Archive for February, 2010

Puck-Moving Defenseman are Wanted by Many

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 28th, 2010

  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: The Devils will welcome back defenseman Paul Martin on March 10th after a 52 game absense due to a fractured left forearm. That may not stop GM Lou Lamoriello from looking to acquire another Dman. One target may be Scott Niedermayer, but the he might not going anywhere. Others the Lou could look at are; Pavel Kubina, Dan Hamhuis, Jan Hejda, and Joe Corvo.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators are a little thin on the blueline, and GM Bryan Murray will be looking for a puck moving defenseman. Brian Lee might be made available to acquire a Dman. They have talked to Wild about Marek Zidlicky, but they are trying to resign him (7 0r 8 other teams have also inquired about him). Other possibilities are Ladslav Smid, Pavel Kubina, Jan Hedja, Brian Pothier (Caps want a 2nd round pick), John-Michael Liles, Aaron Ward, Andy Sutton, and Dennis Seidenberg.
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: The Bruins could be looking to bring in a puck moving defenseman and a goal scoring winger. Kubina, Corvo and Hamhuis are possibilities. They are kicking tires on Teemu Selanne. Teams will probably ask for Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart in return, both are RFA’s at season end. The Bruins will most likely want to use some of their acquired draft picks as trade bait.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Brian Lawton might be looking to bring in some scoring depth, a puck-moving dman, or a winger for Vinny. Lawton plans on being aggressive to get something done.
  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins could use another scoring winger, and a physical Dman. Blueline rentals could be; Andrew Alberts, Garnet Exelby, Milan Jurcina, Steve Staios, Jason Strudwick, Andy Sutton, and Aaron Ward.
  • Steve Gorten of the Sun Sentinel: Panthers GM Randy Sexton has “a whole host of deals” that are being discussed. Sexton says there will be no fire. The trade deadline is Phase one of 4 of his plans to changing the makeup of the team. Sexton wouldn’t say if he’ll ask Tomas Vokoun to waive his no trade clause.
  • Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets will sellers again. They will look to move Raffi Torres and Milan Jurcina for draft picks and/or prospects.
  • Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets could be without Rostislav Klesla for the rest of the season. Klesla has been out since Nov. 30th with tears to his groin and abdomen.

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    Rangers Claim Alex Auld on Re-entry Waivers

    Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on February 27th, 2010

    “The New York Rangers have claimed Alex Auld on re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars.

    Auld, 29, is 9-6-3 with a 3.00 goals against average and .894 save percentage in 21 appearances this season.

    A free agent at season’s end, Auld is making $1-million this season, though the Rangers will only be responsible for half of his remaining salary this season, with the Stars picking up the other half. “(Source:TSN)

    This move makes sense for the new York Rangers, Lundqvist can’t play every game.

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    Vokoun to Caps? Hamhuis Would Like to Remain a Pred? Auld to Rangers? Kozlov Requests Trade …

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 27th, 2010

  • TheFourthPeriod: The Vokoun to the Blackhawks for Huet, Crawford, and Versteeg rumor has been dismissed by several sources. An “unconfirmed” rumor has Vokoun heading to Capitals for Jose Theodore, one of either John Carlson or Marcus Johnsson, and a draft pick package.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Team USA (are) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (eventually) will be built around the same mold; younger, hungrier, and faster players. “Burke wants to bring the average age of his Leafs down while bringing its intensity up. He wants to change the culture both inside the dressing room and out on the ice.”
  • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Marc Savard hopes GM Peter Chiarelli can land some scoring help by the trade deadline. Ray Whitney is one possibly. Harris thinks Teemu Selanne would be a good fit. On the blueline, Kaberle and Aaron Ward’s name keep coming up.
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Teams looking to add a cheap backup goalie, could take a look at Alex Auld. Auld cleared waivers, and will be put on re-entry waivers. The NY Rangers are one team that will look at claiming him. Auld carries a $500,000 cap number, and would cost a team around $125,000 for the remainder of the season.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Until Tomas Kaberle comes out and says he’s “waiving his no-trade clause” or he “won’t be waiving his no-trade clause”, rumors will continue to surround the Maple Leafs Dman.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Subject of many trade rumors, Dan Hamhuis is still hoping to be a Nashville Predator. He’d like to remain a Predator for the playoff run and hopefully sign a deal after the season. The Preds are in a bit a of cash strap right now which might be preventing them from locking Hamhuis up.

