Posts Tagged Matt Cullen
Kings getting ready to pursue Kovalchuk … Wild interested in Cullen?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on July 1st, 2010
- Mark Everson of the NY Post: The New Jersey Devils have about $13 million in cap space, and they are still trying to re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk and Paul Martin. Both would require about all of that, and they still have other roster spots to fill, 3 forwards and 3 defense. Odds are they won’t sign both (possibly neither), and will use that extra money on bolstering their defense. John Madden may be on his way back to New Jersey. Clarkson re-signed with the Devils, 3 year, $8 million.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The LA Kings are getting ready to pursue Ilya Kovalchuk, and hoping it won’t cost too much. The Kings aren’t expected to bring Jeff Halpern, Fredrik Modin and Taitis Ivanans back. The Anaheim Ducks are still waiting to hear what Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu are going to do next year. Ducks may look at signing a mid-level defenseman.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Sergei Gonchar and Bill Guerin are certain to test the market. The Pens were still trying to get Dan Hamhuis locked up before noon EST. Jordan Leopold and Mark Eaton are still possibilities to return the club.
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild are in the market for a center, and homegrown Matt Cullen could be an option.
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.
Senators looking ahead to Draft … Gonchar is key piece to Penguins off-season
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News on May 15th, 2010
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators are preparing for the NHL Draft and Bryan Murray has said, “Ideally, if we could get a skilled centre, that’d be great. If we can’t, then it’s the best player available.” The Sens are picking at #16, and feel there is a drop off after #20-21, according to their lists. They traded away the two 2nd round picks they had for Matt Cullen and Andy Sutton. The Sens contract talks with UFAs Volchenkov, Cullen, and Sutton haven’t progressed that much. Murray’s top priorities are to sign RFAs: Regin, Foligno and Campoli. They are close to signing their 2004 5th round selection, RWerRoman Wick of Switzerland.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: It’s more and more unlikely that Sergei Gonchar will not be back with the Penguins if he’s wanting $5 million or more. Despite Kris Letang’s solid play, and extension he signed during the season, the Pens may not see him as a replacement for the the #1 spot Gonchar occupied. The Penguins need to find a stay-at-home defenseman that can be used to shut down their oppositions number one line. They also need to improve on the wings. The 32-year old Matt Cook is looking for a 3 year deal, which he might not get from Pittsburgh.
- Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The 36-year old Sergei Gonchar is probably looking at his last NHL contract, and even though he loves playing in Pittsburgh, he knows he could have played his last game in Penguins jersey. “It’s not [just] about the length of it,” Gonchar said. “It’s going to be a little bit about everything. I want to be happy. This is a place I was happy the last five years … but at the same time you do have to work and both sides have to be fair. When I’m going to look at my contract, it’s the last one, so I’m going to weigh in everything.”
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Last night could have been the last game in Bruins jersey for 5 free agents: Steve Begin, Mark Recchi, Miroslav Satan, Shawn Thornton, and Trent Whitfield. The 42-year old Mark Recchi could be back if he decides not to retire.
- Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger: Trivia question: Who’s Martin Brodeur backup? He’s a UFA and has been no indicaton if he’ll be back next, though Lou Lamoriello say he was happy with everything he did this past season, and his attitude. He’d love to re-sign with the Devils.. Answer, Yann Danis.
NHL Trade Rumors from Twitter for Feb. 12th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on February 12th, 2010
3:19 pm: Darren Dreger: Wild send Dman Kim Johnsson and 2009 1st round pick, Nick Leddy, to the Blackhawks for Cam Barker
3:15 pm: Bob McKenzie: Wild-Chicago got a deal done. Details to come
3:14 pm: Darren Dreger: Jody Shelly to the Rangers for a draft pick.
2:25 pm: TheFourthPeriod: The Kings are one of the teams interested in Alexei Ponikarovsky.
2:15 pm: Andy Strickland: IF Keith Tkachuk gets traded, it won’t happen today.
2:09 pm: Steve Simmons: If Dominic Moore is worth a 2nd round pick, the Leafs should be able to get more for Ponikarovsky.
2:07 pm: Darren Dreger: Maple Leafs getting offers for Ponikarovsky, but Leafs waiting to see if the offers get better.
2:03 pm: TheFourthPeriod: Pagnotta’s saying the Flyers aren’t close to trading Scott Hartnell.
1:59 pm: Bob McKenzie: McKenzie is hearing that the Wild and Blackhawks have been talking.
12:25 pm: Kevin Allen: Red Wings place Brad May on waivers. The Flames place Jaime Lundmark on waivers. Donald Brashear cleared waivers.
12:13 pm: Bruce Garrioch: The Senators have placed Jonathan Cheechoo on waivers.
11:34 am: Hendricks Hockey: Alexander Frolov’s agent, Don Meehan, was told that he’ll be dealt today.
11:23 am: Bob McKenzie: The Red Wings are expected to waive Brad May and add a player to LTIR to clear cap from for the return of Andreas Lilja.
10:43 am: Bob McKenzie: Matt Cullen is traded to Ottawa for Picard and a 2nd round pick.
10:42 am: James Duthie: Believes that Matt Cullen is going to Ottawa.
10:23 am: Aaron Portzline: Don’t expect any moves by the Blue Jackets today.
9:52 am: Bruce Garrioch: The Canucks have made a pitch for Matt Cullen. Quite a few teams will be looking to add Cullen, and it will most likely take a 2nd rounder.
