Posts Tagged Keith Ballard

Afternoon notes on Giroux, Flyers PP, Koivu, Ballard, Green, Gagner and starting goalies

  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Josh Harding is expected to start for the Wild. They are not expecting Mikko Koivu to be in the lineup. If Koivu can’t go, they will likely go with 7 defenseman.
  • Ben Kuzma via twitter: Canucks defenseman Keith Ballard is still having back issues and will be held out. Andrew Ebbett may play against the Wings.
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: Oilers forward Sam Gagner suffered whiplash in last night’s game and is questionable for Thursday.

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Morning NHL rumors involving Jarome Iginla, Ryan Miller and the Flyers need for a defenseman

  • Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: If Jarome Iginla is thinking about asking for a trade or possibly open to the idea of moving on, he isn’t saying so. He still believes that Calgary is the best situation for him.

    “I want to win here and believe we can be a good team here. That’s really where my thoughts are,” Iginla said.

    “It’s 60 games left, a lot of season. It’s a lot of time for us to make our way back.”

    The 34 year old Iginla has one more year on his contract at $7 million. He may not want to go through another rebuilding process.

    “It’s just the way it works, the way media is, as far as Internet and how easy it is to just run with a story,” he continued. “It’s not always accurate, that’s for sure, but that’s fine. I’m not blaming anybody, but there are things you read that aren’t accurate and you just move on.

    “The best way to stop a story is to win games and climb in the standings.”

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: If Flames GM Jay Feaster decides he wants to move Iginla, he’ll need to get him to waive his no-movement clause and a blessing from ownership. If Iginla decides he wants to be traded, LeBrun thinks the Bruins will be one of the teams that will be interested.

    Over the weekend Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reported that Ryan Miller wanted out of Buffalo.

    “That is not true at all, and I have never made any comment concerning my status with the team,” Miller told ESPN.com via text message Tuesday. “I am proud of being a Sabre for all we have accomplished, and I am excited about the new chapter Terry and Kim Pegula have inspired. I am working hard to get healthy and build my game back to where I want it so I can start to contribute to an effort to build a championship team.”

  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ducks’ chief executive, Michael Schulman gave GM Bob Murray a vote of confidence.

    “We are certainly frustrated with the results to this point but remain optimistic that we can turn this season around,” Schulman said. “Bob has been largely responsible for a great deal of our success since he joined the organization, and we have complete confidence he will lead us out of this difficult time as well.”

  • Jay Greenberg of CSN Philly: Injuries have hit the Flyers blueline, and they will likely go with some call-ups for now. “People I talk to, everybody is looking for a defenseman now, not looking to trade one.” said Holmgren. That could change if the Flyers decided to offer up one of their core young forwards.
  • Dustin Leed of The Hockey Guys: Sources are telling Leed that Chris Pronger’s knee surgery could keep him out longer than the expected 4 weeks. The Flyers are concerned about Pronger’s injuries, and GM Paul Holmgren has been working the phones for a defenseman. Sources have confirmed that the Flyers have contacted the Flames about Mark Giordano and Scott Hannan. Putting Andreas Nodl on waivers put the Flyers at 49 contracts. The Hurricanes are willing to move a defenseman or two for a top 9 forward. The Flyers are not interested in Tomas Kaberle. They could offer draft picks for Tim Gleason ($2.9 million) or Bryan Allen ($2.75 million). Philly has the Kings 2nd round pick, either a 2012 or 2013 2nd round pick from the Panthers, and a 2013 3rd round pick from the Wild, to go along with their picks that they could offer up. Lightning Bruno Gervais is another potential target. The Canucks have been shopping Keith Ballard, but Leed doesn’t see the Flyers interested in his $4.2 million salary. The Flyers don’t have any interest in moving Matt Carle or Sergei Bobrovsky at the moment. For now they will go with Kevin Marshall and Marc-Andre Bourdon, but they’ll likely need another steady defenseman at some point.
  • David Alter via twitter: The Maple Leafs have sent Keith Aulie back to the Marlies, so Carl Gunnarsson will play tonight.

