The Marty St. Louis to the New York Rangers chatter is only heating up

ST LOUIS A GOOD BET TO BE TRADED BY THE SUMMER? The Marty St. Louis to the New York Rangers chatter is only heating up. St. Louis demanded a trade prior to the Olympics and the buzz around the league is that St. Louis stance has not changed one bit despite being added to Team Canada. One NHL source said St. Louis is a man of his word and won’t change his mind. St. Louis had every opportunity to kill the trade speculation today when he met with reporters and he didn’t. “The only thing I can say about that is I’ve had conversations with Steve on my future here,” St. Louis said, via the Tampa Times “Out of respect

Post-Game Buzz: Malkin, Crosby power Penguins to 4-3 win

POST-GAME BUZZ PITTSBURGH 4 – TAMPA BAY 3 Tonight was a great example of why having two dynamic superstars in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin makes you threat to be in every game as the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-8-0, 30 pts) defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning (9-12-1, 19 pts), 4-3 on Monday night at the Consol Energy Center, thanks to the efforts of Malkin and Crosby. Trailing 2-1 in the third period after a lackluster second period, the Penguins play was dull until Malkin and Crosby took over the game in the third. Malkin scored a spectacular goal at 5:38 of the third period cutting through two defenders to tie the game at 2-2, and a 1:51 later, Crosby put the

Latest Trade Deadline Buzz on Ruutu, Garrison/Rangers, Nash & more

Latest NHL Rumblings Will Ruutu be back on the block?: In the next 24-48 hours, GM’s around the league will know whether the Carolina Hurricanes intend to deal forward Tuomo Ruutu. Sources say the Hurricanes have a four year offer on the table, believed to be in the $15-$18 million range. Ruutu has been seeking a five year deal but there has been optimism that the two sides will reach an agreement today. However, if talks surprisingly break off, Ruutu will be back in play by Thursday at the latest. Ruutu an impending unrestricted free agent is not due back until the second week of March, which could limit his suitors to teams like the New York Rangers, Detroit Red

Trade Analysis: Lightning deal Downie, ship Quincey to Wings for 1st rounder

THREE-WAY DEAL A rare three-way deal involving the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche has highlighted today’s trade action. The deal first saw Colorado acquiring forward Steve Downie from the Tampa Bay Lightning in-exchange for defenseman Kyle Quincey, TSN reported. The deal on paper was a straight hockey trade as both players are restricted free agents at seasons end. However, Quincey was traded twice as the Lightning just minutes after acquiring Quincey, sent the 26 year old defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings for a 2012 1st round pick and prospect.

Analysis: Flyers add more size and toughness on the backend with addition of Kubina

FLYERS ACQUIRE KUBINA Just two days after acquiring defenseman Nicklas Grossman from the Dallas Stars, the Philadelphia Flyers this evening finalized a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, acquiring defenseman Pavel Kubina in-exchange for a 2012 second round pick and 2013 4th round pick. Kubina a 14 year NHL veteran, has 3 goals – 8 assists for 11 points and a +1 rating on the season. Averaging 19:54 of ice time per game, Kubina has 95 hits on the season and 100 blocked shots. The Flyers have targeted size and toughness on the backend and accomplished that goal in the past two days adding the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Grossman and the 6-foot-4, 258-pound Kubina.

Pens trade target Dominic Moore traded to San Jose for 2nd round pick

The San Jose Sharks have acquired Tampa Bay Lightning center Dominic Moore, in exchange for a second round pick. The Lightning will also send a 7th round pick to the Sharks, TSN reports. This will be the 9th NHL team for the versatile role player and this marks the third time in four years, that Moore has been traded for a 2nd round pick prior to the deadline.

Morning Buzz: Roloson stymies Pens again; Kennedy deserves more power play time? Michalek, Crosby tidbits

Morning Buzz: Roloson stymies Pens Again The Pittsburgh Penguins (11-5-3, 25pts) outshot Tampa Bay Lightning 34-18 but goaltender Dwayne Roloson stymied the Penguins once again. Roloson made 33 saves, and Vincent Lecavalier had two goals and the Lightning beat the Penguins 4-1 on Thursday night, extending their home winning streak to six games. “There’s no way you can beat that team if the goaltender is not at his best,” Tampa Bay coach Guy Boucher said after the game. “They’ve got everything, basically. We’ve got to play almost perfect defensively.” Roloson has won four straight versus Pittsburgh dating back to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series last post-season. During that span, he has stopped 127 of 132 shots he

NHL Free Agency Buzz: Vrbata viewed as a fit in Pittsburgh

Latest Buzz on Vrbata, Markov, Fleishmann, Richards & more “Complete player” Vrbata could surface as target If the Penguins don’t resign Tyler Kennedy and fail to bring in Jaromir Jagr, a name who could surface on their radar is Phoenix Coyotes right winger Radim Vrbata, assuming the term (2 years) and price makes sense. Vrbata is a Dan Bylsma type of player due to his complete two-way game but has some scoring touch and offensive skill to go with his two-way play. Vrbata, 30, scored 19 goals and 48 points last season for a defensive minded Phoenix Coyotes team. He tallied 24 goals in 2009-2010 and scored a career high 27 goals in 2007-2008. According to Vrbata’s agent Rich Evans,

NHL: Talbot, Asham are Pittsburgh’s Plan B?

Friday’s NHL Rumor Mill: How interested will the Lightning be in a Brad Richards reunion; MacTavish front runner over Therrien, Yeo in Minnesota? Talbot, Asham are Pittsburgh’s Plan B Some Rumblings around the league….