Panthers, Lightning, Kubina, Blake, Phaneuf, Huet, Joseph, Recchi, and Forsberg

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin is shopping for a “blueliner or a winger.” Martin is said to have an interest in picking up Ottawa Senators forward Antoine Vermette, but it’s unlikely the club has any interest in trading him.

---

Garrioch also reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning are actively looking to acquire a defenseman and perhaps even a goaltender, while the club is looking to dump goalie Marc Denis.

---

On the Maple Leafs front, Garrioch claims that if there is a change in management, defenseman Pavel Kubina and his $5 million salary cap hit would immediately be waived and send to the minors.

---

Another defenseman that could be on the move is Los Angeles Kings’ Rob Blake, according to Garrioch. Sources indicate that the Kings will move Blake to a contender before the trade deadline, with “several teams” having interest.

---

Word is that Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter met with the agent for Dion Phaneuf last week to discuss a contract extension for the pending restricted free agent defenseman, but “little progress” was made according to Garrioch.

Speculation is that Phaneuf could get as much as $6 million per season, especially if he signs an offer sheet with another team.

---

Garrioch also reports that two NHL goalies could find themselves on new teams by the end of the season.

In the case of Montreal Canadiens netminder Cristobal Huet, word is that he could be moved before the trade deadline. As for UFA puck stopper Curtis Joseph, speculation is that “a couple of NHL teams — including the Penguins — have called him.” Joseph has also garnered some attention from “several European clubs.”

---

Lastly from Garrioch, he reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets could end up trading for Pittsburgh Penguins pending UFA forward Mark Recchi to reunite him with Ken Hitchcock. Hitchcock coached Recchi while they were both with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Meanwhile, Jim Matheson’s of The Edmonton Journal suggests that if UFA forward Teemu Selanne does not return to the Anaheim Ducks this season, they may make a play for Recchi.

---

Matheson also reports that the agent for Peter Forsberg, Don Baizley, is receiving calls from numerous teams around the league, including the Flyers, wanting the latest updates on his client. However, no offers have been made.

“That’s a far cry from anybody saying ‘we’re going to try and sign him.’ It’s just tire-kicking. We’ve had no discussions with anybody about a contract.”

Teams are calling to find out what’s going on with Forsberg as far as his health is concerned.

“One of the frustrations with Peter is he’s almost been a point-a-game player, even with his bad ankle,” said Baizley. “But he’s nowhere near the player he once was (because of the injury). If he can’t play at 100 per cent, he doesn’t want to play.”