012
Didnt Kane strangle a cab driver in Buffalo?
#4 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
Of course, you haven’t?
#5 by Phil at February 16th, 2012
The contracts that are going to hurt the leafs in the trade market this year and free agency next year are: colby armstrong and 4.5mill for tiny tim connelly. This could prevent them from doing what they did with anaheim by absorbing lupul’s contract….sigh
#6 by Phil at February 16th, 2012
oh and Komisarek
#7 by Dom at February 16th, 2012
Chicago is risking missing the playoffs due to bad goaltending. They have a lot of depth upfront which includes Toews, Sharp, Stalberg, Kane, Bolland, Brunette. Everyone knows goaltending makes it or breaks it in the playoffs. By getting Miller and putting the likes of Keith and Seabrook in front of him regardless of Kane going the other way or not; this team would be awesome
#8 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
Agree, except I think you can get a goaltender without giving up Toews.
#9 by I_am_I at February 16th, 2012
@Phil. Komi may have trade value in the summer. At $3.5M he doesn’t look nearly as overpaid plus with a $4.5M cap hit that saves $1M in cash for a floor team.
#10 by Dom at February 16th, 2012
Toews is not going anywhere. Sabres want Kane because he is from Buffalo and they can build the entire team around him. Blackhawks have too much firepower up front (Hossa, Toews, Kane, Sharp, Stalberg, Bolland) not to trade one for a much needed goalie in order to create a deep playoff run. Look at Thomas and Roloson last year. Look at Halak 2 yrs ago. Goalies win playoff series
#11 by John at February 16th, 2012
Agree, but you dont need to give up Kane to do it.
#12 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
Sry, i meant to say Kane.
#13 by Mark Easson at February 16th, 2012
There’s no doubt that Miller is a very good goalie, but he’s 31 and has missed some time in each of the last 2 years with a concussion.
Could be a risky move to trade Kane for him.
#14 by Dom at February 16th, 2012
I agree, trading Miller for Kane would be very risky for the hawks unless the Sabres did add something else. But when Miller is on his game he is incredible. The Sabres defense has been shaky all year but imagine how he would play with Seabrook and Keith in front of him. I still remember Miller’s performance at the Olympics 2 yrs ago. One of the most dominating performances I’ve ever seen
#15 by Wunschkind89 at February 16th, 2012
There is no such thing as too much firepower. I’m not sure if Chicago needs a goalie, or if they need a defenseman. Aside from Seabrook and Keith, they look a little thin on the blueline. What about the Bulin wall?
#16 by Jeff at February 16th, 2012
If you are Chicago and Buffalo was serious about making a run at former #1 overall pick, hometown hero, Patrick Kane, you are asking for something like this:
A package with Miller, McNabb and Kassian (or Armia).
#17 by Dom at February 16th, 2012
Miller, Boyes (UFA), Regehr and McNabb or Brennan
#18 by Phil at February 16th, 2012
i_am_i komisarek’s contract looks great…up in the press box