Posts Tagged Johan Franzen

Status of Franzen still in question … Preds-Weber want to complete negotiations befor July 1st … Radulov has an out clause … Habs to sign Yemelin

  • Eric Lacy of the Detroit News: It’s still not known for sure if Johan Franzen will be able to go for Game 7 tomorrow night. While he was boarding the plane for San Jose, he cracked a ‘sly smile’ when asked if he would play.

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Franzen re-injures ankle … Flyers off-season notes … Reasons why Lidstrom may not retire

  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings forward Johan Franzen missed the 3rd period last night after re-aggravating his sprained ankle. Coach Mike Babcock said it will be up to Franzen if he goes Tuesday or not.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Some Flyers off-season notes. With some leadership questions in the playoffs, would the Flyers talk with Mike Richards about his team captaincy? If the Flyers would consider moving Jeff Carter, there would be at least 20 teams interested. Would be hard to move Scott Hartnell and his $4.2 million cap hit. Nik Zherdev is a UFA, was a healthy scratch 24 times. Andreas Nodl is a RFA, suffered a concussion in the playoffs, but will be back. They don’t have room ‘tagging’ room for Ville Leino at the moment, he’ll be looking for somewhere between $2-3 million. Kimmo Timonen is believed to be playing with a lower back injury during the playoffs. Brian Boucher is a UFA, he’d like to comeback, but may not be in the Flyers plans.
  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen lists 5 reasons he thinks Niklas Lidstrom won’t retire. 1. He and his wife are not in rush to leave Michigan. 2. The relationship between Lidstrom and the Red Wings is close to perfect. They ask him what salary number he can live with, and they don’t play hardball with him. 3. It could be hard to walk away from the money. He made $6.2 million this past season, and likely wouldn’t go below the $6 million Rafalski makes. 4. He still loves the game. 5. At 40 he is a Norris Trophy finalist.
  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Islanders will look to trade Evgeni Nabokov at or before the NHL Entry Draft. The Flyers seem like a logical possibility. Getting true value for Mike Green and Alexander Semin would be difficult if the Capitals decided to go down that route. Capitals forward Brooks Laich will be highly sought after on July 1st. He’ll be looking for 1st line money even though he’s a 2nd-3rd line player.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Wild have to sign WHL player of year, Darcy Kuemper by June 1st or he will become a free agent. Kuemper was a 6th round pick in 2009 but wants 1st round money. The Oilers and several other teams are watching free agent Swedish goalie Viktor Fasth. Doctor’s can’t figure out what is causing Jonas Hiller’s vertigo.
  • Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: The Rangers traded 2009 draft pick Ethan Werek to the Coyotes for 2010 draft pick Oscar Lindberg. Werek wasn’t under contract and the Rangers would have lost his rights if he wasn’t signed by the end of the month.

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Stars close to getting a new owner … Big off-season questions for Ducks … Dubinsky wants a deal ASAP … Erat ready to return

  • David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: Tom Gaglardi is getting closer owning the Dallas Stars as he’s agreed to a price and most of the terms. Gaglardi “will soon enter an exclusive negotiating period of roughly 30 days to complete the purchase of the NHL team and a 50-per-cent share of American Airlines Center. The last hurdle, according to a source familiar with the sale who requested anonymity because the deal is not official, is taking the Stars through bankruptcy court so Gaglardi will not be hampered by any debts left by current owner Tom Hicks.” Though no one is saying what the price for the team and half-interest in the arena is, but it could be in the $250 million range.
  • The Globe and Mail: Two of the Ducks biggest off-season questions will be if Teemu Selanne will return next year and if Jonas Hiller can get over vertigo? “I’ve got to be honest, it was so much fun this year, and that’s all I ask,” Selanne said. “It’s not about goals or points. I just want to enjoy this every day. I try to play like I left everything out there, but you can’t just win the Stanley Cup every year.” Lubomir Visnovsky was playing through a serious shoulder injury during the playoffs. GM Bob Murray added, “The decisions this summer are different than just getting players,” Murray said. “The purpose here is, can we win with this core group? That’s what I’ve got to figure out.” Selanne said that he talked to Paul Kariya, who’s fully healthy, but isn’t sure if he wants to return to an NHL that has had so many head issues this year.
  • Peter Botte of the NY Daily News: Rangers center Brandon Dubinsky is an RFA and coming off a 2 year, $3.75 million deal. “I’d like to get it done as quickly as possible,” Dubinsky said Monday at the team’s practice facility in Greenburgh. “I think the Rangers want me, and I want the Rangers, so at the end of the day we might as well not waste each other’s time and draw it out as long as it was (two years ago). The sooner it’s done, the sooner I can focus on putting all my energy and efforts to this organization.”
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Ilya Bryzgalov won’t be suiting up for Russia at the World Championship as Evgeni Nabokov was given the #1 job, Bryzgalov didn’t want another role.
  • Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: Capitals Mike Knuble and Dennis Wideman were in full pads at yesterday mornings practice. Knuble stayed on the ice with teammates for the practice, Wideman left after 15 minutes due to feeling lightheaded. Knuble wasn’t assigned a line at practice and is still not sure when he’ll return. “There’s a fine line between coming back and helping and coming back and hurting a team,” Knuble continued. “That’s my main concern, is that you wanna come back and you don’t wanna have to worry about contributing all the time, but just not hindering what’s going on.”
  • Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock isn’t worried about Johan Franzen’s ankle injury, even if he missed another practice earlier this week. Henrik Zetterberg has taken part in 2 practices recently.
  • Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean: Predators forward Martin Erat practiced with the team yesterday for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury in Game 4 versus the Ducks. Erat would have been able to go in Game 7 if the Ducks had extended the series.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Former NHLer Donald Brashear is going to give MMA a try, he has a deal to try cage-fighting in June at ‘Ringside 11′ at the Quebec Coliseum.

