Scouts from Toronto and Montreal at Avs-Hawks game

Will Darryl Sutter remain with the Los Angeles Kings?

Very quietly, however, there’s a head coach with two Stanley Cup championships under his belt who’s just months away from his deal expiring: Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings.

There’s no question he’d be in demand if he hit the market after the season, but my guess is Sutter would much rather stay and coach the Kings, where he’s been since being hired in December of 2011.

Dreger Sees Blues As ‘A Primary Contender’ For Drouin

The Montreal Canadiens have interest, there’s no question about that. I don’t believe that Yzerman – I was talking about Toronto trading within its division – I don’t think Yzerman has any in trading Jonathan Drouin to Montreal, unless Bergevin is so desperate that he’s willing to sell the farm to make that work. I don’t think that’s reality either.

“St. Louis said they wanted to wait until the All-Star to get a bit healthier and kind of analyze again where they’re at. I’m still looking at St. Louis as being a primary contender for Drouin.”

http://www.todaysslapshot.com/from-the-ice/dreger-sees-blues-as-a-primary-contender-for-drouin/

Sabres Notebook: What to do with eight healthy defensemen?

The Buffalo Sabres have had eight healthy defensemen in practice the last two days, something they haven’t had all season with the long-term injuries suffered by Zach Bogosian and Mark Pysyk. Coach Dan Bylsma has said several times this season he abhors having eight on his roster and the team would have to do something about the situation if it ever evolved.

“We’re there,” Bylsma said with a pained smile after practice Tuesday in First Niagara Center.

Mike Weber and Carlo Colaiacovo will sit out Wednesday’s game in Montreal but Bylsma said he expects to see seven of the eight play over the next four days, when the team has the matchup with the Habs and a home-and-home series against Boston.

https://sabres.buffalonews.com/2016/02/02/sabres-notebook-what-to-do-with-eight-healthy-defensemen/

On Rumors of Habs interest in Reimer

Are the Ducks looking to move Cam Fowler?

Are the Kings a potential landing spot for Dustin Byfuglien

The TSN Hockey Insiders shed light on why the Kings could be a potential landing spot for Dustin Byfuglien should the Jets choose to deal the sought after defenceman, and also share the latest trade rumours involving Travis Hamonic, Jonathan Drouin and Roman Polak.

Dilemma of Andrew Ladd’s future with Jets lingers

There’s been plenty of speculation regarding what teams might or should be interested, there’s an obvious one to me – the Anaheim Ducks.

First and foremost, Ladd would be reunited with former Calgary Hitmen linemate Ryan Getzlaf.

Will the Hawks target Versteeg?

As for staying alive in the playoffs, I still think they need a little more depth at forward. If they can somehow land a top-six forward, preferably a left wing (I might be alone on this, but I think Kris Versteeg is a really intriguing option who can fit right in), that would allow Andrew Shaw to move back to his more traditional role on the third or fourth line.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1292670/blackhawks-mailbag-will-stan-bowman-target-deadline

If Lightning try to deal Stamkos, which teams are likely suitors?

if the Lightning did indeed consider trading Stamkos — rather than lose him as a free agent this summer and get nothing in return — what might Yzerman want? A right-handed defenseman? NHL players? Prospects? Draft picks?

Shero owes it to Devils to add, not subtract

No doubt Shero would like to acquire a younger top six forward who fits his long-term vision. (Something like the 2015 draft day trade for Kyle Palmieri – a 24-year-old right wing for two draft picks.) That would be the case, however, even if the Devils were 20 points out of a playoff spot.

Will Eberle end up with the Islanders?

Will the Jackets go into tank mode?

Ultimately, you want to have the best chance at winning the lottery — and getting Matthews, who is most often compared with Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar, and never to Gilbert “I’ve got my Sidney Crosby” Brule.

If you are the Jackets, what you want to do is lose, artfully and otherwise. You want to dump veterans at the trade deadline, bring up a bunch of Lake Erie Monsters and see what the kids can do. You want to make February, March and April into three more Octobers.

Alas, the penchant of these Jackets is to catch fire around Groundhog Day, and, well, we’ve all seen that movie, many times, and we’ve yet to see the end of it.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2016/01/31/michael-arace-jackets-must-dump-vets-play-kids-earn-high-draft-spot.html