Posts Tagged Nick Leddy
State of the Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Trade Deadline Edition
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 25th, 2012
Today is the 1st installment of our expanded NHL Trade Deadline coverage. We’ll be posting team outlooks leading up to trade deadline over the next couple weeks from a variety of contributing writers.
Written by Tab Bamford of TheFourthPeriod.com and can be found on twitter at @The1Tab
The Chicago Blackhawks are in the mix for the best record in the Western Conference, but are equally close to fourth place in the Central Division. With a good, young core locked up and over $5 million in cap space, the Blackhawks will be buyers at the deadline.
What will be the Blackhawks wants/needs?
1. Top-four defenseman
The Hawks have one of the best top pairs in the league with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, but have been searching for the right formula all season in the wake of Brian Campbell being traded to Florida during the draft.
Nick Leddy’s developing nicely, but has been better when held under 20 minutes per game over the last month. Meanwhile, Niklas Hjalmarsson appears to have peaked as a number 4-5 defenseman who excels at blocking shots and killing penalties, but has not taken the next step in his development yet.
Some players the Hawks might target include Tim Gleason in Carolina, Hal Gill and/or Chris Campoli in Montreal, and, if Brian Burke puts him on the market, Cody Franson.
5 year deal for Doughty? Stastny not be traded … Jets to extend qualifying offers … Hawks likely to re-sign Campoli
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 26th, 2011
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein is hearing $5.7 million per for 5 years for Drew Doughty.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: A member of the Colorado organization tells Strickland there is “No chance” that they trade Paul Stastny.
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: The Jets are expected to send qualifying offers to Andrew Ladd, Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler, Ben Maxwell and Anthony Stewart. Rob Schremp and Brett Festerling likely won’t get one.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini on Sheldon Souray, “I’ve had discussions with most teams but haven’t been able to do anything with Sheldon at this time.” Tambellini could buy him out by July 1st. The Oilers had offers for the 31st overall pick yesterday where they would move back and get an extra pick but decided against it and drafted David Musil.
- Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald: With the trading of defenseman Brian Campbell, it opens up a bigger role for Nick Leddy, and more likely that they will re-sign Chris Campoli.
- Adam Jahn of the Chicago Sun-Times: Patrick Sharp has 1 year left at $3.9 million, and GM Stan Bowman said he’ll start contract extension talks this summer. It took some convincing from Panthers GM Dale Tallon to get Brian Campbell to waive his limited NTC. ‘‘He’s willing to come down and help turn our franchise around, and that speaks volumes,’’ Tallon said.
- Renaud Lavoie via twitter: Penguins GM Ray Shero, “I expect Max Talbot to hit the market. I wish him the best and he will never be forgotten in Pittsburgh.”
- Helene Elliot of the LA Times: Kings GM Dean Lombardi on the Ryan Smyth trade saga,
“It makes no sense for me to lose this player and lose the flexibility I need to replace him. And that’s where it broke down,” Lombardi said Saturday after the NHL entry draft in St. Paul, Minn.
“Once it was very clear I couldn’t do what I needed to do with the player I’m taking back, then it’s not what the deal was based upon by any stretch of the imagination and it certainly doesn’t make any sense for me.”
Lombardi said he talked to another team — believed to be the Calgary Flames — but said that team has “issues that aren’t related to us agreeing on compensation.” He added, “I’m being penalized enough and that’s not anybody’s fault that I’m losing this player. I’m not going to pay another penalty and not be able to go out and at least try to get a player of his caliber.”
Commodore clears re-entry … Pronger back this week … Starting goalies and other roster notes
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News on January 17th, 2011
- Tom Reed via twitter: Blue Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore has cleared re-entry waivers. He will play with Springfield of the AHL.
- Tom Panaccio via twitter: Chris Pronger is practicing with the Flyers today. He won’t play tomorrow against the Capitals, he could go Thursday versus the Senators, but Saturday against the Devils is more likely.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues – Kyle Wellwood deal is official, pro-rated $650,000, he needs to clear waivers.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Milan Lucic will be back in the lineup today for the Bruins.
