Posts Tagged Tyler Seguin
Savard passes baseline test, still weeks away … Maloney says Yandle rumors are “Utter fantasy” … Doughty out this weekend … Tootoo under review (video)
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on October 29th, 2010
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Sources have told Strickland that Marc Savard passed his baseline test, but is still weeks away from returning. He’s been skating but hasn’t practiced with the team yet. The Bruins may have told Blake Wheeler’s agent that they won’t be trading him because they like his age and upside. The Bruins have been scouting the Phoenix Coyotes.
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney on Keith Yandle trade rumors, “Listen, that was just pure, utter fantasy. Keith is an important part of our future. He knows it,” Maloney said. “Not that anybody can’t be traded … But it would have to be something very special.” Maloney did have coffee with Peter Chiarelli in Ottawa which helped spark trade rumors. Maloney spoke with Yandle’s agent in the summer about an extension, but things are on hold until the owner situation has stabilized.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: It doesn’t look like Drew Doughty will be returning this weekend, as he had some returning symptoms the other day. After Saturday’s game, they don’t play until next Thursday.
- Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Alex Burrows return the Vancouver Canucks lineup is getting closer and it could mean that one of Jeff Tambellini, Peter Schaefer or Guillaume Desbiens could be out. The cap ramifications of Burrows could also impact Ryan Parent ($900,000), though injuries to their blueline complicate that move.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Philadelphia Flyers demoted Nik Zherdev to the 4th line at practice and would not talk to reporters after. Two games ago he was taken off the power-play unit and is averaging about 12 1/2 minutes per game.
- CP in the Globe and Mail: Alex Auld will get the start in net tonight for the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price will be back between the pipes tomorrow. Andrei Markov will also make his return to the Canadiens lineup on Saturday.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Tyler Seguin will not be returned to Junior.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: Wayne Simmonds only played 1 shift in the 3rd after suffering a lower-body injury.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey has been placed on IR after suffering a concussion on Tuesday after being hit by Stephane Robidas, who received a 5-minute boarding penalty and earned a 1 game suspension.
- Fan 960 Audio: Craig Conroy looks back at his career, before his 1,000 game last night.
- I’m sure people have been telling Dion Phaneuf to hit the net more often, but he was showing symptoms of ‘Jason Blake-itis’ last night, shooting pucks into the middle of the chest of the opposing goalies. The next stage of this illness is flutter wrist shots from the side boards at terrible angles.
- Jordan Tootoo’s hit on Carlo Colaiacovo will be looked at the league.
Tallon would like ‘Coaches Challenge’ … Hossa out 2 weeks … Doughty hopefully to return Saturday … El Nino back to Junior
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on October 28th, 2010
- Darren Dreger of TSN: At November’s General Managers meetings, GM Dale Tallon is considering proposing a ‘Coaches Challenge’. TSN polled some NHL coaches (“Would you support a coaches challenge for certain plays, like goalie interference?”), 14 were in agreement. Limits to what could be challenged would have to be in place. 7 coaches voted against the idea.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: Joel Quenneville is saying Marian Hossa will be out “two weeks”.
- James Duthie via twitter: The Los Angeles Kings are hopeful that Drew Doughty will be back in the lineup this weekend.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The New York Islanders have sent Nino Niedereitter back to Portland (WHL).
- James Mirtle via twitter: The Boston Bruins will start Tim Thomas tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs will start Jonas Gustavsson. Jonas Siegel via twitter: If Kris Versteeg (back) can’t go tonight, John Mitchell will likely take his spot on the 2nd line.
- Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Tampa Bay Lightning have put Michael Vernace on waivers.
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: If Blake Wheeler is moved by the Boston Bruins, Tyler Seguin could move into the top 2 lines. There still is the possibility that Seguin is sent back to Junior. An announcement could be made in the next 24-72 hours on Seguin’s future this year.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: New Jersey Devils defenseman Matt Corrente broke his hand last night.
Scenarios for Souray … Teams calling about Greiss? Seguin back to center? Varlamov not a #1 lock?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 29th, 2010
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers are not really interested in sending Sheldon Souray to their AHL club in Oklahoma City. GM Steve Tambellini said that waivers are an option, but would rather make a trade that would help the Oilers. If they don’t trade him by October 6th, they could put him on the roster, taking the $5.4 cap hit, but would have to drop a defenseman, one who may have to go through waivers. The AHL is an option but they don’t want to go there yet. The Islanders may not want to spend the money. The Avalanche may be looking at Jamie Langenbrunner to get over the cap floor. Columbus is the best bet.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Several teams have called the San Jose Sharks about their goaltending situation. They have 3 capable NHL goalies, with Thomas Greiss the likely target, possibly Minnesota as one of the teams.
