“I’m an Islander at heart,” Dubielewicz said. “If I was given the opportunity to continue to be an Islander, I think I’d probably jump on it.”

“I think my value goes up over time. They can see I’m consistent and that my size isn’t a big factor. If I went to another team, I’d probably have to spend a lot of time knocking down those hurdles again.”

Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik tells Craig Custance of The Atlanta Journal Constitution he has not received word from the Atlanta Thrashers about his future with the club.

After being told to stay home for a recent three-game road trip, the veteran blueliner says he is unsure how he fits into the Thrashers’ long-term plans.

“I have no idea,” he said.

Zhitnik, who’s set to earn $3.5 million next season, says he hopes his situation will get resolved quickly after the season’s end.

“I hope everything will be finalized in May and June.”

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press suggest that Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios will return for at least one more season with the club.

And that would be just fine with the Red Wings.

“I’ve talked to Chris and told him, he’s been around here long enough to know I’m not into a youth movement,” general manager Ken Holland said Friday. “I’m into putting the best product on the ice. Let’s see a strong finish to the year, and there’s a good probability he’ll be back.”

Holland says that the 46-year-old veteran blueliner is a great mentor for the club’s young defenseman.

“The little plays he makes on the penalty kill to his partner, so his partner can ice the puck — those are things you can’t teach,” Holland said. “He’s been able to extend his career for almost a quarter of a century because of his determination, work ethic and passion for the game. I can talk to people about it, and Mike Babcock can talk to people about it, but you just gotta watch Chris. He’s a role model.”

Still with the Red Wings, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun reports that the club are so keen on re-signing pending UFA defenseman Brad Stuart that they would like to ink him before he can reach free agency.

Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun suggests that Calgary Flames forward Matthew Lombardi could replace pending UFAs Daymond Langkow, Craig Conroy, and Stephane Yelle at the center position if none of them can be re-signed.

As witnessed by their reported interest in Brad Richards of the Tampa Bay Lightning before he was moved to the Dallas Stars, the Blue Jackets are willing to spend big bucks to fill their biggest needs (i.e. a number one and number two center). And with between $15 million to $20 million in salary cap space at their disposal, they may just pull the biggest moves of the summer.

With that in mind, Portzline suggests that Blue Jackets GM may inquire about the availability of Daniel Briere of Philadelphia, Patrick Elias of New Jersey, Scott Gomez of the New York Rangers. The thought there is that those three clubs may be looking for “roster and payroll flexibility.”

Of course, rumors continue to swirl that the Blue Jackets will trade for San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau before the entry draft, as Portzline and Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun both have reported. As Gary Peterson of the Contra Costa Times documents in his article, Marleau has had a tough season with the Sharks and has seen his name pop up in numerous trade rumors.

So, getting any one of the aforementioned players would definitely resolve their need for a top-line pivot. But what will Columbus do about their second-line center position?

Portzline suggests that trading for Matthew Lombardi of the Calgary Flames may be an option.

The Flames have two pending unrestricted free agent forwards they would like to re-sign in Craig Conroy and Daymond Langkow, and would consider shedding Lombardi’s salary to make it happen.

“You don’t get (a top-six role) by acclamation, you have to earn it,” Flames GM Darryl Sutter said last week. “To be quite honest, Langkow and Conroy have outplayed him this year.”

Two scouts from each club were present in Toronto Tuesday for the Maple Leafs’ game against the Carolina Hurricanes, while Flames GM Darryl Sutter “was assigned a press box seat” Thursday night at the TD Banknorth Gardens as the Maple Leafs took on the Bruins.

The Canucks would probably have the most to offer and probably the biggest need for Sundin. With Brendan Morrison’s wrist surgery and the club’s need to get more offense from forward Markus Naslund, the Canucks might have to part with that sort of package to retain their aspirations of a strong playoff drive.

Prospects Cory Schneider (goalie) and Luc Bourdon (defenseman) and the Canucks’ first-round pick might interest the Maple Leafs.

As for the Flames, forward Dustin Boyd has been “mentioned in a possible deal.” Forwards Matthew Lombardi and Alex Tanguay could also be options, though Tanguay has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Of course, if Sundin does not waive his own no-trade clause, all this trade talk will become moot. The Swedish-born veteran has maintained his loyalty to the Maple Leafs and has insisted that he does not want to be traded. However, with his club in disarray and looking like they will miss the playoff yet again, it’s possible Sundin will change his mind.

Making Sundin somewhat difficult to move is his hefty salary and the fact that he will become an UFA July 1st. Word is that teams like the Canucks would be more comfortable in acquiring Sundin if he were to agree to play past this season.