Posts Tagged Dion Phaneuf

Zach Parise out 3 months … Phaneuf suffers deep cut to leg … Doughty likely back tomorrow … Weber-Preds to continue to talk

Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Zach Parise will miss 3 months due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Yesterday Parise was having exploratory arthroscopic surgery when the tear was discovered, and stitched back together. Anton Volchenkov could return to the Devils lineup on Friday. Volchenkov has been out since Oct. 9th with a broken nose and stiff neck.

James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Toronto Maple Leafs captain left the ACC on a stretcher last night after having his leg seriously cut. Ron Wilson said,  “It was deep enough that they wanted to take him to the hospital to determine the extent of the injury. That’s the last I heard.” Elisha Cuthbert via twitter: Dion’s “getting it treated & fixed up, but he will need to miss a few games :( “. Cuthbert added, “…I suppose I should say will MOST LIKELY miss a few games. With that diehard, even I never know for sure.” On the positive side of thing for the Maple Leafs, they finally scored. Their slump only lasted 167 minutes and 39 seconds, longest since Dec. 1927.

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Drew Doughty was cleared last night to resume all hockey activities. The Kings will likely activate him from the IR today, and be in the lineup tomorrow versus the Lightning. The Kings will also get Scott Parse back, who’ll be making his season debut after injuring his foot and groin in training camp. Parse found himself on a line with Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Jarrett Stoll was center Ryan Smyth and Justin Williams. The Kings will have to decide this week what to do with Brayden Schenn and Kyle Clifford. Schenn has played 8 games, while Clifford has been in 7.

Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Agent Don Meehan met with Predators GM David Poille last week to discuss Shea Weber and a few others. With regards Weber, “There is a time and a place where we will get a little more serious about nego­tia­tions. I’m not sure when that’s going to be,” Poile said. “We just have an ongoing situa­tion. Timing is not cri­ti­cal right now, but we’ll see what happens.” The Preds would like to keep Weber long term, and will meet with Meehan again in Toronto when the team plays the Maple Leafs on Nov. 16th.

Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks said yesterday that 2010 1st round pick, Cam Fowler, will be staying with the club for the time being. Center Kyle Chipchura suffered a concussion on Saturday

Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Ducks are 14 in the Western Conference, play the next 3 games at home (5 of next 6), but coach Randy Carlyle may not be on the hotseat. GM Bob Murray, “critical for a lot of people, but not for Randy.” He added, “Our coaching is fine. He’s a good coach. It’s not the coach who’s doing some of the things that are happening out there. It’s not the coach taking stupid penalties. It’s not the coach losing faceoffs in our own zone and then not taking their guy.”

Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Concussed Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Mueller should play again this season. After talking with “People Who Would Know”, Dater thinks Mueller may return around Christmas times. Craig Anderson skated yesterday, with Dater thinking it will be another 2-3 weeks before he returns. Dater also noted the other day that Kyle Cuminsky is out with a concussion as well.

David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Torrey Mitchell moved up to the 2nd line, while Devin Setoguchi moved down to the 3rd line. Mitchell joins Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski. Setoguchi joins Logan Couture and Jamie McGinn.

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Savard passes baseline test, still weeks away … Maloney says Yandle rumors are “Utter fantasy” … Doughty out this weekend … Tootoo under review (video)

  • Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources have told Strickland that Marc Savard passed his baseline test, but is still weeks away from returning. He’s been skating but hasn’t practiced with the team yet. The Bruins may have told Blake Wheeler’s agent that they won’t be trading him because they like his age and upside. The Bruins have been scouting the Phoenix Coyotes.
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney on Keith Yandle trade rumors, “Listen, that was just pure, utter fantasy. Keith is an important part of our future. He knows it,” Maloney said. “Not that anybody can’t be traded … But it would have to be something very special.” Maloney did have coffee with Peter Chiarelli in Ottawa which helped spark trade rumors. Maloney spoke with Yandle’s agent in the summer about an extension, but things are on hold until the owner situation has stabilized.
  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: It doesn’t look like Drew Doughty will be returning this weekend, as he had some returning symptoms the other day. After Saturday’s game, they don’t play until next Thursday.
  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Alex Burrows return the Vancouver Canucks lineup is getting closer and it could mean that one of Jeff Tambellini, Peter Schaefer or Guillaume Desbiens could be out. The cap ramifications of Burrows could also impact Ryan Parent ($900,000), though injuries to their blueline complicate that move.
  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Philadelphia Flyers demoted Nik Zherdev to the 4th line at practice and would not talk to reporters after. Two games ago he was taken off the power-play unit and is averaging about 12 1/2 minutes per game.
  • CP in the Globe and Mail: Alex Auld will get the start in net tonight for the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price will be back between the pipes tomorrow. Andrei Markov will also make his return to the Canadiens lineup on Saturday.
  • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey has been placed on IR after suffering a concussion on Tuesday after being hit by Stephane Robidas, who received a 5-minute boarding penalty and earned a 1 game suspension.
  • Fan 960 Audio: Craig Conroy looks back at his career, before his 1,000 game last night.
  • I’m sure people have been telling Dion Phaneuf to hit the net more often, but he was showing symptoms of ‘Jason Blake-itis’ last night, shooting pucks into the middle of the chest of the opposing goalies. The next stage of this illness is flutter wrist shots from the side boards at terrible angles.
  • Jordan Tootoo’s hit on Carlo Colaiacovo will be looked at the league.

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Top 30 Salary Cap Numbers – Defenseman

Listed below are the Top 30 Salary Cap Hits for defenseman heading into the 2010-11 NHL Season. We’ve used the salary cap number over the total salary for this season, due to the front loading of contracts. If a free agent signs and makes the list, we’ll update accordingly, but that is unlikely to happen.

Take a look at Top 30 salary cap numbers by position:

Centers | Left Wingers | Right Wingers | Defenseman | Goaltender

Rk. Player Team Age 2010-11 Cap Hit 2010-11 Salary
1 Zdeno Chara Boston 33 $7,500,000 $7,500,000
2 Brian Campbell Chicago 31 $7,140,000 $7,140,000
3 Jay Bouwmeester Calgary 26 $6,680,000 $6,600,000
4 Dan Boyle San Jose 33 $6,667,000 $6,667,000
T5 Wade Redden NY Rangers 33 $6,500,000 $6,500,000
Ed Jovanovski Phoenix 34 $6,500,000 $6,000,000
Dion Phaneuf Toronto 25 $6,500,000 $7,000,000
8 Kimmo Timonen Philadelphia 35 $6,333,000 $7,000,000
9 Nicklas Lidstrom Detroit 40 $6,200,000 $6,200,000
10 Brian Rafalski Detroit 36 $6,000,000 $6,000,000
T11 Bryan McCabe Florida 35 $5,750,000 $4,150,000
Andrei Markov Montreal 31 $5,750,000 $5,750,000
13 Lubomir Visnovsky Anaheim 33 $5,600,000 $6,000,000
14 Duncan Keith Chicago 26 $5,551,000 $8,000,000
T15 Roman Hamrlik Montreal 36 $5,500,000 $5,500,000
Sergei Gonchar Ottawa 36 $5,500,000 $5,500,000
17 Sheldon Souray Edmonton 33 $5,400,000 $4,500,000
18 Mike Green Washington 24 $5,250,000 $5,000,000
T19 Michal Rozsival NY Rangers 31 $5,000,000 $4,000,000
Paul Martin Pittsburgh 29 $5,000,000 $5,000,000
21 Chris Pronger Philadelphia 35 $4,921,000 $7,600,000
T22 Ron Hainsey Atlanta 29 $4,500,000 $5,000,000
Scott Hannan Colorado 31 $4,500,000 $4,500,000
Shea Weber Nashville 24 $4,500,000 $4,500,000
Mike Komisarek Toronto 28 $4,500,000 $6,000,000
Dan Hamhuis Vancouver 27 $4,500,000 $5,000,000
T27 Anton Volchenkov New Jersey 28 $4,250,000 $4,250,000
Eric Brewer St. Louis 31 $4,250,000 $4,500,000
Tomas Kaberle Toronto 32 $4,250,000 $4,250,000
T30 John-Michael Liles Colorado 29 $4,200,000 $4,425,000
Keith Ballard Vancouver 27 $4,200,000 $4,200,000

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Burke outlines what it will take to get Kaberle … Phaneuf to be new Leaf Captain … Would Flyers trade Carter for a frontline goalie?

