NHL Rumor Mill – December 5, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 5, 2023

More speculation on Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, Flames defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, and Sharks blueliners Mario Ferraro and Marc-Edouard Vlasic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During their Dec. 4 “32 Thoughts” podcast episode, Elliotte Friedman wondered what would happen with Steven Stamkos if the Tampa Bay Lightning are a playoff bubble team if he isn’t signed to a new contract by the end of this season.

Co-host Jeff Marek noted that Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said at the start of this season that they need to see what the season is going to be like before opening contract talks with Stamkos. Friedman believes teams will call about Stamkos.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s still a long way to go before the end of this season. Still, it probably won’t be the last time that Stamkos surfaces in the rumor mill. For now, he’s not going anywhere.

Bear in mind that Stamkos still has a full no-movement clause that expires when his current contract does on June. 30. He’ll have complete control over whether the Lightning attempt to trade his negotiation rights during the offseason just as he would if they approached him about moving before the March 8 trade deadline. Time will tell if either possibility takes place.

The pair also discussed Calgary Flames defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev. Friedman noted that the Arizona Coyotes had shown an interest in Hanifin this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: GOPHNX.COM’s Coyotes beat writer Craig Morgan acknowledged the rumors linking the club to Hanifin. While saying the rumor “has some legs”, he also suggested their level of pursuit of the Flames defenseman was “a bit exaggerated.”

Morgan noted that the Coyotes could use a defenseman such as Hanifin. However, if they were to acquire him, it would have to be without giving up any of their top prospects plus they’d have to sign him to a contract extension with a term and salary that would fit within their cost-conscious budget plans.

Regarding Tanev, Friedman noted a couple of people told him that they think the Flames could make another attempt to re-sign him. However, he’s not sure how likely that will be.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Toronto Maple Leafs are believed to be quite keen on acquiring Tanev to shore up their injury-depleted blueline. Whether they can pull it off remains to be seen.

Turning to the San Jose Sharks, Friedman said the Carolina Hurricanes were rumored to have taken a run at acquiring defenseman Mario Ferraro. He’s a talented young player signed for two more seasons with an affordable $3.25 million average annual value. Friedman thinks a lot of teams will be checking into his availability.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rebuilding Sharks could prefer hanging onto Ferraro if they see the 25-year-old rearguard fitting into their long-term plans. However, they could part with him if they get an irresistible offer.

Friedman also believes the Sharks want to move out Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who’s been a frequent healthy scratch this season. He’s got two more seasons on his contract with an AAV of $7 million plus there are some signing bonuses too.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way I see the Sharks moving Vlasic (who has a three-team trade list) is if they’re willing to keep half of his cap hit as they have one retained salary slot left. Even then, they might have to include a sweetener in the deal like a draft pick or prospect.

Vlasic will be 37 in March and is a spent force as an NHL defenseman. I doubt he’ll draw much interest in the trade market. The Sharks might have to bite the bullet and buy him out next June.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 20, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 20, 2023

Recaps of Thursday’s games plus the latest on Patrik Laine, Kaiden Guhle, Craig Anderson and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames nipped the Buffalo Sabres 4-3. Adam Ruzicka snapped a 3-3 tie in the third period while Dan Vladar stopped 24 shots for the win as the Flames improved to 2-1-1. Rasmus Dahlin and Dylan Cozens each collected two assists for the Sabres, who drop to 1-3-0 to start the season.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist for the 2-2-0 Panthers. Mitch Marner scored for the 2-2-0 Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs winger Tyler Bertuzzi was bumped down to the third line to begin the second period as he’s playing through an injury.

The Nashville Predators defeated the New York Rangers 4-1. Cole Smith tallied twice, Filip Forsberg and Tyson Barrie each had two points and Juuse Saros turned aside 24 shots for the Predators (2-3-0). Adam Fox replied for the Rangers (2-2-0) while goalie Igor Shesterkin got the hook after giving up four goals in 18 shots.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).

Nikita Kucherov scored two goals as the Tampa Bay Lightning improved to 2-2-1 by holding off the Vancouver Canucks 4-3. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos picked up an assist as he returned to action after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury. J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson each had two points for the 2-2-0 Canucks.

