Posts Tagged Jake Gardiner

Morning hits: Stars, Ducks Canucks, Price, Kaberle, Blues, Coyotes bid rejected, Dion’s days numbered?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 14th, 2013

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Matheson laughing at a fan site suggesting a Loui Eriksson trade to the Islanders for Ryan Strome and Michael Grabner, and with Islanders fans saying they wouldn’t trade either straight up for Eriksson. Matheson does note that Eriksson could be in play for a front-line center. The Stars also have some defenseman that could be on the move.

    The Stars have lots of young defencemen looking for regular work — Jamie Oleksiak, Joe Morrow and Kevin Connauton — which makes trading Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski certainly plausible.

    Matheson wonders if the Ducks would take a run at Stephen Weiss.

    Matheson thinks with the Canucks at $63.5 million for 16 players for next season, will use their buyouts on David Booth and Keith Ballard. Both have two years left at $4.2 million cap hits. Mason Raymond is likely gone as a UFA.

  • Dave Stubbs: Addressing a Canadiens Carey Price rurmor: “Price asking for a trade would need to travel a million miles just to reach ludicrous.”
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said a decision on a compliance buyout for Tomas Kaberle hasn’t been made yet.
  • Jeremy Rutherford: Blues playoff issue. Rutherford knew fans who didn’t buy tickets as they didn’t know when the games were starting soon enough. The Blues didn’t sell out three playoff home games.
  • Norm Sanders of the News-Democrat: (h/t Pro Hockey Talk) Blues GM Doug Armstrong on their need for more scoring.

    “This is a public cry that for any GMs that have 50-goal scorers that they want to send to St. Louis, give me a call,” he joked. “This doesn’t happen, you have to deal in reality. The reality is with free agency the way it is now, teams tie up those elusive top-end goal scorers.

    “They draft them. (Evgeni) Malkin, (Sidney) Crosby, (John) Tavares, (Steven) Stamkos were drafted by those teams.”

    The Blues will send qualifying offers to all of their free agents.

    “We’re going to negotiate to try to sign every player that’s a restricted free agent,” he said. “Ownership understands that the window is open now and we have to take care of our own. I don’t see this being a huge free-agency off-season for us. I see it more as taking care of our own business — and then seeing if we want to rearrange some of the chairs via trade.

  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: The NHL has rejected California investment banker Darin Pastor’s bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.

    “We have rejected the offer. It didn’t include the elements we had previously discussed were necessary to warrant serious consideration,” Daly said in an email Monday night.

    It was rumored that he was willing to pay upwards of $277 million with $42 million in cash at closing, though that seems unlikely as it would be hard for the NHL to walk away from that.

  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: (h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Shoalts piece was written last Thursday after Dion Phaneuf’s pinch that cost the Leafs the game. Shoalts thinks that Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis should move to Plan B and “The plan should include quietly putting Phaneuf on the trade market no later than the NHL draft at the end of June. Nonis will not hit a home run with a trade, nor should he expect to thanks to Phaneuf’s erratic play.” A deal would may only get a modest return, but Nonis should accept it. Phaneuf has a year left with a $6.5 salary cap hit and may not take a pay cut from the Leafs.
  • Tim Wharnsby of CBC: h/t Lyle Richardson in the Hockey News) Wharnsby’s piece was written last Thursday. Wharnsby wonders if Dion Phaneuf’s days in Toronto are numbered. He continues to make the same mistakes he made as a rookie in 2005. Nonis may have to make a decision by draft. The Leafs have organizational depth on the blue line. Nonis would have to feel that Jake Gardiner is ready for a bigger role. Cody Franson may be ready for a bigger role.
  • James Mirtle: On Phaneuf: Mirtle would be surprised if the Maple Leafs didn’t re-sign him.
  • John Lu: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on order of positions that mature the fastest: wingers, centers, defensemen and goalies.

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NHL Rumors II: Nonis talks deadline, Maple Leafs, Luongo, Kiprusoff, Khabibulin, Smith, Reimer and Scrivens

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 29th, 2013

  • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis,

    “Last year I had a list of teams I kept in touch with. I did about half. Brian (Burke) did about half. That’s how we operated.

    “Now, I pretty much talk to everybody. That’s the plan this year. We bring our hockey staff together. We want to hear everybody’s views on things. Then we get ready for what comes.

