Posts Tagged Matt Stajan
Steve Ott Re-signs with Stars, Stajan Re-signs with Flames
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on March 1st, 2010
Audio of Players Reactions in the Aftermath of Huge Trade
Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on January 31st, 2010
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.
Dion Phaneuf Traded to Leafs – J.S. Giguere also traded to Leafs
Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on January 31st, 2010
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….
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors – Jan. 27th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 27th, 2010
Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: 11 scouts were on hand to witness the Leafs-Kings game last night, with Canadiens GM Bob Gainey as one of them. Niklas Hagman scored 2 goals and might have increased his stock. Leafs GM Brian Burke said that he gets the most calls for Hagman, who’s at a reasonable price of $3 million for each of the next 2 seasons. Both Alexei Ponikarovsky and Matt Stajan won’t bring in the return that Hagman would.
Michael Traikos of the National Post: It’s no secret that the Leafs will be both selling (Stajan, Ponikarovsky, Stempniak, etc.) and buying (larger contracts that come with prospects/draft picks) at the deadline. Burke has said once again that he’ll take on salary, and isn’t afraid to bury some of it in the minors. Traikos brings up once again that the Blackhawks could be interested in this salary dump option, and provides a list of 5 players that might convince Burke to be a buyer: Jack Skille (22 years old, $850,000), Kris Versteeg (23 years old, $3 million), Dustin Byfuglien (24 years old, $3 million), Andrew Ladd (23 years old, $1.55 million), and Brian Campbell (30 years old, $7.14 million). With Campbell, they’d have to throw in a 1st round pick.
Darren Dreger of TSN via Twitter: Toronto Maple Leafs Jamal Mayers may also be on the move. His agent, Pat Brisson has been given permission to talk to teams to see if they would be interested in trading for him. He’d be a good addition for a playoff bound team, he’s tough, a good leader, and can probably be had for a mid round pick.
Another Maple Leaf that has been in the news lately is Jonas Gustavsson. My NHL Trade Rumors writer Derek posted a Gustavsson piece titled “It’s Time to Find out About The ‘Monster‘” yesterday, that might have gotten buried a bit with today’s posts.
Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Rumors – Jan. 26th
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 26th, 2010
Hand the No. 1 job to Gustavsson next season and sign a good backup from the list of free agents. Look for a veteran free agent who can act as a mentor to the 25-year-old Gustavsson and be capable of playing as many as 50 games if the youngster’s development still lags. Sign or trade for the best possible goaltender money and cap space can buy. Gustavsson can either back up and wait his turn or be traded for another asset.
One option that might present itself is that if the Florida Panthers are out of playoff contention, they might put Tomas Vokoun on the trade block. Vokoun has 1 year left at $5.7 million. There’s JS Giguere at $7 million ($6 million cap hit) for next year. Jonas Hiller is also a UFA at seasons end. Nashville has 2 UFA goalies in Dan Ellis and Pekka Rinne, and they won’t be re-signing both. Other free agent goalies are Martin Biron (Isles), Chris Mason (Blues) and Marty Turco (Stars)
List of Hurricanes available, Wideman on the Block? Leafs improving trade value? Hamhuis to test UFA market?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Opinion on January 21st, 2010
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?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 14th, 2010
- 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.
Around the Boards: Filatov moved at the Draft? Leafs losing trade value, Franzen back before Olympics? Hossa day-to-day
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 11th, 2010
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: He doesn’t think the Blackhawks should make a run at Kovalchuk. Henrik Sedin could be Hart trophy winner. Tyler Myers in the lead for Calder Trophy. The Blue Jackets could move Nikita Filatov at entry draft for a top 4 defenceman.
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The mounting loses for the Maple Leafs are doing little to the trade value for their veteran players. Players that might have had some trade value, Stajan, Hagman, and Ponikarovsky have struggled recently. Tomas Kaberle is basically on the only Leaf that could fetch a nice package, a 1st round plus a top prospect or 2, or a top 6 forward, though he most likely won’t be dealt.
- Larry Brooks of the USA Today: Brooks thinks the Rangers should rebuild and trade off UFA’s Vinny Prospal and Christopher Higgens and RFA Dan Girardi.
- Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Johan Franzen thinks he might be able to return to the Red Wings lineup before the Olympics.
- Jimmy Murphy of NESN (via Twitter): The Boston Bruins are looking at what the Oilers and Hurricanes have to trade. They have interest in Ray Whitney.
- Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Marian Hossa missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day, which coach Quenneville hopeful that he’ll be back Thrusday. Cam Barker has been out the last 4 games, and might be ready for Thursday.
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today:
- The Thrashers could be looking to move both Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen, who’s close to returning.
- Tomas Kaberle may give list of teams he might accept a trade to Brian Burke at the trade deadline.
