Posts Tagged Pekka Rinne

Turco Staying Now? Ellis Staying in Nashville? Caps Looking Winger and Dman … Lilja to be Cleared

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on February 25th, 2010

  • Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com: So the Stars have waived Alex Auld, who might get claimed, and would definitely get claimed if put on re-entry waivers. It looks like the Marty Turco will be staying with Stars. “He’s obviously stepped his game up and has been very consistent for us the last six or seven games,” Nieuwendyk said. “When we sit back and think about it, we have to decide what gives us the best chance in the month of March. Rather than put a lot of pressure on Lehtonen, we’ll have Marty play the way he is.”
  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Heika thinks the Stars will move Steve Ott. This move would clear up some cap space that could be used on a right winger or defenseman.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: With the Predators re-signing of Pekka Rinne yesterday, Poile said it doesn’t mean they will trade Dan Ellis. Poile also has said in the past that they wouldn’t trade one of their goalies unless they had one signed.
  • TheFourthPeriod: The Capitals and Blues were talking before the Olympic roster freeze. The Caps would like to add a physical defenseman and a veteran forward. The Capitals are said to be interested in Blues Dman Barrett Jackman, and Blue Jackets winger Raffi Torres.
  • Bob McKenzie via Twitter: Lightning head coach wasn’t too pleased with the firing of his assistant coach, Wes Walz.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings Dman, Andreas Lilja will be cleared to return to action by today. Lilja has been out since last February 28th. Kirk Maltby will be having right shoulder surgery, and will be out for 4-6 weeks, so there is a chance he’ll return for the playoffs.
  • Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun: The Olympic break gave many NHLers’ time to heal, but it wasn’t enough for Oilers forward, Sam Gagner. Gagner injured his knee before the break, and 2 MRI’s releaved no structural damage. He is not able to practice yet, but still hopes to be able to return on March 2nd versus Nashville.

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    Preds Re-sign Rinne … Stars Waive Auld

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2010

    Jeff Marek via Twitter: The Nashville Predators have signed goalie Pekka Rinne to a contract extension. This is good news for my fantasy hockey team, as it most likely means that Dan Ellis will traded, and Rinne will get the bulk of the starts for the Preds.

    Bob McKenzie via Twitter: The Dallas Stars have placed goalie Alex Auld on waivers.

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    Kaberle Willing to be Traded? Goalie Situation in Philly … What will Nashville do? Brawler Grabovski back at Practice

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 24th, 2010

  • Andy Strickland: Sources close to Tomas Kaberle are telling Strickland that he’s ready to waive his no-trade clause. So far, he’s wanting to stay in the Eastern Conference.
  • Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Ray Emery’s health status is still unknown, but they should find out soon how’s he’s progressing. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren still maintains he’s “comfortable” with Michael Leighton, Brian Boucher and Ray Emery. I don’t completely believe that statement, they need a legitimate starter if they seriously want to compete. Panaccio mentions some low cost rentals; Manny Legace, Andrew Raycroft, and Martin Biron.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Decision time involving Dan Hamhuis is nearing. “We’ve had some dis­cus­sions in trying to sign Dan Hamhuis and also some over­tu­res into whether we’d trade Dan Hamhuis. So I think that kee­ping him or tra­ding him would be the most sig­ni­fi­cant thing we do at the dead­line,’’ Poile said from Van­cou­ver, where he’s ser­ving as Team USA’s asso­ciate gene­ral manager.” If they were to trade Hamhuis, they’d need to bring in another Dman. As for their goalie dilemma, they won’t move either Dan Ellis or Pekka Rinne unless they re-sign one of them.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean: Predators GM David Poile hasn’t spoken with Alexander Radulov about rejoining the Predators at some point. Poile has this to say, “I’ve seen him a cou­ple of times and our con­ver­sa­tions are fine, but there have been no con­ver­sa­tions about the future at all,’’ Poile said. “That ball is in his court. We’ve well esta­blished that if there is going to be an over­ture about him coming back to Nash­vi­lle, he’ll be the one to make it. We ini­tia­ted all the over­tu­res last year, so it’s in his court.”
  • J Vogl of the Buffalo News: Buffalo may look at trading soon to be free agents Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman. The Sabres are carrying 8 Dman, and they have another 8 on their AHL club.
  • Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star: Maple Leafs center and Vancouver street brawler, Mikhail Grabovski, should be back practicing with the Leafs today. His broken wrist kept him off the Belarus roster. Grabovski was in Vancouver watching the team play, and was arrested early Saturday morning after getting in a street fight. Mommy and Daddy picked him up from jail around 9 am.

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    Turco on the Move Now? Sexton working 9 deals, Price and Halak staying put for the time being?

