NHL TRADE RUMOURS SWIRL
Devils search for a goalie after firing Ruff; Senators look to deal pricey Tarasenko
Tom Fitzgerald tried to change the channel by making a big move off the ice. Now, he'd like to shake up his roster before Friday's National Hockey League trade deadline.
The New Jersey general manager on Monday fired head coach Lindy Ruff with his club sitting eight points out of the final wild card spot in the East and placed Travis Green in the role on the interim basis.
Fitzgerald acknowledged it's not all Ruff 's fault and confirmed he's been trying to upgrade the club's goaltending.
New Jersey has been linked to Calgary goalie Jacob Markstrom and also kicked tires on Nashville netminder Juuse Saros.
“I say this knowing I have goaltenders in my room who are trying to stop pucks every day,” Fitzgerald said Tuesday.
“There's a human element to it, and our goalies are listening to me answer this right now, and that's tough for me. But the reality is, yes, as you know, I am in the market.
“Is there the right person out there for the right price without mortgaging the future? But understanding the short game here that it's an important position. I'm not ignoring that and sitting here thinking, `It's all great.' Our goaltending hasn't been good enough.
“That's on me to try and go out to upgrade. I wish it was easier said and done, but I'm trying to do the right thing for the organization in the short window and with the big window version in my mind.”
It's a long shot, but the Ottawa Senators are looking for a change in net as well because neither Joonas Korpisalo or Anton Forsberg has played with consistency. Korpisalo is in the first season of five-year, US$20 million deal and maybe a fresh start would help.
Fitzgerald thought he had to make a change behind the bench to see if the Devils can make a push down the stretch.
“The identity we played with to sustain a playoff position wasn't sustainable,” Fitzgerald said. “Accountability is a huge word for me. The expectations I have personally for our organization to bring this team to where it needs to go. Habits, details, things like that go into what makes good teams, and I thought those were areas where we were lacking.”
The Senators are active in their pursuit of a deal to send winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a contender. A pending UFA, Tarasenko is making US$5 million on the one-year deal he signed with the club and doesn't have much interest in signing a new deal with the Senators. Keep an eye on Carolina because they were a finalist for the 32-year-old when he opted to sign with Ottawa in August. We've reported his preferred destination would be Florida and they've kicked tires, along with Vegas, Edmonton and Boston ... If Tarasenko is going to move, he may have to wait to see what happens with Pittsburgh winger Jake Guentzel. He's been skating with a non-contact jersey and is on the radar of every team looking for a forward. Vancouver and Vegas is reportedly making a push.
THIS N' THAT
The Flames continue to look to find a deal for defenceman Noah Hanifin. With 11 goals and 35 points in 61 games with the Flames this season, Hanifin, 27, a UFA on July 1, has attracted interest from Boston, Florida and Tampa ... Keep an eye on Detroit GM Steve Yzerman. While the Wings don't have any glaring needs, he may look to upgrade. The Anaheim Ducks are a seller and it's been suggested that Yzerman may do business with GM Pat Verbeek. They spent several years together with the Bolts ... Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong is ready to move on from D Matt Dumba, D Troy Stecher and F Jason Zucker among others ... The Nashville Predators are looking to add now that they're back in the playoff race with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games.
AT THE BUZZER
There's lots of interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Sean Walker. A pending unrestricted free agent, he's a right shot and that's a valuable asset. The Flyers are making an effort to keep him in the fold and want a first-round pick in return if they're going to move him or defenceman Nick Seeler ... It hasn't stopped teams from calling, but Fitzgerald noted he's not shopping winger Tyler Toffoli. He has 26 goals and 44 points in 66 games with the Devils.