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The clock is ticking on Panthers GM Jacques Martin.
Will he or won't he trade defenceman Jay Bouwmeester?
League sources say the Panthers are leaning toward keeping the big blueliner at the March 4 trade deadline because the heat has been turned up on Martin to make the playoffs.
If the Panthers come up short, Martin will likely be fired by owner Alan Cohen.
A veteran NHL player with knowledge of the Panthers' situation told Sun Media yesterday "there's not a chance" Bouwmeester will return to Florida next season after he becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1. But the Panthers (eighth in the East heading into last night's action) need to keep him as they battle to make the playoffs.
"My understanding is (Bouwmeester) just doesn't like playing there. The atmosphere is bad and nobody cares about hockey," said the player. "The players all live far apart. I can't see him going back there under any circumstance."
Martin has, however, been making inquiries.
League sources say the Flyers may have been asked to discuss a deal that included top prospect LW James van Riemsdyk and LW Scott Hartnell in exchange for the rights to Bouwmeester.
Sources say the Flyers would consider moving van Riemsdyk because GM Paul Holmgren wasn't thrilled with the American's play at the world junior championship. But Hartnell plays a key role and has a no-movement clause he likely wouldn't waive to go to Florida.
The Flyers aren't the only team interested in Bouwmeester. The Senators, Oilers, Canucks, Blue Jackets and Kings have all called Martin.
The betting money is Bouwmeester will likely sign as a free agent in Edmonton in the off-season.
OFF THE GLASS
Coming off a 10-2 loss to the Stars Friday, there's plenty of talk that Rangers coach Tom Renney is in deep trouble. If New York decides to make a change, don't be surprised to see Pat Quinn behind the bench on Broadway. Quinn, who led Team Canada to a gold medal at the world juniors last month, played junior hockey with Rangers GM Glen Sather and they have been close friends since ... The talk is the Habs are getting tired of RW Alexei Kovalev and his disappearing acts. Kovalev has played a valuable role this season, but not consistently. Nobody would be surprised to see him moved soon ... Here's a question: Who selected D Brian Lee with the ninth overall pick in the 2005 NHL draft while passing on C Anze Kopitar (No. 11 to the Kings) and D Marc Staal (No. 12 to the Rangers)? Nothing against Lee, but he should been drafted lower than he was (by the Senators).
AROUND THE BOARDS
The Stars are expected to assign F Sean Avery to AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack when he clears waivers tomorrow. While Avery is close to completing his anger management counselling, the Rangers will keep an eye on him before deciding if they're going to claim him on re-entry waivers ... Penguins C Sidney Crosby is again making noise about getting a linemate before the deadline. The word is Crosby isn't happy unless he's playing with C Evgeni Malkin and coach Michel Therrien doesn't stick with that combination. That's because Malkin has looked good with RW Petr Sykora ... Blues G Manny Legace cleared waivers yesterday and was sent to Peoria of the AHL, but is expected to be placed on re-entry waives so a team can claim him at half his $2.5-million contract. It's believed the Blue Jackets will make a claim because they're desperate with Pascal Leclaire on injured reserve ... NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly will get some heat from the players after commissioner Gary Bettman suspended Wings D Nicklas Lidstrom and C Pavel Datsyuk one game each for missing the all-star weekend in Montreal. Players, who weren't aware of the rule, didn't like the fact the union allowed the bans.
Have a nice Sunday.