- Scott Cullen via twitter: Semyon Varlamov is not entrenched as the number 1 goalie in Washington, Michal Nuervith could be at one point.
- James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Tyler Seguin has been playing on the wing along side Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. Coach Claude Julien said on Monday that he likes the idea of having Seguin play center while Marc Savard is out. Blake Wheeler could also be an option at center. Zach Hamill, Joe Colborne and Jordan Caron are also getting a look at center.
“To be honest with you, I’d still like to see Tyler Seguin [at center] again, seeing now that he’s got a few games under his belt,” Julien said. “He handles it in the middle. I’d still like to see Blake Wheeler play center as well at some point and see if he can recapture his comfort zone that he had when he played that position when he was in school.”
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Matt Beleskey will start the season on the top line in Anaheim with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman won’t be ready for the start of the season, and could be out for a lengthy period. Lydman experienced double vision a couple weeks ago, and the cause of the episode has yet to be found.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Jeff Deslauriers and Devan Dubnyk are battling each other to back up Nikolai Khabibulin in Edmonton. The Oilers haven’t hinted at who has the upper hand, but Dubnyk may get the nod as Deslauriers could draw more interest on the trade market. Deslauriers is on a 1 year deal at $1.05 million, Dubnyk signed a 2 year deal. GM Steve Tambellini wouldn’t say if he’s talked to Wild GM Chuck Fletcher or not, the Wild may prefer to get Deslauriers off waivers.
- Brian Compton via twitter: With Kyle Okposo injury, Compton wonders if Nino Niederreiter will stick with the Islanders or be sent back to junior after 9 games, therefore not burning a year on his contract.
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: Manny Legace, who has been skating with the Islanders to stay in shape, is receiving some interest from the Minnesota Wild.
- Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: Marek Svatos will earn a $1 million the KHL this season.
Pat Burns still alive … Marc Savard out with Post Concussion Syndrome … Ryan at Center
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 17th, 2010
- Toronto Sun: It was reported earlier today the Pat Burns had passed away, but that is not the case. TSNs Bob McKenzie spoke with the Burns …
“Pat Burns just called me. Seriously,” McKenzie posted. “Here’s what he said, ‘Here we go again. They’re trying to kill me before I’m dead. I come to Quebec to spend some time with my family and they say I’m dead. I’m not dead, far f—— from it. They’ve had me dead since June. Tell them I’m alive. Set them straight.’”
- TSN: Marc Savard has been suffering from post-concussion syndrome for the past couple weeks. Team team will be cautious with him, and they’ll take it day by day. The team was unaware that he had been having problems the last couple weeks.
- Mike Zeisberger via twitter: While Marc Savard is out, Tyler Seguin will play center.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murry confirms that club will try Bobby Ryan as a 2nd line center.
- Bruce Garrioch via twitter: Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips will be paired together at the start of camp.
Ryan to meet with Ducks this week … Khabibulin to appeal 30 day jail sentence … Savard to attend Bruins camp … Souray could attend Oilers camp … Price to Strike?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Trades on September 1st, 2010
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: The Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Ryan’s side have plans to meet this week in attempt to break their contract stalemate.
- Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini has said that Sheldon Souray could be at training camp if he isn’t dealt before. “We know he would rather not be in Edmonton. We’d like to make a deal if we could and it may take until the start of camp or just before. “We don’t have anything right now that would help the Oilers,” he said.
- Stu Barnes of the Edmonton Journal: Nikolai Khabibulin was given a 30 day jail sentence in his drunk driving case. Khabibulin’s lawyers plan on appealing, which would allow him to attend training camp, and might keep him out of jail for the entire season. Additional discipline from the league and/or team may come at a later date. Khabibulin will enter the leagues substance abuse and behavioural health program.
- Mike Boone of Habs Inside/Out: According to a tweet by Michel Godbout (CBC-Montreal reporter), Carey Price is looking for $3 million a year or he’s going to strike.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Sources tell CSNNE that the Boston Bruins fully expect Marc Savard to attend their training camp. Savard is penciled in as their #1 center between Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. Tyler Seguin is expected to play left wing with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi.