    “That’s kind of what we’re hoping for and kind of what we’ve heard — that the financial situation right now is not where it needs to be to get the deal done,” Hamhuis said. “We’re hoping that with making the playoffs and making the playoff run, that with some money generated from that, that maybe at the end of the season, something could be worked out.”

  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Unhappy with his lack of playing time, Thrashers forward Slava Kozlov has requested a trade. He’s been a healthy scratch of late, and the Kings, Bruins, and Red Wings could be interested.

    “I don’t know if I’m going to be on this team or another team,” Kozlov said. “If we can find a team which I like and which is good for me and my family I will go. If not, I’m going to be here. …

    With coach not playing me, what can you do? That’s why I feel I could go play for somebody that needs my help. Is so, I’ll waive my no trade clause.”

  • Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Article title “Rumours swirl as trade deadline looms for Edmonton Oilers” is a little misleading, no trade rumors mentioned.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: A healthy scratch since January 19th, Shean Donovan could find himself in a different city after deadline day. Several teams have called the Senators about Donovan.

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    Maple Leaf Rumors … Bodies Moving out off the Isle? Flames done Dealing

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 26th, 2010

  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke expects to be busy leading up to the trade deadline. Assistant GM Dave Nonis has been handling some things while Burke is at the Olympics. The Maple Leafs hope to be both buyers and sellers, taking on salary for picks/prospects. 4 of the Leafs pending UFA’s who could find themselves playing elsewhere, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stempniak, Wayne Primeau, and Garnet Exelby. Burke stated again he won’t ask Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, but rumors are swirling Kaberle may be willing to waive it. The Leafs have already received a trade offer for Ponikarovsky, a 2nd round pick and prospect, but decided to hold out in hope of a better offer. The Penguins head scout has been seen at the ACC over the last month. Stempniak may be getting some interest from his home town, Buffalo.
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: The Islanders continue to shop Dwayne Roloson and Andy Sutton. Flyers, Capitals, Blackhawks and others, could consider adding a goalie. Botta thinks the Isles could take back Huet, a 1st round pick, and a top prospect. There also appears to be some interest in veterans Martin Biron, Richard Park and Jon Sim, with each fetching a 3rd to 5th round pick.
  • Ian Busby of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Darryle Sutter doesn’t expect to busy leading up to the trade deadline, as he’s made several moves beforehand, and he is happy with the team.
  • Scott Cruickshank of the Calgary Herald: The Flames are without a 1st (Olli Jokinen trade) and 2nd (Rene Bourque) round pick this year, and Cruickshank thinks the Flames could look at getting back some early round picks.

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    A Couple Signings and a Suspension

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on February 26th, 2010

  • Ian Busby of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames signed Rene Bourque to a 6 year, $20 million contract extension on Thursday. The 28 year old winger was traded from Chicago Blackhawks before last season for a 2009 2nd round pick. Last year Bourque scored 21 goals and had 40 points in 58 games. So far this season he’s scored 18 goals and added 23 assists in 53 games, while racking up 74 penalty minutes.  Bourque’s salary cap number for the next 6 seasons will be $3.333 million.
  • Chip  Scoggins of the Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild have locked up winger Cal Clutterbuck to a 3 year, $4.2 million deal. Clutterbuck’s salary cap number will be $1.4 million. He’s more known for his physical play rather than scoring ability. Last season he set a single season record for hits with 356, and is leading the league this season with 252 so far.
  • The Globe and Mail: Cam Janssen of the St. Louis Blues has been suspended by the NHL for 5 games for a late hit to the head. Janssen hit Capitals winger Matt Bradley back on February 13th, he’s eligible to come back on March 14th versus Minnesota.

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    Turco Staying Now? Ellis Staying in Nashville? Caps Looking Winger and Dman … Lilja to be Cleared