- Teams that could be interested in Teemu Selanne: Pittsburgh, Boston, and Calgary.
- Philadelphia may make a significant move at the deadline.
- The Capitals are looking for a proven defencemen.
Around the Boards: Souray will waive ‘no-trade’ clause, Kovalchuk-Thrashers continue talks, Savard out 2-3 weeks
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 9th, 2010
- Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal: Sheldon Souray has let it be known that he’d be willing to waive his ‘no-trade’ clause if it ‘makes sense’ for his family. His family is out in California, so if he gets traded, expect it to be to a west coast/conference team. Souray has 3 years left on his contract at $5.4 million cap hit. He’s making $5.5 mill this year, and $4.5 mill the next 2 seasons.
- Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Thrashers aren’t giving up on re-signing Ilya Kovalchuk.
On the ongoing contract talks with Ilya Kovalchuk, Waddell said: “Talks continue on. We met in Saskatoon (at the World Junior Championships). Our priority still remains to get him signed. We’ve made some progress but we are obviously not ready yet to put a signature on a contract.
“The positive thing is the talks have continued. They haven’t broken down. We talk almost daily. To me, that’s all part of the process. If talks break down because one side puts their shoes too far in the sand then you know you’re probably at an impasse. At this point, that hasn’t happened. Both sides continue to talk and try to find away to make this deal work.”
- Chris Zupke of the OC Register: Teemu Selanne expects to return to the Ducks lineup tonight. Changes could be coming for the Ducks if they continue to sit near the bottom of the Western Conference. JS Giguere, Scott Niedermayer, Saku Koivu, and Todd Marchant, could find themselves with another team before seasons end.
- Paul Hunt of the Toronto Star: Hunt lists some names who are unrestricted free agents this year that could be dealt at the trade deadline: Slava Kozlov, Colby Armstrong and Pavel Kubina (Atlanta), Saku Koivu (Anaheim), Paul Kariya (St. Louis), Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen (Carolina), Jeff Halpern, Antero Niittymaki and Alex Tanguay (Tampa), Martin Biron and Doug Weight (Islanders), Raffi Torres (Columbus), Steve Ott and Jere Lehtinen (Dallas), Alexei Ponikarovsky, Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak and Vesa Toskala (Toronto)
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: The Maple Leafs are now allowed to negotiate with RFA Jonas Gustavsson, but have yet to do so. The Leafs don’t feel any pressure or urgency to get something worked out right away.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Boston’s Marc Savard could be out for 2 to 3 weeks with a sprained knee. The Bruins were stayed healthy last season, the same can’t be said for this year.
Around the Boards: Halak or Price? Wheeler out of the Bruins lineup soon? Grabovski and Primeau out for Leafs, Selanne and Getzlaf back soon
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on January 4th, 2010
- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette: The Montreal Canadiens seem unsure on how to handle the trade/no-trade/re-sign situation with goalies Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Halak had started 6 of 7 games, after not really playing for close to a month. Halak trade rumors have quieted down the last couple weeks. Both goalies have shown they have the ability to be a #1 in the NHL, but then both have shown they could be #2′s in the league.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: With the newly signed Miro Satan, and Milan Lucic getting close to returning, Vladimir Sobotka and the struggling Blake Wheeler could find themselves out of the Bruins lineup.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs have 9 UFA and 4 RFA this year, and Burke will be paying close attention to all. Some will probably be re-signed, and others might be trade bait at the deadline. Matt Stajan and Vesa Toskala will be at the top of the list.
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: The Maple Leafs will be without centers Mikhail Grabovski for 6 weeks with a broken wrist, and Wayne Primeau for 2-to-4 weeks with a knee injury. Center John Mitchell is now healthy and ready to go. Richard Wallin will mostly be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Teemu Selanne (out for over a month) and Ryan Getzlaf (out a week) should both return later this week. That is good news for Ducks fans and Corey Perry, who has only 1 goal and 5 points in the last 13 games. The Ducks have also called up center MacGregor Sharp.
- Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus has been going with a ‘win and you’re in’ policy with goalie Steve Mason and Mathieu Garon since mid December. Mason has played well of late so this policy will be void, at least temporarily.
Around the Boards: NHL Rumors from Garrioch and LeBrun
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on December 20th, 2009
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Teams that might be interested in Kovalchuk if he becomes available: Kings, Bruins, Capitals, Rangers, Avs and Devils. Talks between his agent and Waddell were yesterday, with more scheduled.
- Vincent Lecavalier might be moved by the trade deadline. That’s if someone will take his huge contract.
- The Flyers are believed to be shopping Jeff Carter. Garrioch isn’t the 1st to mention this, but I just don’t see it happening. Unless he gets another young star or two in return, but even then, it doesn’t seem to make much sense.