The Philadelphia Flyers got two goals from Cam Atkinson in a 4-1 upset of the Edmonton Oilers, dropping the latter to 1-3-0. Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett each had two assists while Carter Hart made 22 saves for the 3-1-0 Flyers, who sit atop the Metropolitan Division. Zach Hyman scored for the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers were outworked and outhustled by the Flyers in this game. It’s still very early in the season and the Oilers have plenty of time to recover from this poor start. For now, though, they look nothing like the Stanley Cup contender they were projected to be this season.

Los Angeles Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois scored two goals in 12 seconds in the second period to lead his club over the Minnesota Wild 7-3. Adrian Kempe and Kevin Fiala each had two points for the Kings as they improved to 2-1-1. Connor Dewar, Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek replied for the Wild as they dropped to 2-2-0.

The Arizona Coyotes got power-play goals by Nick Bjugstad, Jason Zucker and Sean Durzi in a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Durzi, Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz each had a goal and an assist for the 2-2-0 Coyotes. Jakub Vrana and Sammy Blais scored for the 1-1-1 Blues.

A third-period power-play goal by Jack Eichel broke a 3-3 tie as the Vegas Golden Knights downed the Winnipeg Jets 5-3. Logan Thompson made 36 saves while Shea Theodore collected three assists for the 5-0-0 Golden Knights. Alex Iafallo netted two goals for the 1-3-0 Jets, who scratched defenseman Nate Schmidt from this contest.

Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen broke a 2-2 tie to lift his club to a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks (1-2-0). Heiskanen finished the night with a goal and two assists while teammate Joe Pavelski had a goal and an assist as the Stars improved to 2-0-1. Ducks rookie Leo Carlsson netted his first NHL goal while teammate Troy Terry had a goal and an assist.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks defenseman Jamie Drysdale missed this game with a lower-body injury.

The Seattle Kraken got their first win of the season by beating the Carolina Hurricanes 7-4. Vince Dunn and Oliver Bjorkstrand each had a goal and two assists for the 1-3-1 Kraken. Seth Jarvis had a goal and two assists for the 3-2-0 Hurricanes.

Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev stopped 18 shots to shut out the Chicago Blackhawks 4-0. Logan O’Connor, Ryan Johansen, Devon Toews and Nathan MacKinnon scored for the Avalanche as they improved to 4-0-0. Petr Mrazek made 37 saves for the Blackhawks as they dropped to 2-3-0.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak extended his goal streak to three games in a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. James van Riemsdyk and Brad Marchand also scored for 3-0-0 Bruins while Anthony Duclair replied for the 0-3-1 Sharks.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: Columbus Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine isn’t impressed with his poor start to this season. “I feel like it’s overall been pretty awful, pretty awful so far,” he told The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline. “Can’t hit the net if my life depends on it. Can’t make any plays. Can’t win a faceoff.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could be down to the pressure of playing a new position. As the article noted, Laine is playing center this season for the first time after spending the past seven seasons as a left wing.

Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens followers were expecting the worst after losing center Kirby Dach for the season with a knee injury. They’re undoubtedly breathing a sigh of relief now.

The Winnipeg Jets aren’t the only club suffering at the gate early in this season. The Buffalo Sabres are at 83 percent capacity through their opening home games while the Washington Capitals sellout streak of 588 games ended on Monday. The San Jose Sharks drew just 10,000 for their third game of the season while the Calgary Flames didn’t sell out their home opener.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Several factors are likely behind this. The rising cost of living caused by inflation can make it difficult for fans to afford the cost of attending NHL games. As the piece also noted, the start of the NHL season also coincides with Major League Baseball playoffs and in some markets that’s going to draw away eyeballs from hockey. Meanwhile, teams like the Sharks are in the middle of a rebuild while the Flames, Jets and Capitals are coming off a disappointing 2022-23 campaign.

