Insider Trading

Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun were on TSN's Insider Trading on Monday evening.

LeBrun, on if there's a run on defencemen now and who he'd select as the three hottest trade prospects: "Well, both those decisions have already affected the market, two weeks out before the actual deadline. What it's done is set up a new order in terms of who's at the pecking order.

"Now, when I talk to other teams around the league that are looking for a rental defenceman, Andrej Sekera of the Carolina Hurricanes is the name that comes up the most, in terms of the most-desired player. He only has 18 points this year with the Hurricanes, but 44 points last year and generally seen as the more complete player among the rental defencemen.

"Here's the thing - he's a leftie, he's not a rightie. Jeff Petry is a right-handed defenceman. That's why he's getting a lot of traction, especially now that Franson has been dealt. That opens it up for Edmonton. A lot of teams that were on Franson circle back to Craig MacTavish now in Edmonton and see what it takes to get Jeff Petry out of Edmonton.

"Michalek in Arizona. More of a defensive player. But again, Pittsburgh, Boston, Montreal, Tampa, Detroit, Anaheim all looking to bolster their blueline in some way or other.

"And the thing about the Ducks too is they were already looking for a defenceman. But now with the injury Sunday night to Vatanen on the back end, Beleskey on the front end - I think the Ducks will have to reshape their plan for March 2. They might be more aggressive at both positions before the deadline comes and goes."

Dreger, on if we could see Dion Phaneuf moved by the Leafs: "You could, but again we'll repeat that it's unlikely that Dion Phaneuf gets traded because of his contract. Particularly in-season and the days now drifting away as we get closer to that March 2 trade deadline. Keep this in mind as well. Even though there is interest and teams are calling and there have been offers on Dion Phaneuf that Dave Nonis and the Leafs just aren't willing to bite on yet, he had to submit a list of 10 teams that he would go to within his modified no-trade clause. So it's possible Dion Phaneuf will be traded between now and March 2, but again, I stick to the word unlikely."

Dreger, on how Phil Kessel has 8 teams to which he could potentially go: "Yeah, and there's tire-kicking on Phil Kessel. I mean, when you look at the level of offence that Phil Kessel could bring to any contending team as they get ready for the Stanley Cup playoff march, you can appreciate the interest. But it's so difficult to make a deal of this magnitude. So that's what it is. Anyone calling is calling Nonis simply to say, 'Look, if you get to a point where you've got a legit, a firm offer that you're willing to consider, then give us a call back.' But you're right. He's got a smaller list with his modified no-trade that has 8 teams on it. So this goes into the off-season."

LeBrun: "And really where a lot of the phone calls are now Dregs, as you know, is on a guy like Daniel Winnik. The other big UFA. The most marketable UFA left. A ton of interest. Winnipeg Jets tried to sign him last summer, so of course he's on their list as they look for a top-nine guy. Pittsburgh Penguins, who we reported before. But here's the thing for Dave Nonis. Now that's made that big deal with Nashville... drag this out a bit and build up that market on Daniel Winnik, have all these teams out-bid each other. The Leafs searching a second round pick and a third, or second round pick and a prospect for Daniel Winnik. And you know what? They may not want to pay it now, but it's not March 2 yet."

Dreger, on if he sees the New Jersey Devils moving him: "Well, he's hoping that for sure. He wants to be part of the post-season, as we talked about last week. There is definitely some interest in both Conferences, East and West. He'd prefer to stay in the East, but he's certainly willing to go to the Western Conference. Petr Svoboda, who represents Jaromir Jagr, is hoping to take more of an active role in this process. But first, as always, that has to be cleared by Lou Lamoriello."

Dreger, on Mats Zuccarello not likely being traded by the New York Rangers: "You're right, but there's a tough ongoing negotiation with Newport Sports. I mean, they love Mats Zuccarello. Alain Vigneault, the head coach of the New York Rangres, obviously wants to keep him. We might describe him as an 'own rental,' but even that isn't appropriate given the fact that they want to keep this guy long-term. So there's a lot of heavy-lifting ahead. He won't be traded."

LeBrun, on Mike Fisher's contract situation: "Also UFA.. He's not going anywhere, but contract talks in the next couple of days are going to start there between Todd Reynolds, the agent for Mike Fisher, and the Predators. Reynolds in Nashville to meet with Nashville."

Source: TSN/ Notes, Transcript: Nichols on Hockey