    “You go into a trade deadline with certain expectations. But you never really know what the next phone call you’re going to get is. I don’t believe in untouchables. There’s always a price for any player. The question is: Is anyone willing to pay it?

    “Right now, I can tell you I don’t have anything even interesting on the go. Nothing at all. But I believe there will be something for us to think about by Wednesday.

    “Right now, we’re not close on anything.”

    Nonis might be interested in 1. A veteran goalie – maybe not Luongo, someone closer a Nikolai Khabibulin. 2. A depth center – can play on various lines. 3. A top-4 defesneman – someone who could take some pressure off of Dion Phaneuf.

    Nonis might be able to land a veteran goalie and a depth center without giving up too much. Many teams are looking for a top-four defenseman, there aren’t many available, and if they are, the price is high, see: Dan Boyle.

    There are no untouchables on the Leafs roster.

    “You always listen no matter who they ask about,” he said. “There’s a price tag for everybody. You just don’t get it very often.”

  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: Talks between the Maple Leafs and Canucks have quietly resumed this week after weeks of silence. GM Mike Gillis’ asking price may have come down and may no longer be demanding Nazem Kadri or Jake Gardiner. Tyler Bozak would still be a fit. There are now other goalie options for Nonis. James Reimer and Ben Scrivens have played well for the most part. They could take a run at Miikka Kiprusoff. It likely won’t take a first rounder to get him. Coyotes Mike Smith has a concussion and it’s not clear if the Coyotes are interested in moving him. Kiprusoff may be the Leafs top choice. Remaining with Reimer and Scrivens would allow the Leafs to not create a hole up the middle by trading Bozak to the Canucks.

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NHL Rumors I: Bouillon, Clarkson, Sustr, DeKeyser, Gardiner, Scouting the Habs-Sabres and Kings-Coyotes

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 20th, 2013

  • The Fouth Period: Devils winger David Clarkson is a UFA at the end of the season, and he and the Devils have only held very preliminary discussions. Serious talks aren’t expected to happen until after the season. Clarkson will turn 29 at the end of the month.
  • Frank Seravalli via twitter: The Flyers are interested in signing University of Nebraska-Omaha defenseman Andrej Sustr. The Lightning may have the inside track on Sustr as he attended their prospect camp last summer, along with the Penguins. The Canucks, Red Wings, Kings and Senators are also interested. The Flyers were interested in Danny DeKeyser last spring, so safe to assume they’d be interested again this year. The Red Wings are believed to be the front-runners.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: The Maple Leafs have recalled defenseman Jake Gardiner. (Korbinian Holzer was assigned to the Marlies)
  • Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Regular scouts at the Kings – Coyotes game: Canucks, Blues, Bruins and Predators. Eastern non-regulars: 2 Jets, Flyers, Lightning, 2 Rangers and Sabres. West non-regulars: 2 Blackhawks, Wild and Blue Jackets.

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Quick Hits: Ekman-Larsson, Leafs, Scouting Flyers-Devils, Ryder, Grigorenko, Allen, Giguere and Luongo

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Starting Goalies on March 16th, 2013

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Oliver Ekman-Larsson signed a 6 year, $33 million contract extension with the Coyotes, a $5.5 million salary cap hit.
  • Michael Traikos via twitter: Korbinian Holzer, Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov are the only Maple Leafs that do not have to clear waivers. The team has a “gentleman’s agreement” that Komarov won’t be sent to the AHL. Not an issue right now, but if/when the Leafs recall Jake Gardiner, they have only two options (aside from a trade).
  • Adam Kimelman via twitter: On the scouts seating chart for the Flyers-Devils game: Canadiens, Blackhawks, Stars, Red Wings, Flames and Capitals.