The Ottawa Senators will sign goaltender Craig Anderson to a one-day contract so that he can officially retire as a member of the club. He’ll join the Sabres as a hockey liaison.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anderson spent half of his 20-year NHL playing career with the Senators. The high-water mark of his tenure in Ottawa was backstopping them to the 2017 Eastern Conference Final.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Radim Simek, Ottawa Senators forward Zack MacEwen and Pittsburgh Penguins center Jansen Harkins were placed on waivers yesterday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 18, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 18, 2023

Recaps of Tuesday’s games include Leon Draisaitl setting an Oilers record, the Avalanche tying a league record, plus the Canucks and Penguins making a trade. Details on these and other stories in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman each had four points as the Edmonton Oilers picked up their first win of the season with a 6-1 drubbing of the Nashville Predators. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had three points, Connor McDavid, Warren Foegele and Evan Bouchard each had two points while Jack Campbell kicked out 42 shots for the win. Tommy Novak netted the Predators’s only goal.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl’s two goals came on the powerplay, giving him the franchise record for career tallies on the man advantage with 128. Meanwhile, the Predators held a video tribute to Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm as he returned to Nashville for the first time since being traded to Edmonton last season.

The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-1. Mikko Rantanen and Valeri Nichushkin were among the goal scorers for the Avalanche while Alexandar Georgiev got the win with a 37-save performance. Kailer Yamamoto replied for the Kraken, who are winless (0-3-1) in their first four games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche tied the league record for consecutive regular-season road wins (14) stretching back to last season.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault scored in the shootout to lift his club to a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. William Karlsson and Kaeden Korczak each had a goal and an assist while Adin Hill got the win by stopping 24 shots. Craig Smith and Joe Pavelski replied for the Stars while Jake Oettinger made 32 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights are red-hot to start the season with a league-leading four straight wins. Stars center Roope Hintz made his season debut after being sidelined by an upper-body injury.

The Minnesota Wild scored three power-play goals and tallied twice shorthanded to thump the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello each had three points, Joel Eriksson Ek scored twice and Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves for the Wild. Tanner Pearson and Alex Newhook replied for the Canadiens, who lost defenseman Kaiden Guhle to an upper-body injury in the second period.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the game, the Canadiens announced that center Kirby Dach (knee injury) is done for the season. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Fleury soaked up the atmosphere as he played what was likely his final game in Montreal as he faces potential retirement at the end of this season. Speaking of the Wild, defenseman Alex Goligoski missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Former Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his first goal of the season with the Los Angeles Kings in a 5-1 victory over his former club. Phillip Danault and Trevor Moore each had three points for the Kings. Mark Scheifele replied for the Jets, who lost forward (and former King) Gabriel Vilardi to a lower-body injury in the first period following a hit by Blake Lizotte.

The Buffalo Sabres blew a 2-0 lead but nipped the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on an overtime goal by Dylan Cozens. Zemgus Girgensons and Jeff Skinner also scored while Devon Levi stopped 21 shots for the Sabres as they picked up their first win of the season. Brandon Hagel tallied both Lightning goals as Jonas Johansson made 28 saves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning captain Steven Stamkos missed his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson left this game in the third period with an upper-body injury while winger Victor Olofsson was a healthy scratch.

Four unanswered third-period goals lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. Seth Jarvis tallied twice for the Hurricanes while Tomas Hertl collected two assists for the Sharks as they remain winless (0-2-1) in their first three games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho missed this contest with an upper-body injury. Goaltender Frederik Andersen was pulled early in the first period for precautionary reasons when he appeared dazed after being struck in the mask by a shot. He was replaced by Antti Raanta.

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart turned in a 25-save performance to shut out the Vancouver Canucks 2-0. Flyers center Sean Couturier scored his first goal for the first time since missing all of last season due to back surgery. Thatcher Demko turned aside 40 shots for the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Canucks traded minor leaguers Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Mark Friedman and forward Ty Glover. The addition of Friedman brings more size and experience to the Canucks blueline. The Canucks also placed defenseman Guillaume Brisebois on long-term injury reserve.