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Sunday morning rumor update … D-day for Filatov coming … Injuries to Hall, Edler, Lehtonen, Daley, and Eaves

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
    • Garrioch wouldn’t be surprised if the Stars showed interest in Jarome Iginla to help put the team back on the hockey map. If the Flames and Iginla (NTC) decide to move on, there will be plenty of teams interested. New Stars owner Tom Gaglardi is believed to be giving GM Joe Nieuwendyk the resources to add some salary.
    • Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has interest in a goaltending and defensemen. Yzerman isn’t offering anything up that teams are interested in for a defenseman. He’d move Mattias Ohlund, but no one is interested in his remaining 3 years with a $3.607 million cap hit. Yzerman could be targeting Jonathan Bernier.
    • The Blue Jackets are trying to get Bernier as well.
    • Canucks GM Mike Gillis has been trying to trade Keith Ballard, and would like to get a defenseman in return. They may try to get Matt Carle from the Flyers.
    • Don’t look for Islanders Kyle Okposo to get traded, he is wearing an “A”. Isles GM Garth Snow is looking for some forward help.
    • Avalanche coach Joe Sacco is on the hotseat.  Avs GM Greg Sherman may look to make a deal to shake things up. Center Paul Stastny’s name has come up. Many don’t think they’d move Stastny, but anything is possible in Colorado according to one league executive.
    • The Flames could be interested in Oilers center Sam Gagner.
    • The Hurricanes aren’t thrilled with Tomas Kaberle and have checked around to see if there is any interest.
    • The Blackhawks would like to add a defenseman.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Adding a goalie will likely be the main goal for Lightning GM Steve Yzerman this summer. Erlendsson doesn’t think they’ll make a change during the season. Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus are unknown projects who haven’t shown if they can play in the NHL. Cory Schneider and Jonathan Bernier could become trade options. The Lightning scouted the Kings late last year. A Vancouver scout was said to be scouting the Lightning’s AHL affiliate. Wild backup, Josh Harding, will be a UFA at the end of the year. A long shot could be 28 year old Vasily Koshechkin, a 2002 draft pick playing in Russia.
  • Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: Kyle Turris was originally going to be sent to the AHL on a conditioning stint, but will now remain with the Coyotes.

    “Kyle has returned in phenomenal condition,” Maloney said. “We skated him hard two days in a row, and he looks strong and in shape, so we’ve decided to keep him with us. We still have the option to send him to Portland for a couple games next weekend, which we may, but it’s not in stone. We’re going to assess where he is in practice and potentially play him as early as next week.”

  • Darren Millard via twitter: Millard wonders if last night will be the last straw in Washington. Will management make a coaching change?
  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators GM Bryan Murray told Nikita Filatov that he’d make a decision on his playing future by November 30th. Filatov has said he’d rather go play in the KHL if there isn’t a roster spot in Ottawa. He has 6 points in his last 2 games, 12 points total in 14 games (not including last night’s game).
  • Dallas Morning News: Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen took a shot off his right knee, just above the goalie pad. He left right after and didn’t return. (it also looked like he could have injured his groin.)
  • Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves was taken off the ice on a stretcher after taking a shot off the side of the head/face. He was taken to a hospital, and was diagnosed with a fractured jaw.

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Nash not getting traded … Carter didn’t ask for a trade … Canes shopping Kaberle … Omark and Gagner Leafs rumors … Jagr, Lombardi and Nabokov injured

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson has never brought up Rick Nash’s name in trade talks. Other teams have obviously asked about Nash, but were quickly turned down.

    “Rick has never asked for a trade, contrary to what has been reported,” his agent Joe Resnick told ESPN.com on Thursday. “Rick is focused on trying to turn things around in Columbus and help the team get some wins.”

    Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has admitted he’s looking for a goalie:

    “We’re seeing what’s available and seeing what the price tag is,” GM Brian Burke told ESPN.com on Thursday afternoon. “Obviously nothing has tickled our fancy yet.”

    James Reimer has been listed as day-to-day for weeks and still hasn’t started skating. Burke added: “so at some point we have to get a goaltender in here to bridge the gap until he’s healthy.”

    Ryan Suter’s agent, Neil Sheehy, on contract talks with the Predators: “It’s ongoing; there won’t be a deal while I’m here in town.”  “We’re continuing to talk, and that’s about all I can say at this point.”