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A Couple afternoon NHL notes involving the Red Wings, Devils, Ducks and Blue Jackets

  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Jimmy Howard’s MRI results from yesterday showed only a sprain and no structural damage. Howard seemed hopeful for Wednesday, but “He’s going to take a little break and we don’t know when he’ll be back,” Babcock said. “The bottom line, like with any player that has an injury, he’s got to get back, get healthy and get playing. Ideally, it won’t be too long.” Joey MacDonald will start tonight, Thomas McCollum was recalled.
  • Aaron Portzline via twitter: Blue Jackets fans should keep Cory Schneider’s name in mind this summer. (reference Tom Reed’s article that we posted this morning)

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Coaches on the Hotseat … Regier may need to shakeup Sabres … Semin looking for lucrative long-term deal … Audio and Video of Thornton hit

  • Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: The Buffalo Sabres are off to a 3-8-2 start, GM Darcy Regier has said he doesn’t want to fire coach Lindy Ruff, so it might be roster moves are needed to shake the team up. He’s been working the phones, but not liking the offers. He doesn’t want to give players away, such as Tim Connolly. Connolly is taking heat from fans, and writer Gleason for his turnovers/bad decision making.
  • Adrian Dater on Versus: Dater runs through 5 coaches who could be on the Hotseat. Ron Wilson: if the Leafs are out of it at some point this year, it could be Wilson’s last year. Lindy Ruff and Randy Carlyle: both of their GM’s have said their jobs are safe for now. Scott Gordon: after a good start, the Islanders have lost 5 in a row. Todd Richards: he’s under some pressure in Minnesota to win now.
  • Cory Masisak of CSN Washington: Alexander Semin signed a 1 year, $6 million deal in the off-season, and will be looking to cash in on a lucrative long-term deal. He’s a UFA at seasons end, the Capitals can’t negotiate with him until after January 1st. Can Washington afford him? They have $36 million committed to 13 players next year.

    “I really don’t think [Semin] is focused too much on that,” Gandler said. “From the conversations I’ve had with him, he would rather just play hockey. Obviously it is important and it was important last year. This year the reason Alexander signed a one-year deal was not to become an unrestricted free agent necessarily. It was part of the strategy but only because we didn’t think he could get a long-term deal at the money we thought he should get.”

  • Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Scouts from Avs, Sens, Leafs, Coyotes, Canucks, Blackhawks, Lightning, Stars were at the Thrashers-Blue Jackets game. I wonder if they were included in last night’s record low attendance in Atlanta.
  • Rich Chere via twitter: Zach Parise will be put on IR in the next couple days. Brian Rolston will practice on either Sunday or Monday.
  • Globe and Mail Audio: Eric Duhatschek, James Mirtle, and Darren Yourk discuss the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, and if Jarome Iginla could get traded.
  • Puck Daddy Radio: Question of the Day….“Who is the best hitter in the NHL”? (05:00) Sidney Crosby drops the gloves (07:45) Cal Clutterbuck, Minnesota Wild RW (10:30) Bobby Holik (24:00) Puck Headlines (37:30)
  • Fan 590 Audio: OHL Commissioner David Branch on Prime Time Sports discuss concussions and the overall safety in the game of hockey.
  • Fan 590 Audio: Glen Healy on Prime Time Sports discussing the good and the bad in the hockey world.
  • Joe Thornton blindsided David Perron last night, NHL will likely review. If the league is serious about blindsided hits, it will give Thornton a suspension, maybe 2 games. I don’t necessarily think it was a ’2 game’ hit, maybe a 1 game suspension, but it could send a message that all players can get suspended, even the stars.

