Get the latest on Alex Frolov, Jaroslav Halak, Willie Mitchell, Erik Johnson and more.

STLTODAY.COM: Jeff Gordon recently reported the strong play of the LA Kings haven't silenced the trade rumors about winger Alex Frolov. The Canadiens might be a destination given the poor performance of their offense. Jeremy Rutherford meanwhile reports the Blues have open contract extension talks with defenseman Erik Johnson

SPECTOR'S NOTE: This one has been flying around the internet for weeks since Frolov, who's a UFA next summer, was a healthy scratch earlier in the season but if the Kings were to trade him - and I doubt they will as long as they're riding high in the standings - it'll likely be around the March trade deadline, not now.

SPORTINGNEWS.COM: Craig Custance suggests the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks as potential logical destinations for Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: It appears the Flyers will stick with Brian Boucher while Ray Emery is sidelined for the time being. The Stars don't appear interested in bringing in another goalie despite the average play of backup Alex Auld, and the Blackhawks have no need to do so with Cristobal Huet playing better and promising Antti Niemi as his backup, and while I understand Custance is making the suggestion in that it'll give the 'Hawks some flexibility to either trade or buy out Huet I don't see them making either move next summer.

VANCOUVER SUN: Iain MacIntyre recently suggested this could be defenseman Willie Mitchell's last Christmas with the Canucks as there's been no contract talks thus far with the impending UFA and given their future salary commitments there might not be room for Mitchell.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: I think management is waiting until later in the season when they'll have a better idea how much cap space they'll have for next season before making a pitch to Mitchell, but the point is taken there still might not be enough available space for him.

CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty recently suggested the Bruins could be in the market for more offense over the next couple of months, noting Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk, Carolina's Ray Whitney, Tampa Bay's Alex Tanguay, Anaheim's Bobby Ryan, St. Louis' Paul Kariya and the Kings Alex Frolov.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: With the bevy of draft picks GM Peter Chiarelli has compiled it's quite possible he'll go shopping for scoring depth. Of those on Haggerty's list I'd suggest they have the best chance of landing Whitney (provided he agrees to waive his movement clause), Tanguay or Kariya. Kovalchuk would cost a fortune, I'm not convinced the Ducks will part with Ryan and the Kings might hang onto Frolov for the playoffs.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports no shake-up via trade appears to be coming for the struggling Blue Jackets. GM Scott Howson would love to find a short-term replacement for injured defenseman Rostislav Klesla but he said he's not close to anything as the trade market is very tough.

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