  • RDS through google translate: RDS reported that Blue Jackets forward Jeff Carter has already asked for a trade. Carter has missed time with a foot injury and has only played in 7 games. Renaud Lavoie of RDSthrough google translate: Teams looking to improve will likely have asked about Carter. The Blue Jackets don’t want to get rid of him. Lavoie contacted Carter’s agent, Rick Curran, who said that Carter didn’t ask for a trade despite the rumors.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: This weekend could determine the fate of Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice. Sources are saying that GM Jim Rutherford is looking to trade for a forward and is dangling defenseman Tomas Kaberle and Bryan Allen, even though Joni Pitkanen is out with an injury.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers center Sam Gagner keeps being mentioned in trade rumors, one involving Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Franson or possibly landing with the Blackhawks, reuniting him with his London Knights linemate, Patrick Kane.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson doesn’t think the Oilers need to trade for a defenseman even with Cam Barker being out till March and with Ryan Whitney having injury issues the last year. Whitney is expected to be back in the lineup next week. When Whitney returns they’ll have 7 defenseman, so they may not have a need for a Cody Franson. The Leafs are hurting for a forward due to recent injuries. Linus Omark is trade chip for Oilers GM Steve Tambellini. Matheson wonders if Omark and a 2nd round pick could get Franson? Burke may rather have Gagner than Omark, but he’s had ankle and back issues so far this season. Other defenseman that aren’t playing much that the Oilers could look at are: Jim Vandermeer (SJ), Matt Walker (PHI), Shaone Morrisson (BUF), Jason Strudwick or their prospect Colten Teubert.
  • Jonas Seigel via twitter: Maple Leafs forward Matthew Lombardi was injured in last night’s game and left the arena with his arm in a sling.
  • Katie Strang via twitter: Islanders goalie Nabokov suffered a groin injury in last night’s game and will be re-evaluated today.
  • Adam Jahns via twitter: Brent Seabrook is out tonight and probably won’t play until they head to California. Michael Frolik is questionable against Calgary.
  • Ben Kuzma via twitter: Ryan Kesler has a stiff shoulder. Keith Ballard has back spasms. Mason Raymond has been cleared for contact.

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Sunday notes on Flames, Leafs, Canucks, Blake, Doughty, Connolly, Mueller, Hemsky and McDonald

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: 2 league sources are saying that the Flames GM Jay Feaster is desperately trying to move contracts off their books. The Flames may be shopping Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and David Moss, but it may be tough finding someone wanting those contract. Stajan has 3 years left on his 4 year, $14 million deal. Ollie Jokinen, Hagman and Moss could be deadline rentals. Despite having the 5th highest payroll, Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson could be on the hotseat. A league executive, “There’s actually a lot of teams talking for this time of year. I don’t think you’re going to see anything shake down until the end of the month.” Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is checking out interest in Carl Gunnarson and Tyler Bozak. The Leafs would like to make room for defenseman Keith Aulie and they don’t plan on sending Jake Gardiner to the minors. Canucks GM Mike Gillis has been working the phones looking to move a defenseman, possibly Keith Ballard, and not goalie. One league executive hasn’t heard Kyle Turris’ name mentioned in trade talks.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Ducks winger Jason Blake could be out 3 months after suffering a lacerated tendon just above his wrist. He will have surgery on Monday.
  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Kings defenseman Drew Doughty will be out 7 to 10 days with an upper-body injury. Kings GM Dean Lombardi said it didn’t involve Doughty’s head.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: The Lightning will have to decide soon if they want to burn a contract year with 2010 1st round pick Brentt Connolly. Connolly has played in 5 games so far, they play their 10th game on Oct. 27th.
  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson would like to see the NHL entry draft switch the drafting age from 18 to 19, “For the most part, 18- and 19-year-old players are not close to being ready for the NHL. If the draft goes back a year, it slows down the process at every level. Right now, everyone is on a treadmill to get there.” Only 6% of 18 year olds play in the NHL the year they are draft.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward Peter Mueller is listed as day-to-day and is skating, but the Avs have contected a concussion expert who has dealt with Mueller in the past.

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Free agent news and rumors involving: Realignment, Penguins, Yandle, Canucks, Predators and Canadiens … Could Canadiens block a Stamkos to Leafs move?