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on February 25th, 2010

  • Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com: So the Stars have waived Alex Auld, who might get claimed, and would definitely get claimed if put on re-entry waivers. It looks like the Marty Turco will be staying with Stars. “He’s obviously stepped his game up and has been very consistent for us the last six or seven games,” Nieuwendyk said. “When we sit back and think about it, we have to decide what gives us the best chance in the month of March. Rather than put a lot of pressure on Lehtonen, we’ll have Marty play the way he is.”
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika thinks the Stars will move Steve Ott. This move would clear up some cap space that could be used on a right winger or defenseman.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: With the Predators re-signing of Pekka Rinne yesterday, Poile said it doesn’t mean they will trade Dan Ellis. Poile also has said in the past that they wouldn’t trade one of their goalies unless they had one signed.
  • TheFourthPeriod: The Capitals and Blues were talking before the Olympic roster freeze. The Caps would like to add a physical defenseman and a veteran forward. The Capitals are said to be interested in Blues Dman Barrett Jackman, and Blue Jackets winger Raffi Torres.
  • Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Lightning head coach wasn’t too pleased with the firing of his assistant coach, Wes Walz.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings Dman, Andreas Lilja will be cleared to return to action by today. Lilja has been out since last February 28th. Kirk Maltby will be having right shoulder surgery, and will be out for 4-6 weeks, so there is a chance he’ll return for the playoffs.
  • Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: The Olympic break gave many NHLers’ time to heal, but it wasn’t enough for Oilers forward, Sam Gagner. Gagner injured his knee before the break, and 2 MRI’s releaved no structural damage. He is not able to practice yet, but still hopes to be able to return on March 2nd versus Nashville.

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    Preds Re-sign Rinne … Stars Waive Auld

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2010

    Jeff Marek via Twitter: The Nashville Predators have signed goalie Pekka Rinne to a contract extension. This is good news for my fantasy hockey team, as it most likely means that Dan Ellis will traded, and Rinne will get the bulk of the starts for the Preds.

    Bob McKenzie via Twitter: The Dallas Stars have placed goalie Alex Auld on waivers.

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    Kaberle Willing to be Traded? Goalie Situation in Philly … What will Nashville do? Brawler Grabovski back at Practice

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2010

  • Andy Strickland: Sources close to Tomas Kaberle are telling Strickland that he’s ready to waive his no-trade clause. So far, he’s wanting to stay in the Eastern Conference.
  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Ray Emery’s health status is still unknown, but they should find out soon how’s he’s progressing. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren still maintains he’s “comfortable” with Michael Leighton, Brian Boucher and Ray Emery. I don’t completely believe that statement, they need a legitimate starter if they seriously want to compete. Panaccio mentions some low cost rentals; Manny Legace, Andrew Raycroft, and Martin Biron.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Decision time involving Dan Hamhuis is nearing. “We’ve had some dis­cus­sions in trying to sign Dan Hamhuis and also some over­tu­res into whether we’d trade Dan Hamhuis. So I think that kee­ping him or tra­ding him would be the most sig­ni­fi­cant thing we do at the dead­line,’’ Poile said from Van­cou­ver, where he’s ser­ving as Team USA’s asso­ciate gene­ral manager.” If they were to trade Hamhuis, they’d need to bring in another Dman. As for their goalie dilemma, they won’t move either Dan Ellis or Pekka Rinne unless they re-sign one of them.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile hasn’t spoken with Alexander Radulov about rejoining the Predators at some point. Poile has this to say, “I’ve seen him a cou­ple of times and our con­ver­sa­tions are fine, but there have been no con­ver­sa­tions about the future at all,’’ Poile said. “That ball is in his court. We’ve well esta­blished that if there is going to be an over­ture about him coming back to Nash­vi­lle, he’ll be the one to make it. We ini­tia­ted all the over­tu­res last year, so it’s in his court.”
  • J Vogl of the Buffalo News: Buffalo may look at trading soon to be free agents Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman. The Sabres are carrying 8 Dman, and they have another 8 on their AHL club.
  • Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs center and Vancouver street brawler, Mikhail Grabovski, should be back practicing with the Leafs today. His broken wrist kept him off the Belarus roster. Grabovski was in Vancouver watching the team play, and was arrested early Saturday morning after getting in a street fight. Mommy and Daddy picked him up from jail around 9 am.

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    Rumors from the Pacific … Hawks-Panthers Talking? Interest in Kozlov

