- 6,796
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- Jul 5, 2007
If you want to spark the team, send that @+!+$++ Michal Rozsival to the minors. He is #$@#%#* terrible yet he leads the defense in TOI.
Official NHL Regular Season Thread... Capitals win President's trophy
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by addictedtofreshkicks,
- Start date
- 6,796
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To be honest, I didn't even read through any of that...Originally Posted by Proshares
Originally Posted by AddictedToFreshKicks
I'm hearing rumors that Glen Sather will be fired if the Rangers lose tonight on Long Island... If this is true, I will be the biggest Islander fan ever tonight...
Hearing rumors or reading my previous post?
Boomer & Carton were talking about it this morning on 660 and they said they heard that from a legit reliable source.
*EDIT*... just read your post and it said the exact same thing I just said...
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the Rangers are saving Sather's job right now...
Chris Drury scored a goal...
.... I also think a pig just flew by mywindow.
Chris Drury scored a goal...
- 4,081
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I hate Sturm and I have NO idea why... Its not even like hes bad or anything.
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I need the Pens to win tonight to keep my streak going.
Anybody want 2 tickets to the Blues/Lightning tomorrow night?
Anybody want 2 tickets to the Blues/Lightning tomorrow night?
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Thank you Pens.
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^ Good vid.
What is the selection process like for the Winter Classic?
What is the selection process like for the Winter Classic?
DeadsetAce
Supporter
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milan
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I honestly hope the Rangers keep Sather, he's allowed the Devils to get guys like Parise by picking bums like Hugh Jessiman. Alas I kid and Ive read fromsome people that even though they won last night he'll be gone after their next loss.
http:// [h3][/h3]
http:// [h3]Whitney a good fit in Columbus?[/h3]
10:41AM ET
[h5]Ray Whitney | Hurricanes[/h5]
Top Email
Ray Whitney is on the block as the Carolina Hurricanes look to dump players. And he may be in high demands.
The Boston Bruins might be interested, as CSN writes, "The 37-year-old Whitney is perhaps the perfect rental player for the Bruins this season."
Also interested might the the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jackets Cannon writes, "My guess, and I could be way off-base, is that he could be had for a second round pick and maybe a later pick. I'm not talking about trading Nikita Filatov or any other major piece, or the first round pick for that matter. A second and fifth should get it done."
http:// [h3]Rangers dealing soon?[/h3]
10:37AM ET
[h5]Christopher Higgins | Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The media and the fans are calling for a move. Something needs to be done in New York, they say.
So what?
They've been searching for a scorer in recent weeks, and apparently they couldn't work out a deal for Coyotes' youngster Peter Mueller. They are also rumored to be interested in Oilers' youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano.
But those guys would all cost the Rangers, and as the Illegal Curve writes, GM Glen Sather has learned his lesson about possibly mortgaging the future. So the website opines that one possible trade possibility is Christopher Higgins, who "has underperformed and wouldn%u2019t fetch a big return."
At this point, however, they may make a move for the sake of making a move.
http:// [h3]Oilers trading for goalie?[/h3]
10:29AM ET
[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
Top Email
The Edmonton Oilers have several guys on the trading block, and one possible trade might involve bringing a veteran goalie into town.
This is according to the .Edmonton Journal's David Staples, who adds, "To get a good goalie, the Oilers would likely have to give up something good in return, such as a propect or two. If the Oilers were a team with a realistic shot at some playoff success, or even of making the playoffs, such a move might well be warranted. But the Oilers aren't marked by any obvious signs of greatness or even goodness at this point."
They have the oft-injured Nikolai Khabibulin and the youngster Jeff Deslauriers, so they may be looking at the large number of netminders on the market.
http:// [h3]Flyers' trades after New Year's[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
Top Email
The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Flyers have several players they are willing to deal, but according to Lyle Richardson on Puck Daddy, nothing's happening until after New Year's.
Rumor is that they are willing to deal http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=292Simon Gagne or http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=102Danny Briere, according to the Montreal Gazette.
The Philadelphia Daily News adds that Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter might also be dealt soon. But Greg Wyshynski writes on Puck Daddy, "Carter's value is probably too low right now for the Flyers to do anything, unless it's for the sake of shaking things up and breaking up the frat house in the locker room."