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Gary Bettman presented a major realignment proposal to the board of governors for the 2012-13 season. It involved cutting the divisions down to 4, and possibly moving the Red Wings and Blue Jackets to the Eastern Conference. It is still in the discussion stages. It would be a balanced schedule with home-and-home’s against teams outside their division. Top 4 teams in each division make the playoffs, 1st round is divisional play, then re-seed for conference play. In each conference, 1 division would have 8 teams and the other 7. One league executive, “Nobody is happy with the current format so I would expect something like this is going to be adopted.”
  • Will DePaoi of Inside Pittsburgh Sports: If the Penguins don’t bring Tyler Kennedy back, and don’t come to terms with Jaromir Jagr, Radim Vrbata could be an option if the price and length are right. He’s coming off a 3 year, $9 million deal, which might mean he’d want more than the Pens could offer.
  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Strickland looks at some ‘what if’s’ involving the Leafs, Stamkos and the Canadiens. The Lightning won’t let Steven Stamkos to go over a few million bucks if some team puts in an offer sheet. Strickland wonders if the Canadiens would try to block the Maple Leafs attempt to acquire Stamkos (through an offer sheet if Burke is being pressured by ownership to sign Stamkos) by trading for Vinny Lecavalier? The Canadiens would have send Scott Gomez plus others. “Montreal knows if Toronto gets Stamkos, the balance of power immediately shifts.”
  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources are saying that Keith Yandle won’t sign before July 1st, and won’t sign before at least one of Drew Doughty or Shea Weber get a deal done. The Coyotes can’t afford to lose Yandle. His salary wasn’t high enough last year for the Coyotes to offer him arbitration, so he’s open for offer sheets. LA is trying hard to lock up Doughty, some goes for Nashville and Weber. Weber may be waiting to see what moves the Predators will make to prove that they want to be a contender. It’s unlikely that the Sharks will re-sign Ian White and Ben Eager. They are working on re-signing Devin Setoguchi. The Canucks may put Keith Ballard on waivers and send him to the minors, as they are attempting to re-sign both Kevin Bieksa and Christian Ehrhoff. Roman Hamrlik expect to get a contract offer from the Canadiens by July 1st. The Florida Panthers are about $30 million below the salary floor, and may have to take on some bad contracts as long as they come with some draft picks. Maybe Ballard could head to Florida. The Blues may look to move Barrett Jackman who’s in the last year of his contract and could be looking for something in the $5 million range. Rob Niedermayer could be dangle to Blues who are looking for an experience player or 2.
  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Duhatschek offers up a bunch of questions. Could the Flames find someone to take Jay Bouwmeester? Might look good in Columbus. Would Rangers look to move Marian Gaborik to free up money for Brad Richards? Would the Senators be interested in Gaborik? Would the Coyotes be interested in Evgeni Nabokov?

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NHL Draft and Trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is looking for someone “special” at the draft, and that could be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They could also be looking to move their 19th and 31st pick.

    “We have a couple of years to build and if we can get players to fill our needs, that’s what we want. If a player Stu (head scout MacGregor) feels passionately about is there earlier (than No. 19), we’ll be aggressive to get him.”

    Tambellini on the Ryan Smyth situation,

    “He’s a good person, but that’s Ryan’s business and (Kings GM) Dean Lombardi’s business. I respect that.” They wouldn’t give up much for him.

    Tambellini on Ales Hemsky,

    “I knows he’s going into the last year of his contract and I’m not worried. I don’t think Ales is worried, either. I think for the first time he feels he’s going to start a season really strong, with both shoulders good. He’s going to come back in early July (from the Czech Republic) and might take a couple of twirls at our prospects camp.”

    Robert Tychkowski Edmonton Sun: Unless someone if offering a young, proven franchise player, Edmonton’s 1st overall pick isn’t for sale. Tambellini,

    “You really need to present something that is a no-brainer for the organization.”

    “Managers will say, ‘What are you looking for?’ I normally say, ‘That’s for you to tell me. Show me something that makes it worthwhile to bring to my organization to consider.’ “

  • Terry Jones via twitter: It doesn’t sound like the Oilers have much interest in moving Ales Hemsky or any of their top young kids. Also looking like they will pick 19th.
  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators Will be looking for a 2nd line center. GM Murray could get one through trade or by free agency. Free agents possibilities (with injury risks and in the $3.5-4.5 million range) are Jason Arnott, Michal Handzus, Vinny Prospal and Tim Connolly. One problem for going the trade route is that teams that have good ones don’t want to move them. If they go the draft route, Jonathan Huberdeau, Sean Couturier, Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad are candidates. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will be gone, and the same goes for Huberdeau.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson continues to work on moving the 8th overall pick to acquire an established player. There has been an “exchange of ideas”, with a few “available” players surfacing. He’s willing to listen to offers regarding anyone but Rick Nash.

