- Chemmy of Pension Plan Puppets: XM radio personality, Bill Waters (formerly on AM 640 in Toronto), claimed yesterday that the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes had a trade in place involving Eric Staal, but the deal is on hold because of Brian Burke’s Christmas roster freeze (10 days before the NHL roster freeze). Waters claims the deal will be complete after the roster freeze. Bob McKenzie via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford: “I have no interest whatsoever in trading Eric Staal or Cam Ward. That’s not going to happen.”
- Allen Walsh via twitter: Walsh spoke with an NHLer that currently has a concussion, who said that one of the reasons there are so many players with concussions is that they are now being diagnosed. Several years ago players would play with concussions, as they didn’t know what they were. Players would play with headaches and dizziness.
- Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes Jeff Skinner and Joni Pitkanen are both out indefinitely after it was confirmed that they both have concussions.
- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger met with neurologists yesterday. No update on his status was given, but one should be coming today.
- Tim Pacanccio of CSNPhilly: Flyers forward Brayden Schenn was wearing a no contact jersey yesterday at practice. It was his first full practice since suffering a concussion on Dec. 3rd. He said he’s making progress and feeling better, but still suffers relapses. Schenn is still in a walking boot from his fractured foot when not in skates.
“The test is exercise and if [symptoms] come back, you have to take a step back,” he said. “You hope to keep progressing. When I’m out there I feel good. I can’t really tell until later when I’m laying in bed.”
- Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Harrington speculates that Ville Leino’s lower-body injury is some sort of knee or foot injury. He’ll be out several weeks. Also out for the Sabres are: Patrick Kaleta (may play Friday), Tyler Myers, Brad Boyes, Nathan Gerbe, Jochen Hecht and Corey Tropp.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals defenseman Mike Green is expected to join the Capitals in Colorado later this week.
“It’s longer than we expected, unfortunately, but it was a significant injury,” McPhee said in a one-on-one interview with The Post. “It’s a groin injury and those things, they’re hard to heal quickly and know when – you just don’t know when you’re going to be ready.”
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals Jay Beagle and Matt Hendricks will travel with the team. Beagle still hasn’t been cleared for contact yet after suffering a concussion on Oct. 13th. Hendricks is still day-to-day with a knee injury, but is getting close. Yesterday’s lines at practice: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin, Brouwer-Johansson-Halpern, Chimera-Laich-Ward, Eakin/Hendricks-Perreault-Knuble.
- Jason Botchford via twitter: Cory Schneider will start for the Canucks against the Hurricanes. Roberto Luongo will start against the Maple Leafs.
#1 by Jeff at December 15th, 2011
Eric Staal!
Declining numbers — if he is traded, i would wonder if they know something about him that others dont.
#2 by Mark Easson at December 15th, 2011
I’d be surprised if he’s traded. Sure he and the Hurricanes are struggling, but you don’t normally trade guys like him.
He carries a $8.25 million cap hit for 4 more years after this season. Salaries are: $7.75 million this year, $8.5 in 2012-13, and $9.25 in the remaining 3 years.
#3 by Vaughan at December 15th, 2011
Carolina has money problems and he is overpaid. There may be some truth to this. I’m hoping so.
#4 by Jeff at December 15th, 2011
He is still in his prime years, but makes me wonder if he is on the Vinny Career Track. Hopefully he can turn it around this season.
#5 by hotwings at December 15th, 2011
this guy needs a change of scenery. carolina needs a new direction. leafs have the assets to get to this guy. kadri. picks. franson. im hoping they dont give up a first to get him. i cant see carolina taking a spare parts package like the flames took when they traded away phaneuf. hopefully bill watters is not off his rocker and there is some truth to this.
#6 by Johnny Boy at December 15th, 2011
I guess that depends on the time of day he said this — was the vodka flowing already?
#7 by Wunschkind89 at December 15th, 2011
Because of the cap hit, the Leafs would have to give salary back. The only logical player to give back to make enough cap space for the Leafs would be Komisarek, and he has little value.