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NHL Rumors: Gaustad, Clowe, Peverley, Gardiner, Sabres, Flames, Penguins, Bruins and Oilers

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 13th, 2013

  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Murphy is hearing that Predators center Paul Gaustad could be available. He’d be a good fit with the Bruins and several other teams.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: The Bruins have a strong interest in Sharks winger Ryane Clowe but the asking price is too high at the moment, a 1st round pick and a prospect.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: The Bruins may have been shopping Rich Peverley, but likely not anymore if Chris Kelly will be out for an extended period of time.
  • The Fourth Period: The Sabres will likely start making some moves, including defenseman Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold. Multiple sources have said that Drew Stafford would welcome a change of scenery. Stafford has two years left at $4 million a year. The Red Wings, Kings, Canucks and Stars are said to be looking for a 2nd line winger. Regehr and Leopold could be moved before the deadline. The Kings, Red Wings, Blues, Predators, Hurricanes and Flyers are looking for Dmen.
  • Buckey Gleason via twitter: Sabres Ryan Miller and Jason Pominville have limited no-trade clauses. They would provide a list of eight teams. Tomas Vanek doesn’t have a no trade clause.
  • Vicki Hall of the Calgary Herald: Trade rumors are swirling around the Calgary Flames and Miikka Kiprusoff, Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester, Mike Cammalleri, Cory Sarich and Anton Babchuk. Of those names, only Kiprusoff doesn’t have a no-movement or no-trade clause.

    “I don’t see any distraction,” Hartley stated firmly. “There’s going to be lots of stuff being said.

    “If you want to focus on those things, it’s not going to help our hockey club, that’s for sure.”

    “I think the names that are out there are veteran names,” Cammalleri said. “We have been in the business long enough to know why this speculation takes place and what may or may not happen.”

    Penguins scout Don Waddell has been watching the Flames the last few weeks. Three Bruins staff watched Saturday’s game and two on Monday.

  • Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini said he isn’t unwilling to make moves, but he won’t do it at the expense of youth.

    “Whether you’re in the playoffs or not, if you can upgrade your team or improve it, we’ll do that, but most of the people here are the people we’re going to be counting on for some time,” Tambellini said. “You’re not going to give up youth just for a quick fix there, that’s for sure.”

    With the April 3rd deadline approaching.

    “We need to get closer to that line to know whether or we’re going to be in the playoffs. I’d rather have the focus on how do we get to that line, how do we enhance our team when we get to the deadline,” he said. “But you’re not going to give up on youth just to help you for the next two weeks. It will have to be movement that makes sense for our hockey club.”

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Garrioch’s rumor roundup … Liles on borrowed time? Whitney scratched … Clowe suspended pending hearing

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Jarome Iginla and Flames haven’t had any serious contract talks. Many believe that Iginla will be traded, but GM Jay Feaster shouldn’t expect to hit a home run with the pending UFA.

    “I’m just not sure what kind of impact he would make and you’re going to have to give up a lot if you are going to get him,” said one league executive. “You’re talking about prospects and draft picks. Is it worth it?”

    Teams that aren’t happy right now with their play: the Avalanche, Panthers, Flyers and Jets.

    There will be a lot of interest in defenseman Ran Hainsey. He plays 24 minutes a game and leads the league in blocked shots. The Jets would likely look for a 2nd round pick in return.

    The Canadiens would like to find a taker for Erik Cole and his $4.5 million cap hit through next year. Garrioch suggests the Hurricanes.

    If Corey Perry decides to leave the Ducks and come east as a UFA, there will be plenty of interest: Maple Leafs, Sabres, Bruins, Senators and Red Wings.

    Capitals GM George McPhee is working the phones and could look to free up money by trading Troy Brouwer ($2.35 million through 2015-16), Joel Ward ($3 million through 2014-15) and Jason Chimera ($1.75 through 2013-14).

    The Avalanche could be moving Ryan O’Reilly soon. The Rangers, Flyers, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes have been involved in talks. Garrioch wouldn’t be surprised if O’Reilly ended up in Carolina.

    The Flyers have been looking for a defenseman, but there aren’t many available. The Flyers couldn’t find a fit with the Sharks, who have depth on the blueline. Sharks GM Doug Wilson isn’t shopping players, but he is listening to offers.

  • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Koshan isn’t suggesting that Maple Leafs defenseman John-Michael Liles has played his last game in a Maple Leafs uniform, but he has been a healthy scratch for the last [four] games and could be on borrowed time. Jake Gardiner won’t be with the Marlies for much longer, and Morgan Rielly will be given a chance to make the team next year.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: Oilers Ryan Whitney was a healthy scratch for the 5th time in the last 9 games. Something has to come to head soon.
  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: Sharks Ryan Clowe could be facing a suspension up to 10 games for leaving the bench with less than a minutes to go in a game against the Blackhawks to avenge a hit teammate Joe Pavelski. He was suspended pending a hearing on Monday.

