- Craig Custance of ESPN: The Florida Panthers could use some scoring on the wing, with Andrew Ladd being the perfect fit. GM Dale Tallon loves his former Blackhawks. Tallon and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have had at least one trade conversation this past week, which might have sparked the Brandon Pirri trade rumors.
- Craig Custance of ESPN: The role the coach can play in trade season.
Sometimes you see a coach put a guy on the power play and you wonder if it’s an attempt to showcase them. Other coaches prefer to stay completely in the dark when it comes to trade considerations with their team.
Blues GM Doug Armstrong is up front with the his players with regards to trade rumors.
“I don’t talk to agents about rumors or media about rumors. If you deny them and then they ask you something, you can either lie to people, and I’d rather not lie, I’d rather just stay quiet on that,” Armstrong said. “Players understand that and accept that as the way we do business. I think they appreciate that the rumors aren’t coming from us.”
It’s looking like Kyle Okposo will be going to free agency. One source
“I don’t think he’s going to sign there,” said an NHL source. “I don’t know if Garth is going to move him before the trade deadline.”
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers will have some decisions to make soon with regards to Keith Yandle’s future with team. The Coyotes got a first round pick and a prospect for Antoine Vermette last year as a rental, so the Rangers won’t necessarily be selling low on Yandle.Rangers GM Jeff Gorton might be able to get a bidding war going between some Western Conference teams – the Blackhawks and Kings, and possibly the Stars, Sharks and Wild. The Kings and Sharks do not have their 2016 first round picks.If the Rangers and Blackhawks could do a Yandle deal that included Andrew Shaw, “that could be the ultimate.”
- Eklund of Hockey Buzz: Source saying Rangers have interest in Kevin Shattenkirk, and could part with Keith Yandle and a highly ranked prospect.