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Foligno fined max … Green out with upper-body injury … Souray suits up for Bears tonight … Franzen has concussion?

  • Chris Botta via twitter: Nick Foligno was fined the max amount, $2,500 for his blind-side hit on Patrick Dwyer. Colin Campbell added that this was Foligno’s first offense.
  • Corey Masisak via twitter: According to Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau on their goaltending situation, “Whoever is playing better, for the most part. If they’re both playing equal, they’ll split.”
  • Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch: It appears the trade window for the Columbus Blue Jackets to acquire Sheldon Souray is practically closed. Souray would have to clear through re-entry waivers, and he wouldn’t likely make it though.
  • Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: Johan Franzen said after the game last night that he suffered a concussion after being hit by Stars Dman Mark Fistric. Mike Babcock said he’ll wait to hear what the doctors say before labeling the injury.
  • Chris Botta of Fanhouse: Brad Richards has had some discussion with Stars management about his future with the team, but don’t expect a contract anytime soon. “It’s really out of my control,” Richards told NHL FanHouse. “There’s so much uncertainty right now. If you don’t know who you’re going to be playing for, there’s little point in worrying about it.”
  • Allen Panzeri via twitter: The Ottawa Senators won’t know how serious Pascal Leclaire’s injury is until early next week. Wayne Scanlan via twitter: Leclaire injured his groin on the first shot of the game, and won’t travel with the team to Montreal and Pittsburgh.

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Potential Stars owner backs out … Injury updates on Crosby, Franzen and Stajan … Teams losing money … and more

  • Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas: Sources told Pierre LeBrun yesterday that Calgary Oil man Bill Gallacher has pulled out of buying the Dallas Stars. In the past few months, it was rumored that he was close to a deal with current Stars owner Tom Hicks. Canadian businessman Tom Gaglardi still remains interested, and other groups may get back into it. The team is operating on a low internal budget which is limited what the team could do in terms of free agents and trades.
  • Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: Matt Stajan separated his shoulder during the first period of Tuesday night’s game versus the Canucks, and will be out indefinitely. The Flames are already without Daymond Langkow who has a fractured vertebrae at the base of his neck. Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Stajan’s injury opens the door for Mikael Backlund to step up into the 2nd line roll. Backlund collected 10 points in 23 games last season, and welcomes the opportunity. Stajan could be out for a month if they’re lucky.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Right now there doesn’t seem to be any urgency for the Vancouver Canucks to trade Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks did have 3 scouts watching the Columbus Blue Jackets in Traverse City, where the Jackets prospects were playing.
  • Doug MacLean via twitter: Minnesota Wild owner said yesterday they lost money last year, joining the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks. The Washington Capitals got revenue sharing.
  • Sarah McLellan of the Arizona Republic: Martin Hanzal and Vern Fiddler will be the Coyotes top 2 centerman, with the other 2 spots up for grabs. Eric Belanger, Kyle Turris, Kyle Wellwood, and Wojtek Wolski are vying for the spots. Pierre LeBrun via twitter: If either Kyle Turris or Kyle Wellwood make the Coyotes, Wojtek Wolski would likely shift back to the wing, he’s been playing center at camp.
  • Jim Matheson via twitter: Matheson thinks the Edmonton Oilers captaincy is down to Ryan Whitney and Shawn Horcoff, if the team goes with one this year.
  • Curtis Zupke via twitter: Anaheim Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said that if Matt Beleskey continues to get the puck to Cory Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, he might have a spot on that line.