- Chris Vivlamore via twitter: Contract talks between the Atlanta Thrashers and Niclas Bergfors are progressing very slow.
- Chris Kuc via twitter: Marty Turco wants to play between 55 and 65 games next season for the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday. GM Ken Holland expects him to be ready to go by the start of training camp. Kirk Maltby and the Wings could agree to a deal by the end of the week.
Some rumors involving the Bruins … 2 better offers for Kaberle … Kovalchuk hearing begins today
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 4th, 2010
- Craig Custance via twitter: The Bruins are now over the cap (after signing Tyler Seguin) but after they put Marco Sturm on LTIR, they’ll be under.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has said that he’s in talks with Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron regarding contract extensions, though nothing is imminent at the moment.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: Chiarelli also said that if no more roster moves are made, Tyler Seguin would probably start the season on the wing.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Chances look slim that the Bruins will be able to trade Tim Thomas. The Bruins have gotten some inquiries for Marc Savard. They are asking for a roster player, but may settle for prospects or draft picks. Michael Ryder could be assigned to the AHL. Chiarelli doesn’t have to make an roster moves before the season.
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Niemi’s agent, Bill Zito, said he had 5 calls on Monday and 2 more inquiries on Tuesday, regarding Niemi. No offers where made, but he expects to get more than 2, and that it wouldn’t be long before he signed somewhere. Brian Burke has received 2 better offers for Tomas Kaberle, and expects the offers to improve next week (as the Kovalchuk saga should be settled, and the August 15th deadline date getting closer).
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon County Record: Ilya Kovalchuk’s hearing begins today, but Gary Bettman won’t be there, he’ll be in Calgary promoting the Heritage Classic (he could be there tomorrow). A ruling may come on Friday, but more likely on Monday.
- Mark Everson of the NY Post: Ilya Kovalchuk is expected to win his case versus the NHL, and if/when that happens, the Devils will have until the beginning of the season to shed about $5-6 million in cap space. Possible players to be either traded/waived/demoted are Bryce Salvador, Colin White and Dainius Zubrus. If the NHL wins and Kovalchuk becomes a free agent again, the Kings, Devils and Rangers could be interested.
- Eric Stephens via twitter: There are no discussions going on between Bobby Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks. Ryan wants 3 years, the Ducks want longer. The Ducks may have to budge, or consider trading him.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: Says the Blue Jackets are not interested in Antti Niemi, they’re set with Mason and Garon.
- Rick Carpiniello of LoHud.com: Recently acquired Todd White, who could be a versatile player for the Rangers, could also be a cap casualty and find himself in the minors if they are looking lower their cap number.
- San Jose Mercury News: According to the Sharks website, they are close to signing Jamal Mayers.
Rumors centered around the NHL Draft
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on June 22nd, 2010
There are plenty of entries of rumors this morning, so we’ve broken them down in to 3 separate entries.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has had talks with Oilers GM Steve Tambellini, not about moving up, but sending an asset to the Oilers not to take the player they want. It has been rumored the Bruins target winger Taylor Hall. The Bruins won’t be trading the #2 pick and will select Tyler Seguin if a trade can’t be worked out with the Oilers, and the Oilers select Hall. The Bruins also hold the #15, #32, and #45 and may consider moving up or down in the draft.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Continuing on with the top 2 picks and a possible trade. The Bruins may have the #15 pick, RFA winger Blake Wheeler, or Mikko Lehtonen (prospect) in play. Chiarelli told Boston reports that they haven’t had moved forward with “that type of discussion”. Edmonton won’t know who’ll they take until they sit down one more time with their scouts.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: One top draft pick whose stock could be all over the lottery range is Brett Connolly. Arguably the 3rd best forward behind Hall and Seguin, could be drafted in the top 5, or fall down to 15th. Connolly played for the woeful Prince George Raiders of the WHL, but was limited to only 16 games. On 4 different occasions he was forced out of the lineup with hip flexors, at first to the right side, then to the left. All teams have been given his medical reports, and spoke to him about injuries at the scouting combine. MyNHLdraft.com has him going at #5 to the NY Islanders. I don’t see him dropping any further than 10th to the Rangers and I think he’ll be gone before then. Isles at #5, Tampa at #6, Atlanta at #8, and Minnesota at #9 are strong candidates to draft him.
