The one thing Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter wants by the trading deadline is depth.
“You see what happens when Alex [Zhamnov] goes down,” he said. “Center, wings, whatever. It might come from within. We’re just trying to get better.”
Oil spill: After losses in Florida and Washington, Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe reportedly was close to a deal for defenseman Tom Poti, likely with Pittsburgh or the Rangers, in hopes of salvaging a playoff spot. Boston and Edmonton have talked about Poti for defenseman Kyle McLaren.
From Florida with love: Russian rocket Pavel Bure has been rumored to be heading to the Rangers or Dallas, with Stars forward Brenden Morrow reportedly being dangled.
Wing thing: Detroit’s pursuit for a veteran defenseman starts with Pittsburgh’s Darius Kasparaitis, but might end with Columbus’ Lyle Odelein or Atlanta’s Jiri Slegr, who has also drawn interest from Dallas and Colorado.
Shark bait: San Jose winger Teemu Selanne, a potential unrestricted free agent this summer and rumored to be at odds with coach Darryl Sutter earlier this season, is now saying he doesn’t want to be traded. What’s more, Sutter said Selanne has been the team’s best player for the last seven weeks.
Rumorville: Ottawa reportedly is listening to offers for defenseman Chris Phillips.
Talk is: Buffalo is said to be making ex-Hawks forward J.P. Dumont available.
Welcome back: Edmonton’s Eric Brewer, upon returning after playing for Canada on the wider Olympic-size ice: “It was like skating inside a pop can.”
Dubious: Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are the only players in the last 40 years to win scoring championships for teams that failed to make the playoffs that season. Calgary’s Jarome Iginla could be the third by next month.
On the move: The Lightning could bolt Tampa Bay for Houston or Portland.
He shoots: San Jose’s Evgeni Nabokov became the seventh goalie to score a goal, potting an empty-netter–on a power play, no less–in the final minute of a 7-4 win Sunday over Vancouver. Nabokov wanted to pass the puck to defenseman Brad Stuart, “but I saw the defensemen split so I’m going to go for it,” he said, becoming the first goalie to score since Montreal’s Jose Theodore did it against the Islanders on Jan. 2, 2001.
Stick work: Anaheim tough guy Denny Lambert, on why he likes the new one-piece Synergy hockey stick: “They don’t break when you slash somebody.”