    “I’ve had a few surprise calls, players who might be available,” he said. “It’s not been specifically about the pick, but just, ‘Here’s what I’m thinking about doing’, and, ‘Here’s who might be available.’

    “There’s a lot going on, more than normal. Teams realize we’re more open to trading a top-10 pick than we’ve been in the past for immediate help. That has generated some interest.”

    The Blue Jackets are looking for in this order, a skilled Dman or 2, a top-six center, and a backup goaltender. Finding a center they deem worthy of a top 6 may be difficult,

    “There’s a scarcity of centers available by trade, too, at least the kind that we would want,” Howson said. “I don’t think that changes what we’ll be thinking about when we get to the draft.

    “Those are two areas of need. If something comes our way in one of those areas, we won’t question it. We’ll make the move as long as it makes sense to us and we’re excited about it.”

    The Jackets are interested in Jeff Carter, but the Flyers may not want to trade him. Avalanche’s Paul Stastny and Senators Jason Spezza could be available if their organizations decide to shake things up. To get any of those players they would likely have to give up the 8th overall pick, a top 6 like Jake Voracek, and perhaps a prospect like Nikita Filatov or dman John Moore. Brent Burns could be being dangled by the Wild, but it would take more than the 8th pick to get him. Other Dmen that could be available are Mike Green, Jay Bouwmeester, John-Michael Liles, Johnny Oduya, Tom Gilbert and Keith Ballard.

  • Sean Fitz-Gerald of the National Post: Brian Burke on his pre-draft strategy,

    “We’ve made overtures to all the teams that have picks in the range that we’d like to get to. No takers yet. We would move those picks for players that help us now, as well. So we’re really looking at lots of different scenarios. This will sound funny to people because the draft is Friday night, but it’s still early. In our time, when you can make a deal in an hour or two, it’s still early. But right now, I got nothing. Lots of lines in the water, no bites.”

    Burke on teams coming to him,

    “Yeah. Yeah, we’ve made it clear to teams that, if we do keep the picks and get to our pick, that we’d trade down, too, if there’s not the exact fit we want. We’re working both sides of that fence.”

    Burke on the Leafs RFAs and UFAs,

    “We’ve budgeted a cap figure for all the guys that we intend to sign. We’ll come in at that range, and that allows us to plan for what else we do. There’s a possibility with an RFA that you get an offer sheet on a guy, but I don’t think that’s a realistic threat with any of our guys. And certainly, with our financial wherewithal, we’re prepared for something like that. But our intention is to sign these guys. There’s no urgency on any of these guys. No one’s hammering us to get a deal done. I think the strategy for a lot of agents is to wait and see if other guys sign, to see if it helps their position … the guy that you guys ask about the most is Clarke MacArthur. He’s got arbitration rights. And if Clarke MacArthur files for arbitration, then we’re going to arbitration. That’s in the CBA, that’s his right, and I’m certainly prepared for that, if that’s the way it goes. I don’t anticipate any surprises or any difficulty that we haven’t foreseen.”

    Burke on draft day trades,

    “I know there’s a lot of phone activity, a lot of radio chatter, but I can’t tell you if there’s going to be a lot of activity. If you’re picking, say, at 25 like we are, there’s a good chance you can get the same player at 25 that you’re going to get at 15. So the incentive is, ‘can you move up?’ Yeah. Would you pay a ransom to move up? No, I don’t think so. I can’t read it yet, on how much activity there’s going to be. Based on what we’ve got going, I’d say we’re not going to trade up. We’re either going to trade those picks for players, or we’re going to keep them.”