- Mike Russo of the Star Tribune: Draft options for the Minnesota Wild at #9. LWer Brett Connolly. C/RW Jeff Skinner, RW Nino Niederreiter, C Ryan Johansen, C Alex Burmistrov, C Mikael Granlund.
- Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: With the stock piling of defenseman in the past couple years with their top picks, look for the St. Louis Blues to move in a different direction with their 14th overall pick.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators (drafting 16th) are in a similar situation to the St. Louis Blues, depth on the blueline when it comes to prospects/young players. They aren’t against moving up to get a top propect unless it’s reasonable, but without a 2nd round pick it may be difficult. The Sens may also consider moving back in the draft, picking up some extra picks.
- Jon Lu of TSN (video): The Canadiens may focus on center’s that have size. John MacFarland or Riley Sheahan could be possibilities.
Plenty of free agent rumors and trade options
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on June 13th, 2010
- Jim Kelly of SportsIllustrated: Kelly throws out a new Blackhawks name as possible trade bait to elevate their cap situation, Marion Hossa and his 12 year, $62.8 million contract. Though it would be hard to see someone biting on the $5.2333 million per season salary hit for the next 11 years.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Stephens brings up the Tomas Kaberle-for-BobbyRyan rumor again. Ducks GM Bob Murray called it ‘ridiculous.’ The Ducks are still negotiating with Ryan, and waiting to hear what Scott Neidermayer’s decision is on retirement. Stephens thinks if the Leafs were to included Luke Schenn or Nazem Kadri in the conversation, it might make the deal more do-able ….
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Chicago’s Niklas Hjarmalsson played himself into a top 3 or 4 defenseman, and might get an offer sheet from someone. Bruins scouts are split on Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, so it doesn’t appear they’ll push hard for trade with Edmonton for the #1 pick.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: If teams are looking to re-make their teams this off-season throught the free agent market, it isn’t going to happen with this year’s weak crop. It is rumored that Steve Yzerman has talked with the Canadiens about Carey Price. The Canadiens would want scoring in return, Martin St. Louis? Garrioch’s top-10 UFAs: 1.Patrick Marleau 2. Ilya Kovalchuk 3.Scott Niedermayer 4.Tomas Plekanec 5.Evgeni Nabokov 6.Dan Hamhuis 7.Anton Volchenkov 8.Alexander Frolov 9.Sergei Gonchar 10.Marty Turco
- Courier Post: The Flyers have until the end of the month (for exclusive negotiating rights) to decide if Michael Leighton will be their #1 goalie next season as he’ll become a UFA. If they’d like to move in a different direction, potential UFAs that might interest them are; Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabokov. If they go the trade route there are plenty of options; the usual Price or Halak, Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas, but the article also mentions Jonathan Quick or Jonathan Bernier, both of the Los Angeles Kings. They could use Jeff Carter as trade bait for a Canadiens or Kings goaltender.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Edmonton Oilers will continue to try and trade Ethan Moreau, Patrick O’Sullivan and Robert Nilsson. From June 15th to the 30th, they’ll also have the option to buy each player out for 2/3rds their contract. The Oilers will also try to move Sheldon Souray, possibly to the Sharks who will be looking to replace Rob Blake. Though Souray’s cap number is $5.4 million, his actual salary is $4.5 million. The Oilers have to decide if they which of their 15 Group 2 RFAs they want to qualify.
- Michael Trailkos of the National Post: After posting a 26-7-4 regular season record with a 2.25 GAA, and winning the Stanley Cup, Antti Niemi is looking to be piad like a #1 goalie after just one seaon in the league and won’t be taking a discount. From his agent, “He’s going to get his money,” Zito said. “But the term is going to have something to do with it too.”
- Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: With only 6 picks in this year’s NHL draft, and no action until #62, Toronto Maple Leaf scouts may have an easy time. But with Brian Burke at the helm, they have to be ready for anything. Head amateur scout, Dave Morrison and his staff have put together their list of top 210 prospects, and are ready to go with any additional picks the Leafs may get. Burke has stated that he’s not actively looking for extra picks, though I’m not entirely sold on that.
