While Boston GM Peter Chiarelli refused to discuss any specific names, another NHL source told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Bruins are very much in the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes along with Los Angeles, in particular.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren says that he's trying to upgrade the team's defense through a trade. Philadelphia has lost Ryan Parent for six weeks as he underwent back surgery on Monday. "Whatever kind of defensemen you are looking for, they are a hot commodity. It's hard to make a deal," Holmgren told CSN Philly.

The Senators will be buyers prior to the NHL's March 3 trade deadline, but they aren't likely to be involved in the running for Ilya Kovalchuk. Ottawa is on a six-game winning streak and general manager Bryan Murray is still looking to improve his team.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman isn't tipping his hand as the NHL's trade deadline approaches. Bowman admitted to the Daily Herald that there's a chance Chicago will make a move, but added that the team could also stand pat ahead of the March 3 deadline. "Right now we're playing, on balance, pretty well and we've got (Adam) Burish and (Dave) Bolland coming back," Bowman said of the Blackhawks, who were 35-12-4 entering Saturday's action. "But you have to look at where we're going to be in March when the deadline rolls around. It's probably easier to say what our needs are at that point." Keeping the team as is wouldn't be the worst idea, according to the general manager. "You have to assess if it makes sense short-term and long-term," Bowman said. "Obviously we've got a good group here and we want to give ourselves the best chance. That might mean doing something, but it also might not. "Sometimes things don't materialize for a number of reasons. I can't predict if we'll be involved or not. We're going to do a lot of talking and explore it, but whether it actually materializes, I don't know."