For the first time this season Toronto has approached forward Darcy Tucker about waiving his no-trade clause.
Sources say Cliff Fletcher has deals on the table to move Tucker to Anaheim, Ottawa, or Detroit.
Tucker, who accepted less money to stay in Toronto before signing a long-term extension, politely said no.
Colorado believes they are the frontrunner to land Los Angeles D-man Rob Blake.
Anaheim and Detroit are also pursing the All-Star D-man, Dallas is out.
Many believe Blake isn’t going anywhere and he will re-sign in the summer to stay in LA.
There are players in the Toronto dressing room who still feel Mats Sundin isn’t going anywhere.
Time will tell.
I have been told there is a long-term deal on the table for Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke to leave after this season and become the Maple Leafs GM.
Burke, who is as good as they come, already has his Cup with the Ducks and is looking to become the king of hockey as the Maple Leafs General Manager. I’m hearing a six year deal could be in the works.
Don’t believe the Red Wings when they say Nicklas Lidstrom is set to return in three weeks. He could barely skate off the ice after he was hit by Colorado Forward Ian Laperriere. I’m told Lidstrom could miss up to two months with knee and head injuries. We haven’t heard much about the head injury.
Wings GM Ken Holland, who I respect a ton, knows NHL clubs will hold him hostage at the deadline if they know Lidstrom is expected to miss two months.
All is quiet on the Blues front regarding D-men Bryce Salvador and Barret Jackman.
John Davidson and Larry Pleau are exploring all options leading up to the deadline. They are likely waiting to see what the best deal they can get for Jackman. They know they don’t want to pay Jackman the money he is looking for and what he likely can get this summer.
After they know their plan for Jackman they will turn their attention to Salvador. The foundation is already set for a deal to get done with the long time Blues D-man.
The Blues will not deal both guys unless they know they can get a quality D-man in return from another team. If both Jackman and Salvador are traded, the message sent to the fans would be that the Blues are obviously sellers and school is out.
Jackman would accept less money to stay if the Blues were willing to give him long-term security. By long-term I’m talking in the seven year range, and the Blues are not willing to go in that direction with the former Calder winner.
Martin Rucinsky will waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to a place he is comfortable going to. Expect the Blues to look to move him back to the New York Rangers.
St. Louis obviously needs a win tonight against the Ducks. Thursday in LA the club was way too sloppy in their own zone. Defense is the team’s strength and they cannot allow their game to get away from them. The Blues failure to put the puck in the net in the opening period killed them.
John Davidson will return to St. Louis on Sunday prior to the game in Phoenix.
Owner Dave Checketts is with the club on the trip.
Manny Legace is in tonight
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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