Posts Tagged Andy Sutton

Though choices in Chicago … Gagne to Leafs? No ‘Sweat’ for Leafs? Senators need a tough Dman

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 10th, 2010

  • Tim Sassone of the Chicago Tribune: With the Sharks signing Niklas Hjalmarsson to a 4 year, $14 million offer sheet, the Blackhawks may have to decide if they want to keep Hjalmarsson, Antti Niemi, or possibly Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks could match the offer and wait for Niemi’s arbitration hearing, if it’s for more than $4 million a season they could decline it and Niemi would be a UFA. They could then go sign Turco or Theodore for less.
  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: There is a chance that the Maple Leafs won’t be able to sign recently acquired Bill Sweat. If Sweat doesn’t sign by August 15th, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. Sweat was acquired along with Kris Versteeg from the Chicago Blackhawks. It could end up being a 3 for 1 deal.
  • Chuck Gormley of the Courier Journal: With the signing of Nikolai Zherdev, the Flyers are $1.4 million over the cap, and still have RFA’s Daniel Carcillo and Darrol Powe. They are still trying to move Simon Gagne, and have been linked to the Kings for weeks, but they could also be talking to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flyers could package Gagne and Braydon Coburn ($8.45 million in salary) for Tomas Kaberle ($4.25 million). The Flyers might request goaltending prospect,Jussi Rynnas as well.
  • Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated: Muir thinks that the Flyers could send Simon Gagne to the Kings for defensive prospect, Thomas Hickey. The Kings have a surplus of young defenseman. I could see the Flyers doing this deal, but I’m not sure the Kings are completely sold on Gagne, and Hickey is a top prospect.
  • Mike Russo of the Star-Tribune: Minnesota Wild GM, Chuck Fletcher, has talked with Mike Modano about finishing his career in the city where it all started out. Modano is still undecided if he’ll return next season. The Red Wings and Sharks are also said to be interested. The Wild could be looking for some scoring help, and could consider: Alex Frolov, Lee Stempniak, Paul Kariya, Maxim Afinogenov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Miro Satan.
  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators could use a rugged defenseman. “I’d like to add one more player,” Murray said at Friday’s news conference to introduce Gonchar. “Maybe (he’s) in the organization. Watching Jared Cowen playing in the development camp, we may already have a defenceman who can play in that more physical spot that we’re looking to fill.” If they decided to sign a free agent, Andy Sutton, Willie Mitchell and Shaone Morrisonn could be possibilities.
  • Peter Adler of the Edmonton Journal: According to a Czech news agents, Ales Kotalik will be joining Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. But according to the official Czech hockey site, Kotalik had this to say “I haven’t heard a thing about that”.

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Flyers interested in Bobby Ryan … Leafs looking for a defenseman

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 4th, 2010

  • Jimmy Murphy via Twitter: “Nonsense” Kings source on the Kings trading for Marc Savard so they can sign Kovalchuk.
  • Tim Panaccio via Twitter: Rumors that the Philadelphia Flyers are trying to clear salary cap room not for a goalie, but for Bobby Ryan.
  • Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: The Toronto Maple Leafs could be looking to add a free agent defenseman. It’s not known at the moment who they’re interested in. If Burke wants size there’s Andy Sutton and Willie Mitchell. If it’s skill and powerplay help maybe Marc-Andre Bergeron. Shot blocking could be Jay McKee. Savy could be Shaone Morrisonn, Freddy Meyer, Mike Mottau, Mike Weaver. If a team interested in acquiring Kaberle offered him an extension, they may be more likely to meet the Leafs asking price. Now that most of big name free agents have signed, things may pick up on Kaberle.
  • Mark Spector from Sportsnet.ca: Kevin Bieksa has fallen out of Canucks coach Alain Vigneault good books, and that is why he is on the trading block and not Christian Ehrhoff and Sami Salo, who both are also making $3 million plus and in the last year of their contract. Calgary Flames center Daymond Langkow’s neck injury has not responded well, and is not as far along in the rehab as they had hoped. Could one of the reasons they brought Ollie Jokinen back (I still laugh everytime I read/write that Sutter signed Jokinen).

