NHL Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Kings' win over Blue Jackets Wednesday, may be result of clock mismanagement

February 3

Los Angeles Times

"The NHL is investigating whether human error or a glitch in the clock system at Staples Center was responsible for prolonging the Kings' game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday long enough for Kings defenseman Drew Doughty to score the decisive goal in a 3-2 victory. Colin Campbell, the league's senior vice president of hockey operations, said Thursday he believes the Blue Jackets were wronged because the clock was paused with 1.8 seconds left in the third period and Doughty's goal with 0.4 of a second left should not have been allowed. "In our opinion it was one full second," Campbell said of the stoppage."

Source: Rangers on Smyth's radar

February 3

New York Post

"If general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton's veteran left wing to bolster the Rangers' attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned. A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway. The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in their last nine games and have been limited to two goals or fewer in 20 of their 49 matches, are seeking to add both"

Columbus activates Jeff Carter from IR

February 3

Pro Hockey Talk

"Jeff Carter can finally take at least a brief rest from responding to trade rumors by actually playing hockey again. The Columbus Blue Jackets activated him from the injured reserve while placing defenseman Nikita Nikitin on the IR. Carter missed the last 10 games with a shoulder injury and also sat out 10 other ones earlier this season with a broken foot. In the 30 contests he actually played, Carter scored 10 goals and 17 points. Those figures are disappointing, although his 10 goals place him second on the Blue Jackets behind leader Rick Nash (who has 17)."

Detroit's Jimmy Howard out two games with broken finger

February 3

NHL.com

"The Detroit Red Wings announced Friday that goaltender Jimmy Howard will miss the team's next two games because of a broken finger. Howard, an All-Star this year who leads the NHL with 32 victories, broke a finger on his right hand during Detroit's 4-3 win in Vancouver on Thursday night. The Red Wings said he will be re-evaluated Tuesday when the team returns to Detroit following its four-game road trip."

Mikko Koivu's return put on hold

February 3

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"After saying Wednesday that center Mikko Koivu might return from a shoulder injury in time for the Wild's game in Dallas on Saturday, coach Mike Yeo backed off that timetable Thursday, saying Koivu likely wouldn't return until Tuesday's game against Columbus at the earliest. Koivu will be re-evaluated when the Wild return home for practices Monday and Tuesday. He hasn't played since Jan. 14, and though he had participated in a pair of team practices the past two days in St. Paul, he hadn't been cleared for contact yet. "I don't expect him to play on this trip (in Colorado and Dallas)," Yeo said. "We can kind of end the questions now." Once Koivu returns, the Wild will have to decide"

Brodziak to carry currency into negotiations

February 3

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"With less than a month before the Feb. 27 trade deadline, contract discussions regarding an extension for Wild center Kyle Brodziak will start soon, both General Manager Chuck Fletcher and Brodziak's agent, Allain Roy, said, Thursday. "We've talked about having talks," Roy said, laughing. While both Roy and Fletcher said there is no rush, Brodziak can become a free agent July 1. Because of his age, 27, and valuable role on the team, it seems logical the Wild would want to try to lock him up before having to consider trading him this month. "As long as things make sense, why wouldn't we want to sign Kyle Brodziak?" Fletcher said. "He's been a good player for us, he fits in well, I think"

Jeff Carter and the Maple Leafs trade rumour of the day

February 3

Toronto Star

"An unhappy Jeff Carter could fit nicely as the No. 1 centre that Brian Burke needs to make snipers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul even more effective as the team pushes for a playoff spot for the first time in four seasons. The Internet has been abuzz with rumours about Carter, 27, being targeted by the Leafs. In fact, his name seems to be linked to the Leafs every season. Then again, Carter also seems to be linked to just about every team looking for a top-line centre. According to The Columbus Dispatch, Carter's on the trade block just seven months after being acquired from the Flyers to fill their No. 1 centre hole. The Blue Jackets gave up plenty to get Carter, including young forward"

GM Steve Yzerman: Next two games key to determining Tampa Bay Lightning trade position

