here is some info

[Toddkaz]

-Wild looking at Modin, Parrish

The Minnesota Wild are struggling on the powerplay and a main reason is they don't have a forward willing to park himself in front of the net and absorb the inevitable abuse.

But help is available in terms of a trade, with Islanders forward Mark Parrish as well as Tampa Bay's Fredrik Modin, Ruslan Fedotenko, and even 2004 Hart Trophy winner Martin St. Louis available for the right price, reports the Minnesota Tribune.

 

-Czerkawski would welcome trade

Little used forward Marius Czerkawski would welcome a trade if it meant he would get a regular shift, writes the Natioanl Post.

"If things don't go better, we'll see what's going to happen before the March 9 deadline," Czerkawski told the Post. "Either I will be here or I will not."

 

 

 

 

 

Sources say the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has jumped into the New Jersey investigation that yesterday brought charges against Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet. The RCMP is said to be checking whether any Canadian Olympians are implicated, even merely as bettors, and may seek to have suspects barred from the Turin tourney that opens a week from today. Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky is the executive director of the Canadian team.

-- New York Post

 

Authorities said the gambling ring financed by Rick Tocchet had links to organized crime and clients that included at least a half-dozen current or ex-players. One investigator left open the possibility that players had bet on hockey, which would violate NHL policy. The ring took in more than $1.7 million on 1,000 wagers during a recent 40-day period.

-- New York Times

 

Certain Phoenix players may soon find themselves directly in the spotlight, too, if they aren't careful. Not because of their conduct off the ice but due to their play on it. That edict came from coach Wayne Gretzky, who indirectly warned some of his established players that their days could be numbered without better, more consistent efforts. Asked if he was referring to Shane Doan in any way, given Doan's tenure with the club, Gretzky refused to blame the popular right wing.

-- Arizona Republic

 

Phoenix scout Rich Sutter has been dispatched to Nassau Coliseum the past two games by Coyotes GM Michael Barnett to monitor the Islanders. Pending unrestricted free agents Mark Parrish and Shawn Bates and defenseman Brent Sopel are believed to be the potential targets.

-- Newsday

 

Reportedly, Tampa Bay forwards Fredrik Modin and Ruslan Fedotenko, as well as 2004 Hart Trophy winner Martin St. Louis, can be had for the right price. Lightning scout Dave Heitz has scouted several Wild games and was at Tuesday's game.

-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

 

The Wild has been scouting the Islanders and Lightning a lot lately. The Islanders might have to trade Mark Parrish. The Bloomington native is due to become a free agent his summer and said that he's interested in signing with the Wild. The Lightning has two needs the Wild conveniently could fill -- goaltender and defenseman.

-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

 

As the March 9 trade deadline approaches, a question hangs over the Red Wings: Will they make a trade? Or will they leave it up to Manny Legace and Chris Osgood? GM Ken Holland acknowledged that Osgood (13-5-3, .890 save percentage) has looked iffy at times, but pointed out that few teams are two-deep in net.

-- Detroit Free Press

 

The Bruins' leading goal scorer, Marco Sturm, will miss the next two games and is doubtful for the final pre-Olympic break game against Tampa Bay Saturday and for the Olympic Games. Sturm, a two-time Olympian for Germany, sustained an upper-body injury in the first period of a 2-0 loss to Montreal Saturday, and he missed the 4-3 shootout loss to Carolina Sunday and has not practiced.

-- Boston Globe

 

Flyers captain Keith Primeau, who has missed 46 games with a concussion, was told by the team's medical staff that he will not be cleared to return to the ice this season, team sources said yesterday. The Flyers had wanted a decision on Primeau's status by Feb. 27, the end of the Olympic break, but that timetable has been scrapped.

-- Philadelphia Daily News

 

Flyers center Peter Forsberg will not play tonight against the Islanders, the game he had targeted for his return from a left-groin strain. Forsberg had been on the ice for 35 minutes during practice yesterday when he felt tightness in the groin and said he would not play in the game. Forsberg has not decided whether he will play in the Olympics if he is unable to go Friday or Saturday.

-- Philadelphia Inquirer

 

The Sharks might not like where they are in the standings, but they've seen enough from Evgeni Nabokov and Jonathan Cheechoo to make the two a big part of the team's future.

-- San Francisco Chronicle

 

Islanders defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, who has missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain, has begged off the Russian Olympic hockey team. Zhitnik injured his right ankle on his final shift last week against Washington and has not played for three games.

-- New York Post

 

Team USA hockey coach Peter Laviolette said in a radio interview yesterday that he plans to play Devils linemates Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta on the same line in Turin.

-- Newark Star-Ledger