Dallas looking for scoring

The Dallas stars are looking for offensive help. GM Doug Armstrong has called around the league to see if he can add some punch to his offensive. He is willing to trade Phillipe Boucher if he gets a decent return. The Edmonton Oilers are very interested in Boucher's services, who would become the Oilers powerplay quarterback.

Colorado and Atlanta have been talking a lot lately. Something could be brewing between the two teams.

The Chicago Blackhawks have jumped into the ring for Peter Bondra. They are very interested in signing the winger to boost their anemic offense.

Nagy being shopped

Ladislav Nagy is being shopped around the league. He was a healthy scratch the last game, and coach Wayne Gretzky has become increasingly frustrated with his lackluster play. Gretzky has said that Nagy's status was "uncertain." Nagy, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is an attractive target for teams to improve at the trade deadline. Several teams who are looking for offensive help have contacted the Coyotes, including Vancouver, Ottawa and Philadelphia. Source

Jean-Sebastien Giguere is out indefinitely with a broken finger. He could be out 4-6 weeks with the injury. This has stopped the Giguere rumours for the time being.

Several league sources have confirmed that the instigator rule will be changed for the 2007-2008 season. Colin Campbell discussed this recently on a radio interview in Toronto.

Mathieu Garon to Phoenix?

Reports from Phoenix indicate that Phoenix is interested in acquiring Mathieu Garon from the LA Kings. Gretzky is very high on the goalie, who has had an average start to the year. The Kings' preference for Dan Cloutier as the starting netminder may make Garon available.

Ryan Smyth is negotiating with the Oilers on a contract extension. He wants to stay; he loves Edmonton but will most likely be paid in the 4.5-5 million a season. Edmonton has to decide if they want to give that much money to him or lose him to free agency in the off-season. This has led to speculation that he could be traded at the trade deadline, if they cannot sign him to an extension.

Vancouver has been talking to Tampa Bay about the availability of Ruslan Fedotenko. GM Jay Feaster is trying to free up some cap space to improve his defense and would not hesitate to make a deal. He may be available for as low as a 2nd round pick and a low level prospect.

Phoenix fire sale

Wayne Gretzky has indicated that he would like to make a trade to improve his team. He would like to upgrade his goaltending because David LeNeveu has underperformed. The only two untouchables on Phoenix as named by Gretzky are Keith Ballard and Zbynek Michalek. He is willing to part with any other member on the team. However, Gretzky may be forced to trade one of these promising defensemen to save the Coyotes' season. Source

A league source has confirmed that discussions have taken place of a plan to have an NHL game in either the Czech Republic or Slovakia. This would be similiar to previous seasons where teams have started in Japan and Sweden. The plan would be implemented in the 2008-2009 season.

There have been rumours that Francois Beauchemin could be headed to Edmonton.

Muckler to retire?

According to Team 1200 radio in Ottawa, GM John Muckler may retire at the end of the season, regardless of the Senators position in the standings. Owner Eugene Melnyk would sell the Missassauga Ice Dogs to Muckler and he would take over the OHL franchise. Bryan Murray is rumoured to become the GM next year which would leave an open coaching position in Ottawa.

A Brad Stuart/Alexei Zhitnik swap has been discussed frequently the last few days.

The frontrunners for the coaching job in Columbus are Ken Hitchcock, Andy Murray, Marc Habsheid, Mike Johnston and Pat Quinn. The leading candidate at the moment seems to be Ken Hitchcock, but he may refuse the job and hold out for a better team.

Torres on the block

Various sources in Edmonton have indicated that Raffi Torres is being shopped around the league. GM Kevin Lowe is hoping to get a powerplay quarterback type of defenseman in return, and is talking to Montreal. The name that has mostly been floating around is Sheldon Souray. Souray is currently having a strong start to the season.

There is a goalie controversy brewing in Tampa. The stellar play of Johan Holmqvist, combined with the sub-par play of Marc Denis, has created rumours about the goaltending situation in Tampa. It is possible that GM Jay Feaster could trade Denis for more defenseman depth. The Phoenix Coyotes and the Boston Bruins have shown interest in the services of Denis.

Conroy to Ottawa?

Craig Conroy could be in a Senators uniform by the end of the week. Ottawa's ownership will not put up with the Senators slow start, and if a trade doesn't happen, look for GM John Muckler to be fired. According to several sources, Conroy would be exchanged for Antoine Vermette and a 3rd rounder in the 2007 or 2008 draft.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have been talking frequently the last few days. The most brought up names are Tuomo Ruutu and Jeff Carter. The Flyers really do not want to give up Carter, but may be forced to deal him to get some offensive help. The Flyers are also shopping for defenseman as Denis Gauthier has gone down due to injury.

The Lightning are no longer in the trade market, as they have drastically improved their standing. However, GM Jay Feaster is still looking to shore up his backend and is looking for a solid defensive defenseman.

Canucks looking to acquire Hunter?

GM Dave Nonis has made repeated calls to GM Garth Snow of the New York Islanders about the availability of Trent Hunter. Hunter, who is having a poor start to the year, may become available at the right price. The Islanders are looking for defensive help, but would be willing to part with Hunter for a prospect.

The Nashville Predators are still shopping Scott Hartnell around the league. Teams that are interested are Montreal, Carolina and Phoenix.

Toronto looking at Doan?

Rumours are swirling that the Toronto Maple Leafs are seriously interested in acquiring Shane Doan. The recent injury of Mats Sundin leaves a large hole in their offense. Any deal would include a package of Alexei Ponikarovsky and prospects, as Toronto would need to shed some salary to get Doan.

Francesco Aquilini will purchase the rest of John McCaw's stake in the Canucks ownership, and will become the de facto owner of the Vancouver Canucks organization. This has added fuel to the rumour of a re-design to the their logo. Sources have confirmed that this has been in place for sometime, and is well past the planning stage. Several logos have been designed, and will be presented to the public for a vote at the end of the season.

Boston has entered the market for goalies and is seriously looking at Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

Keenan to be GM of Philly?

Philadelphia seems to be the hockey hotspot of the moment. Several sources have confirmed that Mike Keenan was in Philadelphia recently, to discuss the open GM spot. Should he become the new GM of the Flyers, expect a rash of trades immediately. Keenan would be quick to implement his version of the team, as he has done in every city he's been in.

A league source has stated there may be a change in puck design next year. The NHL has commissioned consultants to conduct tests on a more aerodynamic puck; hoping to increase scoring. The new puck could be introduced as early as next year, but it's most likely debut would be in the 2008-2009 season.

Colin Campbell to become Leafs GM?

According to Mike Brophy of The Hockey News and other sources in Toronto, Colin Campbell could become the next GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Campbell recently turned down the GM job in Philadelphia, as he was seeking a job closer to his home. Should GM John Ferguson be fired this year, expect Campbell to take his place.

Big Philly trade coming?

Various sources have indicated that Philadelphia is on the verge of a major trade, possibly involving 3 players from the team. Early indications suggest this could become a 6 player trade with a team in the West, possibly Calgary or Phoenix.

The Washington Capitals have been sending scouts to watch Ladislav Nagy. This could be a precursor to a trade. It's also possible they are looking at Mike Comrie.