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Notes on Kovalchuk and the NHL’s investigation of contracts

  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Kovalchuk’s mom thinks the contract with the Devils will be reworked before the start of the season, and that he isn’t panicking.
  • ESPN: The Devils are working on another deal for Kovalchuk. “We want Ilya to be a Devil,” Lamoriello said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We will do everything possible to achieve that.”
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Nothing from the Kings yet if the 15-year offer is still on the table for Kovalchuk. Mirtle thinks there is a small chance their in it.
  • Joe Haggerty via twitter: The NHL is looking into Marc Savard’s contract from a statement from the Bruins and Peter Chiarelli. Chiarelli met with the NHL back on Aug. 4th.
  • Larry Brooks via twitter: Brooks wonders how the NHL can investigate these contracts without a ‘systems arbitrator? “CBA says it can’t. Of course it doesn’t matter what’s in CBA.”
  • Nick Kyreos via twitter: The contracts of Hossa, Pronger, Savard and Luongo have been continuously investigated by the NHL since they were registered.
  • Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Could the Canucks be okay with Roberto Luongo’s contract being voided by the NHL? They wouldn’t be on the hook paying him until 2021-22, and there would competition where Cory Schneider could take over the number one at some point. A problem the Canucks could also face, is getting him under contract, and under the cap, given that his current cap hit would be $5.33 million, he’d want to sign for more than that.
  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Player agent, Kurt Overhardt, doesn’t think the NHL will void Luongo’s, or any of the other three contracts they are looking into. Overhardt felt that Bloch’s decision was ‘subjective’, that nothing in the document said they were in violation of the CBA. The other deals have already been registered by the league. “Any and all speculation that the league is going to claw back these other contracts … would be in complete violation of the collective bargaining agreement and it would be a complete infringement of the players’ rights under the CBA,” Overhardt continued. “Any attempt to do so would be absolutely predatory behaviour by the league, would be in bad faith and not in the spirit of the CBA.”
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: An agent has said the NHL won’t rip up the contracts of Pronger, Hossa, Luongo and Savard…

    “The NHL isn’t going to do anything with these deals. Nothing is going to happen,” said the agent. “They’ve been trying to investigate most of these deals for a year.”

    “I can tell you they certainly aren’t going to rip up a contract that has already been signed and approved by the league.

    “That’s the difference: The deal that Kovalchuk signed was never approved by the league. The rest of these deals passed the smell test.”

  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings haven’t been contacted by the league regarding the contracts of Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. “Last October or November, the league requested and we sent all the paperwork in about the negotiations,” Holland said. “Since the Kovalchuk thing, no one has said boo to us about it.”

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Fallout from the Ilya Kovalchuk decision

  • Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Due to the Kovalchuk ruling; Roberto Luongo, Chris Pronger, Marian Hossa, and Marc Savard’s front loaded contracts could come under review. Mike Gillis confirmed that Luongo’s contract is under review by the NHL. Luongo signed a 12 year deal that will take him to the age of 43, where he’ll earn $1 million, down from the $10 million he’ll earn next  season. Arbitrator Bloch wrote, “[Luongo] has a 12-year agreement that will end when he is 43. After averaging some $7,000,000 per year for the first 9 years of the Agreement, Luongo will receive an average of about 1.2 million during his last 3 years, amounting to some 5.7% of the total compensation during that time period.”
  • Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: It seems farfetched that the NHL could backtrack and nix the Marian Hossa deal, as he’s already a year into it. Pronger, Luongo, and Savard’s deals have all not started yet. Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg’s deals are also a year in.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: The decision noted about Pronger’s, Luongo’s, Hossa’s and Savard’s deals; “Those players’ contracts are being investigated currently with at least the possibility of a subsequent withdrawal of the registration.” Agents are alarmed that some contracts are being investigated that are already in effect.

    “I’ve never heard of a contract that had been registered and approved and then having that registration withdrawn,” said one agent, who requested to remain anonymous.

    “The league has two months now to go after Savard, Pronger and Luongo [whose contract extensions began July 1]. Until they start getting paid, they’ve got two months.”

    Lou Lamoriello confirmed that theyare  in discussions with Kovalchuk’s agent. The Kings could also re-enter, they had a 15-year deal worth $80 million ($5.33 million cap hit) on the table before Kovalchuk signed with the Devils. The KHL is still an option, but a long shot.

  • A couple weeks ago we compared some of the long term contracts of the players noted above, take a look at their year-to-year breakdown.

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A comparison of NHL Contracts that are front-loaded

After the Kovalchuk contract rejection by the NHL for circumventing the cap, we’ve put together a chart showing the salary numbers for contracts that have been called in to question for being front-loaded, but were allowed to go through.

    Johan Franzen, Red Wings, 11 years, $43.5M ($3.9M cap hit), Signed April 2009
    Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings, 12 years, $73M ($6M cap hit), Signed January 2009
    Marian Hossa, Blackhawks, 12 years, $62.8M ($5.23M cap hit), Signed July 2009
    Roberto Luongo, Canucks, 12 years, $64M ($5.3M cap hit), Signed September 2009
    Chris Pronger, Flyers, 7-year extension, $34.9M ($5M cap hit), Signed July 2009
    Marc Savard, Bruins, 7-year extension, $28.05M ($4M cap hit), Signed Dec. 2009

Players current age is in brackets.

