Chris Johnston of Sportsnet expands on the talk from Saturday Headlines.

A few bullet points.

- Duchene likes the city and team, but has played just eight playoff games during his NHL career. Approaching age 28 he wants to be part of a winner. He will also be influenced to some extent by the future of Mark Stone, Ottawa’s other pending UFA forward who can’t sign an extension before Jan. 1.

If Stone stays, there’s a better chance he does, too.

- Kyper certainly made a big headline, tossing right-shot defenceman Alex Pietrangelo’s name into the rumour mill and attaching it to the Toronto Maple Leafs during our “Headlines” segment.

It would take some doozy of a trade for the Leafs and Blues to make that one work — although with the teams going in opposite directions there’s at least the motivation to explore a potential fit.

- The Anaheim Ducks are actively searching for scoring help, even after acquiring Daniel Sprong earlier in the week. The Carolina Hurricanes want a top-six forward. Jim Rutherford is hamstrung by cap issues in Pittsburgh, but there’s no way he’s going to sit idly by with his Penguins out of playoff position.

Chicago, Los Angeles and St. Louis are at the very bottom of the standings and in need of a refresh.

more on each of the above...

.