Posts Tagged Blake Wheeler
Coyotes Sale in Trouble? Wheeler, Niemi Heading to Arbitration … Frolov to Rangers
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 27th, 2010
- SpectorsHockey via twitter: 17 teams have less then $10 million in cap space. 13 have less than $5 million. 13 teams with more than $10 million in cap space, most have ‘self-imposed’ cap ceilings.
- Rebekah L. Sanders and Cecilia Chan of the Arizona Republic: The city of Glendale is saying the Ice Edge Group have not complied with the terms to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. Ice Edge and the NHL say the deal is going forward. The group were to submit financial documents to gain exclusivity on negotiations with the city, but haven’t sent all documents, 5 weeks past the imposed deadline. Glendale and Ice Edge had hoped to have negotiations closed by the August 6th. Ice Edge believe they have submitted the documents that meet the requirements. The city claims the exclusivity rights are done, so in theory, they and the NHL, could entertain other offers. Bill Daly shot down rumors on Friday that the deal was in trouble.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Antti Niemi’s arbitration date is set for Thursday. If he is awarded more than $3 million, Mirtle thinks they should walk away and sign either Turco or Theodore.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Kovalchuk decision could be made as early as next week. Arbitrator should be chosen by today.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: After Kovalchuk and another move fell through for the LA Kings, the Kings went back to Alexander Frolov, he said no.
- Michael Obernauer of the NY Daily News: Alexander Frolov’s agent has said that they have a 1-year deal in place with the New York Rangers. Another source said they weren’t quite there yet. Frolov was close to heading to the KHL, but he wanted to stay in the NHL. He’ll take a short deal this summer, in hopes of getting a long term next year.
- Douglas Flynn of NESN: Blake Wheeler and the Boston Bruins are set to go to arbitration today. Wheeler had a cap hit last season of $2.825 million including bonuses. The Bruins could use David Perron’s 2 year, $4.3 million as a comparable. Wheeler’s agent could use Nikolai Kulemin’s 2 year, $4.7 as a comparable, with Wheeler having better numbers over the last 2 years. Clarke MacAthur was awarded $2.5 million with lesser numbers that Wheeler, the Thrashers walked away.
- James Mirtle via twitter: According to Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya’s agent, Don Baizley, they are still deciding on whether to play or not.
- Roman Augustoviz of the Star-Tribune: Nick Leddy, acquired by the Blackhawks from the Wild for Cam Barker last season, should decide in the next week if he’ll be turning pro and leaving the Gophers.
NHLPA files grievance … NHL Rumors involving Frolov, Ponikarovsky, Sutton, Wheeler, Stralman
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 26th, 2010
- NHLPA.com: Media release from the NHLPA stating they’ve filed a grievance against the NHL for the rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk-New Jersey Devils contract.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: August 1st is when the Maple Leafs could be pushing clubs to make their best Tomas Kaberle offer, if not, he could remain a Leaf.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Mason Raymond locked up by the Canucks for 2 years, $5.1 million ($2.5 and $2.6 mill.)
- William DePaoli via twitter: Alexei Ponikarovsky mulling an offer he’s received in the last 72 hours.
- William DePaoli via twitter: The Rangers have spoken with Ponikarovsky’s agent, but they are in talks with Alexander Frolov.
- Arthur Staple (Newsday) via twitter: Alexander Frolov has a 4-year contract offer from the KHL, and likely a 2 year deal for less money from the Rangers.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche are about $8 million below the $43.8 cap floor, with RFA’s Peter Mueller and Chris Stewart left to re-sign. There is no rush to sign the two, but it’s expected to happen at some point.
- Chris Botta via twitter: It’s down to 2 western teams for Andy Sutton’s services, could be finalized this week.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: The Bruins and Blake Wheeler will be going to arbitration tomorrow as they were unable to to get something done beforehand.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: The Columbus Blue Jackets have requested a 1-year arbitration ruling for the Anton Stralman hearing, giving them the option to walk away from the contract if they are not happy with the ruling.
5 teams interested in Bieksa … Johnson-Blues making progress … No progress on Wheeler
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 22nd, 2010
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks could now be targeting Canucks defenseman, Kevin Bieksa. The Kings, Sharks, Blue Jackets, and the Montreal Canadiens have also shown interest. If Bieksa doesn’t work out, they could also look at Edmonton’s Sheldon Souray, if they’d take Jason Blake’s contract back.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Passes on the rumor that Montreal Canadiens are interested in Kevin Bieksa, and that 2010 1st round pick Jarred Tinordi could be headed the other way. The Canucks like Tinordi, but I doubt the Canadiens would go for it.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Eric Johnson and the St. Louis Blues are getting closer on a contract extension, but there is still work to do.