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Devils could file for arbitration with Parise … Lightning have 12 free agents … Ballard would be tough to move … Maloney not losing sleep over replacing Bryzgalov

  • Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Devils winger Zach Parise said there is still “nothing” going on with contract discussions. Gulitti thinks it seems likely that the Devils will file for “team-elected arbitration” next week. This would prevent other teams from signing Parise to an offer sheet. When Lou was asked about it, “That’s something we’d never talk about.” Even if they file for arbitration, the sides can still work on a new deal.

    “I’m sure that nobody wants that to happen,” Parise said. “No one wants it to drag out all the way to arbitration. I don’t think a player wants to go to arbitration. I don’t think an organization wants to take someone to arbitration at the end of the day. Maybe something like that happens, but of course we don’t want to.”

  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: It looks like the Bruins could let Tomas Kaberle walk, and Michael Ryder could be kept. Both players are likely to get offers but at a discounted price. Kaberle is a $4.25 million cap hit, Ryder is at $4 million.
  • Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times: The Lightning have 12 free agents, and GM Steve Yzerman said that he probably can’t bring everyone back. He’s told a some players that there are a few contracts he has to do first before he can get to them. On UFA defenseman Eric Brewer,

    “He played very well for us,” Yzerman said. “We intend to offer him a contract. It all comes down to how much we can afford to pay for the position and how much the player is asking. We haven’t had those discussions yet. But at my end-of-the-year meeting, he indicated he enjoyed playing here in Tampa and is interested in exploring signing an extension with us.”

    Yzerman has been playing “phone tag” with Steven Stamkos’s agent,

    “We want (Stamkos) to be a Lightning player for a long time and our intention is to reach an agreement that works for all the parties involved.”

    The Lightning will likely want to sign Dwayne Roloson, Mike Smith, Sean Bergenheim and Teddy Purcell. Simon Gagne could be down the contract priority list.

  • Erik Erlendsson via twitter: If Brewer isn’t re-signed, Erlendsson thinks they will look at Kevin Bieksa or Christian Ehrhoff, “those type of UFAs”
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Coyotes GM Don Maloney needs to find a number 1 center, but was pleased with Kyle Turris’s play against Detroit in the 1st round. Kris Draper may be finding himself on the outside, as there isn’t really room for him on the Red Wings roster next season. He may retire and take a management job similar to what Kirk Maltby did last year. Alex Radulov’s KHL team is in financial trouble which could bode well for the Predators.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson wonders if it’s possible that Tim Thomas wins the Conn Smythe Trophy even if the Bruins lose. Keith Ballard’s days in Vancouver may be numbered as he’s fallen to 9th on their depth chart. Moving Ballard’s contract would be difficult as he has 3 years at $4.2 million per year. Coyotes GM Maloney hopes the Flyers work out a deal with Ilya Bryzgalov so that they can acquire another assets that was conditional in the trade. On a replacement for Bryzgalov,

    “There’s some really good up-and-comers, ready for prime time as a No. 1 slot,” said Maloney. “For the right young goaltender who’s 23, 24, 25, who we could keep for five or six years, there’s a price. You weigh that against the UFA market. There’s some experienced, very good goaltenders. I’m not losing sleep over this.”

    The Minnesota Wild may not name their new coach until draft week, Craig MacTavish may be the leading candidate. The Coyotes have to re-sign Keith Yandle but may let Ed Jovanovski walk. Matheson thinks the Oilers should sign Zenon Konopka.

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Malhotra and Hamhuis could be out … More on Brad Richards … Koivu only Wild player they won’t trade … Jagr not ruling out NHL

  • Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Rumors that Manny Malhotra had emergency surgery on his eye on Tuesday were false. If he doesn’t skate with teammates today, it’s unlikely he’ll play on Saturday. Dan Hamhuis is day-to-day with a lower-body injury after putting a hip check on Milan Lucic in Game 1. Hamhuis replacement options are Keith Ballard, Andrew Alberts and rookie Chris Tanev.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: So the Dallas Stars won’t be making an offer to Brad Richards.

    “We have had talks with Brad throughout the year, and he’s not going to sign with us unless we have the ownership situation resolved, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen by the start of free agency,” Nieuwendyk said. “So while we could have discussions, it just doesn’t make much sense right now. So we would like to see if we could get something for his rights and allow another team to have a chance to sign him, but a lot of that is up to Brad and his agent.”

    Richards has a no movement clause, and won’t easily waive it.

