Canucks interested in Sharp, Fedorov to Ottawa?

In an interview with the Vancouver Province, GM Dave Nonis answered a few questions about his under-performing team, while also addressing trade speculation. Here are some of the interesting parts:

Q: All the big moves are at the start of July 1 free agency, not the Feb. 26 trade deadline, and many teams are at or near the $50.3-million salary cap. You're at $47.6 million. How difficult is it to make a significant trade?

A: "It's difficult. There are deals I could make, but they're not good deals. They would either eat up the rest of the cap space or deals that are long and take players into age groups where you don't want them. "I also believe our players are better than they've performed."

Q: Would you throw prospects like Luc Bourdon and Cory Schneider into a trade package for the right player, say a proven top-six scorer?

A: "I don't have a problem doing it, but not just for a UFA [unrestricted free agent]. You're going to set yourself back years. We've improved our reserve list dramatically, but it's nowhere near where I want it to be. Taking players away from that, I don't have an appetite for it unless it brought back younger players that would help long term."

According to a source, the Canucks are also interested in Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks. Sharp has been relegated to third line duty in Chicago and can be had for a very low price. Source

Ian Mendes of Sportsnet is reporting on his blog that the Ottawa Senators could bring in Sergei Fedorov at the trading deadline. GM Bryan Murray has admitted that he has thought about Fedorov, but the Blue Jackets are doing well and may not offload the Russian centre if they are competing for a playoff spot. Source

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that several teams in the NHL are very close to dealing as the US Thanksgiving weekend approaches. The Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars and Vancouver Canucks are shopping for a top 6 forward, while the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets are looking for help on the blueline. The Pittsburgh Penguins are also looking for speed up front. Source

In the Montreal-Atlanta game on Tuesday had 15 different scouts watching, along with assistant GM Steve Tambellini of the Vancouver Canucks. Source

Prucha, Montoya available?

Steve Zipay of newsday.com is speculating that Petr Prucha and Al Montoya could be used as tradebait. With Henrik Lundqvist firmly entrenched as the no. 1 goaltender in New York, Montoya could be a very attractive option for teams needing a top young goalie. Zipay is also speculating that Prucha and a pick could pry Dan Boyle of Tampa, who is due to become a UFA after this season. Source

According to sources in Montreal, Jaroslav Halak has asked to be traded and has threatened to leave for a team in Russia.

An update on the Atlanta-Edmonton rumours. The Edmonton Journal is reporting that defenseman Dick Tarnstrom could be on his way out, and the Thrashers and Rangers could be interested in his services. Tarnstrom is earning $2 million and has sat out two of the last three games as a healthy scratch. Source

Oilers and Thrashers talking deal?

The Edmonton Journal is reporting that Atlanta Thrashers director of player personnel, Mark Dobson, has been watching the last three Oilers games. The Oilers need a puck-moving defenceman, among other things. Jarret Stoll seems to be the name coming up most often in rumours. Source

The Thrashers Blog on the Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that GM and interim coach Don Waddell has been talking to nine general managers in the last three days. Some he talked to about the coaching search, others about improving his roster. The Thrashers are in need of a defenseman and a centre. It's safe to assume that one of the teams he has been talking to are the Oilers. Waddell is also hoping to get a new contract extension with Marian Hossa, who has recently changed agents. Source

Bruce Garrioch is reporting that the Ottawa Senators and Jason Spezza are close to a long term contract extension. It will probably be in the 6-year, $45 million range, similiar to Dany Heatley's contract. Source

Kiprusoff signs 6 year extension

TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames have signed Miikka Kiprusoff to a 6 year extension worth approximately $35 million dollars. The cap hit beyond this season will be roughly $5.8 million a year. Sources also say it's heavily weighted in the early years of the contract and that Kiprusoff could retire after the fifth year and it wouldn't cost him significant dollars. Source

Peter Forsberg will be playing for the Swedish National Team in the Karjala Cup in Helsinki from Nov. 8-11. This means that his ankle injury is healed enough for competition, which hints at a return to the NHL after Christmas. Source

Peter Bondra has retired from professional hockey to become the general manager of Slovakia's national team. "I kept it a secret for a long time. They will know overseas only after this press conference," Bondra said, according to a report from the Slovak national hockey association. "I hope I can help Slovakia win another medal at the world championship." The 39-year-old Bondra's contract as general manger runs through 2008, when the IIHF World Hockey Championship will be played in Halifax and Quebec City. Source

The NHL has suspended Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Randy Jones two games for his hit on Patrice Bergeron. Bergeron has been released from hospital with a broken nose and a concussion and details will be released later today. Check back here for updates.

Ducks working on Getzlaf, Perry extensions

The OC Register is reporting that Ducks GM Brian Burke is working on contract extensions for Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. The Ducks have had preliminary discussions with Getzlaf's representatives, Burke said, and would like to strike new deals with Getzlaf and Perry before season's end. "I've rarely negotiated during the season, but it's a new landscape," Burke said. "Teams don't have a choice now, and there are some perils with that. A player thinks you're not being fair and doesn't perform at the same level, or you think the player is being greedy. Given the two people involved, with Getzy and Corey, I don't anticipate any problem. I think they're both professionals." Source

Daniel Tjärnqvist could be signing with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss Nationalliga A. Tjarnqvist has had some discussions with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but it has not progressed any further than that. Source

There is a rumour floating around that the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers could be playing a game in Sweden for the 2008-2009 season.