Something is in the works, because ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that GM Paul Holmgren has been working the phones pretty hard the last few days.
One player who probably won't be dealt, however, is 21-year-old http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3775Claude Giroux.
All that said, it might be a bad time for the Flyers to swap parts.
http:// [h3]Sather hot seat buzz[/h3]
10:23AM ET
[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The buzz yesterday was that if the New York Rangers lost to the New York Islanders, they would fire GM Glen Sather.
The only way to know if this was true was if the Rangers lost -- and they didn't. So there's no way to know if the "very reliable" from Craig Carton on WFAN with Boomer Esiason was right (via Hendrick's Hockey).
Most of the experts around the internet are saying he's not going anywhere, like David Pagnotta who writes that he's not going to get canned until the end of the season.
The New York Post adds that there is no indication Sather will be fired -- at least not yet.
http:// [h3]Teams that might trade for a goalie[/h3]
10:21AM ET
[h5]Manny Legace | Hurricanes[/h5]
Top Email
Several goalies are on the market, including Vesa Toskala, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jaroslav Halak, Martin Biron and Manny Legace.
But, thus far, none of them have been moved. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News writes that this is about to change.
After the Olympic break, he writes that GMs will be looking for goaltending depth so a handful of teams will inquire about these stoppers.
These teams include the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning.
http:// [h3]Oilers trade buzz legit?[/h3]
9:57AM ET
[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
Top Email
The past few days have brought about rumors that Ethan Moreau and Sheldon Souray are being shopped around, but David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said there's nothing to them.
There was also some buzz that Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano were being shopped, and that the New York Rangers were interested, but there's no word on the legitimacy of those rumors.
Some of these trades are linked the Oilers with the Habs. Also, Souray has a no-trade clause in his deal, so he'd have to waive it to be moved.
http:// [h3]Standards for a Halak trade[/h3]
9:43AM ET
[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
Top Email
Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey feels http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3116Jaroslav Halak deserves to be a starting goalie, so he's shopping his 24-year-old stopper. That means he'll be demanding a lot in return -- rumored to be a top-six forward -- but that also limits the teams who might pony up for him.
The Sporting News listed three possible destination for the 24-year-old goalie: the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The Habs already tried to deal with the Flyers, but they are not interested. The Blackhawks already have a current goalie (Cristobal Huet) and a future goalie (Antti Niemi), so unless they can somehow save money with the trade, it won't happen. The Stars are posssibility because they may not want to re-sign http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=959Marty Turco at the end of the season.
Also rumored to be interested are the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlSt. Louis Blues and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=detDetroit Red Wings. The Wings have a long-term and short-term option; the Blues may be interested in a younger goalie (both their goalies are 33) but the veterans are playing very well thus far.
So in the end, another surprise team may jump in for Halak, while the Stars -- and maybe the Flyers -- mull over the option.
http:// [h3]Toskala's trade stock rising[/h3]
9:35AM ET
[h5]Vesa Toskala | Maple Leafs[/h5]
Top Email
The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely going to shop goalie Vesa Toskala as a short-term rental when the trade deadline comes, but they may get more than they expected earlier in the season.
The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby writes that Toskala has come on strong as of late, in place of fan favorite Jonas Gustavsson who has been out with an injury.
Still, the 32-year-old is on the last year of his $4 million deal and the Leafs are still rebuilding, so it's possible a playoff bound team may grab him as its backup goalie near the trade deadline. He is one of several goalies who are expected to be on the block.
[h3]Avs have room for Kovalchuk[/h3]
11:21AM ET
[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers[/h5]
Top Email
The list of http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=1175Ilya Kovalchuk suitors is long, but what about the money? Lyle "Spector" Richardson of FoxSports points out on Puck Daddy that the only team that can "comfortably" afford to sign Kovalchuk as an unrestricted free agent is the Colorado Avalanche. But there's a lot that has to happen before we get to that. In fact, the Thrashers may soon work it out with Kovalchuk.
But if not, the latest trade idea has Kovalchuk going to the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Bruins for a handful of assets. ESPN.com's John Buccigross writes that a potential trade might have Kovalchuk going to Boston for http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3961Blake Wheeler, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3405Tuukka Rask and the 2010 first round pick they received from Toronto for http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3479Phil Kessel.
