-- Up top, Kevin Shattenkirk addresses the trade rumors that have been following him for a while now. With five straight wins, Shattenkirk’s Blues are rolling under new coach Mike Yeo, and that’s going to make for an interesting deadline decision for GM Doug Armstrong.
-- Avalanche GM Joe Sakic isn’t going to make a trade just to say he did. “If it’s the best possible deal for us long term, we’ll look at that possible deal and make that decision. But ... it’s not going to be, ‘Let’s do it and shake things up.’ It has to be what’s best for the Avalanche.” Sakic has a tough challenge ahead of him. He desperately needs to address the Avs’ defense, and that’s not an easy thing to fix, even with chips like Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog to play. (Denver Post)
-- Expect to see a fair number of draft picks thrown around at the deadline. But what if that draft pick turns into a star? Sportsnet’s Sean McIndoe lists 10 such occasions, starting with the third-round pick the Jets sent the Canadiens in 1984 that turned into Patrick Roy. (Sportsnet)
-- The Associated Press delves into all the short-side goals that are being scored in the NHL these days, and how it relates to the Reverse-VH technique that goalies use to stop sharp-angle shots. Says goaltending analyst Justin Goldman: “The problem is because goalies rely on this stance so often, they’re dropping down into it before the puck is actually off the shooter’s stick.” (Associated Press)
-- On Senate Bill 1149, a.k.a the Arizona Coyotes’ plan to get a new arena built in a yet-to-be-determined location. As reported by Arizona Sports, “the team would contribute $170 million and the host city $55 million. Another $170 million would be raised through bond sales.” This legislation is obviously key to the team’s survival in the desert. If it doesn’t pass.... well, let’s cross that bridge if and when we come to it. (Arizona Sports)
-- An interview with Eric Lindros, who apparently still has his Quebec Nordiques jersey, which he keeps in a safety deposit box. Lindros was drafted first overall by the Nords in 1991, but he did not don their jersey, choosing instead to simply hold it. He was eventually traded to the Flyers, but not before another team, the Rangers, got involved in what proved to be a very mess situation. (Yahoo Sports)
Enjoy the games!