February 3

St. Petersburg Times

"The final two games of the Lightning's four-game homestand — and perhaps its upcoming three-game road trip — will go a long way in determining if the team buys or sells at the Feb. 27 trade deadline, GM Steve Yzerman said. "Depending on how many points we get out of it and we see what else happens around the league, we'll get a better indication," he said Thursday. The league, Yzerman said, is in a feeling-out pattern as teams wait to see which will make playoff runs (buyers) and which won't (sellers). Eight teams had scouts credentialed for Thursday's game with the Jets, including the Penguins, who reserved seats for pro scout Andre Savard and director of pro scouting Derek Clancy. There"

Mike Green's recovery is 'on the right path'

February 3

Washington Post

"It's been a long, injury-filled season for Mike Green, but 16 days after he underwent sports hernia surgery, the defenseman appears to be on track with his latest recovery. Green skated for the third straight day on Thursday, which was also the first time he worked out in full pads and gear. While it's still in the early stages of his recovery, that the defenseman was able to get on the ice two weeks after going under the knife is most assuredly a positive sign."

Leafs trade rumour of the day features Ryan Getzlaf

February 2

Toronto Star

"When Ducks GM Bob Murray announced a month ago that everyone on his team, excluding veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, could be traded, it opened the floodgates for rumours involving his team's Big Three: forwards Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry. It also lit a blazing fire a under the Ducks, who have recorded a 9-1-1 mark since the comments were made. With his club now 10 points out of a playoff spot, Murray may yet change his mind but speculation remains that the Ducks will be sellers as the NHL trade deadline nears."

Shero, Penguins grab center O'Reilly off waivers from Phoenix

February 2

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Penguins claimed center Cal O'Reilly off waivers from Phoenix on Wednesday. General manager Ray Shero was Nashville's assistant general manager when the Predators selected O'Reilly in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Draft. In 107 NHL games, the 25-year-old O'Reilly has 13 goals and 40 points. O'Reilly was not with the Penguins before Wednesday night's game but was expected to join the team later in the evening. The Penguins like the depth he could provide at center, especially with Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal out of the lineup."

Alfredsson to make decision ... soon

February 2

Ottawa Sun

"Is Daniel Alfredsson getting close to making a career decision? By the sounds of it on Wednesday, the answer is yes. In Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Boston, the 39-year-old Alfredsson looked like he was 29 again. He, centre Kyle Turris and left winger Nick Foligno formed the Senators' best line as they buzzed the Bruins zone throughout the game. A day later, after an up-tempo practice, Alfredsson admitted he was jacked from the love shown him by Senators fans during all-star weekend."

Byfuglien back after 16 games on injury list

February 2

Winnipeg Free Press

"Hockey players don't typically do the warm-and-fuzzy, hug-it-out thing. After all, it's not in the DNA of guys who are trained to be cold-hearted assassins on the ice to get all teary-eyed or emotional about teammates and their absences from the active roster. Candidates for a session on the shrink's couch or with Dr. Phil, they are not. So, for the record, Dustin Byfuglien wasn't exactly swarmed by the Winnipeg Jets when his return to the lineup became all-but official -- "game-time decision" is the party line right now -- after practice Wednesday. All that said, his impact on the Jets -- both in terms of what he brings to a game and the clubhouse -- was noticeable during his absence and,"

To trade or not to trade Miller, that's Sabres' question

February 2

Buffalo News

columnist Bucky Gleason

"Ryan Miller has been the first to downplay tying Dominik Hasek's franchise record for career victories because the variables have changed. His 234 wins with the Sabres came with an asterisk because they included 32 shootouts. Hasek, one of the best breakaway goalies ever, had 70 ties in nine years in Buffalo. Miller played well enough and deserved to break the record with a win over the first-place Rangers on Wednesday night. He made 29 saves and recorded his second shutout this season in what officially was a 1-0 shootout loss. He hasn't allowed a goal in 120 minutes, 51 seconds but has a 1-0-1 record to show for his last two games. He submitted his best performance of the season against"

Grabovski's agent in town

February 2

Toronto Sun

"Gary Greenstin, the California-based agent for Mikhail Grabovski, is in town — and it's not to mark Groundhog Day. Amid heightened speculation of what the Maple Leafs will do with Grabovski, their red-hot impending unrestricted free agent centre, Greenstin could be here to talk about the same kind of extension the Leafs gave defenceman John-Michael Liles last week. Greenstin met the Leafs twice in Calgary during the world junior tournament. Asked if the visit with his clients (he also represents winger Nikolai Kulemin) would include a talk with general manager Brian Burke, Greenstin chose his words carefully. "You'll see," Greenstin said. "I usually don't make comments during negotiations."