- James Murphy special to ESPNBoston: Blake Wheeler’s arbitration date is set for July 27th, and there hasn’t been any progress in recent talks. The two sides will meet again this weekend.
- Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Slava Kozlov still hopes to play in the NHL next season, if not, he’ll head back to Russia.
- Ben Wright of Bluelandblog: The Atlanta Thrashers walked away from Clarke MacArthur’s $2.4 million arbitration ruling. They have 12 forwards locked up, with prospects looking to crack the lineup: Spencer Machacek, Patrice Cormier, Carl Klingberg and Alex Burmistrov.
The Guy who won’t sign … Elias hoping for Kaberle … Neal and Stars not close
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on July 14th, 2010
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Ilya Kovalchuk left Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon, his agent stayed to have more talks with GM Dean Lombardi, but left last night without a deal in place. There were rumors that the talks were off yesterday, but also rumors that things were progressing. The Kings wouldn’t say anything. I can’t wait for all this to be over, I’m getting tired of reading/writing about it, sign for $8 million and be done with it.
- Chuck Gormley of the Courier Post: With the re-signing of Daniel Carcillo yesterday, and with the Darrol Powe still remaining, the Flyers could be about $2.75 million over the cap. Simon Gagne is most likely on his way out according to reports, the LA Kings, Maple Leafs and Rangers showing interest.
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Patrick Elias throws out his 2-cents saying the Devils should trade for Tomas Kaberle. He also thinks that Petr Sykora should get a tryout with the team. He hasn’t heard from Kovalchuk, and doesn’t know his intentions.
- Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Maple Leafs still listening to offers for Tomas Kaberle according to source in the front office.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika believes the Stars have offered James Neal a 2 year deal worth $2.5 million a season, but Neal wants more money and a longer term. He isn’t sure what the Stars want to sign Nicklas Grossman for. They’d probably like to keep Matt Niskanen at his $900,000 qualifying offer. Heika doesn’t think any will get an offer sheet, and they could let Neal sit out part of training if they have to as they have plenty of left wingers.
- Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Nothing new regarding Marc Savard.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: Blake Wheeler’s arbitration hearing is set for July 27th, but both sides would like to avoid it. They are expected to go to arbitration with recently acquired Gregory Campbell on the 22nd.
- Tarik El-Bashir via Twitter: The Capitals and Tomas Fleischmann are “talking” according to GM George McPhee, but didn’t sound like anything was imminent.
- Aaron Portzline via Twitter: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson hasn’t had any contract extension talks with the Steve Mason or Jakub Voracek, but hasn’t ruled it out for later in the summer.
Rangers need Kovalchuk? Modano has more options … Burke still looking for more … Bruins remaining off-season issues
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 11th, 2010
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers don’t have any young, blue chip prospects coming up that would need to receive big contracts once Marc Staal is done, so they don’t need to conserve money on that front. They need to sign Ilya Kovalchuk. Glen Sather has been in touch with Kovalchuk’s camp. If the Rangers don’t get Kovalchuk, they may look to Simon Gagne.
Tell me the Rangers’ top six forwards consist of a permutation of The Great Gabby, Erik Christensen, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and maybe Vinny Prospal, Artem Anisimov or Sean Avery or Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, and then try to convince me Sather shouldn’t get in the game on Kovalchuk.
- Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Mike Modano has heard from Detroit and will listen to offers from San Jose and Minnesota. The Wings have about $3 million to re-sign Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader and Derek Meech. Early last week it appeared Modano was just deciding if he wanted to retire or play for the Wings. As of late last week the ‘playing for the Wings’ part may have changed, according to Ken Holland.
- Michael Traikos of the National Post: Brian Burke isn’t finished with the Maple Leafs this off-season, as there are still some free agents that intrigue him, and there’s the Tomas Kaberle situation. As it stands, their top-6 appears to be Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, Nikolai Kulemin, Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong and rookie Nazem Kadri, with only Armstrong being over 25. Ideally Armstrong would be on the 3rd line, and Kadri brought along slowly. Kadri is currently pencilled in but …“But he has to prove it. He is indeed pencilled in, but that pencil’s not going to come out when training camp ends. If it comes out, it won’t be until the 20-game mark.”
