Latest on the Rangers, Hurricanes, Kings, Blues, Senators and Stars.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson recently reported the NY Rangers are seeking a backup goaltender, while Carolina Hurricanes forward Scott Walker is available but nobody's taking him until the March trade deadline when his salary will be more affordable.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak is available and it's possible he could be had for a draft pick although it's believed the Habs want a top-six forward in return. The Rangers have nearly $2 million in available cap space and Halak has less than $470K remaining on his current contract...The Hurricanes will likely have to wait until the trade deadline to make their salary cutting trades.

ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun responded to an reader's e-mail regarding the Kings, suggesting GM Dean Lombardi might look to add another top-four blueliner by the March trade deadline, and if (emphasis on "if") the Atlanta Thrashers were to shop Ilya Kovalchuk (which LeBrun stresses isn't the case right now) Lombardi would be amongst a half-dozen general managers who'd be interested in the sniper...LeBrun also suggests the reason no teams took Hurricanes defenseman Aaron Ward off waivers was they're hoping he'd be placed on re-entry waivers but it doesn't appear as though the Hurricanes will do that.

SPECTOR'S NOTE:  If Lombardi were seeking another top-four defenseman that puts to rest a recent internet rumor of him shopping Jack Johnson...The Hurricanes tried to move Ward via trade for several weeks but his salary is the biggest hindrance.

USATODAY: Kevin Allen reported via Twitter yesterday he believes the St. Louis Blues could soon begin working on a deal with goalie Chris Mason as both sides appear interested in getting something done.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: That shouldn't be surprising given how well he's played over the past couple of seasons.  Mason's a UFA at season's end and earns $3 million this season. If he becomes available next summer he could command around $5 million per.

TSN.CA: Bob McKenzie reports salary cap constraints will likely prevent the Ottawa Senators to try to replace the injured Jason Spezza thus they'll have to look within the organization.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: That probably won't stop the rumormongers but McKenzie is of course correct in his assessment of this situation.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika examines the "big list" facing Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk, which is upgrading the defense, keeping or trading Marty Turco, perhaps find a right-handed forward, ponder an offer for Steve Ott and find the right mix.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: It's a big list all right and I don't envy Nieuwendyk. It'll be interesting to see what he does to address these issues, but I'm guessing his biggest one will be trying to re-sign Turco.

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