Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames spoke to the LA Kings about acquiring center Mike Richards prior to his demotion to the Kings AHL affiliate. The Flames are among the few NHL teams with sufficient cap space to absorb Richards’ $5.75 million annual cap hit through 2019-20, but only if the deal made sense on other levels. In other words, if the Kings include a good young player like Tyler Toffoli or Tanner Pearson, or a first-round pick and a top prospect, or pick up a portion of Richards’ salary the Flames would have done a deal.
Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are working the phones trying to trade team captain Dion Phaneuf. Kypreos claims two or three Western Conference clubs have interest in Phaneuf.
The Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche will try to swing a major deal by the March NHL trade deadline and Ryan O’Reilly could be among the possible trade candidates. With the solid play of goalie Calvin Pickard, the Avs might shop starting goalie Semyon Varlamov.