- The 39 year old Teemu Selanne could be moved closer to the deadline if he choose to go elsewhere.
- Joffrey Lupul, his wonky back (out 6-8), and a $4.25 cap hit are available.
- Edmonton is trying to shake up their roster, offering the $5 million plus contracts of Sheldon Souray, Lubomir Visnovsky and Shawn Horcoff.
- Trade deadline time will most likely see Lee Stempniak’s and Matt Stajan’s as part of the Leafs list of who could be available.
- Hockey Night In Canada Hotstove Video
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
- Contract talks between Marty Turco and the Dallas Stars probably won’t happen until after the season. If they are out of the playoff race at the deadline, there is a good chance he’ll be moved.
- Trades are becoming really hard to facilitate. ”My phone has actually been ringing more frequently lately,” said another GM on Saturday. “But it’s just so hard right now with nobody wanting to take on salary.”
- David Booth’s recovery from a concussion has improved, he’s been on skates since Tuesday with no set backs. Mid-January would be his earlies return date.
Around the Boards: HNIC Hotstove, Blues Interested in Staal? Stars and Flyers monitoring each other, Burke’s Options
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on December 13th, 2009
- Hockey Night in Canada’s Hotstove Video: LeBrun mentions in the Hotstove that if the Thrashers don’t have Kovalchuk signed to the extension in the next month, they’ll probably look at trading him.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Whispers around the league that the St. Louis Blues are interested in Eric Staal and his $8.25 million cap hit (thru 2015-16). Staal has struggled this season and missed some time due to injury. The Blues have plenty of assests to send the other way, such as Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron, and Ian Cole just to name a few.
- The Panthers should have new ownership soon, and their GM is shopping their number 1 goalie, Tomas Vokoun and his $5.7 million cap hit.
- Matt Stajan might be on the move before the Trade Deadline. Though Burke may not want to mess with the chemistry he’s had lately with Phil Kessel. Still he’s never lived up to the expectations in Toronto.
- The Flyers and Stars have apparently been keeping an eye on each other. The Stars are battling for the last playoff spot, and the Flyers have plumetted to the basement of the Eastern Conference. The Stars would like a top 6 forward, maybe Danny Briere (might not waive his no movement clause). The Flyers have interest in 2010 UFA goalie, Marty Turco. I don’t see the Stars moving Turco until they are completely out of it. Jeff Carter’s name may also start appearing in trade talks.
- Brian Burke has tried to get Peter Mueller out of Phoenix, but he doesn’t have the assests to do it.
- Michael Traikos of the National Post: Brian Burke Christmas no trade deadline has passed with no moves, but with the teams recent good play, he finds himself in a bit of situation. Does he trade any of his 10 UFA’s and 5 RFA’s between now and the deadline, or does he play out the season and see what happens. Traikos thinks the Leafs could probably get a 2nd round pick for each of the following FAs, Ponikarovsky, Stajan, Kulemin, White and Toskala. I don’t see any team offering a 2nd a round pick for Toskala. Of those 5 mentioned, I think only Ponikarovsky, Kulemin and White will be back.
Around the Boards: Sopel to Leafs? Mueller, Stajan, Kostityn’s on the Block?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 22nd, 2009
- Pierre LeBrun on the CBC Hotstove and ESPN:
- The Leafs and Blackhawks’ have reportedly been talking about Brent Sopel. Sopel is owed $2.5 million this year, and $2.0 million next season. For taking Sopel in a salary cap dump, the Leafs would also receive a high pick, maybe in the 2nd round range. The ‘Hawks are obviously talking to other teams as well.
- Bobby Ryan had rejected a 3 year deal earlier this year, and talks won’t resume until after the season.
- Peter Mueller doesn’t appear to be working out in coach Tippett’s books, and other GM’s are calling.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Bob Gainey is still shopping around Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn, and the Oilers might still be interested. Shawn Horcoff might be available but he’s making a good chuck of change at $5.5 million.
- The Anaheim Ducks might be looking to shed Joffrey Lupul and his $4.25 cap hit through 2013. That might not be an easy thing to do.
- Ilya Kovalchuk’s talks continue and it’s likely more than 10 years at around $9 million a season. Also:
The belief is Kovalchuk doesn’t want the pressure of playing in the scrutiny of a market where he’s going to face questions. Not only have the Thrashers tried to put together a playoff contender this season, Kovalchuk had input on some of the roster decisions that were made.
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Even though the Maple Leafs finally won a game, trade or demotion speculation will still follow the team. There reportedly has been some interest in Matt Stajan. Only 5 forwards are under contract for next season (Kessel, Blake, Hagman, Grabovski, and Orr).