Kovalchuk offered $14 million per season? Flyers may not re-sign Leighten … Would the Bruins trade Bergeron?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on June 7th, 2010
- Sport-Express.ru: The SKA St. Petersburg reportedly have increased their offer to Ilya Kovalchuk to 3 years and $42 million. It was reported that they previously offered Kovalchuk 3 years and $30 million.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Despite helping take the Philadelphia Flyers to game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals (after filling in for Brian Boucher part way through the playoffs … and he may not get the game 6 start), it might not gaurantee that goalie Michael Leighton will re-sign with the Flyers. They may think he’s “a one-trick pony on a magical ride”, and look towards a Turco, Mason, Nabokov, Halak or Price.
- Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: One option the Bruins have in their quest to find a scoring winger or two, is to consider trading Patrice Bergeron, especially if the Oilers draft Taylor Hall. If the Bruins were to trade him, they would still have a solid one-two punch of Marc Savard and David Krejci, and possibly Tyler Seguin down the middle. Bergeron is a UFA at the end of next season, and is making $4.25 next season, and would be looking for a raise. He has a no-trade clause that kicks in July 1st.
- TSN: Contract talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nikolai Kulemin have hit a wall. It was reported earlier that Kulemin is looking for at least $3 million per season deal. He recorded 36 points in 78 games last season. Burke told AM 640, “While they can say: ‘he was on your first line last year,’ there is no one who would say Nikolai Kulemin is a first line left winger. He’s a first line left winger by default because we did not have a very good team. I’m not paying for someone who gets the position by default.”
- Mark Everson of the NY Post: Craig MacTavish and Mike Keenan appear to be out of the running for the head coaching vacancy in New Jersey. The leading candidates are John MacLean and Michel Therrien, other options are Ken Hitchcock, Kirk Muller, and Guy Boucher. Boucher was offered the coaching position in Columbus.
- Bob McKenzie of TSN: The Blue Jackets would like an answer from Guy Boucher if he wants the head coaching position by Tuesday.
NHL Draft Rumors for June 1st
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Rumors on June 1st, 2010
- James Murphy of NESN: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli has said he’ll select either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin with the 2nd overall pick, and he may work at getting another high pick in the draft. The Bruins also own the 15th, 32nd and 45th picks. They like Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley, but those 2 should be selected in the 3-6 range. The Bruins could package some of their extra picks, and a prospect/player to move up and grab one of them.
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson will be meeting with 4 or 5 potential draft picks for individual workout and more interviews over the next couple weeks. The Jackets have the 4th overall pick. They’ll be looking at enough players that would allow to be prepared if they dropped back a few slots in the draft. Though the rumor of Kaberle for the 4th pick is a fair trade according to Portzline, and would immediately help the Jackets, it may not make much sense for them as Kaberle is a free agent after next season. I think they if a team is going to make a solid offer to the Maple Leafs for Kaberle, they’ll want to sure they have a legitimate chance to re-sign him. I doubt Columbus is near the top of teams Kaberle would want to sign long term for.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: The Calgary Flames are without a 1st and 2nd round pick this year (have two 3rds and two 4th round pick), and Sutter doesn’t expect to actively pursue additional picks. To get a 1st round, Sutter says “I’d say impossible unless you’re going to trade a top player, and I don’t think we’re going to do that.”
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: The Montreal Canadiens will have less input at this year’s draft as 6 scouts won’t be given a new contract.
Boston: Buyout for Ryder, trade Wheeler? Kaberle and more for the 4th overall pick? Boston to trade up for #1?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on May 30th, 2010
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: GM Chiarelli says that one of either Hall or Seguin will have an impact on the how the organization will move forward in the future. “Yes,” said Chiarelli, “it will have a bearing in what direction we go in.” Dupont notes that Michael Ryder could be bought out, which would save them $2.64 million against the cap. Marco Sturm will make $3.5 million next year but can’t be bought out due to the fact that he has a knee injury, but if they could be convince that recovery is too long and he were to retire, he’d come off the books. Blake Wheeler and his $2.85 million could be dealt.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: The Blue Jackets may be under pressure this year to make the playoffs, and could the #4 overall pick be available? Simmons thinks that Brian Burke could offer Tomas Kaberle and more for the pick.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: It’sbeen rumored that the Bruins favor Taylor Hall over Tyler Seguin, and if they want to ensure they get him, they could attempt to make a deal with Edmonton for the #1 overall pick. The Bruins are already deep at center, so Hall would be a better fit for them. The Oilers are in need of centerman more than they are of wingers. Chiarelli hasn’t met with Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini yet, but he plans on it. Harris wonders what it would take to move the one spot, Blake Wheeler or Tim Thomas?