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NHL Trade Rumors: Senators, Bruins, Penguins, Maple Leafs, Islanders and Avalanche

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 22nd, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Daniel Alfredsson will be targeted by the Penguins and Bruins if the Senators fall out of the playoff race. Wayne Scanlan via twitter: Alfredsson on the possibility of moving to a contender like the Bruins at the trade deadline, ”as of now, no but never say never.”
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Alfredsson on Senators future.

    “It’s flattering if teams are interested in me,” said Alfredsson this morning. “But for me, I want to keep this thing going until we’re in the playoffs. I think if we were to fall out of that race, there would be more speculation. But that’s not something I’m really giving any thought. My focus last summer was whether I still had it in me to come back. After the season we had last year, the biggest reason (he returned) was the way that we played.

    “Obviously we’re in tougher this year, but I think we can we can still make the playoffs. As of right now, (he wouldn’t want to be moved), but never say never. We’re in the playoff race, and I hope we can continue and stay here. It’s definitely where my focus is, and I’m not thinking or worrying about anything else.”

  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said that they are in a spot to add early in the trade front but will wait and see what happens.
  • Lance Hornby via twitter: Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis on Jake Gardiner’s possible recall: ”It will work itself out. Last 2 or 3 games he’s been dominant. We’ll have to find a way to make room.”
  • Sportsnet: Nonis on Sportsnet 590 the Fan yesterday morning:

    “Is there a chance (Connolly) will be back (in the NHL)? No question,” Nonis told Brady and Lang in the morning. “We’ve had teams call on him. I would expect at some point whether it’s with us or someone else that he’ll be back in the NHL before the season’s over.”

  • Arthur Staple of Newsday: Islanders GM Garth Snow isn’t giving up on his struggling young players or dumping veterans for draft picks.

    “As I’ve said many times, if there’s an opportunity to upgrade our roster and make the team better, we’ll do it, but not at the expense of our young guys or prospects,” Snow told Newsday here on Wednesday, a day off for the Islanders before Thursday night’s game with the Canadiens. “We’re not going to mortgage our future to make a quick fix. That’s not our plan.”

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Quick Hits: NHL draft odds, Setoguchi hearing, Gardiner and waivers, Darche retiring

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Videos on February 19th, 2013

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: Odds to win the draft lottery and 1st overall pick: 30th, 25%; 29th,18.8; 28th, 14.2; 27th, 10.7; 26th, 8.1; 25th, 6.2; 24th, 4.7; 23rd, 3.6; 22nd, 2.7; 21st, 2.1; 20th, 1.5; 19th,1.1, 18th, .8; 17th, .5
  • Michael Russo via twitter: Wild winger Devin Setoguchi won’t be suspended but he will have a hearing to see how much he’ll be fined, if at all.

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Injury notes: Lehtonen, Crawford, Bertuzzi, Jovanovski, Versteeg, Leino, Michalek, Brown and Gardiner

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on February 16th, 2013

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Maple Leafs activate Mike Brown from the IR. Jake Gardiner is also ready to be recalled but there is not plan to do so at the moment.

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NHL Trade Rumors: Senators, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Sabres, Panthers, Islanders and Ryan O’Reilly

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on February 15th, 2013

  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Senators GM Bryan Murray: ”I’ve made some calls about different players. Nobody willing to give me a player for a player not in league yet.”
  • Tim Panaccio via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said they are not going to make a major deal.

    “I think we have a nucleus of good, young players,” Holmgren said Tuesday night before the Flyers’ taunt 3-2 win over the Jets.

    “To talk about disrupting that is not something that I am in favor of doing. We have not played exactly how I thought we would have played.

    “We’re missing some key people [Scott Hartnell and Andrej Meszaros] right now. We can’t use that as an excuse. Other teams have similar issues going. We’re going to ride this out for now.

    “I don’t anticipate doing anything. Obviously, there is lots of talk going on right now. Everyone is doing their due diligence, but I don’t foresee us making a move.”