Buccigross said the deal would work if Kovalchuk agrees to an extension in the range of nine-years for $63 million, but the rumored asking price has been for much more money. So unless the Bruins figure out their money situation, this may not work.
The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Flyers may also be interest, as well as the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=losLos Angeles Kings and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=cgyCalgary Flames, though Calgary GM Mike Gillis' denied the rumors. The Kings are reportedly willing to part with http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2288http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2288Dustin Brown, but The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta has two sources who say this rumor is false, as well as the one that has the Canucks interested in Kovy.
The KHL might also swoop in with a huge deal.
[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
Thrashers' great future
http:// [h3]Whitney a good fit in Columbus?[/h3]
10:41AM ET
[h5]Ray Whitney | Hurricanes[/h5]
Top Email
Ray Whitney is on the block as the Carolina Hurricanes look to dump players. And he may be in high demands.
The Boston Bruins might be interested, as CSN writes, "The 37-year-old Whitney is perhaps the perfect rental player for the Bruins this season."
Also interested might the the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jackets Cannon writes, "My guess, and I could be way off-base, is that he could be had for a second round pick and maybe a later pick. I'm not talking about trading Nikita Filatov or any other major piece, or the first round pick for that matter. A second and fifth should get it done."
http:// [h3]Rangers dealing soon?[/h3]
10:37AM ET
[h5]Christopher Higgins | Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The media and the fans are calling for a move. Something needs to be done in New York, they say.
So what?
They've been searching for a scorer in recent weeks, and apparently they couldn't work out a deal for Coyotes' youngster Peter Mueller. They are also rumored to be interested in Oilers' youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano.
But those guys would all cost the Rangers, and as the Illegal Curve writes, GM Glen Sather has learned his lesson about possibly mortgaging the future. So the website opines that one possible trade possibility is Christopher Higgins, who "has underperformed and wouldn%u2019t fetch a big return."
At this point, however, they may make a move for the sake of making a move.
http:// [h3]Oilers trading for goalie?[/h3]
10:29AM ET
[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
Top Email
The Edmonton Oilers have several guys on the trading block, and one possible trade might involve bringing a veteran goalie into town.
This is according to the .Edmonton Journal's David Staples, who adds, "To get a good goalie, the Oilers would likely have to give up something good in return, such as a propect or two. If the Oilers were a team with a realistic shot at some playoff success, or even of making the playoffs, such a move might well be warranted. But the Oilers aren't marked by any obvious signs of greatness or even goodness at this point."
They have the oft-injured Nikolai Khabibulin and the youngster Jeff Deslauriers, so they may be looking at the large number of netminders on the market.
http:// [h3]Flyers' trades after New Year's[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
Top Email
The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Flyers have several players they are willing to deal, but according to Lyle Richardson on Puck Daddy, nothing's happening until after New Year's.
Rumor is that they are willing to deal http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=292Simon Gagne or http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=102Danny Briere, according to the Montreal Gazette.
The Philadelphia Daily News adds that Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter might also be dealt soon. But Greg Wyshynski writes on Puck Daddy, "Carter's value is probably too low right now for the Flyers to do anything, unless it's for the sake of shaking things up and breaking up the frat house in the locker room."
Something is in the works, because ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that GM Paul Holmgren has been working the phones pretty hard the last few days.
One player who probably won't be dealt, however, is 21-year-old http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3775Claude Giroux.
All that said, it might be a bad time for the Flyers to swap parts.
http:// [h3]Sather hot seat buzz[/h3]
10:23AM ET
[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The buzz yesterday was that if the New York Rangers lost to the New York Islanders, they would fire GM Glen Sather.
The only way to know if this was true was if the Rangers lost -- and they didn't. So there's no way to know if the "very reliable" from Craig Carton on WFAN with Boomer Esiason was right (via Hendrick's Hockey).
Most of the experts around the internet are saying he's not going anywhere, like David Pagnotta who writes that he's not going to get canned until the end of the season.
The New York Post adds that there is no indication Sather will be fired -- at least not yet.
http:// [h3]Teams that might trade for a goalie[/h3]
10:21AM ET
[h5]Manny Legace | Hurricanes[/h5]
Top Email
Several goalies are on the market, including Vesa Toskala, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Jaroslav Halak, Martin Biron and Manny Legace.