I don’t see there being any truth to this, but it is interesting!
#8 by Wunschkind89 at December 15th, 2011
I take that back about Komisarek. Tim Connolly has a $4.5MM cap hit, so there’s a slighter chance of this actually being realistic, but Carolina would be stupid to trade him.
#9 by Mark Easson at December 15th, 2011
They wouldn’t want anything to do with Connolly.
To get a guy like Staal and meet cap issues, you’d likely have to include a package involving: Schenn, Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur, Kadri, draft picks, maybe Colburne or other prospect(s).
(edit: I’m not meaning all those players, but some from that list)
#10 by Daniel at December 15th, 2011
@Mark Easson
That’s delusional. You must be from Carolina?
Eric Staal is having a terrible year with an 8.25million cap hit, and you think he can fetch that?
A more accurate estimation would be Kulemin + Prospect + Salary (Komi?). You have to realize that moving Staal’s contract has VALUE for Carolina.
Eric Staal for Schenn, Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur, Kadri, Draft Picks, and maybe Colbourne… haha. Pass me some of that whatever you’re having.
#11 by Tom at December 15th, 2011
Why not wait for Parise?
#12 by Jeff at December 15th, 2011
Leaves could also move out salary with Gustavsson (not much value, but an ending contract).
#13 by Leafs Fan 88 at December 15th, 2011
There is no chance i would give up some much for Staal.
“To get a guy like Staal and meet cap issues, you’d likely have to include a package involving: Schenn, Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur, Kadri, draft picks, maybe Colburne or other prospect(s)”
Maybe more like: Schenn, Aulie, Colborne, 1st Round Pick, Salary filler.
#14 by Frankie at December 15th, 2011
I would switch Schenn with someone else, and i’d give up Frattin too. But you would think a Center would go out, like Bozak or Grabovski.
#15 by Mark Easson at December 15th, 2011
I wasn’t meaning it would take all those players, but involve some of those players from that list.
Possibly 2 roster players, a prospect and a pick
#16 by Wunschkind89 at December 15th, 2011
I agree that they wouldn’t want Connolly, but he is the most logical to give back for cap space to fit Staal in there. Plus his contract is short, which would appeal to Carolina. Only issue is he has a NTC–possibly a partial one.
Grabovski’s is a UFA at the end of the year, so there’s no value there for Carolina.
#17 by hotwings at December 15th, 2011
i think with rutherford’s recent statement of “should have known better” concerning the kaberle contract, he is going to be awfully careful in how he handles a possible eric staal trade.
but, with carolina still tanking, even after the coaching change — moving staal would make the most sense from an organizational standpoint. they have one of the worst depth rosters in the league, and toronto is one of the few teams that can help them out if they have to move staals contract and mix things up.
in general, it is going to be interesting going forward for teams that have made coaching changes and are still tanking.
any thoughts on here concerning who makes a better fit in toronto, between eric staal, zach parise, bobby ryan and rick nash?
im betting that one of those names ends up in toronto before next season…
#18 by Wunschkind89 at December 15th, 2011
With Parise being a winger, and the Leafs having pretty good depth in that regard, I’d take Eric Staal. Nash is a slow skater and is injured far too often.
#19 by Lenny at December 15th, 2011
@ Wunschkind89- Rick Nash has played in at least 75 games every season since 06-07 and has scored 32+ goals the past 4 seasons, all while having absolutely noone to play with.
I don’t think the Leafs should get him anyway but I’m doubting now that Carters healthy and the team is starting to look like they can play half decently (.500 over the past 10 games)that he’d be moved anyway.
Being a Ducks fan I can’t imagine seeing the team without Bobby Ryan but if they do move him I’d guess that they would be looking for top 4 D-men, prospects and/or goaltending as they’ve been brutal in their own end this season.
