from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

- Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving didn’t make any deals but we’re told it’s not for a lack of trying.

A league executive told this newspaper Saturday afternoon that Treliving has a “a lot of balls in the air” and another added that the Flames are “open for business.”

Naturally, the name everybody is keeping an eye on is winger Matthew Tkachuk. His future with the Flames is clouded at best and the indications are the St. Louis Blues are making a hard run to acquire Tkachuk, the son of legendary former winger KeithTkachuk, who still makes his home there.

The Blues aren’t the only team in pursuit by they are considered by many to be the frontrunner because Keith works as a scout for St. Louis and would be 100% behind this move. St. Lous will expose forward Vladimir Tarasenko in the expansion draft and if Seattle does select him that will take money off the books.

However, Tkachuk isn’t the only name being discussed. The talk is the Flames are also trying to find out what the market is for centre Sean Monahan. This is the second straight summer the Flames have tried to trade the under-performing Monahan, who had 10 goals and 28 points in 50 games last season.

There are several teams looking for help in the middle, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators, so Monahan may be a fit if those two clubs want to make a move....

- The Chicago Blackhawks are trying to acquire Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets and that’s left GM Stan Bowman trying to clear up roster space. The word Saturday was the club is trying to move RFA D NikitaZadorov to make room for Jones.

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