There are whispers that Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick, who is expected to be fired at the end of the season, is going to wind up taking over the Bruins. Senators assistant GM Peter Chiarelli has also been listed as a possible candidate to replace GM Mike O'Connell when he gets fired. There's plenty of talk the Isles are going to buy out C Alexei Yashin at the end of the season. He has $34 million (all terms US) remaining on his contract, but a buyout would be $22.5 million payable over 10 years.

Milbury attended a meeting of NHL team presidents last week in New York and was telling anybody who would listen that he didn't get fired ... he received a promotion. Though owner Charles Wang has a long list of candidates to replace Milbury, the word is Mad Mike is trying to play a role in the hiring because he wants to make sure he remains in control. "I'm not sure anybody in their right mind would want that job with the Isles," an NHL executive said yesterday. "Mike Milbury is going to keep his hand in everything you do."