- NY Islanders via twitter: Mark Streit, Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen out skating this morning.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Washington Capitals prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov about playing for Washington next year, “These are just rumors. It’s to early for me to play in the NHL. I have a contract with Traktor”
- Chris Stevenson via twitter: Alex Auld will start for the Canadiens against the Flames tonight.
- Rich Chere via twitter: Martin Brodeur will be in the net for the Devils, Kevin Poulin for the Islanders.
- Katie Strang via twitter: The Islanders and Matt Moulson’s agent have held preliminary discussions, but nothing more.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: In a salary cap move, the Blackhawks have sent Nick Leddy to the AHL, they don’t play again until Saturday.
- Brian McNally via twitter: Mike Green, Alexander Semin and Tom Poti are not at Capitals practice today.
- Jonas Siegel via twitter: Jonas Gustavsson will start on Wednesday in New York, Giguere will get the start on Thursday against the Ducks.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: TJ Oshie is taking part in contract drills at Blues practice today.
- Chirs Vivlamore via twitter: Thrashers goalie Chris Mason has a sprained right MCL.
Brian Campbell 2 weeks away? Lebda in, Gunnarsson out … Nieuwendyk in tough spot … Matt Green 7-10 days away?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on October 18th, 2010
- Andy Stickland via twitter: Was told that Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell is about 2 weeks away from returning to the line up.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Despite being 4-0 the Leafs are expected to make one line up change for tonight, Brett Lebda will replace Carl Gunnarsson, who only played 6 minutes on Friday after being benched by Ron Wilson.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: As many people have already figured out, the Edmonton Oilers are not in a hurry to rid themselves of Sheldon Souray.
“We’ve tried to find a hockey deal for the last year, and the next thing is either placing him on re-entry waivers or waiting until the spring and making a hockey trade,” Tambellini said.
“A cash asset now or trade asset later — that’s what we’ll have to evaluate now.”
Brad Richards now finds himself as the number one offensive free agent next summer after Joe Thornton signed an extension with the Sharks. Without new ownership in place, it’s extremely difficult for GM Joe Nieuwendyk to hammer out a new long term deal. Nieuwendyk said at some point he’ll have to talk to the league as he’ll need to figure out to keep him or trade him at the deadline (Richards has a no movement clause).
“Tom Hicks and Joe Nieuwendyk are in charge of the day-to-day business decisions in Dallas,” said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly. “But due to the possibly imminent sale of the club, major financial transactions — especially those that may have lasting impacts on the club’s operations moving forward — are, as a matter of practice, vetted through the league.”
Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Green returned to practice on Sunday. Green had off-season shoulder surgery, and it’s possible that he returns to lineup in the next 7-10 days. Green also got a foot infection from ‘lace bite’ last week.
“I have no idea right now,” Greene said after practice today. “I feel pretty good. I was feeling pretty good before I was off the ice, and this is my first day back skating, so we’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I feel good right now, but I might be dying tonight. We’ll see what happens. I think it just depends on taking a hit, too. I haven’t really gotten a heavy bump yet, or any of that. The guys have been pretty nice to me, so that’s what it depends on right now.”
- Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News: Alexei Kovalev is in coach Cory Clouston’s doghouse, and if the Ottawa Senators could trade him, they would. Adrian Aucoin may be the last player in the NHL to use a wooden stick.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: New St. Louis Blues defensive pairing: Colaiacovo with Johnson, Pietrangelo with Jackman, and Brewer with Polak.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks rookie Cam Fowler left the game last night after scoring his 1st NHL goal. Fowler took a questionable hit from Shane Doan, the extent of the injury is not yet known.
- Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago: The demotion of Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy surprised some. The Hawks may feel he’s not ready to log 19+ NHL minutes, and was playing on the out of position. Niklas Hjalmarsson is coming off his suspension, and Jassen Cullimore was recalled.