    “I’m not aware of another player in this situation who has waived his no-trade clause, and I think there is a reason for that,” said Richards’ Toronto-based agent Pat Morris. “Accepting a move to another team creates an obligation, and you have to be pretty sure about that obligation. I think Brad has to do what’s best for himself and keep his options open.”

    “It is difficult to leave Dallas, because it’s a city I really like and it’s a team where I thought I would have a chance to stay long-term,” Richards said. “But the ownership situation is what it is, and I’ve been through that before, and it’s something that’s really important to me. I want to win, and I think if you look around the league, the teams that win consistently are teams with strong ownership.”

  • Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: Richards history with John Tortorella has lead to speculation that he would be interested in joining the Rangers. The Maple Leafs and LA Kings are likely to give the Rangers competition. It’s likley he’ll want to test the open market.
  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sidney Crosby has been given clearance to begin his off-season workout routine, and would be monitored by his personal trainer. “I don’t want to look too far ahead, or whatever,” Shero said today. “But there’s no reason for me to expect him not to be (ready for camp), put it that way.”
  • Michael Russo of the Star-Tribune: Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has said he’s willing to trade anyone except Mikko Koivu. They have already interviewed Craig MacTavish, Michel Therrien, Ken Hitchcock and Kirk Muller for the vacant head coaching position. He plans on talking with Houston’s (AHL) Mike Yeo. “We’re closer to the end than we are to the beginning,” said Fletcher, in Toronto for the NHL draft combine. “It’s not going to go forever. There’s a lot to be done, and I think it’s very important to work hand-in-hand with the new coach. Defenseman Brent Burns will be a UFA after next season and could be looking something in the $5 million range. Fetcher will be speaking with Burns’ agent, Ron Salcer, in the near future. Cam Barker (25) will make $3.08 million next year, and if bought out, he’d cost $375,000 against the cap next year, $541,667 the year after. The Wild won’t make any decisions on their free agents until they hire a new coach.
  • Andre Cyr on Canoe.ca: Jaromir Jagr is talking with 4 KHL teams and said he’ll make a decision within a week. He also mentioned not to exclude a return to the NHL. Jagr’s European agent said last week that the Canadiens were interested. Sources are saying the Rangers could be interested as well, though they don’t have much cap room. Jagr could be “satisfied” with a $2 million NHL salary.
  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators have interviewed 5 or 6 coaches to fill their head coaching vacancy. Saint John (QMJHL) head coach Gerard Gallant was one of the latest to interview for the position. GM Bryan Murray hopes to have the position filled by mid-June.
  • Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: KHL’s Vityaz GM Alex Zhamnov said his team wants to sign Zenon Konopka (NY Islanders) and Steve MacIntyre (Oilers).

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Ehrhoff and Rome out for Canucks … Not much of turnout for Thrashers “select-a-seat” … Blackhawks notes

  • Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome are  likely to be replaced by Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts. Christian Ehrhoff possibly separated his shoulder in the 1st period of Game 3. Aaron Rome may have a concussion.
  • George Henry of the Globe and Mail: Only 200 Thrashers fans turned out for Atlanta’s “select-a-seat” event in which potential and current season’s ticket holders can check out the seats, look at the ice and talk about the draft. “We’ve been lied to for six years,” Jenn Peters, 30, said while choking back tears as she flipped through a collection of ticket stubs. “It’s hard to watch as a fan because there’s nothing you can do but show up. You can voice your opinion and you can show up, but that’s all you can do.” The Thrashers website didn’t promote the event.
  • Andy Strickland via twitter: A current Atlanta Thrasher only knows what everyone else does and is waiting for some announcement to let the players know what’s going on.
  • Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago: The Blackhawks have 16 players under contact for about $54 million for next season. They are expected to re-sign Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli. The chances of re-signing UFA Tomas Kopecky are slim, and they may not be able to afford Troy Brouwer. It’s likely that one or more of their RFA’s will be traded and if they could move one of Brian Campbell or Niklas Hjalmarsson, it would free up some cap space. It would be hard for them to move Campbell due to his salary, but at 23 Hjalmarsson could get some interest.
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland needs to find a way to trade Jiri Hudler and his $2.875 million contract. It would have the Wings some extra cap room for free agency.