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Bruins trading for the 4th overall pick? Weiss not getting traded?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on June 18th, 2010

  • Brandon Worley of the NBCsports.com: I’m shaking my ahead over this one, as there seems to be many holes. According to Worley’s ‘reliable source’, the Boston Bruins would send Marc Savard, RFA Blake Wheeler, and the 15th overall pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the 4th overall pick. Oh yeah, Savard also has a no-trade clause. It isn’t for certain that the Bruins are offering the 15th pick.
  • Steve Gorten of the Sun Sentinel: The Florida Panthers have talked to Oilers and Bruins about moving up in the draft with no luck. Teams have also been calling them about their 3rd overall pick. They are still unsure of who’d they take if they keep the pick. The Panthers may not be looking to trade Stephen Weiss, if they did, their number one center would be Steven Reinprecht followed by Shawn Matthias. Weiss also makes a reasonable $3.1 million.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Canadiens GM Gauthier conceded that part of the decision to trade Halak was for salary cap reason. What was Halak looking to sign for? Gauthier doesn’t know as the 2 sides never talked.
  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: A reader asks if the Penguins would consider trading the rights to Sergei Gonchar before July 1st. Molinari writes that Shero probably wouldn’t do that until he was completely convinced that he couldn’t re-sign Gonchar.
  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: It doesn’t appear that Matt Cooke and the Pittsburgh Penguins are close to coming to a deal. Talks between Andy Sutton and the Ottawa Senators are moving along slowly as the team attempts to keep Anton Volchekov in town. Things are slow for Matt Cullen as well. The New York Rangers have not talked to Ollie Jokinen at all. Jokinen wants to stay in the NHL and not go to the KHL.
  • Chraig Custance of the Sporting News: So it appears that UFA Chris Mason is done in St. Louis with the Halak deal. Mason’s agent offers up teams that could be looking for a starting goalie … “There could be surprises,” he said. “With Steve Yzerman going into Tampa, does he think he needs to make a change there? San Jose, do they make a change? What does Philadelphia do? It could be there are no jobs and there could be five jobs.”
  • Michael Russo Star Tribune: Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher thinks the team will try and go the trade route to improve his team rather than go the free agent route as it isn’t the greatest. The Wild are looking for top-6 forward, mainly a #2 center. They have some depth on the blueline that they might be able to use to acquire a forward. Brent Burns and goalie Josh Harding, as well as their 1st round pick could all be in play.

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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.

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Senators looking ahead to Draft … Gonchar is key piece to Penguins off-season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News on May 15th, 2010

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators are preparing for the NHL Draft and Bryan Murray has said, “Ideally, if we could get a skilled centre, that’d be great. If we can’t, then it’s the best player available.” The Sens are picking at #16, and feel there is a drop off after #20-21, according to their lists. They traded away the two 2nd round picks they had for Matt Cullen and Andy Sutton. The Sens contract talks with UFAs Volchenkov, Cullen, and Sutton haven’t progressed that much. Murray’s top priorities are to sign RFAs: Regin, Foligno and Campoli. They are close to signing their 2004 5th round selection, RWerRoman Wick of Switzerland.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: It’s more and more unlikely that Sergei Gonchar will not be back with the Penguins if he’s wanting $5 million or more. Despite Kris Letang’s solid play, and extension he signed during the season, the Pens may not see him as a replacement for the the #1 spot Gonchar occupied.  The Penguins need to find a stay-at-home defenseman that can be used to shut down their oppositions number one line. They also need to improve on the wings. The 32-year old Matt Cook is looking for a 3 year deal, which he might not get from Pittsburgh.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The 36-year old Sergei Gonchar is probably looking at his last NHL contract, and even though he loves playing in Pittsburgh, he knows he could have played his last game in Penguins jersey. “It’s not [just] about the length of it,” Gonchar said. “It’s going to be a little bit about everything. I want to be happy. This is a place I was happy the last five years … but at the same time you do have to work and both sides have to be fair. When I’m going to look at my contract, it’s the last one, so I’m going to weigh in everything.”
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Last night could have been the last game in Bruins jersey for 5 free agents: Steve Begin, Mark Recchi, Miroslav Satan, Shawn Thornton, and Trent Whitfield. The 42-year old Mark Recchi could be back if he decides not to retire.
  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Trivia question: Who’s Martin Brodeur backup? He’s a UFA and has been no indicaton if he’ll be back next, though Lou Lamoriello say he was happy with everything he did this past season, and his attitude. He’d love to re-sign with the Devils.. Answer, Yann Danis.

