NHL Trade Rumors 2/26/12
11:15 p.m. Eastern
-Detroit is looking for a fourth line center. Buffalo’s Paul Gaustad, Montreal’s Travis Moen and Columbus’ Samuel Pahlsson are options. Dallas’ Steve Ott, Washington’s Mike Knuble, Florida’s Mikael Samuelsson and the Colorado trio of David Jones, Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi could also be available.
9:55 p.m. Eastern
-Nashville could go after a forward tomorrow, says Josh Cooper, but the asking prices for players will be steep.
8:15 p.m. Eastern
-While Toronto could get high picks for their players, they need players in return according to Darren Dreger.
6:25 p.m. Eastern
-The Rangers are considered out of the running for Columbus F Rick Nash, according to Katie Strang of ESPN New York. This probably means Nash isn’t going anywhere, but San Jose, Toronto or a mystery team can’t be completely discounted as of yet. The Rangers won’t give into Columbus’ demands.
5:20 p.m. Eastern
-The Rangers are unlikely to get Rick Nash from Columbus, says Katie Strang of ESPN New York.
-It’s unknown whether Dallas or Colorado will sell tomorrow, but there is significant interest in Avs forwards David Jones, Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi, as per TSN’s Bob McKenzie. Earlier, Pierre LeBrun reported that Boston is interested in the aforementioned trio. Dallas is entertaining offers for Steve Ott, McKenzie says.
5:05 p.m. Eastern
-Teams with the most interest in Rick Nash are moving on to other options, says TSN’s Bob McKenzie. They’re switching their focus to other targets as they believe Nash is staying in Columbus.
4:50 p.m. Eastern
-Detroit is looking for a “decent sized forward” and not a defenseman tomorrow.
3:20 p.m. Eastern
-Pierre LeBrun trade notes- Boston is looking at a trio of Colorado forwards. *Winnipeg’s Johnny Oduya is getting a lot of interest, but what direction will the Jets take? *Ryan Smyth will stay in Edmonton despite interest from the Red Wings, Bruins and Rangers. *Minnesota should get at least a second round pick for G Josh Harding. *Montreal C Tomas Plekanec may be willing to waive his no-trade clause, but has not been approached by the team. *Evgeni Nabokov does not appear to be on the Islanders’ trading block and neither does Olli Jokinen of Calgary.
2:30 p.m. Eastern
-Yahoo! Sports- It’ll take a legit NHL player, prospects and a first round pick to get Rick Nash. *Mikhail Grabovsky could get dealt by Toronto since he can’t agree to a contract extension with the Leafs. *Several Stars players, including Steve Ott, Mike Ribiero and Sheldon Souray, could be dealt. *Columbus, Carolina, Edmonton, Montreal and Tampa Bay are sellers. Sammy Pahlsson, Jaroslav Spacek, Bryan Allen, Chris Campoli, Andrei Kostitsyn and Travis Moen could be on the move. *It’ll be interesting to see what Washington does with Alexander Semin, Mike Knuble and Roman Hamrlik.
1:35 p.m. Eastern
-Columbus F Rick Nash is playing today against Pittsburgh, so it doesn’t appear like he’ll be dealt this afternoon. The Rangers, Leafs and Sharks are still in the race to acquire the superstar forward, and Darren Dreger reports that New York and Toronto have their players they would not deal to the Blue Jackets under no circumstances.
-Despite interest from teams like Toronto, the New York Islanders are not looking to move goalie Evgeni Nabokov. The Leafs will go after other goaltenders like Nikolai Khabibulin of Edmonton and Josh Harding of Minnesota.
-Montreal has not asked C Tomas Plekanec if he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause.
-Ottawa is still in good position to make the playoffs, but starting goalie Craig Anderson will be out around a month after cutting himself in a kitchen accident. So the Senators acquired six-foot-seven goaltender Ben Bishop from St. Louis for a second round pick in 2013. Bishop didn’t really get any playing time since Brian Elliot and Jaroslav Halak are playing so well in net for the Blues.
College Hoops Stock Watch 2/26/12
Stock Up
Kansas- The Jayhawks came from 19 down to best Missouri in the final regular season Big 12 Border War and took control of the conference and put themselves in great position for a number one seed. Thomas Robinson had 28 points and 12 rebounds in KU’s biggest win to date.
Purdue- If there was any doubt the Boilermakers wouldn’t make the tournament, that’s probably out the window now after a 14 point road win over Michigan. With Robbie Hummel leading the way, Purdue will make someone sweat a whole lot in the NCAA’s.
Iowa State- If the Cyclones weren’t already locked into an at-large bid, lock them in after a win at Kansas State. Scott Christopherson scored 29 points in the win and has emerged as a worthy sidekick to Royce White, making ISU a potentially dangerous tourney squad.
Alabama- The Crimson Tide remained on the bubble after a home win over Mississippi State and may have eliminated the Bulldogs. Levi Randolph had 18 points and seven boards in the win as the SEC looks to get more than Kentucky, Florida and Vanderbilt in the tournament.
Penn- A late road win at Harvard means that the Crimson and the Quakers each have two Ivy League losses, potentially making for another one game playoff for the league crown. Would Harvard get in as an at-large? Will two Ivies reach the Big Dance?
Stock Also Up- St. Joe’s, Saint Mary’s, UNLV, San Diego State, Dayton, VCU, Xavier, Northwestern, Drexel.
Stock Down
Missouri- The Tigers’ chances at a number one seed are gone, but there isn’t much shame in a one-point OT loss at the Phog.
Florida- The Gators would probably like a top four seed and a couple of games closer to home, but a bad 14-point loss at Georgia could spell the end of that prospect.
Notre Dame- With the conference tournament coming up, the Irish don’t have much more margin for error if they want a top four seed. They took a bad loss at St. John’s on Saturday and are likely on the four line for now, and we’re talking seeding not the subway.
New Mexico- It’s hard to believe that the Lobos, UNLV and San Diego State all make the tournament, so there may be one left out. After New Mexico was blown out at TCU, there’s a three-way tie atop the Mountain West and likely only NCAA room for two. Every game is critical.
Kansas State- The Wildcats are .500 in a deep Big 12 but after a home setback to Iowa State, Frank Martin’s club can’t afford many more losses if they and their fans want to remain comfortable on Selection Sunday, which is only two short weeks away.
Stock Also Down- Michigan, Saint Louis, NC State, ODU, Seton Hall, Harvard, UMass, Mississippi State, George Mason, Stanford.

