Posts Tagged Andrew Ference
No Market for Spezza? Volchenkov to Capitals? Harder for Bruins to trade Tim Thomas now
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on May 23rd, 2010
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Jason Spezza has 5 years and $35 million left his salary, and he has a no-movement clause that doesn’t kick in until July 1st. Many fans (44% of those polled by the Sun) would like to see him dealt away. The Sun contacted 5 teams to see if Spezza’s name was out there, but they hadn’t heard anything. “There’s no market for him,” said Sportsnet analyst Doug MacLean, a former GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets. “I think what you do is you hope that he improves. You’ve got (Milan) Michalek and you hope those two can develop some chemistry. You just have to plug around (Spezza).” If they could deal him, they probably wouldn’t get equal value back. Garrioch mentions 3 teams that could be interested in Spezza, Tampa Bay, Columbus, and Edmonton.
- Don Brennan of the QMI Agency, Toronto Star: Anton Volchenkov appears be getting ready to move on from Ottawa Senators, as he’s put his house up for sale. The Washington Capitals are reportedly getting ready to offer him somewhere in the $5 million a season range. The Senators would still like to re-sign him, but contract talks are going nowhere. Retaining Andy Sutton could be plan B for the Sens.
- Boston Herald: Trading Tim Thomas this off-season became a little tougher as he had surgery on a torn hip labrum, and it will be 3-4 months recovery. Andrew Ference had hernia surgery that will require 2 month recovery. Vladimir Sobotka will have shoulder surgery on Tuesday.
- Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Tomas Holmstrom took a hometown discount on his last Detroit Red Wings contract, but that may not be the case this time around. The 37-year old is looking for a multi-year deal. From his agents, “On the last contract, Tomas took a hometown discount so the organization would have enough cap room to keep everybody here (in Detroit). But at the end of the day, Tomas is going to have to feel he’s being treated fairly in the realm of what is taking place in the locker room.”
- Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Though the Penguins have said they aren’t interested in trading Evgeni Malkin, Cook thinks they’d be crazy not to listen to offers, and I agree with him. Why not listen to what teams will throw your way? Though they wouldn’t get the best player in any deal, they should be able to get a lot of nice pieces that might improve their team on a whole. A star winger, a top 2-4 defenseman, a prospect, maybe a pick or 2? Malkin and Crosby make a combined $17.4 million, toss in Jordan Staal, and that’s about $21.4 million in your top 3 centermen.
Kings to go after Kovalchuk or Marleau? Canadiens defense for Game 6 …
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News on May 9th, 2010
- Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove: Maclean, LeBrun, Healy, and Mad Mike discuss the Phoenix situation, LA to go after Kovalchuk
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Los Angeles Kings plan A this off-season is to attempt to sign Ilya Kovalchuk, with plan B being Patrick Marleau if he isn’t re-signed by the Sharks. If the Kings miss out on both, they’ll look to bring in forward(s) through trade. The have plenty of assest and some extra cap room. Rumors are that Kovalchuk could get a $12 million offer from the KHL. Anton Volchenkov and Alexander Frolov are also expected to get offers from the KHL. Contract talks between Bobby Ryan’s camp and the Anaheim Ducks have started up this past week, and they are also considering moving Ryan to center. Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer are still undecided if they are going to play next season or not. Niedermayer is expected to decide by the Draft.
- The Globe and Mail: Montreal Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill will be evaluated today after have the back of his leg accidently stepped on by Chris Kunitz in the 3rd period of last nights game. He did skate off by himself, but did not return.
- Elliotte Friedman via Twitter: The Canadiens are trying to find a knee brace for Andre Markov, who is out with a torn ACL, that would allow him to play in Game 6. Gauthier would not comment on the situation.
- The Ottawa Sun: Results from a fan survey involving the Ottawa Senators. 92% want Jonathan Cheechoo gone, 71% would like to get rid of Alex Kovalev. 75% think the Sens should trade Brian Lee while they can. 44% think they should trade Jason Spezza. 74% of fans think they should keep Brian Elliot and 52% think Pascal Leclaire should be dealt.
Changes coming in Calgary … Rynnas has a list of teams to visit … Mueller out Indefinitely.
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries on April 7th, 2010
- George Johnson of the Calgary Herald: Flames GM Darryl Sutter’s blueprint and makeover has failed … again. His status in the organization, as well as team president Ken King, will be in question. It’s been rumored for awhile that Sutter is on the hotseat, and I personally think Sutter will be gone. There will also be the debate if Jarome Iginla should be dealt, he scored only 1 goal in the last 2 weeks.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: The Canucks get some good news in that defenseman Christian Ehrhoff will be ready for the playoffs after injurying his left knee. But that good news will be over shadowed by Ryan Johnson breaking his foot blocking a shot, and will be out 4 to 6 weeks.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Finnish free agent goalie Jussi Rynnas has already met with Dallas and talked to Edmonton’s assistant GM on Saturday. Rynnas has meetings with Anaheim, Philadelphia, and Montreal scheduled.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Avalanche forward, Peter Mueller is out indefinitely with a concussion, with no time table set for his return.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference will not be back for any regular season games. He’s been out since March 25th with a hernia injury, and is skating, but the area is still pretty swollen. They are hoping he can return for the playoffs.