Season
Kovalchuk (27)
Pronger (35)
Savard (32)
Hossa (31)
Luongo (31)
Franzen (30)
Zetterberg (29)
2010-11
$6 mill
$7.6 mill
$7 mill
$7.9 mill
$10 mill
$5 mill
$7.75 mill
2011-12
$6 mill
$7.6 mill
$7 mill
$7.9 mill
$6.716 mill
$5.25 mill
$7.75 mill
2012-13
$11.5 mill
$7.2 mill
$6.5 mill
$7.9 mill
$6.714 mill
$5.25 mill
$7.75 mill
2013-14
$11.5 mill
$7 mill
$5 mill
$7.9 mill
$6.714 mill
$5 mill
$7.5 mill
2014-15
$11.5 mill
$4 mill
$1.5 mill
$7.9 mill
$6.714 mill
$5 mill
$7.5 mill
2015-16
$11.5 mill
$525,000
$525,000
$7.9 mill
$6.714 mill
$5 mill
$7.5 mill
2016-17
$11.5 mill
$525,000
$525,000
$4 mill
$6.714 mill
$3.5 mill
$7 mill
2017-18
$10.5 mill
$1 mill
$6.714 mill
$2 mill
$3.5 mill
2018-19
$8.5 mill
$1 mill
$3.382 mill
$1 mill
$1 mill
2019-20
$6.5 mill
$750,000
$1.618 mill
$1 mill
$1 mill
2020-21
$3.5 mill
$750,000
$1 mill
2021-22
$750,000
$1 mill
2022-23
$550,000
2023-24
$550,000
2024-25
$550,000
2025-26
$550,000
2026-27
$550,000

Salaries from NHLnumbers.com

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

  • 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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    Souray out with Broken Hand, More moves coming for Leafs? Kesler-Canucks talks on hold

  • Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal: Throwing a wrench in to the Edmonton Oilers and Sheldon Souray trade plans, is Souray’s broken hand that he suffered fighting Jarome Iginla on Saturday. How long he’ll be out is still unknown, but he’s not expected back before the NHL trade deadline day on March 3rd.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke may not be finished dealing. There’s still a good chance that Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stempniak, and Garnet Exelby will be traded.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: “It’s not a question of ‘if’, it’s a question of ‘when’”. Dreger is referring to the trading of Tomas Kaberle. Burke continues to say he won’t ask Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, but yesterday’s trades may send Kaberle up to Burke’s office saying he’s ready to go. The Leafs will be probably looking to get a top-3 or top-6 forward and a 1st round draft pick. To get the top 3 or top 6 forward they want, I don’t think they will be able to pull off that type of deal until after the season. I don’t think teams that think they have a shot this year, would want to trade a top forward during their run.
  • Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Tampa GM Brian Lawton is rejecting reports that if Jeffrey Vinik buys the team, that Vincent Lecavalier will be traded.
  • Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Contract negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and Ryan Kesler have been put on hold until after the season. They have reached an impasse and don’t want it to become an in-season distraction. They are roughly a $1 million apart, Kesler’s camp feel he’s worth $5 million, the Canucks think it’s closer to $4 million.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal:
    • Teams looking for help on the blueline may come calling for Mathieu Schneider, and to a lesser extent, Chris Chelios.
    • The Penguins need someone to play along side Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, but they also need some defensive help. They could use a player like Barret Jackman but he’s probably not available.
    • 38 year old and recent healthy scratch, Slava Kozlov, will most likely be made available by the Atlanta Thrashers.
    • Matheson thinks that the Penguins will eventually trade Malkin, making Crosby and Staal their 1-2 centers. For Malkin he thinks they could get a front line winger, top defenseman, forward prospect, and a 1st and 2nd round pick.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Detroit Red Wings will get Johan Franzen back next week after being out since the 3rd game of the season. Feb. 9th against the St. Louis Blues is the target date. GM Ken Holland will have to make a move or two to get under the salary cap.
  • AP on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall will be out indefinitely with a torn ACL, and will have to undergo surgery. This is a big blow to the Coyotes, as he was leading the Coyotes in goals this season with 18.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: John-Michael Liles was a healthy scratch for the 3rd time this season, and it has been no secret that he’s available for trade. The problem is his salary cap number is $4.1 million, and he has 2 years left on his contract after this year.
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