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Changes to Senators Defense for Next Year … Short List for Lightning GM … Coyotes and Avalanche Off-Season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 29th, 2010

  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Some big changes to the Senators defense could be coming this off-season. The Sens may not be willing to give Anton Volchenkov the $5 million a year he might get on the open market. Trade deadline acquisition, Andy Sutton, is 35-years-old and made $3.5 million last season, and will be looking for one more good contract before retirement. GM Bryan Murray thinks that prospects Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen could be ready for the jump to the NHL next season. Other potential defenseman free agents that might be interested in playing for the Senators at a reasonable price are; Brian Pothier (former Sen), Sean O’Donnell (hometown), Shane Hnidy (former Sen), Zbynek Michalek (Milan’s brother), Kurtis Foster (lived close to Ottawa). On the forward side of things, they might look to re-sign Matt Cullen. They might have to turn to a trade to bring in some scoring if they are able to get some scoring from the free agent market.
  • Matt Paulson (AP) in the USA Today: The main off-season issue for the Phoenix Coyotes will be to find an owner once again. On the free agent side of things, which involves half their defensive corps, as well as forwards Matthew Lombardi and Lee Stempniak. Zbynek Michalek could be costly to keep around.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik has a short list of potential GMs he likes, Dave Nonis, Doug Risebrough, and Steve Yzerman. It is rumored that the Red Wings have given the Lightning permission to speak with Yzerman. Vinik said before that he wanted to have a CEO in place before a GM was hired. Seattle Seahawks CEO, Tod Leiweke, has said previously he’s not a candidate, though some believe the details are being finalized for him to be named CEO.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche need to be bigger and faster along the blueline next season. Anyone of Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen, and Cameron Gaunce have a shot at making the team next fall. Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller will be looking for raises, both are coming off their entry level deals. The Avalanche do have the cap room to investigate adding a big name, but have shown lately that they may stick to rebuilding from in-house.
  • Helene Elliot of the LA Times: LA Kings coach Terry Murray would ‘absolutely’ like to Alexander Frolov back next year. It will probably come down to money, as Frolov is looking for a big deal, reportedly in the $5 million range.

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Ribeiro on the Move? Devils want Ilya Back … Injury Notes from Ottawa … Plenty from Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 4th, 2010

Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal:

  • Matheson wonders if the Dallas Stars would trade Mike Ribeiro for Sheldon Souray. The Stars have Brad Richards as their #1 and Jamie Benn could step up in to the #2 spot. Sure, the Stars could use a puck moving, power play defenseman, but I don’t see them moving Ribeiro for Souray.
  • Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks owes about $674 million, and it doesn’t seem like anyone wants to buy the Stars and half of the American Airlines arena.
  • The New Jersey Devils want to bring Ilya Kovalchuk back, but will they give him Crosby-Malkin type money, $8.7 million?

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

  • Ottawa Senators defenseman Filip Kuba could be done for the season with a wonky back. Kuba originally hurt his back at the Olympics. Milan Michalek was back at practice yesterday, and there is a chance he’ll be in the lineup on Monday.
  • Andy Sutton, acquired at the deadline by the Senators from the Islanders, didn’t rule out signing with the Islanders after July 1.

Hockey Night In Canada: Tomas Plekanec contract negotiations going well with Montreal. The Salary Cap could be going up by $900,000 next season, mainly due to the strong Canadian dollar. Edmonton to let scouts decide if Hall or Seguin. More on the Phoenix situation. NHL in Europe

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

Posted by Mark Easson 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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    Some Free Agent Rumors, as well as some Injury News

    Posted by Mark Easson 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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    Ottawa Senators Acquire Andy Sutton

    Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Trades on March 2nd, 2010

    “The Ottawa Senators have acquired defenceman Andy Sutton from the New York Islanders for a second-round draft pick.

    The pick is San Jose’s that Ottawa acquired in the Dany Heatley trade.

    “It’s an unbelievable opportunity,” Sutton told the Canadian Press. “Being an older player and getting a chance to play on such a great team and have a chance to win the Stanley Cup is a dream come true.” (Source:TSN)

    At 6 foot 6 inches tall and 245 lbs, Andy Sutton is a big body and is currently second in the league with 153 blocked shots. He’ll bring some extra toughness to the Senators blueline, and with the playoffs looming, toughness is a commodity that the ‘Sens could definitely use.