But, thus far, none of them have been moved. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News writes that this is about to change.
After the Olympic break, he writes that GMs will be looking for goaltending depth so a handful of teams will inquire about these stoppers.
These teams include the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild and Tampa Bay Lightning.
http:// [h3]Oilers trade buzz legit?[/h3]
9:57AM ET
[h5]Edmonton Oilers[/h5]
Top Email
The past few days have brought about rumors that Ethan Moreau and Sheldon Souray are being shopped around, but David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period said there's nothing to them.
There was also some buzz that Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano were being shopped, and that the New York Rangers were interested, but there's no word on the legitimacy of those rumors.
Some of these trades are linked the Oilers with the Habs. Also, Souray has a no-trade clause in his deal, so he'd have to waive it to be moved.
http:// [h3]Standards for a Halak trade[/h3]
9:43AM ET
[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
Top Email
Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey feels http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3116Jaroslav Halak deserves to be a starting goalie, so he's shopping his 24-year-old stopper. That means he'll be demanding a lot in return -- rumored to be a top-six forward -- but that also limits the teams who might pony up for him.
The Sporting News listed three possible destination for the 24-year-old goalie: the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The Habs already tried to deal with the Flyers, but they are not interested. The Blackhawks already have a current goalie (Cristobal Huet) and a future goalie (Antti Niemi), so unless they can somehow save money with the trade, it won't happen. The Stars are posssibility because they may not want to re-sign http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=959Marty Turco at the end of the season.
Also rumored to be interested are the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=stlSt. Louis Blues and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=detDetroit Red Wings. The Wings have a long-term and short-term option; the Blues may be interested in a younger goalie (both their goalies are 33) but the veterans are playing very well thus far.
So in the end, another surprise team may jump in for Halak, while the Stars -- and maybe the Flyers -- mull over the option.
http:// [h3]Toskala's trade stock rising[/h3]
9:35AM ET
[h5]Vesa Toskala | Maple Leafs[/h5]
Top Email
The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely going to shop goalie Vesa Toskala as a short-term rental when the trade deadline comes, but they may get more than they expected earlier in the season.
The Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby writes that Toskala has come on strong as of late, in place of fan favorite Jonas Gustavsson who has been out with an injury.
Still, the 32-year-old is on the last year of his $4 million deal and the Leafs are still rebuilding, so it's possible a playoff bound team may grab him as its backup goalie near the trade deadline. He is one of several goalies who are expected to be on the block.
DeadsetAce
Supporter
- 106,294
- 52,326
- Joined
- May 31, 2004
god that proposed kovalchuk deal to boston would be a disaster for us, even in the short term. rask and wheeler and one of the kessel picks? gthoh.
- 4,081
- 67
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2003
I dont think we have to worry about that... Kovy isnt signing for 63 mil.
- 1,093
- 10
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2002
I dont see how Kovalchuk is worth 10 mil hes apparently asking for. Sure hes a great scorer and stuff but 10 mil? I dont see it.
- 6,796
- 24
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2007
- 15,762
- 517
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
Oh my goodness.
But really, a truck doesn't just catch on fire, something happened, and they are not saying it.
But really, a truck doesn't just catch on fire, something happened, and they are not saying it.
- 6,796
- 24
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2007
finding new equipment isn't the problem... its the goalie equipment, skates, and custom equipment. You can't just put on brand new skates and play.
- 15,762
- 517
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2005
Yeah that's true.
I guess they have no choice now.
- 2,239
- 646
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2004
Ottawa fans are DESPERATE for a win. LOL
[h3]Habs eying scorer for Halak?[/h3]
8:49AM ET
[h5]Jaroslav Halak | Canadiens[/h5]
Top Email
Montreal Canadiens might be hoping to land a scorer for backup goalie Jaroslav Halak, and Spector writes that they'll have to package a pick with Halak to land one.
GM Bob Gainey feels Halak deserves to be a starting goalie, so that means he'll be demanding a lot in return -- rumored to be a top-six forward -- but that also limits the teams who might pony up for him.
The Sporting News listed three possible destination for the 24-year-old goalie: the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The Habs already tried to deal with the Flyers, but they are not interested. The Blackhawks already have a current goalie (Cristobal Huet) and a future goalie (Antti Niemi), so unless they can somehow save money with the trade, it won't happen. The Stars are posssibility because they may not want to re-sign Marty Turco at the end of the season.