  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Money is just one of the issues in the Ryan O’Reilly and Colorado Avalanche situation. There are several “petty and egocentric” side issues on both sides. Many people think that O’Reilly thought he would have been named captain and was hurt when he wasn’t.
  • The Fourth Period: The Buffalo Sabres are believed to be one of the teams interested in O’Reilly. It is unclear how serious talks between the Sabres and Avs have been and what GM Darcy Regier is willing to give up. Regier doesn’t seem to have interest in moving Mikhail Grigorenko, Cody Hodgson or Tyler Ennis. Marcus Foligno is someone the Avs may look at. Other teams looking at O’Reilly are the Maple Leafs, Panthers, Islanders, Flyers and Jets.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: O’Reilly’s dad had some things to say on twitter:

    “Will Ryan be back with the Avs?”, @coachbri1 said this: “sorry the ave’s (sic) don’t want him or place value on what he brings. They practice external control boss management.”

    “Sure he loved it there and thought the fans were the best. So many great players the ave’s dump because of their management style $$$$$.”

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Coyotes deadline … Sharks ownership … Matteau decision coming … Gardiner to Marlies

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on January 31st, 2013

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Regarding Phoenix Coyotes situation: “Thursday is not a deadline for Jamison to close his deal with NHL. It’s a deadline to keep current terms of lease agreement with city of Glendale. If Jamison doesn’t come up with money to buy team by Thurs deadline, lease terms could change. But it doesn’t mean NHL is done with him. It will likely give him more time and see how it all shakes out… I’m not convinced Jamison will have the money in order by Thursday… But it’s certainly possible. Either way, story doesn’t end tomorrow. I fear there will be more twists and turns in this story over next several weeks. Should also add on Phoenix, if Jamison can’t close by tomorrow, opens the door for other possible owners to deal with Glendale or NHL. Which is why I’m saying still a lot of scenarios to be played out in the Desert… Unless of course, Jamison comes up with the $$$ asap.”
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: The Sharks announced that Hasso Plattner (majority owner) bought the SSE shares that were held by investors Kevin Compton and Stratton Sclavos.
  • Rich Chere via twitter: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello on whether Matteau will get into his 6th game [tonight]:  “That’s not a decision that’s been made yet.” Tom Guliteti via twitter: Lou on Matteau:  “We’re going to continue evaluating this and a decision won’t be made at this point.”

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Easier for Maple Leafs to trade Kessel now, or do they look for a No. 1 center for him?

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on January 29th, 2013

  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: The only untouchable for the Maple Leafs should be their 2013 1st round pick. Phil Kessel is off to slow start, it’s becoming more difficult to imagine Kessel remaining with the Leafs beyond this season. It will be easier for Nonis to trade Kessel, than it would have been for Burke. There are some who would call for a Dion Phaneuf trade as well, but at least in that deal, they basically stole him from Calgary. The 25 year old Kessel will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. There should be a market for him and his $5.4 million salary cap hit ($5.1 million salary) at the trade deadline. They could look for something like the Blue Jackets got for Jeff Carter, Jack Johnson and a 1st round pick. He would be an excellent secondary scoring threat for someone.
  • Damien Cox via twitter: “Re Kessel: ppl don’t get it. Not about him, or how he’s playing. He does what he does well. Its about managing assets and team-building. Understand Kessel’s contract, and you understand why they have little choice but to move him.”
  • Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun: Buffery thinks the Leafs No. 1 priority should be a center.

    “The bottom line is this: Without a front-line centre, Kessel’s talents are being wasted. He was a 37-goal scorer last year but with a bonafide first-line centre, he might be a 50-goal scorer. Further to that, the Leafs will not take the next step in becoming a threat to go deep into the playoffs until they address the first-line centre situation.”

    Buffery notes that if they are going to give up young assets (hopefully not Nazem Kadri or Jake Gardiner), it’s for a center and not a goaltender. They have young depth on the blueline with prospects  Gardiner, Morgan Rielly, Stuart Percy, Jesse Blacker and Matt Finn. Tyler Bozak is not a number 1 center on a good team. Mikhail Grabovski is a good 2nd line center. Buffery also suggest moving Kadri to the first line and dropping Bozak back the third line.

  • Greg Brady via twitter: Phil Kessel has a limited NTC/NMC in 2013-14. He doesn’t have one this season. This year would have been Kessel’s last RFA season. The Maple Leafs bought one each year of service. You can not give a NTC during a RFA year.

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