The New York Islanders blanked the Arizona Coyotes 1-0. Mathew Barzal tallied the game’s only goal while Ilya Sorokin made 14 saves for the shutout. Karel Vejmelka kicked out 33 shots for the Coyotes.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils placed goaltender Keith Kinkaid on waivers.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2023

Could the Bruins land Steven Stamkos? Which Coyotes’ players might get moved by the March trade deadline? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BRUINS ONE DAY LAND STAMKOS?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered if “disgruntled” Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos would wind up playing for the Bruins this season or next. He noted that general manager Don Sweeney was among the bidders for Stamkos when the latter was in his unrestricted free-agent negotiating window in 2016.

An NHL executive source told Murphy that Sweeney “pushed hard” for Stamkos in 2016 and John Tavares two years later. The Bruins GM could look into acquiring the long-time Lightning star if he becomes available in this season’s trade market.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Murphy noted Stamkos expressing his disappointment last month over a lack of contract extension talks with the Lightning. Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois said he intends to open those discussions at the end of the season after he’s had a chance to evaluate the club’s performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy assumes that Stamkos appears set on becoming a UFA next summer. We can’t rule out that possibility given the Lightning’s cap constraints but I don’t consider it a certainty. BriseBois will attempt to sign Stamkos and could get creative as he’s always done to free up the necessary cap space to retain a core player.

Stamkos came close to hitting the open market in 2016 but decided to stay in Tampa Bay. That was a wise move on his part. The Lightning at that time were poised to become a dominant franchise, going on to win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021, reach the Cup Final in 2022 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2018.

Despite Stamkos’ disappointment over a lack of contract talks this summer, his first choice remains to finish his playing career in Tampa Bay. A lot can happen between now and next July but I’m not assuming that he’s heading to market until the two sides have had an opportunity to discuss a new contract.

As for trading him during this season, it’s another possibility I don’t dismiss but also one that I don’t anticipate taking place. BriseBois made it clear that he and Stamkos are focused on winning the Stanley Cup this season. Unless things go awry for the Lightning, I don’t see them shopping their captain at the trade deadline unless he asks to be moved.

Remember, Stamkos has a full no-movement clause. BriseBois could ask him to waive it to join a Stanley Cup contender by the March trade deadline but there’s no guarantee that he’ll do so. Just because other players in the past have done so (like Patrick Kane last season) doesn’t mean Stamkos will.

WHICH COYOTES COULD BE MOVED BY THE MARCH TRADE DEADLINE?

GOPHNX.COM: In his 10 burning questions that dog the Arizona Coyotes this season, Craig Morgan wondered which players could end up being moved by the March 8 trade deadline.

The Coyotes hope to be playing meaningful games by then so they might not be sellers at the deadline as they’ve been in recent years. However, if they’re once again out of playoff contention, they could peddle some veterans who are eligible for UFA status in July.

Defenseman Matt Dumba and winger Jason Zucker could be among those trade candidates. Morgan noted that they’re both on one-year contracts and there’s a very real possibility that they return with the Coyotes in 2024-25 regardless of how the club performs this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve become accustomed to the rebuilding Coyotes trading away pending UFAs or even veterans with years remaining on their contracts for young players, draft picks and prospects. However, the Coyotes hope to make positive strides this season. If they’re in wild-card contention they could stand pat or perhaps become buyers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 16, 2023

The Senators defeated the Lightning, the Ducks upset the Hurricanes, plus the latest on the Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall, the Penguins’ Reilly Smith, the Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored twice and collected an assist to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. Vladimir Tarasenko tallied his first goal with the Senators and added an assist. Anthony Cirelli and Tanner Jeannot replied for the Lightning, who played without captain Steven Stamkos as he missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

The Anaheim Ducks upset the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 to give Greg Cronin his first win as an NHL head coach. Frank Vatrano led the way with a hat trick, Cam Fowler, Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome each had two points and rookie Pavel Mintyukov scored his first NHL goal. Teuvo Teravainen scored twice for the Hurricanes.

