Archive for category NHL Rumors

Problems with Phoenix’s Potential New Owners? Leighton back in Philly? Forsberg Done for Good? Kings Showcasing Bernier?

Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 12th, 2010

  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The Banks may not be willing to give the “Ice Edge” group the funds to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes for $160 million. Jeffery Vinik only paid about $100 million cash for the Tampa Bay Lightning. There was a bill proposed by Arizona legislature last month to create a special tax to help the arena cost, it fell through. A real-extate company was suspose to help the Ice Edge group financially pulled out.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Michael Leighton’s play in net may have helped save the Flyers season, but it hasn’t gotten Flyers talking to him about a contract extension yet. The Flyers have had a tendency to go the lost cost route in net, so Leighton might appeal to them rather than going after higher priced goalies such as Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabokov, Vesa Toskala, Dan Ellis, and Antero Niittymaki.
  • Kevin Allen via Twitter: After Modo’s playoff loss Peter Forsberg said “this might have been my last game.”
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Some points from Garth Snow’s interview with MSG Network. Snow expects Rick DiPietro to play again this year (I wonder how long it will be before he’s hurt again). Snow expects to test the free agent market out, and will be looking for a couple defenseman (Makes you wonder why they traded Andy Sutton in the middle of a playoff run, especially when they are pretty thin on the blueline now).
  • Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: Ian White hopes to re-sign long term with the Calgary Flames this summer. “I would hope they’d want to keep me around here,” said White, of Steinbach, Man.”I love being out west. I love playing for Calgary. I love everything about this organization. I’d be honoured to be able to stick around here for a few more years.”
  • Helene Elliot of the LA Times: Jonathan Bernier will most likely make the start for the LA Kings tonight as Jonathan Quick will miss the game as he’s awaiting the birth of his first child. Kings backup, Erik Ersberg, hasn’t played in a month but coach Terry Murray wants to see Bernier play. “I want to see him. I know he’s had a great year, one of the best in all of the goaltenders that are outside of the NHL, and this might be an opportunity for me to get a look at him, for the team, and for him to come up and play,” Kings Coach Terry Murray said Thursday. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Kings were showcasing Bernier, especially if they feel Quick is their goalie of the future. Quick is signed for another 2 years.
  • Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Steve Bernier of the Vancouver Canucks will be out for 4-6 weeks after having sports hernia surgery yesterday.

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    Vinny Staying in Tampa? Modano Decided to Stay … Chelios Recalled … Cherry On Headshots Videos

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on March 11th, 2010

  • Martin Fennelly of the Tampa Tribune: New Tampa Bay Lightning owner, Jeffrey Vinik: “I have no problem having Vinny Lecavalier on the hockey team,” Vinik said. “He’s a great player, he’s an elite player, he’s part of the strong team we have here. All I can say is that this franchise is not going to be constrained by financial resources.” … “I’m going to invest for the long term. This franchise is not going to be constrained by financial resources.”
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Mike Modanno was given the option by GM Joe Nieuwendyk to play for a Stanley Cup contender in what could be his last season. 3 teams asked about Modano’s availability, but he decided to remain with the only organization he’s known. Washington was one of the teams that inquired.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The 74-year-old 48-year-old Chris Chelios was recalled by the Atlanta Thrashers. Despite being so old, Chelios was pretty productive  in the AHL this year. In 46 games he had 5 goals and 17 assists, and was a plus 34.

  • Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post: As the end of the season nears, and even with Semyon Varlamov’s return, Jose Theodore could be the number one goalie for the Caps in the playoffs.

  • From the Vancouver Sun: Don Cherry talks about Headshots. Click on the video area below to start video.

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    Some Free Agent Rumors, as well as some Injury News

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 10th, 2010

  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Though Dominic Moore has fit in well with the Montreal Canadiens, he’ll most likely not be back with them next year. Moore was acquired for a 2nd line pick before the trade deadline, and is on a 1 year, $1.1 million. There were reports last off-season that he turned down a 2 year deal worth over $4 million, but he said reports on what he was offered were untrue. You keep telling yourself that Dominic if it makes sleep better at night. The fact is you threw away a couple million dollars.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators are having a difficult time re-signing Anton Volchenkov so far. Volchenkov turned down a 5 year deal before the Olympic Break. The sides are still far apart, but will continue to try to work something out. The Sens may also try to re-sign newly acquired defenseman, Andy Sutton.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Thrashers have lost Evander Kane for at least 3 weeks to a fractured left foot. They also lost Christopher Schubert for 3-5 weeks with a pulled muscle in his hip. Chris Chelios could be recalled by Thrashers.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Without Marc Savard for an extended period of time, the Bruins were also without defenseman Zdeno Chara last night against the Maple Leafs due to a ‘lower-body’ injury. Chara suffered the injury on Saturday. Claude Julien hopes to have the Big Z back in the lineup tomorrow.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Nikolai Khabibulin talked to reporters yesterday, but only about his injury (back surgery ended his season) and not his booze cruising incident in Arizona. He is in court on March 16th on the extreme DUI charge. His blood level was double the legal limit, and could face a minimum of 30 days in jail, though 20 of the 30 days could be suspended if “he undergoes testing or treatment”.

