Ice Scoopz: Sunday Afternoon

*-> Doug Wilson has said his San Jose Sharks will not look to find a replacement for injured goaltender Antero Nittymaki. The team is planning to ride Anti Neimi into the post season and has no concerns at the moment with their tandem. Will they have concerns closer to the deadline though?

*-> A wild rumor is coming out of Pittsburgh today which has the Pens trading young defenseman Alex Goligoski to their rivals the Washington Capitals in exchange for the offensive minded Alexander Semin. While it is said the Penguins would part with a little future for some offense I dunno if the Caps would part with Semin for Goligoski as they already have an offensive quarterback from the point in Mike Green. It is true however that the Caps are shopping Semin to see what they can find to spark their ailing club. The Los Angeles Kings have mild interest in Semin but they have been looking at Ales Hemsky and Dustin Penner as of late. The Penguins too have been rumored to be interested in Hemsky but have been stunned by the steep asking price of the Oilers. The Montreal Canadiens are another team that has been looking at Hemsky but won't sacrifice their young talent to do so.

*-> Toronto Maple Leaf scouts were seen last night watching the Edmonton Oilers, it's rumored GM Brian Burke is considering Dustin Penner. Some other sources say that Burke also could be interested in Ladislav Smid.

*-> Joni Pitkanen shouldn't be going anywhere but it's rumored that the Carolina Hurricanes could decide to sell Pitkanen off if they look to be out of the race by February 28th. They also have been rumored to be willing to move the blueliner for a younger prospect but it's expected that Pitkanen would return to Carolina during free agency. If the Cane's were to shop Pitkanen they would do well given the recent wave of NHL defenders who have been traded at high price tags, one has to wonder if the idea has crossed the Carolina managements minds.

*-> The New York Rangers GM Glen Sather has said he might take a look at Sheldon Souray if he were available according to reports out of the Big Apple.

*-> While on the topic of the Rangers it's said the Ranger's are still pushing hard for Bryan McCabe of the Florida Panthers but he isn't sure if he wants to waive his no trade clause. He has already told the media no once and has said he'd prefer to retire in a Panthers uniform. The Rangers haven't been put off by this as it's believed Florida management has told McCabe he most likely wont be resigned. The Rangers however are not willing to part with any high picks or prospects.