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    Almost Trade Deadline Day

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 2nd, 2010

  • 3:59 PM: TheFourthPeriod: Alexei Ponikarovsky is close to be dealt. The Kings, Penguins, and Predators have shown serious interest. The Leafs are hoping for a 1st round pick, but might take a 2nd and top prospect.
  • 10:57 AM: Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Finding some 3rd line scoring is on the wish list of Canucks coach, Alain Vigneault. If GM Mike Gillis agrees, he may look at Steve Reinprecht, who he considered bringing in last season. Other options could be Eric Belanger, Doug Weight, or Jeff Halpern. If they are worried about Willie Mitchell’s health, they might look at Aaron Ward or Andy Sutton. 2006 1st round pick, Michael Grabner, might be bait to bring in some help.
  • 10:52 AM: Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Don Waddell tells Chris he’ll be a buyer more than a seller. He’d like to add a forward with size, and some scoring to make up for Kovalchuk’s departure. He’s talked to 15 teams, but there isn’t a lot of options available. A few teams have called about Slava Kozlov.
  • 10:46 AM: Chuck Gormley of the Courier-Post: The Flyers may also be talking to the Predators about goalie Dan Ellis. This would make a lot of sense for the Flyers as Ray Emery is on LTIR and Michael Leighton is their starting goalie. It would make sense for them even if Emery wasn’t on LTIR.
  • 10:43 AM: TheFouthPeriod: The Kings may have moved on from Ray Whitney and may target, Slava Kozlov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Raffi Torres or Paul Kariya.
  • 10:39 AM: Chris Botta at NYI Point Blank: The Isles have had a couple offers, 2nd round picks for Andy Sutton but they may hold out for a 2nd rounder plus an additional pick.
  • 10:36 AM: Frank Seravalli of the Philadephia Daily News: Sources are saying the Flyers will send Ryan Parent and Braydon Coburn to the Preds for Hamhuis. May happen when Cote and Syvret clear waivers at noon today.
  • 10:31 AM: Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: The Flyers and Predators have talked about Dan Hamhuis. The Preds have asked about several players, including Ryan Parent, who they sent to Philly in the Forsberg deal in 2007.
  • 10:25 AM: Sam Carchiki of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers freed up $2 million in cap room by placing Ray Emery on LTIR and waiving Riley Cote, bringing their total cap room up to $2.8 million. They have shown interest in Alex Frolov, Raffi Torres, and Colby Armstrong. Dan Hamhuis could be their main target.
  • 10:23 AM: Kevin Mio of Habs Inside/Out: The Canadiens and Tomas Plekanec’s agent held talks during the Olympic break, and will continue to talk after the trade deadline day.
  • 10:19 AM: Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn’t expect to make any moves at the deadline, but if he does do something, it will have to be dollar-for-dollar as they are against the cap. “Our trade deadline was Franzen, Lilja and Kronwall,” he said, referring to the healthy return of Johan Franzen, Andreas Lilja and Niklas Kronwall. “Not too many teams are going to do any better than that.”
  • Steve Gorten of the Sun-Sentinel: After trading Jordan Leopold yesterday, and Dominic Moore before the Olympics, the Panthers may still not be finished dealing. Tomas Vokoun, Dennis Seidenberg, Rostislav Olesz, Cory Stillman, and Steven Reinprect, could be some of the few that are moved.
  • Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: The Oilers acquired a 2nd round pick for Denis Grebeshkov yesterday, and they will still make several other moves. From GM Steve Tambellini, “I wouldn’t say everyone is on the block, but given where we are I’d be crazy not to listen to everything,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re going to do it, but I’ll listen to everything.”
  • Michael Russo and Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild and Marek Zidlicky have contract that is all but complete. It is a 3 year deal for the 33 year old, but the sticking point is the full no-trade clause that Zidlicky wants. The Wild only want to include a no-trade clause for part of the contract. If they can’t agree on the contract, they’ll most likely trade Zidlicky. They are also getting some calls about Owen Nolan, and it’s also rumored that they might be willing to trade Eric Belanger.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Marek Svatos is waiting to be traded, his bags are already packed, now he’s just waiting for the Avalanche to trade him. Svatos was in the lineup last night playing on the 2nd line, with scouts from at least 2 teams in attendance, the Blackhawks and Sharks.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Ladislav Smid’s name was creeping into a few trade rumors, but that will probably be the end of them as he has bulging disc in his neck. In the next few days he’ll visit a neurologist to decide if he’ll just need a short rest, or if it will be a season ending injury, that might require surgery.