Coyotes Sale in Trouble? Wheeler, Niemi Heading to Arbitration … Frolov to Rangers
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 27th, 2010
- SpectorsHockey via twitter: 17 teams have less then $10 million in cap space. 13 have less than $5 million. 13 teams with more than $10 million in cap space, most have ‘self-imposed’ cap ceilings.
- Rebekah L. Sanders and Cecilia Chan of the Arizona Republic: The city of Glendale is saying the Ice Edge Group have not complied with the terms to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. Ice Edge and the NHL say the deal is going forward. The group were to submit financial documents to gain exclusivity on negotiations with the city, but haven’t sent all documents, 5 weeks past the imposed deadline. Glendale and Ice Edge had hoped to have negotiations closed by the August 6th. Ice Edge believe they have submitted the documents that meet the requirements. The city claims the exclusivity rights are done, so in theory, they and the NHL, could entertain other offers. Bill Daly shot down rumors on Friday that the deal was in trouble.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Antti Niemi’s arbitration date is set for Thursday. If he is awarded more than $3 million, Mirtle thinks they should walk away and sign either Turco or Theodore.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Kovalchuk decision could be made as early as next week. Arbitrator should be chosen by today.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: After Kovalchuk and another move fell through for the LA Kings, the Kings went back to Alexander Frolov, he said no.
- Michael Obernauer of the NY Daily News: Alexander Frolov’s agent has said that they have a 1-year deal in place with the New York Rangers. Another source said they weren’t quite there yet. Frolov was close to heading to the KHL, but he wanted to stay in the NHL. He’ll take a short deal this summer, in hopes of getting a long term next year.
- Douglas Flynn of NESN: Blake Wheeler and the Boston Bruins are set to go to arbitration today. Wheeler had a cap hit last season of $2.825 million including bonuses. The Bruins could use David Perron’s 2 year, $4.3 million as a comparable. Wheeler’s agent could use Nikolai Kulemin’s 2 year, $4.7 as a comparable, with Wheeler having better numbers over the last 2 years. Clarke MacAthur was awarded $2.5 million with lesser numbers that Wheeler, the Thrashers walked away.
- James Mirtle via twitter: According to Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya’s agent, Don Baizley, they are still deciding on whether to play or not.
- Roman Augustoviz of the Star-Tribune: Nick Leddy, acquired by the Blackhawks from the Wild for Cam Barker last season, should decide in the next week if he’ll be turning pro and leaving the Gophers.
Semin staying … Spezza happy … Columbus interested in Bieksa/Kaberle … Kings shopping Williams/Stoll
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 21st, 2010
- Pierre LeBrun via twitter: An NHL GM told LeBrun that he heard that in the next CBA they’ll look to have the average of the five highest salaried years count against the cap. That’s one of several ideas that’s being tossed around.
- Dennis Bernstein (TFP) via twitter: Alexander Semin is not going anywhere.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Jason Spezza once again has said he happy in Ottawa and hopes to stay there.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: If Anton Stralman gets a ‘hefty’ salary from arbitration next Monday, the Blue Jackets may walk away from it. GM Scott Howson may start investigating other options, possibly Kevin Bieksa and Tomas Kaberle. There is a chance that the Blue Jackets could dangle Nikita Filatov as bait. For Bieksa they probably wouldn’t have to offer Filatov, a lesser prospect could work, unless the Canucks added more than Bieksa for Filatov. It’s not known if Filatov is the kind of player Burke is interested in. The Blue Jackets are reluctant to break up their top-6 forwards, which is what Burke covets for Kaberle.
- NHLSourcesSay via twitter: Ryan Johnson and the Columbus Blue Jackets are closing in on a deal, 1 year between $850,000 and $900,000.
- NHLSourcesSay via twitter: Sources saying that Los Angeles Kings are shopping Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll.
- Genadi Boguslavski (sovsport.ru) via twitter: Jose Theodore getting interest from a few KHL teams.
- Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: Maxim Afinogenov getting interest from KHL, but will focus on NHL until August 1st.
- Michael Russo via twitter: Rumors that Nick Leddy could be heading back to the Blackhawks are untrue. Wild and Leddy are talking. In 2-3 weeks, it could be different though.
Recent Comments