NHL trade rumors: Daniel Alfredsson responds to specualtion

A daily roundup of trade rumors from around the NHL. Thursday’s edition features Daniel Alfredsson potentially playing in Pittsburgh, the Islanders’ interest in improving their team and Dave Nonis fielding calls about Tim Connolly.

by Matt Brigidi

Feb 21, 2013, 4:27 PM UTC

Joel Auerbach

* On Tuesday night, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN began speculating that Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson might be traded to the Boston Bruins dependent upon how the rest of the Senators' season plays out. Under this scenario, LeBrun stated it would likely have to be Alfredsson who requested the trade.

On Thursday morning, Alfredsson adressed the rumor by stating that he couldn’t see himself playing for any other team. Of course, he gave himself an out by stating that he never says never.

In addition to the Bruins, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports the Penguins will also pursue Alfredsson if the Senators fall out of playoff contention.

* In terms of the Senators making additions, general manager Bryan Murray has made it clear that he is working the phones in an attempt to ease the loss of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson.

While Murray is believed to be involved in discussions on some big fish, Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen explains that budgetary issues might be preventing some moves:

While general manager Bryan Murray is looking into the possibility of trading for high-priced replacements such as Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly, Florida's Stephen Weiss or Edmonton's Ryan Whitney as the April 3 trade deadline approaches, there are always budgetary concerns to adding newcomers.

* Teams are already beginning to eye up the New York Islanders roster for mid-season additions. However, general manager Garth Snow told Arthur Staple of Newsday that he isn't going to make any moves that won't help his team:

"As I've said many times, if there's an opportunity to upgrade our roster and make the team better, we'll do it, but not at the expense of our young guys or prospects," Snow told Newsday here on Wednesday, a day off for the Islanders before Thursday night's game with the Canadiens. "We're not going to mortgage our future to make a quick fix. That's not our plan."

* Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis stated in an interview with Brady and Lang In The Morning on Sportsnet 590 that teams are inquiring about forward Tim Connolly.

Connolly, currently playing in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, was suggested by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet as a possible piece teams might be interested in adding. Nonis stated that he believes Connolly will be back in the league this season whether with the Leafs or another team, via Sportsnet:

“Is there a chance (Connolly) will be back (in the NHL)? No question,” Nonis told Brady and Lang in the morning. “We’ve had teams call on him. I would expect at some point whether it’s with us or someone else that he’ll be back in the NHL before the season’s over.”

* Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli was in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night to watch the contest between the Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. Pittsburgh has been rumored to be looking for a top-six winger, while Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren has denied his team's interest in making any major moves.