Rumblings abound as season 6 deadline approaches

Here is a quick look around the league about some of the rumblings I have been hearing this week...

Buffalo Sabres GM Ryan Letasy is actively shopping for a first-line sniper and a second-line forward, and one player he's set his sights on Jonathan Cheechoo of the Boston Bruins.

According to various reports, the Sabres are interested in acquiring Cheechoo, who is in the final year of his contract.

A source close to Bruins GM Jeremy Paulin told the New England Sports Network yesterday, "I think this might be time for a change of scenery for Jonathan Cheechoo."

Cheechoo is expected to be moved by the March 9 trade deadline, and the Bruins aren't the only team interested, as the Columbus Blue Jackets have also been watching him.

Having lost six straight and in jeopardy of falling out of the playoff race in the next two weeks, the Winnipeg Jets may find themselves to be sellers by the March 4 trade deadline.

Jets defenseman Ed Jovanovski is in the final year of his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

Sources tell me the Philadelphia Flyers, actively shopping for a top-four blueliner, have been scouting the Jets lately, presumably to watch Jovanovski.

Jovanovski, 32, has a cap hit just under $4 million this season.

Meanwhile, I have also heard that the Lightning have sent out scouts to Winnipeg's last few games, noting that Jovanovskiand center Mike Fisher are believed to be available for trade.

The Senators may be six points out of the playoff picture, but if they don't gain any ground in the next couple of weeks, they could start trading away some players.

Sources tell me the Senators are attracting interest for vetran forward Cory Stillman, and defensemen Sami Salo,Karel Rachunek and Mike Commodore .

If the Senators slip down the standings, Stillman will almost certainly be dealt before the March 9 trade deadline.

I believe the Senators will make a couple of moves before the deadline, with Stillman likely on the outs - mainly because he's valuable to a playoff contender. Ottawa will hold out for the best available deal, though. The team is also getting a lot of interest in Commodre, and if they can get a second-line scorer, one who is locked up to a multi-year deal, they'd likely pull the trigger.

With Rod Brind'Amour and Peter Forsberg not getting any younger and both wanting to win a championship now, the Toronto Sun reports trade talks are picking up steam.

Brind'Amour and Forsberg aren't the only players attracting interest, as forwards Petr Sykora, Glen Murray, Mike Comrie and Sergei Brylin, among others, are also being tossed around the league.

Leafs GM Derek Hird almost confirmed Forsberg's tenure in Toronto to be coming to an end when he made public he has been placing calls to trade the centre/left winger.

It's been widely reported that the New York Rangers and Leafs are in trade discussions, while the New York Islanders are believed to be interested in Comrie and Brind'Amour.