from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

- At least two NHL teams have called the Maple Leafs to inquire about defenceman Roman Polak and found the asking price way too high. With less than two months to the trade deadline, NHL voices say GM Lou Lamoriello has priced his players very high at this point in time. Expect that price to come down closer to the end of February. Polak is the perfect kind of playoff addition contending teams are looking for.

- Roberto Luongo is sneaking into the conversation for both the Vezina and Hart Trophies. The first half seemed almost all Braden Holtby for the Vezina as top goaltender. And the first-half MVP is somewhere between Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn. But with the first-place Panthers as hockey’s hottest team, Luongo has to be considered for both awards.

- There’ll be nothing wrong with Mike Richards with the Washington Capitals so long as they can play their home games in slush.

more hockey notes...