Reality check: Leafs trade rumour of the day features Ryan Getzlaf

February 2

Toronto Star

"When Ducks GM Bob Murray announced a month ago that everyone on his team, excluding veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, could be traded, it opened the floodgates for rumours involving his team's Big Three: forwards Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry. It also lit a blazing fire a under the Ducks, who have recorded a 9-1-1 mark since the comments were made. With his club now 10 points out of a playoff spot, Murray may yet change his mind but speculation remains that the Ducks will be sellers as the NHL trade deadline nears. There are a number of teams being bandied about but with the Leafs expressing a need for a big, strong, playmaking centre, Getzlaf would seem a natural fit. For"

Reality check: Rick Nash in Maple Leafs' trade rumour of the day

February 1

Toronto Star

"Rick Nash is heading to Toronto as part of a six-player deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Okay. Now we have your undivided attention. As of Tuesday, that proposal is just a rumour, one of many swirling around the Internet involving the Maple Leafs. That rumour took on a life of its own after AM 640 hockey analyst Bill Watters tweeted it on Monday as something to watch as the Feb. 27 trade deadline approached, with the proviso that it was "one to smoke on" and "not inhale." In the rumoured deal, forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nazem Kadri, along with defencemen Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek would be heading to the Blue Jackets. Also coming to Toronto with Nash, 27, would be forward"

Jeff Carter shrugs at reports he's on the trade block

February 1

Columbus Dispatch

"With still four weeks to go before the NHL trade deadline, Blue Jackets center Jeff Carter already is caught up in the swirl. Multiple sources confirmed to The Dispatch that Carter has been put on the trade block by the Blue Jackets, barely seven months after he was acquired from Philadelphia and deemed the No.?1 center the club has always needed. "There's not much I can do about that," Carter said. "That's something I can't worry about or control. My main focus right now is just getting healthy and getting back into the lineup. "There's talk about a lot of guys (in here) right now. Our team, with the way the season has gone — the injuries, the standings, and stuff — I don't think it"

Predators GM David Poile meets with Ryan Suter's agent

February 1

Tennessean

"General Manager David Poile said contract negotiations with defenseman Ryan Suter are ongoing and he hoped to re-sign his star defenseman at some point. He just didn't know when. Last week at the All-Star Game, Suter said he didn't believe he would re-sign with Nashville before the Feb. 27 trading deadline. Poile said he met with Suter's agent, Neil Sheehy, before Tuesday's game at Minnesota. Sheehy is based in the Twin Cities area. If the Predators and Suter don't come to terms before July 1, the defenseman will be an unrestricted free agent. "It's just ongoing, it's the same situation," Poile said. "Everything is being said the way you want a player to say it and the way you want a"

Could the 'best backup goalie in hockey' be traded this summer?

February 1

Vancouver Province

columnist Ed Willies

"Before anyone gets too excited, Henrik Sedin didn't say the Vancouver Canucks play harder for Cory Schneider. What the Vancouver Canucks' captain said, clearly and unequivocally, is the Canucks' recognize their backup goalie has one of the most thankless jobs in hockey. He might play twice in a week. He might go a month between starts. But he's expected to play a critical, if not fully appreciated role, on a team with Stanley Cup aspiration all, most importantly, while being a good guy in the room."

Clowe out Tuesday, but concussion ruled out

January 31

CSN Bay Area

"Ryane Clowe will not play on Tuesday night when the Sharks host the Columbus Blue Jackets, but it became clear after the team's morning skate that he is out only due to a facial fracture and not a head injury. Clowe went face first into the glass on Jan. 10 in Minnesota, played in the next three games, and then sat out the team's five games leading up to the All-Star break. "When I came off the ice when it happened in Minnesota, that's what they asked me afterward when they knew there was something wrong," Clowe said. "My nose was bleeding, but I didn't feel anything like that. I know I struck my face off the boards, but as far as my head and all that, that felt good. Right away, I had no"

Jagr says he'll play tonight vs. Jets

January 31

CSN Philly

"Jaromir Jagr said after the Flyers' morning skate that he intends to play in tonight's game at the Wells Fargo Center against the Winnipeg Jets -- at least, he added, "that's the plan." Jagr, who aggravated his left groin on Jan. 21 in the Flyers' win over the New Jersey Devils, has been skating but missed the Flyers' last two games against Boston and Florida. He's missed time with groin issues two other times this season. Staying out of the game with injury has been a new, and not enjoyable, experience for the Flyers' right wing."