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    Cooke’s hit a ’shoulder to the head’ according to Colin Campbell … GMs talking Headshots in Florida … Injury Updates

    Posted by Mark in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 9th, 2010

  • James Murphy of NESN: The NHL’s chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell has said that Matt Cooke’s hit on Marc Savard was a shoulder to the head, rather than an elbow to the head. Campbell and about 7 others watched the hit for an hour and a half. Savard suffered a grade 2 concussion. A shoulder to the head may be a lesser suspension than an elbow to the head. Cooke is a repeat offender, so his punishment might be a little stiffer.
  • Elliotte Friedman of CBCSports: GM’s are taking another serious look at headshots at their GM meetings in Florida. Some factors Friedman thinks the GMs must address; ‘Make the penalties harsh’, ‘ease up on the self-interest’, ’soften the equipment’, ‘make the victims more aware’, ‘be flexible’, and ‘eliminate the instigator rule’. Some of Friedman’s ‘30 Thoughts’ below:
    • Some Canadian-based GMs think Canadiens GM Pierre Gauthier jacked up the price of rentals when he gave up a 2nd round pick for Dominic Moore. I’d have to agree with them, I don’t know what Gauthier was thinking.
    • Other teams may not be pleased with Darryl Sutter giving Matt Stajan 4 years and $14 million. I agree with this as well, I was  (and am still) shaking my head over this one. $3.5 million for a 3rd line center? But I guess for now he’s the #1 center in Calgary.
    • Dan Hamhuis wasn’t dealt at the deadline as nobody wanted to give up a 1st rounder for the UFA.
    • Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli may not have wanted to give up a high draft pick or top prospect to acquire a scorer at the deadline, as he may not think they are legitamate contenders.
    • 2 teams (at least one) would have taken Cristobal Huet from the Blackhawks for a 1st rounder and an established player.
    • Some GMs believe now that the Canucks will hold on to Cody Hodgson.
    • Brian Burke has said it’s more likely that Tomas Kaberle is signed to an extension, rather than being traded.
    • Raffi Torres may want to return home to Toronto next year, but will Burke want him?
    • One of the reason’s Alexei Ponikarovsky was traded was that he asked for a 4 year contract extension.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Evander Kane of the Atlanta Thrashers will have a CT Scan on his left foot today. Kane blocked a shot on Saturday, and didn’t return after it happened.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Newly acquired Dman Denis Grebeshkov will be out of the Predators lineup for 1-2 weeks with a lower-body injury. Shea Weber is doubtful for tonight’s game. Dan Ellis will start for the Preds.
  • The Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators have signed the 23-year-old Brian Lee to a 2 year contract extension. Lee was drafted 9th overall in 2005, but hasn’t really lived up to expectations yet.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Tuukka Rask was back on the ice for a 2nd day with several Bruins,e h aggravated an old right knee injury last week.

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    Blue Jackets could look for an Offensive Defenseman or Top Center … Wisniewski Happy to be a Duck

    Posted by Mark in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 8th, 2010

  • Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson likes his team, but sees that he might need to upgrade on the blueline. He also knows that they need to generate more scoring. They already have 7 defenseman under contract for next season, with the majority of them, defensive-defenseman. He may look at dealing some of them, and bring in someone with a more offensive side. Fedor Tyutin, Jan Hejda and Rostislav Klesla could be trade possibilities. The Blue Jackets may also be looking for a front line center, or allow Derick Brassard to “grow into the role”. There is still no word if Nikita Filatov will return to the club next season, or they could trade him for an offensive defenseman or top center.
  • The Edmonton Journal: Steve Yzerman may the at the top of the list for future NHL general managers. The Tampe Bay Lightning may look for a new GM, after the team was recently bought by Jeff Vinik. Flames GM Darryl Sutter may also be on the hot seat if Flames don’t make the playoffs this year (see yesterday’s post).
  • Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Dennis Seidenberg has only played 2 games for the Bruins, but he may want to stay for a lot longer. “This is a good opportunity for me to show what I can do and if I can fit on the team,’’ he said. “There is a chance - I definitely hope - to stay here.’’
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Islanders coach Scott Gordon is not that thrilled with Isles GM Garth Snow for trading away defenseman Andy Sutton, and not bringing a depth replacement. The Isles are still in the playoff hunt, the blueline is looking a little thin.
  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Brett Lebda has missed a couple games recently as a healthy scratch, and may be running out of time to secure a regular spot on the Red Wings blueline, as well as a new contract from the Wings for the upcoming UFA.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski was happy he wasn’t dealt at the deadline, but he and the Ducks are far apart on a contract extension. Wisniewski is making $2.75 million this season, and will be looking for a raise. He is arbitration eligible. The Ducks may not be interested in giving him the raise he wants.

