10:00 p.m.: As another day closes, inching closer to the trade deadline, we are left with a few closing rumors and deals.
The Hurricanes re-acquired winger Cory Stillman, sending center Ryan Carter and a fifth round pick to Florida, Hockeybuzz.com reports.
The buzz continues around Brad Richards, as Los Angeles, New York, Montreal, Buffalo, Toronto, and Minnesota all have reported interest in the Dallas forward.
The Rangers are also interested in Bryan McCabe, and HockeyBuzz sources are reporting that this deal could be happening early on Friday.
2:01 p.m.: The Canadiens and Thrashers completed a deal that will send Brent Sopel and Nigel Dawes to Montreal, with Ben Maxwell and a fourth-round pick going to Atlanta.
12:34 p.m.: Alexei Kovalev is now a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, as the Ottawa Senators continue their compaign to apparently have no NHL players on their roster.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported the deal via Twitter, with Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reporting the Senators will get a seventh-round pick in return.
The Senators have been by far the most active team this month, though not in a good way for their fans. Mike Fisher went to Nashville for two picks, Chris Kelly went to Boston for a pick, Jarkko Ruutu went to Anaheim for a pick, a goalie went to Colorado for a goalie, and now Kovalev is gone for … a pick. We sure hope those Ottawa fans enjoy draft picks, or else it’ll be a long summer.
12 p.m.: Chris Phillips continues to be the subject of rumors, but the Sens’ defenseman has a no-trade clause so it all depends on where — if anywhere — he wants to go.
According to GM Bryan Murray, Phillips wants to stay in Ottawa. The Leafs and Habs may be interested.
11:50 a.m.: Just one day afte promoting Ray Emery from the AHL, the Ducks made another netminding move on Thursday, acquiring Dan Ellis from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for goaltender Curtis McElhinney.
“We are excited to acquire a goaltender of Dan’s caliber, someone we feel can help us immediately,” said general manager Bob Murray in a statement released by the team. “He has experience playing in big games down the stretch.”
Ducks starter Jonas Hiller is on injured reserve.
Meanwhile the 27-year old McElhinney has 6-9-1 record with two shutouts, a 3.43 goals against average and .890 save percentage in 21 appearances for Anaheim this season. The Calgary native was acquired from the Flames in exchange for Vesa Toskala on March 3rd, 2010.