  • David Shoatls of the Globe and Mail: Brian Burke confirmed yesterday that Dion Phaneuf will be named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs haven’t had a captain since Sundin left after the 2007-08 season. Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek will probabaly be assistant captains if Tomas Kaberle is dealt. The Leafs are also unvailing their new jersey (probably just adding the bottom stripes and a patch). Burke also offered this regarding a Kaberle trade, “I’m going to go for the best player I can get to help my team,” Burke said. “If it’s not a good enough player, would I take a first[-round pick], if it’s a second-tier player? Yes.”
  • Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers may have do some minor tinkering to their lineup, or they can make some bold moves. They have a young core in Richards, Carter, Giroux, Leino, and van Riemsdyk, but also an older crew; Pronger, Briere, Timonen, Gagne and Laperiere. Michael Leighton could be brought back at a low contract, and they could look to acquire a front line goalie, but does Leighton now think he’s a frontline goalie? Would the Flyers move out Carter to acquire that front line goalie?
  • 4period.ru: Reports out of Russia are once again confirming Nikolai Zherdev is looking to come back to the NHL. I wonder if next summer there will be reports that Zherdev is looking to go back the KHL.
  • Chip Alexander of Raleigh News & Observer: The Carolina Hurricanes will fill their backup goalie position from within as GM Jim Rutherford has said Justin Peters will backup Cam Ward. Peters spent the majority of the season in the AHL, compiling a 26-18-2 record with a 2.54 GAA and .917 SV%. He made is NHL debut last year while Cam Ward was injured, posting a 6-3-0 record with a 2.83 GAA and .903 SV%.
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Chris Chelios didn’t say he was going to retire, but he wants to spend more time with his family in Detroit. Please Chris, you’ve had a great career (not including the last couple years), it’s now time to retire.

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Audio of Players Reactions in the Aftermath of Huge Trade

Feb. 3rd: Flames Coach, Brent Sutter, and GM, Darryl Sutter on FAN960 with Rob Kerr

Feb. 1: Damien Cox of the Toronto Star talks with Gord Stellick and Don Landry Monday morning about the acquisitions of Dion Phaneuf and JS Giguere.

Peter Maher, the Voice of the Calgary Flames talks about the trade.

Not Audio, but numerous comments made via media conference calls from the JS Giguere/Vesa Toskala/Jason Blake trade. Worth a read. Also, a nice touch by the Ducks thanking Jiggy.

Jan. 31st: Here’s a link to The Fan590 Toronto Sports Radio website where you can listen to audio of the player reactions to the huge deal today between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames. (For those unaware of the trade, the details are listed below.)

You can also listen to Leafs GM Brian Burke discuss both deals made today (another trade took place between the Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks, details of which are also available below), and audio of Maple Leaf coach Ron Wilson discussing the the development from the coaching point of view.

Audio of Sutter’s Press conference at Flames.NHL.com.

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Dion Phaneuf Traded to Leafs – J.S. Giguere also traded to Leafs

Details to be released as available.. The posts will be as up-to-date as possible.

Update 1:01 JS Giguere for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. No pick involved, confirmed.

Players contracts below;

JS Giguere – $6 million salary, $6.5 million cap number. $7 million next season.

Vesa Toskala – UFA at seasons end. $4 million salary and cap number this year.
Jason Blake – $4.5 million this season. Cap number is $4 million. Under contract for 2 more years.

Update 12:34: JS Giguere and first round pick for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake. Not confirmed.

Update 12:01: Confirmed moves include Ian White, Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers, and Nic Hagman to Calgary Flames for Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect Keith Aulie to the Leafs.

Players contracts below;

Matt Stajan – UFA at the end of the season. His contract is $1.75 million this season, his cap number is the same.
Niklas Hagman – $3 million this season, cap number is the same. 2 more years on his contract.
Ian White – RFA at the end of the season. $950,000 this year, cap number is $850,000
Jamal Mayers – UFA at the end of the season. $1.4 million this year, cap number is $1.333 million.

Phaneuf – $6.5 million this year (cap number the same). $7 million next year, $6.5 million in 11-12 and 12-13, $5.5 in 13-14.
Sjostrom – $750,000 this season, cap number the same. Under contract next season as well.
Aulie – signed an entry level contract this year. Playing the AHL.