#20 by Leafs416 at December 15th, 2011
I was having the Eric Staal conversation the night of the game. Lol. Seeing this page just now is icing on the cake. I want to see Eric Staal, traded for komiserek, and colbourne. Maybe a 3rd round pick as well. That sounds fair or kadri with komi.
Schenn, Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur, are keepers to me.. I wanna see a line of Connolly-Staal-MacArthur or even. Lupul-Staal-Kessel. Or if anyone else I would hope for Zach Parise.
But definately in my opinion, Komiserek and Gustovsson have done their time for us well in Toronto and now just need a different scenery.
Any trade Christmas morning couldn’t come at any better time. But its time to bring the STAAL family back to canadian teams and Toronto would be right stocking stuffer.
#21 by Joseph at December 15th, 2011
OK I realize most posters here are Leafs fans, and most Leafs fans are blind homers, but are you freakin’ serious? Staal for Komisarek, Colborne, and a 3rd rounder??? You do realize that this guy is CONSISTENTLY within the top 5 to 7 centers in the LEAGUE in scoring, and you’re proposing he would fetch a marginal 5th/6th defenseman, and prospect whose CEILING is a 2nd/3rd line tweener center, and a 3rd round pick? You all are off your rocker. It’d take probably Schenn, Kadri, and a first rounder for Staal, and that’s probably still not enough, the dude’s a perennial All-Star who’s having one bad stretch of 20 games, not to mention he’s been playing VERY well since Muller’s been installed. He was the 4th scoring center in the entire league last year, come on.
#22 by Mike85 at December 16th, 2011
I think Leafs416 is on the right track actually, Schenn just inked a 5 year deal with Toronto. So I don’t see Toronto trading Schenn. Grobovski’s contract is ending this year but I see him staying with Toronto.I think Komiserek + Rosehill + Kadri might actually just do it, and if not possibly an addition draft pick. 2nd or 3rd.
Gustovsson is another possibility but Carolina is doing just fine with Cam Ward, they don’t need a goalie, they need big tough defenceman and some more young fowards. I wouldn’t want to see Frattin
Zach Parise would be nice too!!
#23 by Jeff at December 16th, 2011
Winner Winner Canadian Bacon Dinner!
Worst Homer Trade Scenario of the Year: An injured and largely ineffective Komisarek, an AHL Enforcer in Rosehill, and the Leafs 2nd or 3rd best prospect who is hardly a “can’t miss prospect” and has done nothing at the NHL level. Love it!
#24 by Dave at December 16th, 2011
C’mon guys i bleed blue and white but Joseph’s right on this one there are way too many blind homer Leaf fans if anybody actually thinks we’re getting a franchise player like Staal for Komisarek, Colborne and a 3rd. Look at what we as fans wanted for Thomas Kaberle during our rebuilding years when he was our only tradeable asset? Staal is going to demand a lot more than a top prospect a late 1st and conditional 2nd round pick. Sure Staal looks like he’s overpaid right now, but when he’s on top of his game he’s worth every penny bringing everything to the table including leadership. And having him paired with 2 wingers that are already in the top 10 in NHL scoring has me salivating at the possiblities. Especially with a left handed shot, size and good playmaking skills to compliment Kessel and Lupul.
#25 by Blazer at December 20th, 2011
To get a player like Staal, the Leafs would have to part with Schenn. After that it’s subjective as Staal’s contract forces Carolina to take slightly less than Staal’s actual value. Most likely Carolina would want a couple of young proven players or a prospect with a pick. Kulemin would probably be that player. Colborne or Kadri would be the prospect and a 2nd rounder would have to be thrown in. I don’t see the Leafs parting with a 1st rounder if Schenn and Kulemin are already part of the deal but it’s not like the Leafs have that much talent to give up. Although I’d hate to see both Schenn and Kulemin go, Staal should be the #1 centre the Leafs need. If that package doesn’t entice Carolina, then maybe the Leafs should offer up that package or some hybrid of it to the Ducks for Getzlaf.