Monthly Archives: February 2013

Sabres working the Phones for a trade

Darcy Regier has dialed up his GM counterparts this week with his Buffalo Sabres squad collecting only three wins in 10 games to begin the season.

But there are no magic pills lying out there right now in what appears to be a soft trade market.

“I’ve talked to some GMs the last few days,” Regier told ESPN.com Wednesday afternoon. “It’s a pretty quiet market right now. A number of teams have very small things they want to do, quite honestly, with the hope that whether it’s with their players or our players, they’re going to get them on track because of their previous history of them being a lot better. That kind of leaves it where we’re saying, ‘Let’s touch base again later in the week or later on.’ Teams sitting in positions similar to us are hoping to turn it around with the group that they have and then in the event they don’t, looking at the trade market. But as you said, it’s pretty soft right now.”

Weiss Rumor

Ryan O’Reilly saga could see offer sheet come from Avalanche rival

Hopes were raised Tuesday night among Avalanche fans about the Ryan O’Reilly contract standoff with the team, when it was reported by your humble correspondent that talks still were ongoing after a period of inactivity. Could a resolution finally be at hand?

Sorry, but it doesn’t look like it from what I’m hearing. Neither side appears willing to budge.

Rumblings: Third referee, Caps looking, Wild changes

So what do you do if you’re the 2-7-1 Washington Capitals?

Well, you start working the phones.

Sources around the league indicate that indeed Caps GM George McPhee has begun to do just that.

Time for Tambellini to get pro-active again for an NHL centre

Edmonton Oilers’ GM Steve Tambellini moved quickly to get defenceman Mark Fistric from Dallas a few days into training camp after the lockout ended, in part because Theo Peckham had a sore hip and wasn’t in the proper shape. He surprised most of the NHL, getting the abrasive blueliner for an average price, a third-round pick.

He was applauded for his pro-active approach, not even waiting until the season started.

Devils acquire Loktionov

<p>The New Jersey Devils have acquired Andrei Loktionov from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round choice in the 2013 NHL Draft, the Devils announced Wednesday. Loktionov was a fifth-round pick by the Kings in the 2008 draft. He has seven goals and 14 points in 59 career NHL games, including 39 during the 2011-12 season. He appeared in two Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Los Angeles Kings during their march to last season\\\’s championship. This season, Loktionov has played only for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, with seven goals and 22 points in 37 games.</p>

Penguins eyeing Kulemin of Toronto?

The Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting first in the Atlantic Division, could be looking to acquire another winger to play alongside Evgeni Malkin.

It’s believed the Penguins are once again taking a look at Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin.

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray examines trade market

While the Senators are determined to go with what they’ve got to fill the void left by the back surgery to centre Jason Spezza, Murray likely couldn’t make a deal unless he was willing to give up a top prospect to get something in return.

Devils acquire Loktionov

The New Jersey Devils have acquired Andrei Loktionov from the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth-round choice in the 2013 NHL Draft, the Devils announced Wednesday. Loktionov was a fifth-round pick by the Kings in the 2008 draft. He has seven goals and 14 points in 59 career NHL games, including 39 during the 2011-12 season. He appeared in two Stanley Cup Playoff games for the Los Angeles Kings during their march to last season\’s championship. This season, Loktionov has played only for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, with seven goals and 22 points in 37 games.

Joseph Grushack

Ryan O’Reilly Contract Update

In asking the proper authorities tonight, it is confirmed: talks are still ongoing with Ryan O’Reilly. There was little to no contact for several days, but O’Reilly’s agents – Mark Guy and Pat Morris of the Newport Sports Agency in Ontario – did speak with Avalanche management today – presumably Greg Sherman.

That’s all I have for now. Don’t know if it was positive or negative, the talks. But I don’t think there’s any question that it’s a positive that talks are still happening at all. By my accounts, they had been very chilly previously. They still may be. Obviously, there is no deal yet.

Could the Flames make a trade for a goalie?

Ever wonder what life would be like without Miikka Kiprusoff giving the Calgary Flames at least a fighting chance almost every night?

Looks like Flames fans might just find out.

An otherwise encouraging night for the Flames was marred two-thirds through when Kiprusoff did not start the third period of a 4-1 win in Detroit due to a lower-body injury.

Oilers not likely to trade for Bernier

Q. Why don’t the Oilers trade for Kings goalie Jonathan Bernier? Then we would have two No. 1s and Devan Dubnyk wouldn’t have the sole pressure of being that guy.