from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

- Anybody else wondering about the future of Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford? He signed a two-year deal with an eye toward winning a Stanley Cup and, at this juncture, they don't look like a contender.

- A league executive on the buyout deal for Los Angeles C Mike Richards: "I'd really like to know how that what happened. I've always thought of cap space as precious and they got a huge break."

- Though eyebrows were raised after Sweeney dealt D Dougie Hamilton to Calgary at the draft in exchange for picks, it's doubtful he'll be moving captain Zdeno Chara anytime soon. There was talk Chara was quietly being shopped but we've been told that's not the case. He has a cap hit of $6.96 million through the 2016-17 campaign. Not only does Chara control his own destiny with a 'no move' clause, the last thing Sweeney is going to do is move another blueliner because the club is already without injured veteran Dennis Seidenberg. It's believed when Chara's name surfaced on the rumour front last week a couple of teams who are badly in need of help on the blueline -- maybe Chicago, Los Angeles and Columbus because they've been calling around for blueline help -- picked up the phone to gauge Sweeney's level of interest in making a move. The word is they were told no dice. The Bruins are shopping for a blueliner.

more talk...