Feaster threatens to trade core, Wes Walz to retire

Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster has threatened to break up the core of the team if they don't start winning. "Being sub-.500, being 13th or 14th out of a 15-team Eastern Conference isn't cutting it, given the money we lose, to think we're going to keep payroll where it is and not make changes," he said. Feaster added that ownership could be cutting and the core of Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle could be broken up. The Absolute Hockey group has been stalled in buying the Lightning and management may cut payroll in order to make the team more attractive to buyers. Asked if trades were near, Feaster responded, "by Christmas time, yeah, for sure." Source

Yahoo Sports is also reporting that there is bad blood between defenseman Dan Boyle and the team and he could be shipped out by the trade deadline. Source

The Wild announced Friday night that they will hold a press conference with Wes Walz on Saturday morning, when Walz is expected to announce his retirement after 12 seasons in the NHL. The centre has been on leave for a month. Source

Mark Mowers has cleared waivers and has been assigned to SC Bern in the Swiss Nationalliga by the Anaheim Ducks. Source

Blake unhappy in Toronto?

In an interview with Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, Jason Blake expressed his frustrations with his struggling Maple Leafs team. "I'm not going to sit here and blow off steam because if I did, we would be here for an hour," Blake said. "It has nothing to do with my (health). I feel 100 times better than I did last year. "It's frustrating," Blake said, about being a goal-scorer and having just two at this time. "You have to get the puck ... You have to get the puck in certain situations ... Shots on goal don't mean anything. You want to get good shots." Source

Wes Walz has been officially granted a leave of absence by the Minnesota Wild. It's rumoured that he is considering retirement as assistant GM Tom Lynn has confirmed that Walz's leaving has nothing to do with family or health. TSN

The Ducks placed defenseman Maxim Kondratiev on waivers Thursday. Coach Randy Carlyle said the team was uncertain what it would do if Kondratiev, who has played in only four games this season, is not claimed. Source