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    Mats Zuccarello Aasen-Remember This Name

    Posted by Derek in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors on March 7th, 2010

    There’s a lot of buzz about diminutive Norwegian winger Mats Zuccarello Aasen, and it’s likely he’s headed to the NHL next season. But the question is whether he can be successful at his size — 5-foot-7 and 161 pounds.

    One Swedish hockey writer had this to say (via Aftenposten), “Look at stars like Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane, to name a few. New rule interpretations and attitudes in the NHL are a benefit to players like them and Mats.”

    He caught a lot of eyes at the Olympics, including that of Red Wings VP Steve Yzerman. He told Swedish TV stations (via Aftenposten), “I can not remember his name, but No. 48 in Norway has been very good in the Olympics.”

    Yup, that’s Aasen, so now there’s speculation that the Red Wings might be interested in the winger. We already knew several NHL teams were eying the 22-year-old, including the Chicago Blackhawks.

    While searching out stats on the diminutive left winger for this article, I found that Hockey DB.com had stats as usual (great site for stats), and they have him listed at 5′ 7″ and 154 pounds. Most NHL defencemen could curl about that much weight, but the “New NHL” does offer some opportunity for the smaller, highly skilled players.

    Nicknamed “The Norwegian Hobbitt Wizard”, he has a great set of hands and creativity that is always required for a small player to gain as much notoriety has he already has.

    Here’s a little sample of his play, courtesy of Youtube.com.

    His stats for Modo are impressive too, considering the amount of games played he’s better than a point per game average.

    We’ll be keeping an eye on Aasen, along with a variety of other European and U.S. College free agents as the season continues. This is where an NHL team, like the Detroit Red Wings, can really set them selves apart with quality scouting.

    Players that can contribute in the NHL, without using draft picks to acquire them, are at a premium for teams trying to re-build in todays salary capped NHL.

    Look for a tab in our “Features” section in the near future for more articles like this one, as we compile a list of the best eligible players outside of the NHL, and see where they might fit in in the future.

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    Trouble looming for Sutter and Babcock? NHL in Sochi? Kaberle again …

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 7th, 2010

  • Darren Dreger of TSN: If the Calgary Flames don’t make the playoffs after all the changes they made to ‘improve’ their team, GM Darryl Sutter could get axed. He made a bold move in trading Dion Phaneuf without bringing in a star, and changed almost a 1/3 of their roster before the deadline.
  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has to be worried deep down inside about his goaltending situation. If Jimmy Howard struggles down the stretch, or in the playoffs, Babcock may have to ride it out. You see, his back up goalie, Chris Osgood, doesn’t play that often any more and will most likely be rusty. Osgood has only started 3 games in the last 3 months.
  • Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove Video: Will the NHL go the Olympics in Sochi? The success of the Vancouver games could be a bargining chip for Bettman.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch thinks Tomas Kaberle will be moved before the Draft. His 3 team list could have been the Bruins, Flyers and Rangers.
  • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons thinks the Maple Leafs have to either trade Tomas Kaberle this summer, or sign him to an extension. It’s a tough decision, for every ‘if’, there is a ‘but’ … Some good lines from Simmons:
    • “The latest scorecard on the Phil Kessel trade: Both teams are losers at this point. The Bruins don’t have scoring from the wing. The Leafs don’t have those much-needed high draft choice”
    • “Everything about John Mitchell looks like an NHL player. And then the game begins”
    • “A medal update after four NHL Olympic hockey tournaments: Finland 3, Canada, USA, Czech Republic and Russia 2, Sweden 1. And how does that make sense?”
    • “Yzerman, by the way, should be the leading candidate for every available GM job now: He has grown by leaps as a public person and hockey administrator the last 12 pressure-filled months”

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    Cory Schneider Still with the Canucks … Winnipeg Mayor Shoots Down Team … Kaberle, Staying or Going