Update 11:53: Phaneuf and a Calgary prospect to Toronto for Ian White and Matt Stajan. Prospect not named yet.

Update 11:46: Dion Phaneuf from Calgary Flames to Toronto Maple Leafs for Ian White and Matt Stajan. Details to be released as available..

Update 11:45 am: Vesa Toskala traded to Anaheim for J.S. Giguere and a first round pick.

Update 11:40 am: J.S. Giguere to Leafs..Details not released yet.

Update 11:25 am: Dion Phaneuf has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Details to follow…

“While details are few, sources say the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the verge of completing at least one trade today that will be viewed as a “major change.”

Specifics as to whether the deal will be for an upgrade in goal, or for offensive help, weren’t provided, however this deal and potentially others are very close to being completed.

When asked if these “major changes” were imminent, the source replied, “they should start happening today.”

Details to follow on TSN.ca”(Source: Darren Dreger of TSN)

Something has to give in the Big Smoke of Toronto, and according to Darren Dreger (who is a very reliable source for inside information) today is going to be very active, in fact “major changes” are imminent.

We’ll be covering this situation closely as the story breaks….

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Dreger’s Top 10 players to be moved, Sheldon Souray Suitors, Boston not likely to trade Rask or Leafs 1st round pick

  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Dreger has put together a top 10 list of players likely to be traded. In order: Ilya Kovalchuk, Ray Whitney, Peter Mueller, Matt Stajan, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Matt Cullen, Lubomir Visnovsky, Sheldon Souray, Ethan Moreau, and Marty Turco.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Potential teams who could be on his ‘trade list’ for Sheldon Souray: Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, New Jersey, Washington, New York Rangers. Better possibilities for Souray and the Oilers: Washington, New Jersey, Anaheim, Dallas, and Boston.
  • Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: New Jersey Devils GM, Lou Lamoriello might be considering making a trade before the March 3rd deadline. There are rumors that they are interested in Sheldon Souray.
  • James Murphy of NESN.com: The Boston Bruins have put out there that both Tuukka Rask and their 1st round pick from the Maple Leafs are not available for trade. That probably crosses them off the Ilya Kovalchuk list, as I’d think those would be part of what the Thrashers would want. Murphy thinks Bruins fans shouldn’t hold their breath for Kovalchuk or Phaneuf. The Bruins could bring in Ray Whitney for a 2nd round pick.
  • Dana Wakiji of the Detroit News: Red Wings defenceman Andres Lilja has gone 14 days without a headache, a milestone for day him. Lilja has been out since last Feb 28th with a concussion. He took to the ice yesterday, and had some contact with Johan Franzen. No timetable for his return has been set, and of course, there are the cap implications.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Dater doesn’t expect the Avalanche to make any significant trades by the deadline, they probably won’t deal away any of their young players for a rental. They will look like to trade Marek Svatos or maybe Ruslan Salei.
  • Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: There is a chance that the Avalanche will get two defenceman back for Thursday. Both Adam Foote and rookie Ryan Wilson are close to returning.

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Phaneuf on the block despite what Sutter says? Flames looking for a #1 center, Devils looking to trade

