Latest on Keith Tkachuk, Nicklas Backstrom, Tomas Kaberle, Dan Hamhuis, Brad May and more.

RDS.CA: citing ESPN reported the Boston Bruins are believed interested in St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk. They reportedly nearly had a deal in place for him at last year's deadline but it apparently fell through...Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle has apparently told relatives he's willing to waive his "no-trade" clause...The Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres are reportedly interested in Nashville Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis. The Predators would want a scoring forward or a first or second round pick in return.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: The Bruins desperately need to bolster their offense but I doubt the 38-year-old Tkachuk, who has only 28 points in 55 games and remains day-to-day with an upper body injury, will provide that much-needed boost...Little mention in the Toronto media of late regarding Kaberle's supposed willingness to waive his clause but anything's possible. For the record, Kaberle claimed  before the Olympic break he didn't want to waive it. We'll see...The Predators aren't gonna just give away Hamhuis and I suspect they'll want a young scoring forward or a first rounder for him. The Bruins could certainly offer up a first rounder.

CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: Tim Sassone reports the Blackhawks are rumored to be kicking the tires on a few goalies. GM Stan Bowman has repeatedly stood behind his current tandem of Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi but it's rumored he has interest in Florida's Tomas Vokoun or Dallas' Marty Turco, although landing either guy won't be cheap. Defenseman Brent Sopel's injury status could spark the need to add another blueliner.

SPECTOR'S NOTE: That's led to talk of a Vokoun, Jordan Leopold and Dennis Seidenberg for Huet, Kris Versteeg and Corey Crawford deal, but this move is one which is clearly one-sided in the Blackhawks favor which is why I have cast doubt upon it. As for Turco, he's apparently off the market. Their recent signing of Jassen Cullimore could be seen as perhaps a replacement for Sopel if he's out for the remainder of the year.

TORONTO STAR: Mark Zwolinski reports the Maple Leafs have two potential UFA forward in Alexei Ponikarovsky and Lee Stempniak who might be of interest at the trade deadline for teams seeking offensive depth.

WASHINGTON POST's Tarik El-Bashir reported yesterday via Twitter contract extension talks between the Capitals and centre Nicklas Backstrom were put on hold during the Olympic break at Backstrom's request.

MLIVE.COM: reports Red Wings veteran forward Brad may will be reporting to their minor league affiliate in Grand Rapids.

You must sign in to use the comments section.