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 6th, 2010

  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks received calls from a number of teams who were interested in Cory Schneider, but nothing was good enough for Gillis. Gillis said “He’s a great young player in our organization, a fully developed goalie who is ready to step into the NHL, and that’s not something you would trade away lightly. We have significant plans for Cory. We’re going to get into those plans with his agent in the next couple of weeks and try to get him re-signed.” I am really curious as what his plans are, backing up Roberto Luongo for 10-20 games a season, probably isn’t something Schneider will be thrilled about.
  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: The New Jersey Devils are one of the teams that were rumored to be interested in Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Tomas Kaberle was ‘happy to hear’ that Brian Burke may be interested in signing him to a contract extension. But he did leave open the possibility that he’ll move on from Leafs.
  • Ross Romaniuk of the Toronto Sun: The mayor of Winnipeg, Sam Katz, is shooting down the rumors that a NHL team will be coming to the Winnipeg soon. “We know there are many Winnipeggers and hockey fans who would love to see the NHL come back to our great city, and maybe in time that will happen. But I can tell you that from the sources I have, these rumours have absolutely no foundation and no truth to them,” said Katz.
  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: JS Giguere and Jonas Gustavsson will be splitting time in the Leafs net according to Ron Wilson. Giguere started off with a bang, but has let in some shaky goals lately. Gustavsson needs to play more to see if he could be the Leafs goalie of the future. Gustavsson is a RFA at seasons end, and Giggy has a year left.

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    Some Trades That Didn’t Happen at the Deadline

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 5th, 2010

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
    • The Flyers, Canucks, Capitals and Ducks all talked to the Maple Leafs about Tomas Kaberle. Burke was looking for a 1st round pick, a mid-round pick, and a top prospect. The Flyers would have had to convince one of Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell, or Simon Gagne to waive their no movement clause to fit Kaberle in. The Maple Leafs will most likely look to move Kaberle in the summer when his no trade clause doesn’t apply.
    • The Islanders weren’t sure of the health of Rick DiPietro (shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone), so they decided to hold on to Dwayne Roloson and Martin Biron. The Blackhawks, Flyers and Capitals all inquired.
    • Ray Whitney refused to waive his no trade clause without getting a contract extension of 3 years and $10.5 million. He could re-sign with the Hurricanes.
    • The Bruins were interested in bringing in Wojtek Wolski, but didn’t have the have the young prospect to send the other way.
    • The Capitals inquired about Senators defenseman Anton Volchenkov, but the Sens want to make a strong playoff push.
    • The Canucks called about Raffi Torres, but he went to the Sabres.
    • The Panthers tried to trade Tomas Vokoun but couldn’t get the return they wanted. They will most likely try to deal him at the Draft, and the Capitals might be interested. They could offer Karl Alzner in a package.
    • 10 teams called the Predators about Dan Hamhuis, but Preds GM David Poile wouldn’t lower his 2nd round pick and a top prospect demand.

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    Other Fallouts from the Trade Deadline … Atlanta to Winnipeg, not now

    Posted by Mark in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 5th, 2010

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Some league executives aren’t happy with the Coyotes adding salary at the deadline, since they are still losing money, and the other owers are fitting the bill. They added more than $2.5 million in salary, and are losing $5 million a month.

    “You know where that money comes from?” one furious league executive asked. “It comes out of the owners’ pockets and they aren’t going to be happy with this because they’re already not happy with having to foot the bill for Phoenix in the first place.”

    “I just don’t understand this,” said the executive. “I guess the belief is if the Coyotes can make a long playoff run, then they’ll be able to recoup some of the money for the NHL.”

  • Ted Wyman of the Winnipeg Sun: About the rumors of the Atlanta Thrashers being moved to Winnipeg, Wyman has this to say “Get a grip, Winnipeg.” There hasn`t been a credible source to back up the rumor.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens decided to keep both Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price at the deadline.” Gainey was a strong Carey Price supporter, but when Gauthier and head coach Jacques Martin say the Canadiens need two goaltenders down the stretch, they’re really saying they need Jaroslav Halak.” The Canadiens shopped Paul Mara around but didn’t find any takers.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Brian Lawton, “We were in on one big blockbuster deal that would ultimately have robbed us of our future, and we made the determination that we are going to remain disciplined and that we were not going to overpay things. And that was the theme for the day, lots of quantity, not quality.”
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Predators were in on Alexei Ponikarovsky, with what they considered a very good offer. (Brian Burke did say received an offer of a 2nd and 4th round pick, but didn’t name the team.)
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers tried to grant Slava Kozlov’s request of being traded, but was unable to find a playoff contender who wanted him. They never received an offer for him.

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