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 23rd, 2010

  • E.J. Hradek and Puck Prospectus of ESPN:
    • Doug Wilson and the Sharks would like to add some secondary scoring and a puck moving Dman. It would have to be a rental player, as Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Nabokov need to be re-signed. The Sharks may also look at adding a backup goalie with some experience.
    • The LA Kings are looking to add a scoring winger and will look at Ray Whitney, Freddie Modin, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Paul Kariya, and Raffi Torres. They may also look at a goaltender with experience.
    • The Phoenix Coyotes might be one team that is looking to add players that won’t be UFAs after the season. Peter Mueller has been rumored all season to be on the outs. Andrew Brunette of the Wild might be a good fit with the Yotes.
    • The Anaheim Ducks have UFA’s Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, and Saku Koivu that will draw some interest. Bob Murray has said that Niedermayer isn’t going anywhere. James Wisniewski’s name has been mentioned with the Blackhawks (for Cam Barker before he was dealt).
    • Dallas Stars need an upgrade on the blueline. They won’t be bringing in any big contracts. Marty Turco is the most likely player to be moved. Mike Ribeiro, Stephane Robidas, Fabian Brunnstrom and Steve Ott, could find themselves playing in a different city after the deadline.
  • Harry Teinowitz on ESPN Radio: I don’t know how reliable this guy is, but he mentioned on Monday of a trade rumor between the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers. The Hawks would send Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford, and Kris Versteeg to the Panthers for Tomas Vokoun and an defenseman (maybe either Dennis Seidenberg or Jordan Leopold).
  • TheFourthPeriod: The Kings, Bruins, and Red Wings are rumored to have an interest in Slava Kozlov. UFA’s for the Atlanta Thrashers that could be moved are: Kozlov, Colby Armstrong, Jim Slater, Maxim Afinogenov, Eric Boulton, Pavel Kubina, Christoph Schubert, Mark Popovic and Johan Hedberg. Kozlov, Kubina, and Armstrong should draw the most interest.
  • Jeremy Roenick on ESPNChicago: Roenick is putting his hand in the rumor mill, saying that Jaroslav Halak wants out of Montreal, and he’d be better suited to lead Chicago to the Cup than Antti Niemi and/or Cristobal Huet. Vokoun would be a perfect fit in Chicago.

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    Some Players that Could be Moved … Senators looking for Dman Rental

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Rumors on February 22nd, 2010

  • Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Canadiens are looking to remake their roster. Tomas Vokoun, David Booth and Nathan Horton could draw some interest. The Blue Jackets are looking to move Raffi Torres, Jan Hejda, and Milan Jurcina. The Flyers, Capitals, and Blackhawks could upgrade their goaltending. The Penguins could be interested in Ray Whitney and/or Blues Dman, Barret Jackman.
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators GM, Bryan Murray will be looking to add a rental defenseman. Some of their options could be Pavel Kubina, Dennis Seidenberg, Jordan Leopold, Dan Hamhuis or Brendan Bell. The Sens are still trying to sign Anton Volchenkov to a contract extension, but it might cost them Mike Komisarek dollars (5 years, $22.5 million). The Sens think that 2009 1st round pick, Jared Cowen, could be ready for the NHL next season. 2008 2nd round pick, Patrick Wiercioch, could leave the University of Denver early.

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    Pens Looking for Winger, Dman … Trade Talks Involving Hamhuis Pick Up … Ott Getting Interest

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on February 21st, 2010

  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero is looking for a goal scoring winger for Evgeni Malkin and a physical defenseman. The Pens 22 man roster is about a $1 million below the cap ceiling. Their rental options are Alexei Ponikarovsky, Raffi Tores, Lee Stempniak, and Ray Whitney.
  • James Murphy of NESN: Trade discussions involving Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis have intensified, and he could be dealt as soon as the Olympic roster freeze is lifted. The Bruins, Penguins and Sabres are at the top of list of teams looking to acquire Hamhuis. The asking price is a scoring forward and a late 1st round, or early 2nd round draft pick. Raffi Torres and Alexander Frolov are also linked to the Bruins.
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Stars:  Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk will meet with Steve Ott to see if they can get him re-signed. If not, they might look at dealing him. They’ve already received offers for him. Nieuwendyk is also looking for a top 4 defenseman, but knows it’s costly to acquire those.

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    Jagr Back in the NHL Next Season? Vokoun to Chicago? Marty Staying?

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on February 20th, 2010

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika sits down with Stars GM, Joe Nieuwendyk, talking goaltending. Marty Turco’s strong play of late will make it harder for the Stars to trade him. They play 21 games in 40 days, so they will have to use 2 goalies. They are carrying 3 now, but Nieuwendyk believes they will be down to 2 when the trade deadline passes.
  • Gregg Bell of the NY Post: The 38 year old Jaromir Jagr’s KHL contract expires at the end of the Russian season, and he might be looking to return to the NHL next year. “They treat me so well in Russia, but at the same time, maybe I want to try to play here,” said Jagr after the Czech Republic’s beat Latvia 5-2 .
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Could Tomas Vokoun be on his way to to the Chicago Blackhawks? One source tells LeBrun it could happen, another says the opposite.

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