Thursday, January 03, 2008

Rangers-Blue Jackets rumors heat up

Aaron Portzline writes on the Puck-rakers blog from the Columbus Dispatch that eight scouts were on hand to watch the Columbus Blue Jackets-LA Kings game Thursday night. Rick Kehoe of the New York Rangers is watching the Blue Jackets for the sixth or seventh time this season, while Gordie Roberts of the Montreal Canadiens was also present. You may remember that the rumours of a trade between the Jackets and Rangers were flying last week. The Blue Jackets remain interested in winger Petr Prucha, while the Rangers may be looking at Manny Malholtra, who has just returned from injury.

There was also that Sergei Fedorov to Montreal rumour a few weeks back, which you can read here. Other names in the rumor mill for both teams include defensemen Adam Foote, Marek Malik and Paul Mara.

The other teams that were represented were two scouts each from the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins, and one each from the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks. Portzline speculates that these teams probably expect the Kings and Jackets to be sellers at the trade deadline and may be doing some advance scouting. But then again, a trade may be imminent. Source

Peter Forsberg is close to skating again. TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that Forsberg is waiting for clearance from doctors to begin skating. Foppa has still not had serious discussions with any NHL team. Sources are indicating that he would prefer to return to the Philadelphia Flyers, but both the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators could be likely destinations. Source

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