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Trade rumors of the Canadiens sending Sergei Kostitsyn to the Oilers for Andrew Cogliano.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Columbus has received 1 trade offer for Nikita Filatov, but GM Scott Howson said he’s not looking to trade him.
Around the Boards: Forsberg, Lehtonen, and Kessel
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on November 5th, 2009
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The New York Rangers have confirmed their interest in Peter Forsberg. “Yes, we have interest in Forsberg,” GM Glen Sather said. “From the reports we’ve been getting, the foot is much better than it was a year ago.” I see the Colorado Avalanche and the Philadelphia Flyers as the leading NHL clubs to land Forsberg, based on his apparently loyalty to past teams, though I can see the Flyers having trouble luring him due to salary cap restraints. With the Avalanche off to such a hot start, I think they are the leading candidates. Washington provides the most intrigue for him, possibly playing with Ovechkin or Semin would interest anyone.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Despite the injuries to Simon Gagne and Danny Briere, the Flyers are not interested in Forsberg.
- The AP through The Globe and Mail: Kari Lehtonen, who’s already out recovering from back surgery, will undergo a second surgery and will be 6 to 8 weeks.
- Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: Phil Kessel coming off his 10 shot Maple Leafs debut on Tuesday, found himself with a new centerman, John Mitchell, yesterday at practice. After 1 game Matt Stajan has possibly found himself off the Kessel-Blake line. Strange. Stajan worked okay with Kessel and Blake on Tuesday, but on occasion was too focused on getting Kessel than shooting at the partially open net.
- Chric Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: Jonathan Toews practiced with teammates yesterday, and will be a game day decision.
Around the Boards: Phil Kessel, Sam Gagne, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Elias Updates, Wisniewski Suspended
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on November 3rd, 2009
- Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star: Phil Kessel is expected to receive clearance from doctors this morning to make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kessel has been skating with Jason Blake and Matt Stajan. The problem I see with this line is that both Blake and Kessel like to shoot the puck a lot. It will be interesting to see how Stajan handles both shooters.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Sam Gagne will be out of the Flyers lineup for 6-8 weeks after his hernia and abdominal surgery today. Though he definitely will be missed, it creates an opportunity for some of the Flyers younger kids to step up. Also, Daniel Briere hope to practice tomorrow, with the goal of playing on Friday.
- Corey Masisak of the Washington Times: Alexander Ovechkin is listed as wee-to-week with an upper body strain. Brooks Laich take Ovechkin’s spot on the line with Mike Knuble and Brendan Morrison.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: Jonathan Toews is still not allowed to skate, no timetable on his return has been set. There’s a chance that Marian Hossa returns before November 25th.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Struggling Canadiens winger Andrei Kostitsyn has been demoted to 4th line. Kostitsyn has only 1 goal and 3 assists in 14 games, and received only 7:32 minutes of ice time on Saturday.
- Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks defenceman James Wisniewski was suspended for 2 games for his elbow on Shane Doan.
- Rich Chere of The Star-Ledger: Patrick Elias for the first time this season with the Devils and is eying a weekend return the lineup. He’ll give the Devils a much needed offensive jolt.
- Brian Mullen of the Nashville Tennessean: Shea Weber will be out the Nashville Predators lineup for 1 to 2 weeks.
- Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province: Matt Pettinger signed on for his second stint with the Vancouver Canucks after inking a 1 year, 2-way, $500k contract.
Leafs Make Changes
Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 13th, 2009
Sources indicate that the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-called Tyler Bozak from the AHL Marlies and will have Viktor Strahlberg back from a concussion for tonights match-up against the Colorado Avalanche.
To make space on the roster it appears that Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman will both be healthy scratches as the Maple Leafs look for their first win. After getting off to the worst start in franchise history, with 1 point in an overtime loss to Montreal to open the season, the Leafs are winless through 5 games.
It should be noted that Stajan and Hagman have combined for almost half of the teams scoring (3 and 2 respectively, for 5 out of the teams 12 goals) but it’s more then likely a move to send a message to the rest of the team to wake up defensively.
After an off-season spent bolstering the defense, the Leafs have been horrible defensively. At times looking like they’re short-handed while at full strength, playing a 5 man box in their own zone while leaving opposing forwards open to chip in rebounds in front of the net, or giving half efforts when attempting to block shots from the point.
Veterans like Stajan and Hagman are expected to lead by example, not just talk about “playing with desperation” and ” being accountable in our own zone” while being questioned by reporters.
Although it is only 5 games into the season what has most Leaf fans worried is the lack of willingness to compete being shown thus far. The pressure is only going to increase as the losses mount, and the players need to realize it’s up to them to right the ship. A leader needs to emerge and give this team an Identity, a Heart, a Soul…But who?
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