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: An NHL GM told the Post that the Calgary Flames are ‘desperate’ to trade Dion Phaneuf. Flames GM Darryl Sutter scouted the Rangers-Flyers game on Thursday. The Rangers couldn’t make a move for Phaneuf without unloading Redden and/or Rozsival’s contract, and I don’t see the Flames wanting Redden. If they took Rozsival, the rest of the package would have to be really good. The Flames would be looking for a center, so Brandon Dubinsky would probably be the main player involved.
  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Duhatschek wondering a few things. Would the Thrashers be interested in Ponikarovsky if they trade Kovalchuk, potentially for a 1st rounder? Would the Penguins be interested in Nikolai Kulemin and would the Leafs trade him (Kulemin has a Malkin connection)? The LA Kings may be the only trade destination for Teemu Selanne, who will most likely retire at the end of the season. Colby Armstrong or Alex Tanguay to the Flames? (Not really his thoughts on Armstrong and Tanguay, as they were mentioned last week in a couple articles)  Dallas Stars starting goalie for next could be Halak, Lehtonen or former Star, Dan Ellis.
  • E.J. Hradek of ESPN: The Flames need a number 1 center for Jarome, and they might have to trade one of their top 4 Dman to get it.
  • Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun: Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman thinks Huet and Niemi are good enough to lead them to the Cup. The Hawks have plenty of skill up front and on the blue line, but they still might look to add something.
  • Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: I wrote yesterday that Canucks GM Mike Gillis was scouting the Blues-Canadiens game earlier this week, and that he could be interested in several Blues. Botchford brings up that he might have been looking at some Canadiens, Josh Gorges and Ryan O’Bryne and some of their pricier blueline veterans. Another possibility could be Tomas Plekanec, a UFA who’ll want big money. I don’t see the Canadiens trading Plekanec, especially if they are close to a playoff spot.
  • Mark Everson of the NY Post: The New Jersey Devils have struggled scoring lately, and might be looking to make a deal. The names Scott Niedermayer and Saku Koivu come up again. Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Iginla don’t appear to be untouchable according to Everson. Zach Parise would be the only Devil that is not available. Saying that Jarome Iginla is tradable is a  big statement to make, and I don’t believe it one bit.
  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Trade Deadline deals but Brian Burke. He’ll be looking for draft picks, and not Kovalchuk.
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    Around the Boards: Leafs haven’t approached Kaberle just yet, A good time to move Phaneuf, Selanne to Boston a reasonable option, Stajan to Devils?

    • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Tomas Kaberle says he hasn’t been approached by Brian Burke about being traded, and when asked about submitting a list of teams he might be willing to go to, “(Burke) got the list last year,” Kaberle said. “Besides, he has not come to me about being traded. Nothing has changed.
    • Brian Costello of the Sporting News (via The Hockey News): Despite the denial that Dion Phaneuf is going anywhere, Costello offers 3 reasons why it would be good for the Calgary Flames to deal him. 1. “Phaneuf’s market value will never be higher” 2. “The Calgary defense is just fine without him” 3. “The need for secondary scoring”
    • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: While Ilya Kovalchuk would be the top choice for the Boston Bruins, winger Teemu Selanne may be a more reasonable option.
    • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson shoots down a Jaroslav Halak to Edmonton rumor, and says that GM Steve Tambellini will go with the kids for the remainder of the season.
    • Mark Everson of the NY Post: The New Jersey Devils could be in the market to add a center, and may have Saku Koivu or Matt Stajan on their radar.
    • Adrian Dater of the Colorado Avalanche: Colorado Avalanche forward Marek Svatos can be had, and some teams are ‘intrigued’. It might take a 3rd rounder to get him, which some may feel is too high. Svatos is currently out with a groin injury and will be an unrestricted free agent at season end. Dater has heard that the Maple Leafs and Senators have called, and maybe the Bruins.
    • MIke Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk thinks they have the team to fight through this slide, so I wouldn’t expect any major deals out of Dallas just yet.

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    Around the Boards: Phaneuf trade rumors false says Sutter, Ribeiro out 4-6 weeks, Will take a 3rd for Biron

    • John Down of the Calgary Herald: Calgary Flames GM, Darryl Sutter, put a squash to the internet trade rumor, that he was exploring trading defencemen Dion Phaneuf. “Everything is false,” said Sutter of the rampant speculation surrounding his 24-year-old blueliner. “Whoever makes up that stuff is not doing anything. We’ve worked really hard at building a top young defence in the league and our intention is to keep them, so that’s (rumours) just from somebody who didn’t have anything to do on that day.”
    • By the AP on NESN.com:  Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo has sent a letter to Gary Bettman, saying that he thinks that Boston should hold an annual outdoor game. He said this past game was an economic boon for the area, would solidify league base in the area, and would help grow the game in the Boston area.
    • David Staples of the Edmonton Journal: Andrew Cogliano has had his name in some trade rumors lately, mainly to the New York Rangers, but Staples thinks it would be a mistake to trade him.
    • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: The cost of trading for Martin Biron is apparently a 3rd round pick. If the Islanders are able to get a 3rd round pick for him, it was definitely a good off-season signing (not looking at his 2-10-2 record). He was signed at a reasonable price, and getting a decent pick for 1/2 to 3/4 of a season, is nice move.
    • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Not good news for Dallas Stars fans. Mike Ribeiro will lost for4 to 6 weeks after taking an accidental high stick to the throat. He had a tracheotomy to reduce the swelling to allow him to breathe easier.
    • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: A reader writes in to Molinari asking if the Penguins would trade Kris Letang this season for a scoring winger. Molinari doesn’t think so.