- Darren Dreger via Twitter: Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray wants the speculation to end, he won’t be trading Bobby Ryan.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: How things could unfold before the start of the season for the Bruins: 1. Trade Marc Savard, Shinzawa thinks a Savard-for-Kaberle deal makes sense. The Bruins could put him on waivers, and if claimed, would only be gaining salary cap space. 2. Extend Blake Wheeler before their arbitration hearing, maybe between $1.8-2.2 million per season. 3. Re-sign Gregory Campbell and Adam McQuaid. 4. Assign Michael Ryder to the AHL, since they won’t buy out his $4 million salary. 5. Make sure Tim Thomas is healthy after hip surgery, and hope that he can prove to other GM’s that he’s worth trading for.
- Michael Russo via Twitter: There is a chance the Minnesota Wild trade James Sheppard.
Are the Kings interested in Gagne and others? Modano has 4 options … Not much going on for Frolov
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 6th, 2010
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: One report is saying the Los Angeles Kings are out of the running for Simon Gagne, and another says they are still interested. Things were quiet involving Tomas Kaberle over the weekend, but should pick up this week.
Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Elliott wonders how the Kings can become more attractive to free agents. Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson and Wayne Simmonds will be free agents soon, and will they want to re-sign with a team that can’t draw top free agents? The Kings may have to go the trade route to fill some holes in their roster. If the Devils sign Kovalchuk, they’ll have to clear out some salary. Brian Rolston could be available, but he’s 37 and has a $5.062 cap hit. Tomas Kaberle is an option but the Leafs probably want prospects and picks (nope … they’d like a top 6 forward, maybe a Wayne Simmonds or Dustin Brown). The Kings like Simon Gagne, and the Flames may deal Robyn Regehr. Marc Savard could fit but the Kings may not be on the 5 team list Savard has.
Pierre LeBrun via Twitter: Alexander Frolov hasn’t received much interest, other than the Rangers doing some brief tire kicking.
Jeremy Rutherford via Twitter: A “good-faith” move by Jaroslav Halak by not filing for salary arbitration.
Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: Evgeni Nabokov couldn’t agree on a contract with SKA St. Petersburgh.
Ansar Khan of MLive: The Detroit Red Wings are close to signing 3 of their restricted free agents to 1 year contracts: Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller and Derek Meech. GM Ken Holland isn’t close to signing Justin Abdelkader and Darren Helm, both could get long-term deals later on in the summer though.
John Shannon via Twitter: The Detroit Red Wings and 3 other teams are interested in Mike Modano.
David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune: Mike Modano hasn’t heard from the Chicago Blackhawks, but they could be an option for him as they are looking for some 3rd/4th line depth (cost friendly depth). “I’d like to see what kind of wiggle room they have left under the salary cap, if they can fill that third- or fourth-line void and see how I would fit in with those guys,” said Modano. “They have a great nucleus of kids. So there is a lot of interest there. Obviously, coming off the type of year they’ve had there’s a lot of excitement for anybody who has Chicago on their list of options.”
Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Blake Wheeler filed for arbitration yesterday, but Wheeler’s agent plans on working hard to get a deal done. They haven’t had much discussion with GM Peter Chiarelli as he’s been busy with the draft and free agency. Mark Stuart didn’t file for arbitration as he and Bruins are close to a 1-year extension. Boston re-signed both Nathan McIver and Nolan Schaefer.
Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski filed for salary arbitration yesterday, but after the meeting his agent and GM Bob Murray last week, they appear to be on the “same page”. More discussions should take place before their arbitration meeting which would be between July 20th and August 5th.
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.
- Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Scott Niedermayer’s agent has said “It’s probably Anaheim or nothing”.
- 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.”
- Elliotte Freidman via Twitter: Nothing new on the New Jersey Devils-Paul Martin talks.
- 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.
Boston: Buyout for Ryder, trade Wheeler? Kaberle and more for the 4th overall pick? Boston to trade up for #1?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on May 30th, 2010
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: GM Chiarelli says that one of either Hall or Seguin will have an impact on the how the organization will move forward in the future. “Yes,” said Chiarelli, “it will have a bearing in what direction we go in.” Dupont notes that Michael Ryder could be bought out, which would save them $2.64 million against the cap. Marco Sturm will make $3.5 million next year but can’t be bought out due to the fact that he has a knee injury, but if they could be convince that recovery is too long and he were to retire, he’d come off the books. Blake Wheeler and his $2.85 million could be dealt.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Blue Jackets may be under pressure this year to make the playoffs, and could the #4 overall pick be available? Simmons thinks that Brian Burke could offer Tomas Kaberle and more for the pick.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: It’sbeen rumored that the Bruins favor Taylor Hall over Tyler Seguin, and if they want to ensure they get him, they could attempt to make a deal with Edmonton for the #1 overall pick. The Bruins are already deep at center, so Hall would be a better fit for them. The Oilers are in need of centerman more than they are of wingers. Chiarelli hasn’t met with Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini yet, but he plans on it. Harris wonders what it would take to move the one spot, Blake Wheeler or Tim Thomas?