Hedman likely back as Lightning host Capitals

January 31

Tampa Tribune

"After nearly a week off the ice, the Tampa Bay Lightning became reacquainted with each other for a late Monday practice. After ending the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak, the final game before the break with nine players out due to injury, Tampa Bay will face Southeast Division leading Washington Tuesday with a few more healthy bodies back in the lineup. And with a major post-break push required to even consider the chance of reaching the playoffs this season, the healthier the happier for Lightning head coach Guy Boucher. "I know that you can hold on for a while when you have injuries, but you can't hold on forever,'' Boucher said. "It's good to see some guys back for sure."

Penguins say captain Crosby's diagnosis is promising

January 31

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Sidney Crosby did sustain a neck injury, maybe this latest diagnosis will be the key to his recovery, Penguins teammates said Monday. "It's great to know, when something is wrong, to know what's going on," defenseman Kris Letang said. "Now he can really focus on getting back and treat whatever is wrong." Crosby skated yesterday at Consol Energy Center, two days after the team confirmed that a Los Angeles-based spine specialist diagnosed Crosby as having "suffered a neck injury in addition to a concussion." The injury was "fully healed," the team said."

Devils' Parise stays ... for now

January 31

New York Post

"Sources say inquiring general managers are getting the word Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is not dealing unrestricted free agent-to-be Zach Parise before the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline. Instead, it is thought if the Devils do not want to re-sign Parise in June, they'll trade his rights to a team that wants an advance shot at negotiations before he becomes free July 1. The advance payments the Devils are receiving from the NHL do nothing to enhance the team's attractiveness for a player preparing to sign a deal for the rest of his career. The financial news was about all that came out of All-Star weekend regarding the Devils, who had no representatives at the skills competition or Sunday's"

Crosby joins Despres and Staal on ice

January 31

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Sidney Crosby skated with a couple of injured teammates Monday afternoon at Consol Energy Center. When he's on the ice there in a game might hinge on the findings of what coach Dan Bylsma described as an "independent physician" who is evaluating Crosby's medical situation, including a newly discovered neck injury. Bylsma said that, as of Monday evening, the team had not received that report and that "until that time, there won't be an update on his condition""

Buff edging closer to return... maybe Thursday

January 31

Winnipeg Free Press

"Dustin Byfuglien and Alex Burmistrov are close to returning, Evander Kane and Tim Stapleton are headed back to Winnipeg for further evaluation and Aaron Gagnon and Spencer Machacek have joined the team from St. John's. Oh, and there was also a minor trade that involved two players playing for the same AHL squad in Abbotsford. So what do you call this kind of roster-shuffling madness for the Winnipeg Jets? Monday."

Crosby exam results might come today

January 30

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The NHL All-Star Game played out in normal fashion Sunday at Scotiabank Place. A night earlier, health news about Sidney Crosby fairly well upstaged the skills challenge. On the day of the main event, though, there was no update about Crosby, the Penguins center and captain who for most of the past 13 months has been dealing with a concussion, symptoms associated with concussions and now news of a neck injury from some point that was discovered last week, an undetermined time after it apparently healed. No one from the club addressed Crosby's status Sunday."

Hurricanes sign Gleason to 3-year, $11.5 M extension

January 30

TheScore.com

"The Carolina Hurricanes have locked up Tim Gleason, inking the defenceman to a 3-year, $11.5 million extension. In 51 games this season, the 29-year-old has recorded 14 points and leads all Hurricanes blueliners with a +2 rating. With the new deal, Gleason joins Carolina teammates goaltender Cam Ward and centre Eric Staal whose contracts run until the end of the 2015-16 season."

