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DEVILS’ BRODEUR FACES POSSIBILITY OF TRADE
Martin Brodeur is not looking for a trade, but he tells The Star-Ledger that Cory Schneider’s presence means the legendary goaltender does not think it would be inconceivable GM Lou Lamoriello might ask him to waive his no-trade clause.
“No, not at all,” Brodeur told The Star-Ledger on Tuesday. “It’s within the team’s rights to try and make themselves better. The fact is, I have the luxury to decide what I want to do. I hope if he is able to help the team, he’ll ask, regardless of what it is. It’s definitely something that is possible.”
Brodeur, on how he might react were that scenario to unfold: “I don’t know how I’d feel. I don’t know where I’m at with that. I don’t know what I’d think if it were to happen. I definitely would like to play more, so if there is a chance somewhere…
“But I’m not looking for that. I want to make sure this team gets on a playoff run. We’ll see what happens, but stranger things have happened.”
On if the Devils might trade the face of the franchise: “I’ve never faced it, but this year I might,” Brodeur said, his voice trailing off.
ARE SENATORS BUYERS OR SELLERS?
The Ottawa Citizen passes along that Senators GM Bryan Murray is still trying to decide what to do with his roster as both the Olympic break and trade deadline approach. Will the Sens be a playoff qualifier, or will they be able to supply other teams with rentals?
“Do I add or subtract UFAs?” Murray said on Tuesday. “The team will decide that issue over the next couple of weeks.”
FLYERS’ HOLMGREN: THERE WILL BE DEALS TO BE MADE
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren, via The Philadelphia Daily News, discusses what is basically a double trade deadline coming up, between the Olympic break and the actual trade deadline in early March.
“Right now, it’s getting to the point where we need to see what we have, see what’s out there and make a move if we’re going to do it.”
On a recent meeting with Craig Berube and his staff: “I think the coaches and I were all on the same page,” Holmgren said. “I think every team has some things they’d like to work on, but I firmly believe in the nucleus that we have here.
“That doesn’t mean if something comes up now and for the future, that we wouldn’t think about it,” Holmgren said. “We’ll continue to look around. But it would have to be something that makes sense for both.”
On cap space: “There are ways we can deal with the salary cap and get around things, if we need to. There will be deals to be made.”
WILD NOT LOOKING TO DEAL TOP PROSPECTS
Via The Pioneer Press, Wild GM Chuck Fletcher says he’s less likely to make any trade now involving one of the team’s top prospects.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but those deals are hard to make,” Fletcher said. “It’s tough to give up multiple assets on a yearly basis and stay competitive long-term, so you’re balancing the long term with the short term. Certainly, we’re happy with the deal last year, but that’s a difficult deal to make on a yearly basis.
“Any deal (we do) has to make sense in the long- and the short-term perspective, in my opinion, for where we’re at in the arch of our franchise.”
The lowering of the salary cap for this season has made trades harder to come by too.
“This has been one of the more difficult years that I can remember,” Fletcher said. “So many teams are close to the cap and don’t have that wiggle room to either add a player without giving you a player back or simply to take on the money.”
DANIEL SEDIN STILL WANTS TO SHOOT MORE
The Vancouver Sun illustrates that Canucks forward Daniel Sedin is without a goal in 13 games.
“I think we have good enough players on this team to make things happen,” responded Daniel when queried about the absence of injured brother Henrik. “I can’t blame it on that. I have to make things happen so that’s something I don’t really look at too much. It’s up to me. It’s my job to score and when I’m not scoring, it’s tough.”
He had one shot in each of his past two games.
“I don’t think I’ve been putting myself in those situations where I can shoot the puck,” he said. “So that needs to be better. I mean, that should be my mindset and that’s what I talked about before the season, too – shooting the puck. That’s what I need to get back to. But I’ve been in this league too long to kind of get down.
“I don’t really dwell on things too much. I try to stay positive and that’s been my mindset the last 10 years. I will come back (Wednesday) and work hard and I think things will turn around. That’s how I look at it.”
CECI TOLD HE’S STAYING WITH SENATORS
The Ottawa Sun indicates Senators defenceman Cody Ceci was told by the team to “get an apartment” two weeks ago, but he just revealed it Tuesday. The 20-year-old is not going back to AHL Binghamton.
“I enjoyed my time there,” Ceci said of Binghamton, “but it was nice to get the call up. I’ve just enjoyed it here. It’s a lot different here with flying to games and staying in the nicest hotels, and eating in nice restaurants all the time.
“I had fun when I was down in Bingo. I lived with some great guys.”
RAFALSKI ENDS COMEBACK BID
The Ft. Myers News-Press reports Brian Rafalski’s pro hockey comeback is over after only three games with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL.
“I’m done,” Rafalski said. “My back is no good. That was one of the hurdles.”
He added: “After playing two games, it inflamed the nerves in my back so I’m done. I felt like I played pretty well the last game. I was getting my timing and the game seemed to slow down.”
Bottom line: “There’s no reason to keep going. This is not something you can push or play through or goes away.”
GUDBRANSON LEARNING FROM PRESS BOX
The South Florida Sun Sentinel points out Tuesday night’s game against the Bruins was slated to be Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson’s second straight game sitting out as a healthy scratch.
“It’s tough not being in the lineup. It’s never a position you want to be in. It sucks more when you’re the one that put yourself there,’’ said Gudbranson, 22. “It’s never going to be all roses throughout a hockey career. It’s about testing your character, responding to it and reacting to situations.
“I always see everything as an opportunity to learn from it. I had a good chance to watch some pretty good hockey players lately. I got to see Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall the other day. I get to see Zdeno Chara tonight. Watching them play is a luxury you don’t necessarily have when you’re playing. I’m going to use it to my full advantage.’’
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