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on February 10th, 2010

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: So with the Stars trading for Kari Lehtonen, they now have 3 NHL calibre goalies. It would appear that the Stars will now look to moving Marty Turco. That’s putting a lot faith in Lehtonen and Auld to help them make the playoffs, especially for Lehtonen who’s been battling injuries for years.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers could be the frontrunners to trade Marty Turco if he becomes available. The Flyers would have to shed salary, almost equal to Turco’s $5.7 million cap number, if they were going to bring him in.
  • Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: The Stars trade for Lehtonen was a buy-low gamble. Halak or Schneider would have cost more. The Flyers or Blackhawks could look at adding Marty Turco. The Flyers could look at Pekka Rinne or Dan Ellis, both come with a lower salary number for this year, meaning they wouldn’t have to get rid of nearly as much salary. Martin Biron is another low cost option. Burnside thinks the Stars may jump on one of these goalies.
  • Tim Baines, Don Brennan and Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan thinks the Senators need a forward and a Dman, and mentions the names Pavel Kubina and Dustin Penner. Garrioch says the Sens have only $500,000 in cap space left, and that Penner may not be available. Burying Cheechoo’s $3 million contract in the minors could free up some space.
  • Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: There haven’t really been any negotiations between the Montreal Canadiens and Tomas Plakanec, but that might change with Gauthier taking over. New GM, Pierre Gauthier as said that they will keep both Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak for the time being.
  • Scott Burnside and Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Burnside and LeBrun discuss the Price-Halak situation, as well as Tomas Plekanec. Gauthier and Plekanec’s agent had a meeting in January, and both sides agreed that they’d like to keep Plekanec in Montreal. Having the cap room to sign Plekanec long term will be an issue.
  • George Richards via Twitter: Florida Panthers GM Randy Sexton is working on 9 different trades.
  • Eric Francis of Canoe – Slam! Sports: A number of GMs around the league were not happy that they were not in on the Dion Phaneuf trade discussions. Many were not aware that he was available, and would have offered more than what the Maple Leafs gave them.

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

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 9th, 2010

  • 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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    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.

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    Around the Boards: Selanne out 2-6 weeks, Goalie dilemma in Nashville? Kings-Frolov to talk, Leclaire out after shot to head

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 15th, 2010

    • Robyn Norwood of the LA Times: The Anaheim Ducks will be without Teemu Selanne for 2 to 6 weeks after surgery to repair 2 broken bones in his jaw after he took a puck in the face the other night. His participation in the Olympics is in question. He should be fully healed by the trade deadline day.
    • John Glennon of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators find themselves in a situation similar to the Montreal Canadiens, they have 2 free goalies (Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis) who think they should be a number one goalie. The Preds have been rotating between goalies lately. They may be leaning towards keeping both goalies for the remainder of the season and then trade one before July 1st and at least receive some compensation. “I don’t see (a goalie trade) happening now, but if one of our guys was to play 15 games in a row before the deadline, or if there were injuries, problems or holes in another area we needed to fill … ” Poile said before the team left on its three-game swing.
    • Rich Hammond of the LAKingsInsider.com: Hammond interviews GM Dean Lombardi. Lombardi has a meeting scheduled this month with Frolov’s agent. If they are unable to reach a deal by the trade deadline, they are still most likely going to hang on to him instead of trading for draft picks. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Frolov would be part of a package to bring a star, such as some guy playing in Atlanta.
    • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Ray Shero has begun contract talks with defenceman Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. I think it will be tough to fit both Gonchar and Letang under the Pens salary cap, unless both players sign for a friendly number.
    • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Pascal Leclaire suffered a mild concussion at yesterday’s morning skate after taking a shot to the head. The Sens goaltender statistics rank among the worst, and sf the Sens begin looking for a goalie, expect to hear Martin Biron’s name come up. Same could be said for any team that might be in the market for a goalie.
    • The Calgary Herald: The Flames would like to re-sign both Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque. Jokinen would have to take a pay cut, and Bourque will be looking for a big raise as he’s having an excellent season. Some are saying Bourque could get in the neighbourhood of $4 million a season.

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    Around the Boards: Players being shopped, coveted … Savard’s contact under investigation … Contract talks for some

    Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on December 6th, 2009

    • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
      • In their search for scoring, the New York Rangers have set their sites on an injured player, Pavol Demitra, once he gets healthy. Demitra is still recovering from his second shoulder surgery, and could return after Christmas. Demitra is a UFA at the end of the season and brings a $4 million cap for this season.
      • The League will be investigating Marc Savard’s 7 year extension, which isn’t much of a surprise after looking at his yearly salaries: $7 million, $7 million, $6 million, $5 million, $1.5 million, $525,000, $525,000.
      • The Oilers have Sheldon Souray’s name out there, and he was offered to an Eastern Conference team in a 4-player deal.
      • The Florida Panthers have been contact teams in an attempt to make a deal to improve their club, they need to make the playoffs this year.
      • The Nashville Predators will look to locking up goaltender Pekka Rinne, but might have trade defenceman Dan Hamhuis at the deadline as the Predators might not be able to afford him.
      • Aaron Ward of the Hurricanes has drawn interest from the Sharks, Senators and Blue Jackets. Teams are also calling about Ray Whitney, but Rutherford will give Whitney the choice as to where he’d like to go (if that team is interested).
      • Vancouver Canucks defenceman, Shane O’Brien, is also being shopped around the league.
    • Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:
      • Pittsburgh has done well in locking up many of their core players, but they could have some trouble this off-season with UFA Sergei Gonchar and RFA Kris Letang. The Pens think they might be able to bring both back, but it would have to be at a really friendly price, which might not happen for Gonchar. KHL teams might throw a large amount of money for the 35 year old.
      • Contract talks between potential RFA Nicklas Backstrom and the Washington Capitals have gone well, and could be close to finalizing it. Talks with Alexander Semin have gone well, with the sides not talking since the start of the season. Semin is another player that will be in KHL rumors.
      • Vincent Lecavalier’s future in Tampa could be up in the air. He has a yearly cap hit of $7.7 million (receiving $10 million season for the next 7 years), which will be extremely hard to move. 3 teams that LeBrun mentions that might have an interest are the Rangers, Kings and Canadiens.
      • The Flyers and goalie Ray Emery can talk contract extension after January 1st, and there’s a chance that might happen.

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