Bergeron ready to return, but not with Montreal
According to SpectorsHockey.net (via RDS.ca), defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron has been given medical clearance to play, but won't be returning with the Montreal Canadiens, who he played for last season.
The report states that the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are all believed to be interested in the 30-year-old.
Bergeron played in 60 games with the Habs last season, putting up 34 points, including 13 goals. In 399-career NHL regular season games, Bergeron has 75 goals and 119 assists.
Kevin Bieksa to the Islanders?
This isn't to say the Vancouver Canucks will ship defenceman Kevin Bieksa to the New York Islanders, but it is possible.
The Islanders, who were riding a 14-game losing streaking going into Friday afternoon's tilt with the New Jersey Devils, are looking to make a trade, according to TheFourthPeriod.com.
The report says the Islanders have over $16 million in cap space to work with, meaning general manager Garth Snow might be willing to take on a large contract to help another team with its cap problems.
Kelly Friesen, meanwhile, reported via Twitter that Bieksa had been "supposedly traded," however turned out that Bieksa never did get traded. Still, it has been widely reported for what seems to be ages now that Bieksa is on the trade block, and that many teams have been calling Canucks general manager Mike Gillis to discuss a trade.
The Islanders sat last in the NHL with just four wins and 13 points through their first 21 games. They lack the defensive talent neccessary to make it into the playoffs and there is no doubt Bieksa would recieve top-four minutes, possibly even top-two minutes, in New York.
**Follow Lukas on Twitter @SportsHazeLukas for breaking hockey news and rumors, as well as Toronto Maple Leafs game updates.
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