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Columbus Blue Jackets expect to announce their next coach in the next 7 to 10 days.
Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove:
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
Around the Boards: Halak or Price? Wheeler out of the Bruins lineup soon? Grabovski and Primeau out for Leafs, Selanne and Getzlaf back soon
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on January 4th, 2010
- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: The Montreal Canadiens seem unsure on how to handle the trade/no-trade/re-sign situation with goalies Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Halak had started 6 of 7 games, after not really playing for close to a month. Halak trade rumors have quieted down the last couple weeks. Both goalies have shown they have the ability to be a #1 in the NHL, but then both have shown they could be #2′s in the league.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: With the newly signed Miro Satan, and Milan Lucic getting close to returning, Vladimir Sobotka and the struggling Blake Wheeler could find themselves out of the Bruins lineup.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs have 9 UFA and 4 RFA this year, and Burke will be paying close attention to all. Some will probably be re-signed, and others might be trade bait at the deadline. Matt Stajan and Vesa Toskala will be at the top of the list.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs will be without centers Mikhail Grabovski for 6 weeks with a broken wrist, and Wayne Primeau for 2-to-4 weeks with a knee injury. Center John Mitchell is now healthy and ready to go. Richard Wallin will mostly be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Teemu Selanne (out for over a month) and Ryan Getzlaf (out a week) should both return later this week. That is good news for Ducks fans and Corey Perry, who has only 1 goal and 5 points in the last 13 games. The Ducks have also called up center MacGregor Sharp.
- Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus has been going with a ‘win and you’re in’ policy with goalie Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon since mid December. Mason has played well of late so this policy will be void, at least temporarily.
Around the Boards: Jeff Carter not going anywhere, Bruins looking for Scorer, Sabres still after Biron?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 27th, 2009
- CSNPhilly.com: Finally a sensible article regarding the Flyers. Jeff Carter will not be traded this year.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Stockpiled with plenty of draft picks and cheap young players such as Tuukka Rask, Blake Wheeler, Mark Stuart, and Matt Hunwick, the Bruins have plenty of trade chips for acquiring a top 6 scoring forward.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Still talk of the Buffalo Sabres trying to acquire Martin Biron from the Isles once DiPietro is deemed healthy.
- Hockey Night in Canada’s Hotstove Video
Around the Boards: Bruins looking for scoring? Sather getting Fired? No trades coming for Flyers and Sens.
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 17th, 2009
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com: The Boston Bruins have missing a scoring winger since Phil Kessel was traded in the off-season. Haggerty mentions several wingers they could target: Ilya Kovalchuk, Ray Whitney, Alex Tanguay, Bobby Ryan, Paul Kariya, and Alex Frolov.
- John Buccigross of the ESPN: If Ilya Kovalchuk becomes available, Bucci thinks the Bruins have the pieces to pull it off, Blake Wheeler, Tuukka Rask, and the 1st Round Pick from Toronto.
- Craig Carton on WFAN via HendricksHockey: Rangers GM Glen Sather could be fired soon. None this is something that probably should have happened years ago. I’ve never understood how he’s kept his job, he’s made so many questionable moves, for so many years.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers GM Paul Holgren doesn’t see the Flyers making any moves before Saturday Christmas roster freeze. Both he, and Laviolette think they have the players to make it through their funk. They are getting some good news on the injury front as Blair Betts could return tonight, and Simon Gagne could be back on Saturday.
- Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe: The Bruins have lost defenceman Mark Stuart for 4-6 weeks with a broken sternum. Dennis Wideman and Derek Morris missed yesterday’s practice.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: It doesn’t look like the Ottawa Senators will be making any trades to bring in a replacement for injured center Jason Spezza. The Sens are $1.5 million below the cap, and GM Bryan Murray said no trade would be made unless the other team took on salary.
- Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Alex Frolov good play of late may have removed his name from trade rumors, but if he is available, the Montreal Canadiens might be interested.
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