from Elliotte Friedman of CBC,

- I talked to general manager David Poile about Nashville's need to build offence. The Predators have the lowest "one-goal game" winning percentage in the NHL and are the victim of eight shutouts, also 30th. I asked Poile if he'd consider trading Shea Weber once the post-offer sheet moratorium ends in July: "We have a franchise goaltender and the best defenceman in the NHL ... We are building our team around them."

- Capitals GM George McPhee moves methodically. Very rarely does he act impulsively and this was fast for him. He didn't come right out and say it, but this move is Mike Ribeiro protection. "I wasn't sure we were going to do it, but once we put some analysis into the market, we were unanimous in doing the deal," he said. "At some point, Brooks Laich or Marcus Johansson may move to centre and, if we do that, we'll need a left winger. We have [Erat] signed. We don't want to get into free-agent game. Of all the left wingers who might be available this summer, he's the best of the bunch and the contract makes sense."

- This summer's goalie market is going to be very interesting. There will be Luongo, Ryan Miller, Jonathan Bernier and whichever of Niklas Backstrom, Mike Smith, Jimmy Howard and Ray Emery remain unsigned. Nashville prospect Magnus Hellberg is also getting attention. When I asked Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman about acquiring Ben Bishop instead of waiting to see what potential options were open, he replied: "You said the key words -- 'potential options.'"

more Thoughts plus some Olympics talk...