Also rumored to be interested are the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. The Wings have a long-term and short-term option; the Blues may be interested in a younger goalie (both their goalies are 33) but the veterans are playing very well thus far.
So in the end, another surprise team may jump in for Halak, while the Stars -- and maybe the Flyers -- mull over the option.
http:// [h3]GM wants to keep Carter?[/h3]
8:47AM ET
[h5]Philadelphia Flyers[/h5]
Top Email
The Philadelphia Flyers have several players they are willing to deal, but according to Lyle "Spector" Richardson on Puck Daddy, nothing's happening until after New Year's.
The Philadelphia Daily News write that Scott Hartnell and Jeff Carter might be dealt soon. Spector writes, "It's been suggested Carter or Scott Hartnell could be traded but GM Paul Holmgren doesn't appear keen to part with either player."
Also, there are rumors that they are willing to deal Simon Gagne or Danny Briere, according to the Montreal Gazette.
Something is in the works, because ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reports that GM Paul Holmgren has been working the phones pretty hard the last few days.
One player who probably won't be dealt, however, is 21-year-old Claude Giroux.
All that said, it might be a bad time for the Flyers to swap parts.
http:// [h3]Rangers' trade plans[/h3]
8:44AM ET
[h5]New York Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The New York Rangers might not have any big moves coming, despite the media and the fans calling for a move.
Fox Sports' Spector writes, "With only $2 million available cap space and too many players on big contracts there might not be any significant changes coming for the Blueshirts."
Still, they've been searching for a scorer in recent weeks, and apparently they couldn't work out a deal for Coyotes' youngster Peter Mueller. They are also rumored to be interested in Oilers' youngsters Patrick O'Sullivan and Andrew Cogliano.
But those guys would all cost the Rangers, and as the Illegal Curve writes, GM Glen Sather has learned his lesson about possibly mortgaging the future. So the website opines that one possible trade possibility is Christopher Higgins, who "has underperformed and wouldn't fetch a big return."
http:// [h3]Drury pushing to score?[/h3]
8:40AM ET
[h5]Chris Drury | Rangers[/h5]
Top Email
The New York Rangers are struggling to score, which might be putting even more pressure on Chris Drury to find the back of the net.
GM Glen Sather told the New York Post that Drury puts too much pressure on himself. "He wants it so much. He wants to do well for the team so much that sometimes that gets in the way."
Beyond Marian Gaborik, the Rangers scoring has been nonexistent. They've been searching for scoring in the trade market, but nothing's come of it yet. And now that the trade freeze is underway, they're stuck with this team for a few more weeks.
http:// [h3]Outdoors in Calgary?[/h3]
8:34AM ET
[h5]Winter Classic 2010[/h5]
Top Email
It's possible the NHL will bring a second Winter Classic game next season, and it will probably be in Cananda.
ESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek has some info on where that game might be.
He writes, "Last June, NHL ice guru Dan Craig was spotted taking measurements in the home of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders. At the time, the league was pondering the possibility of a second outdoor game -- in Calgary -- on New Year's Day 2010. That proved logistically too tough to pull off. If things go well in Boston, though, I figure it will be full steam ahead for two outdoor games in 2010-11."
http:// [h3]Ducks trade plans[/h3]
8:32AM ET
[h5]Anaheim Ducks[/h5]
Top Email
The Anaheim Ducks had a few deals reportedly in the works, but don't expect anything soon.
GM Bob Murray told the Orange County Register he doesn't plan on making any moves today, and there may not be any coming in the near future. "If there's a chance to improve the hockey team, I will do it. But nobody's talking to anybody right now. There?s nothing going on in the game right now."
Previously, we told you Murray was spotted by The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta at the Thrashers-Leafs game, which might've indicated that something is going on between the Leafs and Ducks. Meanwhile, Leafs scouts were spotted at previous Ducks games, only furthering the speculation.
Rumor was that Murray has been entertaining "numerous trade scenarios," according to The Fourth Period. Teams have asked about the availability of Bobby Ryan and Scott Niedermayer, but it appears Ryan isn't going anywhere while Niedermayer may be trade bait.
