The Current State of Things

Update:
- Montreal Canadiens defenceman Mathieu Carle, currently playing for their AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs, has requested a trade.
- Devils' GM Lou Lamoriello says that he will try to trade goaltender Scott Clemmensen before tomorrow's Deadline.
- The Maple Leafs have decided to have forwards Dominic Moore and Nik Antropov sit tonight's game against the Devils out. According to Sportnet's Nick Kypreos, the Leafs mostly fear that either player might get injured, thus reducing their market value.
- In similar fashion, Tampa Bay has decided to scratch veteran forward Mark Recchi.
- Among others, the Montreal Canadiens seem poised to make another move over the next 20 hours. They currently have 9 defencemen including Mathieu Dandenault, who supposedly asked Bob Gainey for a trade in the last 10 days. Tonight's performance against the Buffalo Sabres will be a decisive factor in Gainey's approach to the Deadline.
- The trade that should send Bill Guerin to "an Eastern Conference team" seems more and more likely to be falling apart.
- Most Rangers, including head coach John Tortorella, seem happy to have Sean Avery back in the organization.
- Once more, few people know what to expect from Capitals GM George McPhee as the 2009 Trade Deadline looms. The only thing we do know is that he is looking at the situation with the long term in mind and is not inclined to trade prospects for rental players.