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    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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    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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    LeBrun and Garrioch Sunday Rumors …

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 14th, 2010

  • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
    • The Blackhawks have looked for available goalies around the league, but feel that it wouldn’t be an upgrade. They also don’t have a lot of cap room for this year, after the acquistion of Kim Johnsson.
    • The Islanders are shopping Martin Biron, Dwayne Roloson and Andy Sutton. Roloson is 40 years old and will make $3 milllion next season ($2.5 million cap hit).
    • Predators GM, David Poile, will meet with all his UFA’s during the Olympic break. If they are unable to re-sign Dan Hamhuis, they might look at trading him, despite being in a potential playoff spot.
    • Dennis Seidenberg and Jordan Leopold are as good as gone from the Florida Panthers.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
    • The Capitals may be considering adding a goalie. GM McPhee has looked around, but their options may be limited as some teams aren’t in the selling mood. Marty Turco, Martin Biron and Jaroslav Halak could be options.
    • The Rangers could be looking to do something, with Brandon Dubinsky’s name in the middle of it.
    • The Bruins wouldn’t ask Tim Thomas to waive his no-movement clause until he has something in place. They’ve talked to 3 teams about Thomas.
    • The Blue Jackets are shopping Raffi Torres, Jan Hejda and Milan Jurcina.
    • Florida may be shopping Tomas Vokoun and his no-trade clause. Would he waive it to go to Philly?
    • Florida could move Stephen Weiss to the Maple Leafs.
    • Ray Whitney demanded a 2 year, $7 million contract extension from the LA Kings.
    • The Oilers are trying to move Shawn Horcoff, Robert Nilsson, Sheldon Souray, Steve Staios, and Tom Gilbert.
  • Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: The Penguins are within $700,000 of the salary cap, therefore may not have the room to do much at the trade deadline. One option could be to trade Alex Goligoski and his $1.83 million cap hit (2 more seasons after this year). Many don’t think they Penguins will sacrifice the future this year.
  • Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove Video: Panel talking about the Olympic hockey tournament, and a few rumors.

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    NHL Rumors from Twitter – Feb. 11th

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Rumors on February 11th, 2010

    12:30: Bob McKenzie: The Dallas Stars claimed Brandon Segal on waivers from the Kings. The Rangers put Donald Brashear on waivers.

    11:45: Tarik El-Bashir: Semyon Varlamov will be starting for the Capitals tonight

    11:23: Aaron Portzline: Columbus had a scout at the Edmonton-Anaheim game. Edmonton had a scout at the Columbus-San Jose game.

    11:20: Chris Botta: Interest in Andy Sutton and Dwayne Roloson is picking up.

    11:18: Blueshirt Banter: Donald Brashear requests a trade.

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    Are the Preds and Ducks Buyers or Sellers? Injury to Getzlaf, Franzen Returns Tonight

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 9th, 2010

  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: The Bruins have not asked Tim Thomas to waive his no trade clause, not yet at least.
  • Mike Heika of the Star-Telegram: With Tom Hicks and the Dallas Stars having some money issues, they will once again be under a tight budget for next year. The Stars have an internal cash budget of $45 million. They’ve had trouble selling the more expensive seats, and will be rolling back some of those prices next year.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Preds are another team that aren’t sure if they are buyers or sellers. They could use some scoring depth and a penalty killer. Dan Hamhuis and one of Dan Ellis or Pekka Rinne could be available for trade, as all will be UFA’s at the end of the season.
  • Andy Strickland via Twitter: The Blues have told other GM’s that Carlo Colaiacovo is available.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Ducks are unsure if they are buyers or sellers this year, as they are hanging around the last playoff spot. They could bring in some guys to bolster their playoff chances, or they could become sellers with assets like Scott Niedermayer, Saku Koivu, Teemu Selanne, and others.
  • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Andy Sutton and Dwayne Roloson might become available on the Isle. A few teams have inquired about Sutton already.
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings will welcome back Johan Franzen tonight, Drew Miller is also expected to play. Niklas Kronwall won’t be in the lineup as he’s still waiting for a knee brace. Tomas Holmstrom is a game time decision. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen cleared waivers and was assigned to Grand Rapids of the AHL.
  • Robyn Norwood of the LA Times: Ducks all-star and Team Canada member, Ryan Getzlaf, suffered an ankle sprain last night. Initial X-Rays were negative, and a MRI is scheduled for today.
  • Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Ray Emery missed his 3 straight game because of a sore hip. He had an MRI done on it to determine what is causing the issue. They are optomistic that it’s not a long term problem.

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