Huet Done in Chicago … Ranger Talk … Not much movement for Bruins next year?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 26th, 2010
Around the Boards: Some under-achieving Avs, DUI for Chelios, Ference out 6 weeks, Burns Skating
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 7th, 2010
- Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche continue to roll on, but there are several players that aren’t living up to expectations. “The Avs are getting next to nothing from Darcy Tucker, Marek Svatos, Ruslan Salei and Liles, whose combined salaries exceed $12 million”…. “John-Michael Liles produced an assist on a goal against the Islanders, but when I asked Sacco to evaluate the highly-paid defenseman’s performance, it’s seems to be no secret that the Avs would like to trade Liles to Mystery, Alaska, for a bag of pucks.”
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Talks between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang are ongoing, but they don’t appear to be close to anything.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Confirmation that Henrik Zetterberg and Danny Cleary will return to the Red Wings lineup tonight.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: After an impressive run at the World Juniors, earning the top defenceman of the tournament, Alex Pietrangelo earned himself a ticket back the OHL. Blues management felt that rather than play spot duty or be a healthy scratch, playing big minutes with Niagara was better for him.
- Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota Wild defencemen Brent Burns has been skating for the last 2 weeks. He is still awaiting medical clearance for his concussion, but there is hope that he is able to return soon.
- Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe: Boston Bruins defenceman Andrew Ference will be out 6 weeks with a groin injury.
Around the Boards: Thurs. Oct. 29th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 29th, 2009
- From the RDS, through translation: Ilya Kovalchuk could be close to signing a 9 year deal with the Thrashers for more than $100 million, averaging $11.3 million per season. We’ll write a separate blog to comment on this.
- James Murphy of NESN: If the Thrashers are unable to sign Kovalchuk, the Bruins might be a fit. The trading of Kobasew and the with Lucic and Savard on the IR, it has saved the club some much valued cap space. They also have lot of draft picks to dangle.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBCSports.ca: Has Jaroslav Halak taken over the goalie of the future for the Canadiens? Are the Canadiens playing Halak more lately in an attempt to motivate Price.
- A quote mentioned in the Friedman’s blog (link above) … Ilya Bryzgalov on being named NHL first star of the week. “I don’t care,” according to the Arizona Republic. “I don’t like to run in front of the train because the train at some point can run over you.”
- Jason Hendricks of HendricksHockey.com: From one the Hockey Insiders sources, the Canadiens and Oilers could be looking a trade. The Oilers like Tomas Plekanec, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Kyle Chipchura. The Canadiens like Tom Gilbert, Denis Grebeshkov, & J.F. Jacques.
- Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: There is a chance the Maple Leafs may look to trade Tomas Kaberle again. Dallas and Boston will be mentioned again as possible destinations.
- Wayne Fish of the Bucks County Courier Times (via Phillyburbs): Surgery was recommended for Simon Gagne’s 2 sports hernias, so he’s seeking a second opinion, though it sounds like surgery is the only option to fix the problem.
- Tampa Bay Tribune: A potential buyer for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Jeff Greene, is no longer interested in buying the club. So this leaves 2 Florida franchises that are having trouble finding an owner.
The Preds Tabled an Offer for Kessel
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Rumors on September 18th, 2009
The Nashville Predators have reportedly put forth an offer to the Boston Bruins for Phil Kessel. According to NESN.com, the Preds have offered a 1st round pick, the rights to Alexander Radulov, and a top defensive prospect. It’s hard to rate this potential trade considering we don’t know who the defensive prospect is. Obviously if it’s their best defensive prospect, then it’s a better deal than their 2nd or 3rd best prospect. Trading for Radulov is also risky as who knows if/when he’ll be coming back to the NHL, but when he was here, he showed great offensive talents. I’m sure there is a clause in the offer that says Kessel has to sign a contract for the deal to become final. By the sounds of it, Kessel would rather sign in Toronto over Nashville.
The same article says the the Leafs may also throw in a prospect/player to go along with the 2 1sts and 2nd round pick. It’s also mentioned that the Burke might be considering an offer sheet if the Bruins don’t accept an offer this weekend. If an offer sheet was matched, the Bruins would have to move out some salary quickly; Chuck Kobasew, Andrew Ference, and maybe Tuukka Rask (back the minors), would have to be moved out. If an offer sheet was matched, I bet the salary cap implications would be a lot trickier for future years, especially if the cap is going to drop $4-7 million next year.
Minnesota has signed Petr Sykora so they are most likely not interested in trading for Kessel anymore. The NY Rangers are reportedly out as well.
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