from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,

The Senators have certainly shown an interest in Rangers’ blueliner Michael Del Zotto, but if GM Glen Sather is asking for Chris Neil or defenceman Marc Methot in return then that’s likely a non-starter.

It’s believed the Senators have spoken with the Panthers about defenceman Dmitry Kulikov, but the asking price is high and there’s talk the 23-year-old is headed back to Russia a the end of this season.

Making $2.5 million, he will be a restricted free agent. He’s expected to get huge cash thrown at him by a KHL club which means it could be difficult for any team to give up a lot of assets to get a young player for the balance of the season.

The Hurricanes have been offering around rugged defenceman Tim Gleason, who hasn’t played very tough this year and was a healthy scratch against the Senators Sunday night. He has a ‘no-trade’ clause and two years left at $4 million per-season so he’d have to approve any deal.

“You’re not going to get a defencemen without giving something up. You’re going to have to part with some assets,” said the executive.

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