NHL Rumor Mill (Part Two) – February 20, 2015

The latest on Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Ryan O’Reilly, Milan Lucic, Andrej Sekera, Jeff Petry, Zack Kassian and more.

Latest from TSN’s insiders.

TSN.CA: Pierre LeBrun believes Florida Panthers forward Sean Bergenheim could be traded by Monday. The Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks are interested. The asking price is a third-round pick, which the Canucks lack in this year’s draft…Darren Dreger reports the Jets are willing to move a blueliner for Bergenheim or Toronto Maple Leafs forward Daniel Winnik. They’re also willing to trade the rights of forward Alex Burmistrov, who’s spent the past two seasons in the KHL…Bob McKenzie reports the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins have interest in Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Andrej Sekera…The Edmonton Oilers are trying again to re-sign defenseman Jeff Petry before the trade deadline…LeBrun claims the Buffalo Sabres are keen to acquired Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly and are willing to offer up their other first-round pick as part of the deal.

NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: LeBrun reports there’s no talk of the San Jose Sharks shopping Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau. Until they ask to be traded, there won’t be any further discussions on the matter…Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning appeared on TSN 1040 and admitted he’s spoken with several teams regarding winger Zack Kassian, but he’s not actively shopping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Jets are willing to move Burmistrov’s rights along with one of their extra defensemen it could fetch them a good top-nine forward…I’ll be very surprised if the Oilers re-sign Petry. Hey, good for them if they do, but I just don’t see it when he has a chance to be dealt to a contender and perhaps sign with one in the offseason…The Sabres had better ensure they can re-sign O’Reilly to an extension before trying to acquire him. He’s one year away from UFA status and could bolt for greener pastures…Thornton and Marleau control their fates. If they don’t want to leave, they won’t. Sharks management have themselves to blame as they agreed to re-sign the pair to contracts with full no-trade clauses.

Latest “Short Shifts” from Jim Matheson.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson wonders if the Boston Bruins might trade Milan Lucic, who’s on pace for only 45 points and will earn $6.5 million next season before his eligibility for UFA status…The LA Kings spoke briefly to the Edmonton Oilers, possibly about defenseman Jeff Petry. Matheson believes the Oilers could try to acquire goalie Martin Jones this summer from the Kings, even if it means taking a contract back from the cap-strapped club…The Columbus Blue Jackets are taking calls on forwards Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert. They could entertain offers for defenseman James Wisniewski, though they’ll have to take a salary back…Matheson believes Arizona Coyotes blueliner Zbynek Michalek or San Jose Sharks defensema Scott Hannan could be good fits alongside New York Rangers rearguard Dan Boyle…The Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t overly high on Robert Bortuzzo and seek a third-pairing defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Bruins decide to trade Lucic it’ll happen in the offseason, not the trade deadline. They’re still battling for a playoff berth and won’t move a key player like him now…The Kings might be unwilling to move Jones but could consider it if, say, the Oilers or anyone else was willing to take on Mike Richards’ toxic contract…Atkinson and Calvert are restricted free agents so the Blue Jackets aren’t in any hurry to move them right now.