Could J.S. Giguere retire? Could Scott Niedermayer return to the Devils? Which Oilers forward might become trade bait?

NJ.COM: Rich Chere reports it's not inconceivable defenseman Scott Niedermayer could return to the New Jersey Devils if the Anaheim Ducks are out of the playoff race by the March 3rd trade deadline. Niedermayer is currently on a one-year, $6 million contract without a "no-trade" clause. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello did inquire into Niedermayer's availability last summer but the defenseman said there weren't any contract talks.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Anything's possible but it's premature to suggest the Ducks could move Niedermayer by the trade deadline, let alone suggest the possibility he could return to the Devils. Still, if the Ducks are out of the playoff chase by then it might be worthwhile keeping an eye on them as the deadline looms.

OCREGISTER.COM: Eric Stephens reports Ducks goaltender J.S. Giguere was merely being sarcastic with his recent comments of retiring rather than be a backup goaltender. He said his comments weren't meant to force GM Bob Murray's hand and he's still hopeful of staying with the Ducks and winning back his job as the club's starting goaltender.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: As I said before, if a rumored "Giguere to Toronto for Vesa Toskala" were a possibility surely it would've happened by now. Giguere has a "no-trade" clause and if he wants to stay in Anaheim he won't be moving.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson in response to a reader's e-mail suggests the inconsistency of Oilers forward Robert Nilsson could lead to him being dealt later this season for a draft pick. The Nashville Predators are crying out for offensive help but don't want to pick up additional contracts, while the struggling Carolina Hurricanes already have some small forwards.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford admits he could make some moves to make his team younger and faster. The Ottawa Senators are also in the market for a scoring forward.

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