9:51 am: Bruce Garrioch: Matt Cullen of the Hurricanes will be moved today, and the Senators have made an offer.
Matt Cullen Traded to Ottawa for Alexander Picard and a 2nd
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on February 12th, 2010
The Ottawa Senators have acquired center Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Alexander Picard and a 2nd round pick.
Cullen has scored 12 goals and added 28 assists in 60 games for the Hurricanes this season. He has an even plus/minus, 26 PIMs, in 19:01 minutes of ice time. In 859 career games, he’s scored 165 goals, added 288 assists, for 453 points.
Picard has recorded 4 goals and 11 assists in 45 games for the Sens. He was a -2 with 20 PIMs, and averaged 19:02 minutes of ice time.
Cullen Gone by Tomorrow .. Turco in Limbo .. Armstrong Drawing Interest .. Some Panthers on the Block
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 11th, 2010
Plan B for some, Torres, Whitney and Ponikarovsky … Pony for at least a 2nd, Lou looking for a center now
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 6th, 2010
- Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Plan B for teams who missed out on the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Raffi Torres of the Columbus Blue Jackets is up for grabs. LeBrun thinks Torres would fit in nicely in Pittsburgh, Burnside mentions the Kings and Avalanche. The Kings would like Ray Whitney and offered him a 1 year contract extension, he wants a 3 year deal from them. As of Thursday, the Penguins haven’t called the Hurricanes about Whitney. The Pens are tight against cap and may wait until the deadline day when a new salary will be at it’s lowest. Alexei Ponikarovsky could be nice fit for Pittsburgh, LA, and maybe the Thrashers to go along side Slick Nic Antropov.
- Darren Dreger of TSN via Twitter: As many as 10 teams have an interest in Maple Leafs forward Alexei Ponikarovsky, and they should get at least a 2nd round draft pick for him. If 10 teams would offer a 2nd round pick, I think it might take a 1st or a 2nd plus prospect to get him.
- Bill Watters mentioned during the Leafs-Devils intermission that the LA Kings offered a 1st round pick and a prospect to the Hurricanes for Ray Whitney.
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: There could be a bidding war for Ray Whitney between the Sharks and Penguins. The Sharks or Blackhawks may call Burke about Tomas Kaberle. Dan Hamhuis and Kari Lehtonen should draw some interest. Preds GM David Poile plans on talking to the agents of Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne over the Olympic break, if one re-signs, the other will most likely be traded, with the Blackhawks potentially interested. The Blackhawks are looking for a defenseman and quietly shopping for a goalie.
- TheFouthPeriod: New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello may not be done dealing. They had an interest in Matt Stajan before he was dealt. They are now keeping an eye on Saku Koivu, Matt Cullen and possibly Mike Modano.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Though the Sabres have struggled recently (2-5-1), GM Darcy Regier said improvements will come from within, for now at least. “The focus isn’t to look right now for outside help,” he said. “It’s how do we all get better internally. I think we’re all focused on that.”
- Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Sun: The Senators have lost rookie Erik Karlsson until after the Olympic break with a shoulder injury.
Plenty of NHL Rumors to go along with some Injury news
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 2nd, 2010
- Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports:
- The Leafs wanted to send Jeff Finger to the Ducks instead of Jason Blake, the Ducks said no.
- Friedman thinks the Canucks might have been scouting Tomas Plekanec the other night, though he thinks there won’t be a deal.
- The Blues probably won’t deal any of their young core, including David Backes. Eric Brewer could be had though.
- The Kings have the money and assets to make a run at Kovalchuk or Lecavalier. The Thrashers would want Wayne Simmonds, but the Kings may be reluctant to do that.
- Pierre LeBrun and Scott Burnside of ESPN: LeBrun and Burnside talk about potential Ray Whitney suitors. Teams that might be interested are the Senators, Bruins, Kings (if no Kovalchuk or Lecavalier), Rangers, Canucks, and 2 dark horses, the Coyotes and Predators
- Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames may not be done dealing. Sutter may swing for the fences with Ilya Kovalchuk, or look to add a player like Ray Whitney, Alex Tanguay, or maybe Kristian Huselius.
- James Murphy of NESN: The Bruins may be looking to acquire Blues forward Keith Tkachuk. They almost had a deal last year that would have sent Phil Kessel to the Blues for David Perron and Keith Tkachuk.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Canadiens will be without Michael Cammalleri of 6 to 8 weeks with a damaged MCL. Cammalleri joins the list of Andrei Kostitsyn, Paul Mara, and Jaroslav Spacek on the sidelines.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Jay McKee, a healthy scratch last night, might interest in the Chicago Blackhawks. The ‘Hawks might also look at Aaron Ward, Garnet Exelby or Sean O’Donnell.
- James Murphy of NESN.com: Potential trade targets for the Boston Bruins; Ray Whitney, Aaron Ward, Matt Cullen, Raffi Torres, and Peter Mueller.
- Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Niklas Backstrom, out with an illness, rejoined the team in Dallas but is doubtful for tonight’s game. The Wild are still in the playoff hunt, so they probably won’t be sellers. If they are buyers, it won’t be a significant deal. They are still hoping that P-M Bouchard will be able to return this year. If they do become sellers, the Wild have 4 players who might interest other teams; Marek Zidlicky, Kim Johnsson, Owen Nolan and Eric Belanger.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Andres Lilja has been assigned to the AHL by the Detroit Red Wings on a conditioning loan. Lilja as been out since last February 28th with a concussion. He’ll play at least 3 games with Grand Rapids, then they’ll re-evaluate.
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