HEADLINES

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Taylor Hall will return to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup on Monday when they face the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Hall missed one game following a shoulder injury from a hit by Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo last Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Left wing Reilly Smith has already fit in well on Evgeni Malkin’s line in his first three games with the Penguins. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June, the 32-year-old Smith has three points in as many games and is drawing praise for his strong play at both ends of the rink.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was sidelined by an undisclosed upper-body injury ahead of his club’s 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. He’s listed as day-to-day.

CBS SPORTS: Former Anaheim Ducks winger Max Comtois has signed a minor-league contract with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. It’s believed the deal contains an out-clause if he gets an offer from an NHL club. The Wolves are currently not affiliated with an NHL club.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

Three teams are reportedly interested in Canucks winger Conor Garland, the Flyers are willing to take on big contracts from cap-strapped clubs plus the latest on Steven Stamkos, Noah Hanifin and Shane Pinto in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THREE CLUBS LINKED TO GARLAND

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators are among the teams believed to be interested in Conor Garland. The Vancouver Canucks recently gave permission to the 27-year-old winger’s agent to speak with other clubs about a trade.

Friedman claims the Canucks want to open up between $1 million and $2 million in cap space. They would prefer to get a defenseman in return for Garland, who carries an average annual value of $4.95 million through 2025-26 and lacks a no-trade clause in his contract.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have a logjam on defense and are reportedly speaking with teams about moving a blueliner. I suggested that Garland might be a fit if the Jackets are willing to move a right-shot rearguard like Adam Boqvist or Andrew Peeke.

The Jets have $2.3 million in cap space but I don’t think they have any right-shot rearguards they can spare. With $7.9 million in cap room, the Predators can easily absorb Garland’s cap hit. Dante Fabbro has come up in trade rumors over the past year or so but they could be reluctant to move him since he’s currently skating on their top defense pair.

FLYERS WILLING TO TAKE ON CONTRACTS FOR A PRICE

TSN: During an appearance on Friday with TSN 1200 in Ottawa, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere indicated his club might be willing to help cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary.

I’ve talked to many teams, and I’ve let them know there’s a possibility for us to help them (clear up cap space) if they’re able to help us on the back end with some younger guys,” said Briere.

The Flyers have less than $1 million in cap space but could open up more room by placing players on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers currently have Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve.

A back injury has sidelined Ellis since November 2021 and he’s not expected to return to action. The Flyers haven’t had any need yet to place him on long-term injury reserve but could do so at any point this season if pressed for cap space. He carries an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Ristolainen was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury before the start of the season. He carries an AAV of $5.1 million. There’s no indication yet that his condition would warrant placing him on LTIR. If it does, that would create over $11 million in LTIR-generated cap room for the Flyers.

THE LATEST BLURBS ON STAMKOS AND HANIFIN

NEW YORK POST: With Mark Scheifele off next summer’s free-agent market, Larry Brooks wonders if the Boston Bruins might target Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos as a playoff rental target to address their first-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks was referring to Lightning management appearing to play hardball with Stamkos over a contract extension.

The Lightning could put Stamkos on the block near the March 8 trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention and he agrees to waive his full no-movement clause. That’s unlikely but I don’t rule it out.

Stamkos, however, might not address the Bruins’ need at center. He’s played more as a left wing in recent years. He seems more comfortable in that position as it gives him better scoring opportunities with his one-timer.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Julian McKenzie was asked if Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy would “have the guts” to move Noah Hanifin at the trade deadline if the club was in a playoff spot at that time.

McKenzie doubted that Conroy would do it. He pointed out that the Flames core needs to be successful over the next few seasons. To do that, they need to add rather than subtract. He expects Conroy will be patient with Hanifin depending on how things work out with Elias Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin has indicated that he remains open to a contract extension. In other words, he’s also going to be patient in gauging the Flames’ performance this season.

NO CHANGE IN PINTO’S STATUS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports there’s no change in Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Ottawa Senators. It’s believed that the 22-year-old center has not asked for a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Senators fans seem to be growing impatient over management’s inability to get Pinto under contract. They chanted, “We want Pinto!” at one point during yesterday’s 5-2 home-opening win over the Philadelphia Flyers.