Trade Rumors

- The Vancouver Province, seeing Brendan Morrison's demotion to the third line, suggests that the Canucks might be able to work a deal that involves Morrison and Cloutier going to the Blues for free agent-to-be C Doug Weight. The paper also notes that the Canucks are in the market for a goaltender, but they can choose from a fairly large group of available veterans.

- The Denver Post, noting that a Canadiens scout has been at the last couple Avalanche games, mentions that the Avalanche might have an interest in Canadiens G Jose Theodore. The Avs don't have much cap room to handle Theodore's $4.5-million salary, but a deal could work depending on what salaries go to Montreal.

- Devils C Scott Gomez could be on the block, with Calgary and Phoenix potential destinations, according to the New York Post. The Post also has the Devils interested in an offensive blueliner, listing Columbus' Bryan Berard and Pittsburgh's Dick Tarnstrom as possibilities.

- The Rockland Journal News, noting that the Rangers are approximately $5-million under the $39-million salary cap, mentions wingers Sergei Samsonov and Petr Sykora as possible targets to boost the Rangers' secondary scoring.

- Newsday reports that, while the Rangers are interested in Sykora, the Blueshirts aren't offering anything to tempt to the Ducks into making the move.

- Several reports indicate that Devils LW Patrik Elias is mere days away from making his return to action. Elias has been out all season after contracting Hepatitis A last year.

- Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon is looking to make some changes, according to the Chicago Tribune, with G Nikolai Khabibulin perhaps the most marketable player on the roster, despite his poor start to the season.

- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Capitals GM George McPhee says he won't be trading G Olaf Kolzig, despite what appears to be several teams' need for a veteran goaltender.

- Big ticket Penguins veterans Sergei Gonchar and Zigmund Palffy have both been mentioned in trade talks, acccording to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

- The Montreal Gazette expects the Devils to deal D Dan McGillis, though with McGillis making $2.2-million there may not be any takers unless the Devils take on a similarly-priced underachiever.

- The San Francisco Chronicle notes that Alexander Korolyuk remains Sharks property while playing in Russia and that San Jose likely will trade him at some point. Korolyuk is among the league leaders, scoring 28 points in 33 games for Chekhov Vityaz.