Ryder for Stoll?

According to cyberpresse.ca, Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has recently returned from a scouting trip to Western Canada. It's believed that he was looking at Edmonton Oilers forward Jarret Stoll in particular. There's a trade rumor coming from Montreal that he could be acquired in exchange for Michael Ryder. Both Ryder and Stoll have struggled this season. Source

After a meeting in Stockholm on Wednesday between team officials in the Elitserien and the Svenska Hockey Ligan, the Swedish hockey clubs have decided to withdraw from the NHL-IIHF transfer agreement as of January 1. In the end, the Swedish clubs were unhappy with the low transfer fees and the two year signing window for junior players drafted by NHL teams. This could mean a decrease in the amount of Swedish players drafted by NHL clubs, as well as Swedes playing in the league. A similiar decrease has already happened with Russian players. Source

The NHL may not allow its players to participate in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was interviewed Tuesday and expressed doubt that the Winter Olympics will have NHL players after 2010. "It is a strain on the players, on the schedule and on our fans here,'' Bettman told Reuters. ''It has an impact on the momentum of the season and the benefits we get tend to be greater when the Olympics are in North America than when they're in distant time zones." Source

The San Jose Sharks have placed forward Tomas Plihal on waivers. Source