Two names that keep coming up in Ducks trade talks are Joffrey Lupul and Jean-Sebastien Giguere, so those guys may be moved at some point this season. Though the Leafs will likely stay away from Giguere, Lupul might be the guy they're after.
Puck Prospectus writes that one possible scenario might be a Giguere for Vesa Toskala deal, with other pieces involved.
[h5]Puck Prospectus[/h5]
This could work
http:// [h3]Demitra suffered setback?[/h3]
8:25AM ET
[h5]Vancouver Canucks[/h5]
Top Email
Pavol Demitra decided to leave the team and see a specialist in Slovakia. Some speculated he suffered a setback, but the Canucks have said he is simply "on his own program," The White Towel reports.
But that said, it is possible Demitra wasn't happy with his recovery with the team. In fact, he told GM Mike Gillis that he want to go see a massage therapist who helped him out a lot when he was with the Slovakian national team.
Demitra may be drawing some interest from the New York Rangers, so they may also have an eye on the situation.
http:// [h3]Likely trade trends[/h3]
8:20AM ET
[h5]Trades[/h5]
Top Email
'Twas the night before the holiday trade freeze, when all through the league, not a big trade was stirring, not even a little one.
Why? Because as Fox Sports' Spector writes, "The fact the average payroll is currently $55.055 million, that 25 of 30 NHL teams have payrolls in excess of $51 million, with a salary cap of $56. 8 million, tells us all we need to know about why there's been a whole lotta nuthin' goin' on."
So what kinds of trades will happen after the New Year's? Spector says: "A marginal player carrying little salary shipped to a team seeking affordable depth."
http:// [h3]Backstrom's luck up in flames?[/h3]
8:02AM ET
[h5]Nicklas Backstrom | Capitals[/h5]
Top Email
Nicklas Backstrom's gear is reportedly all up in flames as the Minnesota Wild equipment truck caught on fire yesterday.
And if anyone is very affected by this, teammates say it'll be Backstrom -- they're worried about the poor guy.
"He's one guy that could be affected. He's pretty anal to begin with," Andrew Brunette told the Star-Tribune, laughing.
Backstrom has been reported to be a somewhat superstitious guy, and goalies are generally pretty attached to their gear, so there is some reason for concern. (Of course, the rest of the team will have to break in skates, too, but there's no supernatural powers at work there!)
Backstrom told the Strib, "You can't worry about this. You can't hide behind this. You can't find any excuse. You have to do what you can do. These things happen. You have to find a way to play a good game [tonight]. It's not easy, that's for sure, but it is what it is. It's only equipment."
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[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers[/h5]
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The rumor out of Russia is that Ilya Kovalchuk is demanding a 10-year deal worth $11.5 million a season, but as The Fourth Period writes, it isn't true.
First off, Thrashers sources denied it. Secondly, the maximum he could sign for is $11.34 million a year, and teams simply aren't willing to commit that much money for that much time.
A deal is reportedly still being hammered out between the two sides, and the Thrashers keep denying reports of a potential Kovalchuk trade.
But if and when he goes on the block, here's the potential list of interested teams:
Boston Bruins: ESPN.com's John Buccigross writes that a potential trade might have Kovalchuk going to Boston for Blake Wheeler, Tuukka Rask and the 2010 first round pick they received from Toronto for Phil Kessel. Buccigross said the deal would work if Kovalchuk agrees to an extension in the range of nine-years for $63 million, but the rumored asking price has been for much more money. So unless the Bruins figure out their money situation, this may not work.
Colorado Avalanche: This is pure speculation, but Lyle "Spector" Richardson of FoxSports points out on Puck Daddy that the only team that can "comfortably" afford to sign Kovalchuk as an unrestricted free agent is the Avalanche. But they have young players who they might need cap room to sign down the road.
Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers may also be interest, but there's a lot they have to take care of before working out a deal of this magnitude.
Los Angeles Kings: The Kings are reportedly willing to part with Dustin Brown, but two sources say this rumor is false.
Calgary Flames: Calgary GM Mike Gillis' denied the rumors, as did other Canucks sources in the media, but it's possible they are playing this one close to the vest.
KHL: KHL president Alexander Medvedev might also swoop in with a huge deal. He said he's already talked to Kovalchuk and can offer a better deal than the NHL because of tax laws.
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