from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,

— I can’t see the Hurricanes re-upping Eric Staal, whose play is definitely stalled, but what can they get for him in a trade at the deadline when he’s an unrestricted free agent in July? One team that could have interest: Nashville. Don’t forget former Carolina coach Peter Laviolette is behind the Predators’ bench. Nashville would be a good geographical fit for Staal, too. Only a few hours away.

— The Capitals are a deep team but they’re looking for a third line centre with some offence. Jay Beagle is there now but he’s better on the fourth line. The Calgary Flames’ Mikael Backlund would look good there, so might the St. Louis Blues’ Patrik Berglund, although Berglund might be a better winger.

— The more Dallas Stars’ John Klingberg plays, the more he seems like a No. 1 National Hockey League defenceman. He’s smooth, and has a hesitation move with the puck that makes checkers miss him.

— The Flyers are desperate for wingers. Their best two guys — Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek — have four goals between them in 123 shots. The Flyers are deep in defence prospects such as Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Samuel Morin and Robert Hagg, but with a weak defence now they would rather not move a young player with potential.

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