Suter counters perception he will test free agency

January 29

NHL.com

"Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter's comments Friday regarding his ongoing contract negotiations and his pending status as an unrestricted free agent created a bit of unintended controversy at the NHL's All-Star weekend. As a result, the Nashville defenseman felt the need to clarify exact comments he made at 2012 NHL All-Star Media Day presented by Allstate. Suter told reporters he didn't want to sign a new contract prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline. Suter said he felt the media portrayed his comments to mean that he will test the open market when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Prior to Sunday's 2012 Tim Hortons NHL All-Star Game, Suter told NHL.com that portrayal is"

Sabres' Black hints at possible changes among 'core' players

January 29

Buffalo News

"Ted Black's usual smile and laidback attitude were on full display Saturday afternoon. Then the Buffalo Sabres' season got brought up. The smile disappeared. The pained look worn by most folks in Sabreland took over. "It's a tough year," the team president said. That summed up the obvious. The Sabres are 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference. They've won only four times in 18 games. The season is well on the way to becoming a lost one. Black isn't quite there. After all, something good may eventually come out of the struggles. That's the hope, anyway. "I wouldn't say that about any season [being a lost one] because you never know where the seeds of greatness are going to be planted,""

Rumour: Corey Perry to Vancouver Canucks

January 28

Vancouver Province

"Say this about the Canucks' trade rumours with Anaheim: They are getting better. Last week, it was Vancouver's supposed interest in George Parros, which was quickly shot down as a possibility. This week it's a former Stanley Cup and Hart Trophy winner on his way to Vancouver. As the rumour goes, Enrico Ciccone, on the TV Show "Le Match," said Patrice Brisebois claims a trade is being considered which would send Corey Perry to the Canucks for Cory Schneider, Mason Raymond and Keith Ballard. We assume the Canucks will also have to throw in a 3rd round pick. The rumour, which features the same three players you see in just about every Canuck rumour these days, looks great for Vancouver. The"

Suter doesn't plan to talk contract

January 28

Ottawa Sun

"The Predators are going to have to make a decision on Ryan Suter at the NHL trade deadline. The blue-chip defenceman, one of the best potential free agents this summer, told reporters during Friday's NHL all-star weekend media day that he doesn't have any interest in having contract talks until the season is over. The decision by the 27-year-old Suter is significant because it means Nashville GM David Poile risks losing Suter for nothing if he doesn't deal him by Feb. 27. "At this point, it's not worth going and trying to do something," said Suter. "Then it becomes a distraction not only to me, but to my teammates as well." The Predators could always move Suter's rights at the draft in"

Trade bait Suter won't re-sign before deadline

January 28

CSN Philly

"Ryan Suter's situation of potentially being dealt at the NHL trade deadline next month took an interesting turn on Friday when the Nashville Predators defenseman said he does not want to re-sign before the deadline. He is unrestricted while fellow coveted teammate Shea Weber is restricted. One of them could be dealt. The Flyers are among a handful of clubs interested in getting into the mix if that happens. "I feel it would be more of a distraction than anything," Suter said of signing in February. "We've never had a timeline or deadline. We're just focusing on winning. Everything else will take care of itself. "I don't see it being a benefit by hurrying up and trying to get something"

Hawks acquire veteran Morrison

January 28

Chicago Tribune

"General manager Stan Bowman made a move Friday night to strengthen the Blackhawks up the middle when he acquired veteran center Brendan Morrison in a trade with the Flames. The Hawks sent minor-league defenseman Brian Connelly in exchange for Morrison, who has appeared in 923 career NHL games over parts of 14 seasons and could be the answer to the void at second-line center. "When you can bring a player of Brendan's caliber into your group, and you didn't have to really tear your team apart, is important for us," Bowman said. "(Morrison) having the experience and having the ability to play with skilled players gives us a lot of options. He has been a point producer in the past and he also"

Burke 'trying hard' to make a trade

January 27

Toronto Sun

"All eyes are on Brian Burke. Maybe that's because he's one of the few GMs who will actually be in Ottawa for this weekend's NHL all-star festivities, but with the trade deadline only 31 days away, everybody is waiting for Burke to make a move. "He's trying. He's trying hard. He definitely wants to get bigger," a league executive said Thursday. In a battle for one of the final two or three playoff spots with as many as six or seven teams in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs want to get stronger. Burke would like Toronto to be more hard-nosed, especially up front. A guy on the Leafs' radar could be San Jose W Ryane Clowe. He has a cap hit of $3.625 million through next season, but the"

Could Stars consider shopping Brenden Morrow at the trade deadline?

January 27

Dallas Morning News

"Brenden Morrow is the only member of the Stars to know Joe Nieuwendyk as more than just a GM. Morrow and Nieuwendyk were Stars teammates for the better part of three years -- from 1999 to 2002 -- which goes to show just how long Morrow's been with the club. But at 33, Morrow is on the downslope of his career, which means that Nieuwendyk could face some tough questions about Morrow's future with the team should the Stars fall further back in the playoff race."