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    Around the Boards: Rumors from LeBrun, Phaneuf requests trade? Payne replaces Murray in St. Louis, Avs interested in Versteeg?

    • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
      • If Ilya Kovalchuk goes to the trade block, the Chicago Blackhawks could be a team that is interested. A deal would help clear some cap for next year. No talks between the 2 teams have taken place, it’s a theory presented by an executive from a Western Conference team.
      • Winter Classic talks for next at Heinz field in Pittsburgh for a Pens-Caps match-up. One problem is Pittsburgh has already been in a Classic game. Elliotte Friedman stated that Dallas might want to host a game at Dallas stadium. Not sure how that one would work.
      • Miroslav Satan signed with the Bruins for $700,000.
    • Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove Video:
    • Randy Workman of Hendricks Hockey: Don’t know how reliable Randy or the Hendricks site is, but he is reporting that Dion Phaneuf has requested a trade. This is coming from his “confidential source” … Ahhh, not just a source, a confidential source, so it must be legit. I think I’d file this one under ‘not true’. Could Phaneuf get traded? Sure, but I doubt he’s requested a trade.
    • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Avalanche might be interested in the Blackhawks Kris Versteeg in the summer, and could offer a 2nd round pick and prospect Kevin Shattenkirk.
    • ESPN Rumors via Ranger Rants: ‘Ranger Rants’ says they value Chris Drury a lot, and despite his no-movement clause, they would lean to keeping him. Yeah right, I doubt they could find a sucker for that bad contract. Players who won’t be moved by the Rangers: Michael Del Zotto, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, Artem Anisimov, Matt Gilroy and Brandon Dubinsky. It still boggles my mind how Sather still has a job after all these years of making terrible signings.
    • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch: Interview with newly appointed coach of the St. Louis Blues, Davis Payne. Payne replaced Andy Murray on an interim basis after Murray was fired yesterday. Payne has been given job until at least the end of the season, then they’ll determine which way they want to take the organization.
    • Marc Antoine Godin of Cyberpresse.ca: Andrei and Sergie Kostitsyn of the Canadiens could both be out the lineup Sunday afternoon for a game against the Sabres.
    • Rejean Tremblay of the Cyberpresse.ca: The Montreal Canadiens are now able to start negotiations with Tomas Plekanec. A problem facing GM Bob Gainey is that Plekanec will be looking in the $7 million range. Throw in the fact that both Halak and Price are RFA’s, and there is not a lot wiggle room for next years salary cap. This brings me back to a question I asked early last off-season, Why in the Hell did they trade for Scott Gomez and his awful contract?

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    Around the Boards: Last chance for Redden? Liles on the Block? Whitney to Bruins?

    • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal:
      • The Colorado Avalanche are shopping John Michael Liles around the league. Liles has 2 1/2 years on a 4 year, $4.1 million contract.
      • Jaromir Jagr will be a UFA next year, and might have an interest in heading to Edmonton.
      • The Bruins may make a push for winger Ray Whitney at the trade deadline for a 2nd round pick. Philadelphia is another possible destination.
    • Brian Costello of The Hockey News: This is not an actual trade rumor, but Costello thinks that a Jason Spezza for Dion Phaneuf could work out for both teams.
    • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Wade Redden get another chance to impress John Tortorella after sitting out 2 games, and possibly avoid a demotion to the AHL.
    • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: 20 year old Blue Jackets goalie is no longer the undisputed #1 goalie on Columbus. Mason has been pulled in 5 or 28 starts and is sporting a 10-12-5 record, .887 save percentage and 3.41 goals-against average. Mathieu Garon is 4-3-2 with a .908 save percentage and 2.77 goals-against average.
    • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Players in Philadelphia that have no-trade/no-movement clauses: Simon Gagne, Danny Briere, Mike Richards, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, and Chris Pronger.
    • Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Cam Barker is day-to-day with a lower body injury.

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