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Injury notes on Hiller, Gaborik, Halak, and Perron … The return of Ballard and Hamhuis … Weiss would take deal Panthers can’t refuse

  • Corey Masisak of NHL.com: If Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller doesn’t return soon and they continue to have trouble keeping the puck out of the net (21 goals in 3 games), GM Bob Murray may have to make a deal.

    “Making deals is really hard,” Murray said. “If it comes to that point where I think Jonas is really going to be a while, we may have to say, ‘OK’. Not at this point.”

    Panthers assistant GM Mike Santos,

    “We’re going to make trades to improve the team in the future regardless of where we are in the playoff race,” Santos told the Sun-Sentinel. “This is a long-term project. There’s 10 years of mismanagement that we’re trying to turn around, hopefully in three or four years.”

  • Eric Stephens via twitter: Jonas Hiller worked out off ice today and only would say, “not going the way I’d like them to.”
  • Andrew Gross of The Record: Marian Gaborik will be out an indefinite period with a concussion. Gaborik did not make the trip with the team. He must pass the baseline test before he’s able to return.
  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Blue goalie Jaroslav Halak is expected to remain on the IR through Friday, further update may be given today by the team. David Perron will be traveling with the team to Vancouver where he’ll see a specialist.
  • Dave Stubbs of Habs Inside/Out:  Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin wouldn’t confirm reports that defenseman Jaroslav Spacek is done for the season. He continues to get treatment in Montreal.
  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Maple Leafs thought they were closer to acquiring defenseman over the weekend, but nothing imminent.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Thrashers and Andrew Ladd are not close to a contract extension, but they are in the beginning stages.
  • Ben Kuzma vai twitter: Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis look like they will both be back in the Canucks lineup.

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Bruins would consider trading Leafs 1st round pick … Will need to offer-up to get Bogosian … Seabrook being shopped … Ballard out a month

  • Chuck Gormley of the Courier-Post: The Philadelphia Flyers have about $3.5 million in cap space, and may look to find a winger that can play on their 3rd line with Mike Richards and James van Riemsdyk (how many teams would like to have them on their 1st line?). Rental players they may look at include: PA Parenteau, Alex Tanguay, Radek Dvorak, Chris Higgins, Milan Hejduk and Radim Vrbata. The Flyers don’t have a 2nd round pick in this year’s draft. Talks are ongoing with Ville Leino, and the Flyers are believed to have offered a 3 years and $9 million or  4 years, $12 million.
  • Roger Millions via twitter: A source told Millions that the Blackhawks might be talking about trading Brent Seabrook, possibly to the Oilers. Million’s responds, “Really? C’mon.”
  • Mark Spector via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said he’d consider trading the 1st round pick they got from the Maple Leafs in the Phil Kessel deal: “Yeah, I’d look at it. Sure.” Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Confirms that Chiarelli told WEEI that he’d considering trading Toronto’s 1st round pick.
  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Zach Bogosian’s name has come up recently in trade rumors. Bogosian was the 3rd overall pick in 2008 behind Stamkos and Doughty. Is he really available? Yes, but it would take a big offer to get the Thrashers to move him. Thrashers GM Rick Dudley would say nobody on his team is an untouchable. They are not shopping him around either, but would listen to anything. It’s a longshot that he’s traded. Bogosian has struggled this year, recording only 11 points in 45 games so far, though he has played better of late.
  • Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: Wild defenseman Marek Zidlicky was wearing a no-contact jersey at practice yesterday. He’s still recovering from a severely separated shoulder that he chose to rehab over surgery. His return is still unknown, it could a week, two, or longer. Guillaume Latendresse is skating by himself, but it’s unsure when he’ll start practicing with the team.
  • Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Keith Ballard only suffered a knee sprain after being tangled up (some say slew foot) with Milan Michalek on Monday. He’ll be out 3 to 4 weeks. Sami Salo is eligible to return for Saturday’s game against the Flames.
  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: It looks like the Calgary Flames won’t be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. They are in the playoff race, and they don’t have the draft picks or the prospects.
  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: Islanders forward Trent Hunter had surgery on his torn MCL and should be ready for training camp next year.
  • David Neal of the Miami Herald: Scouts attending last night’s Blues-Panthers game were from: the Devils, Hurricanes, Penguins, Senators, Bruins, Rangers, Canucks, and Kings.

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