Alfie wants to play one more year

January 27

Ottawa Sun

"Daniel Alfredsson isn't ready to hang up his blades. The Senators captain told commissioner Gary Bettman on his radio show Thursday night that if he feels as healthy at the end of the season as he does right now, he'll be back to play out the final year of his contract. "The way this season is going, if I'm still healthy after this season, I'm hoping I can go one more," said Alfredsson. "This year has been so good. If we can make the playoffs, that would almost be a dream come true.""

Tim Thomas act could push Bruins to react

January 27

Boston Herald

"Could Tim Thomas' political protest end up costing him his spot on the Bruins? Even before Thomas' ill-advised stunt, the possibility existed that Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli might face a difficult and profoundly important decision this summer on the netminder, who turns 38 this April and has just one year remaining on his contract. Thomas' decision to snub the White House and then release an anti-big government manifesto was an embarrassment for the team and no doubt angered the front office and ownership greatly."

Sharks trade for Florida Panthers forward Kennedy

January 27

San Francisco Chronicle

"The Sharks traded defenseman Sean Sullivan to the Panthers for forward Tim Kennedy on Thursday, adding a former college star who has played only 33 games in the NHL over the past two seasons. Kennedy, who has split this season between Florida and San Antonio of the AHL, was assigned to San Jose's top development affiliate, Worcester of the AHL. He had two points in 27 games with Florida this season and nine points in 18 games for San Antonio. The 25-year old forward from Buffalo was a collegiate national champion with Michigan State in 2007, scoring 43 points in 42 games that year, and he had 26 points in 78 regular-season games and three in six playoff games as a rookie for the Sabres in"

Sharks goalie Antero Niittymaki clears waivers

January 27

San Jose Mercury News

"Sharks goaltender Antero Niittymaki cleared waivers Thursday morning. So for now, he continues to be a member of the Sharks organization. "I know they've been working hard to find a place for me to play," Niittymaki said from Lake Tahoe, where he is spending the All-Star break. "It's probably not as easy as it sounds, because I've been out with the (hip) surgery and I've only played games in the minors." Niittymaki returned in late December and has had two conditioning assignments at minor league Worcester to showcase him for a possible trade. But the Sharks have found no takers yet. They also have firmly established goaltenders in Antti Niemi and Thomas Greiss. That's why, Niittymaki"

Leafs GM Brian Burke says club 'not close' to trading Mikhail Grabovski

January 26

Toronto Star

"Leafs centre Mikhail Grabovski's name has come up in trade talk quite a bit recently as the Feb. 27 trade deadline approaches. Leafs GM Brian Burke has heard those rumours, but Tuesday night in Long Island, where his club won 4-3 in overtime to pull into in a three-way tie for seventh place, Burke was downplaying talk of moving the unrestricted free agent. "We're not even close to that. That will be a factor, whether a guy is unrestricted or not, but I accept unrestricted guys, too, if they can help us get to where we want to get," Burke said."

San Jose Sharks waive goaltender Antero Niittymaki

January 26

San Jose Mercury News

"The Sharks placed Antero Niittymaki on waivers Wednesday in their next step of trying to find the frustrated goaltender a new NHL home. There's a logjam in net throughout the San Jose organization, and general manager Doug Wilson has been canvassing the league looking for a trade partner without success. Teams have until 9 a.m. Thursday to place a claim on Niittymaki. If that happens, the Sharks would lose the goalie but gain some additional salary-cap flexibility in advance of the Feb. 27 trade deadline."

Hedman aiming for Tuesday return

January 25

Tampa Tribune

"The sight of red jerseys roaming the ice Tuesday morning signaled a positive warning sign. Defenseman Victor Hedman, out since sustaining a concussion on Dec. 27, wore a red non-contact jersey and took part in the full morning practice before Tuesday night's game against Columbus. The 21-year-old resumed full workouts over the weekend, both on and off the ice, and he continues to show no symptoms. Though he has yet to be cleared for contact — hence the red practice jersey — there is a chance Hedman could return to the lineup after the All-Star break, against Washington next Tuesday. "I hope so, I want to play games," Hedman said. "Being off the ice is the worst thing. I'm just trying to"

Panthers Lose Dmitry Kulikov for 6-8 Weeks After Knee Surgery

January 24

Miami Herald

"Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov had knee surgery in Coral Gables on Monday and will miss the next six to eight weeks. Kulikov was injured during Saturday's win against Winnipeg, although he continued to play. Kulikov played eight shifts in the third period, then three in overtime."

Nathan Horton most likely suffering from mild concussion

January 24

Boston Globe

"Nathan Horton is most likely suffering from a mild concussion, said GM Peter Chiarelli. Horton, who attended today's White House ceremony, was hurt in yesterday?s second period when he was hit from the side by Philadelphia's Tom Sestito."

Toews to miss Tuesday's game, probably All-Star Game

January 24

Chicago Tribune

"Having sustained their share of injuries this season, the Blackhawks have learned to adjust and adapt to stay near the top of the Western Conference standings. When they play their final game before the All-Star break Tuesday night at the United Center, the Hawks will have to find a way to overcome perhaps the biggest absence of all when captain Jonathan Toews sits out against the Predators. Toews, in the midst of a season that could earn him the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player, will miss his first game with a suspected left arm injury. The center left during the second period of a 5-2 loss Saturday in Nashville and did not practice Monday."

Jamie Benn is expected to play in All-Star Game, probably won't get contract extension before end of season

January 23

Dallas Morning News

"Jamie Benn is the Stars' leading scorer and quite possibly the player this team builds around going forward, but Stars coach Joe Nieuwenedyk said that a contract extension for Benn will probably have to wait until the summer, and maybe even until there is a new collective bargaining agreement. "We've had discussions, but there won't be any more discussion, I don't thnk,'' Nieuwendyk said, ``His is a different situation because he's still entry level and doesn't have rights that maybe Alex has. We'll have further discussions with him at the end of the season." The big difference between Goligoski and Benn is Goligoski is 26 and could have become an unrestricted at 27 under the current CBA."

Oilers front office under rebuild?

January 23

Edmonton Sun

"If you're waiting for Steve Tambellini to be served up as some sort of sacrifice for the way the Edmonton Oilers season has toileted for the third year in a row, forget about it. While he's in the final year of his current contract, your correspondent has learned that Tambellini will not be a lame-duck general manager going forward to the trade deadline or the draft. Tambellini will be given the opportunity with a contract extension to carry on through additional years of the massive rebuild. Indeed, sometime between the all-star break and the trade deadline, it is expected Oilers' owner Daryl Katz and president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe will sit down and work out the arrangements of"

Capitals preparing for possible Ovechkin suspension

January 23

Washington Post

"Capitals practice is underway at KCI this morning and it appears as though the team is preparing a contingency plan in case Alex Ovechkin is suspended for his leaping hit against Pittsburgh's Zbynek Michalek. There are four players wearing red jerseys, which signifies the top line, Ovechkin, Marcus Johansson, Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Semin. One would assume if Ovechkin is suspended, the other three will suit up as a unit against the Bruins; if he isn't, they will adjust accordingly."

Hit costs Ference three games

January 23

Boston Herald

"Andrew Ference got tagged with a three-game suspension yesterday for his dangerous hit on New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in Saturday's game at the Garden. While NHL director of player safety Brendan Shanahan agreed with Ference's defense that the intent of the hit was not malicious, he said that the onus was on the Bruins [team stats] defenseman to avoid the hit, which Shanahan felt Ference could have done. With the All-Star Game coming up this weekend, Ference will not be available to the Bruins until their home game against Carolina on Feb. 2. He will lose $36,486.48 of his salary."

Sabres are overdue for change at GM

January 22

Buffalo News

columnist Bucky Gleason

"OK, so what's the point of no return? When is enough, in fact, enough? Sabres owner Terry Pegula is a nice guy and appears to be a patient owner, but even he must have a breaking point that induces swift and decisive action. Unfortunately, he missed the deadline for "swift" by about eight months. There's still hope for "decisive" once he realizes his team has become a laughingstock. Whether his players became too comfortable or spoiled or stale no longer matters. The reality is the Sabres have lost their collective hunger and no longer have the competitive bite and chemistry to consistently compete with the big boys. If Milan Lucic didn't expose their flaws two months ago, their 12-game"

NHL Trade Rumors