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Columbus Blue Jackets expect to announce their next coach in the next 7 to 10 days.
Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove:
Malkin not going anywhere? Taylor Hall at center? Kubina and Afinogenov could be back with the Thrashers
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 21st, 2010
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Rossi has been told that the Penguins “are not entertaining the possibility of trading C Evgeni Malkin”.
- Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Cook doesn’t think the Penguins will bring back UFAs: Sergei Gonchar, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Bill Guerin, Jordan Leopold, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Jay McKee. Matt Cooke (depending on how much money he wants) and Mark Eaton are the best possibilities to be brought back by the Pens.
- Ken Weibe of QMI Agency in the Toronto Sun: Windsor Spitfires coach thinks Taylor Hall should be the #1 pick (not a surprise since he coaches him). Part of the belief that the Oilers could select Tyler Seguin with the #1 pick is that they need a ‘center of the future’. Coach Bob Boughner says Hall is naturally a center … “Taylor is a centre naturally, he’s playing left wing on our team but he’ll take some draws once in a while and he’s good on draws,” said Boughner. “I don’t doubt that if he goes to the next level and they need a centre, he could play centre as well. He’s pretty strong on the puck. “The reason I put him on the wing is to conserve his energy and expose other teams wide because he has that speed.”
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: The Atlanta Thrashers have talked with 2 of their UFAs, Pavel Kubina and Maxim Afinogenov, and come away thinking they have a good chance at re-signing them. Allen thinks Kubina will want a deal in the 4 year, $16 million range, which might be problem for the Thrashers. It doesn’t look like Colby Armstrong will be back with the Thrashers next season.
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks RFA Mason Raymond could be on the trade block this summer. The going rate for a 25 goal scorer is around $2.5-3 million, but how do you offer him over $2 million when Alex Burrows makes that much and scored 38 goals. Raymond’s game is also similar to another RFA, Michael Grabner. The Canucks could trade him for a top-4 defenseman, or for some more size up front (if they are giving him up for more size, that player has to have some skill as well).
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: There are currently 4 teams without a head coach: Atlanta, Columbus, New Jersey, and Tampa. Custance goes through top coaching candidates out there. “The AHL Contingent” – Guy Boucher (Hamilton), Scott Arniel (Manitoba), and Kevin Dineen (Portland). “Top NHL Assistants” – Craig Ramsey (Boston), Paul MacLean (Detroit), Brent Peterson (Nashville). “Stanley Cup Winners” – Bob Hartley and Ken Hitchcock. “Recent NHL Experience” – Craig MacTavish, John Stevens, and Rick Tocchet.
Rumors from Beantown
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 19th, 2010
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Bruins backup goalie, Tim Thomas, plans on bouncing back from a sub-par season, and thinks he can be a number 1 goalie again. Where he could be the number 1 is the bigger question. Though he has a no-trade clause, he won’t just waive it to anywhere as his family would play an important role. The Bruins would have $6.25 million for both Thomas and Rask, so it’s a good number and would provide them insurance with the 23-year old Rask.
- James Murphy of NESN: Tim Thomas indicated that he might not mind staying with the Bruins and help ‘finish what they’ve started’ with the current team. He also added this when talking about his no-trade clause, “There’s a lot of other factors in every decision that people make,” he added. “Not just you guys but us guys too. You know I have family, I have kids in school — I have other things to think of. So having that kind of control of a no-trade clause is comforting.”
- Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: The Bruins and Dennis Seidenberg’s agent have begun contract negotiations last week, and Seidenberg is confident something will get done. He’s coming off a 1 year, $2.25 million deal, and might be looking for something around $4 million. I’d be surprised if it was that high, maybe in the $3-3.5 range.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli will make some changes for next season, some younger players will be a given a chance. Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin could be a new addition. 2009 1st round pick Jordan Caron will get a serious look. The Bruins will also use patience with their young guys if they feel they are not quite ready, and could bring back Mark Recchi and Shawn Thornton.
Sheldon Souray Trade Rumors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Rumors on April 12th, 2010
April 12th:
- Mark Spector of Sportsnet.ca: From the mouth of Sheldon Souray … “I want a trade” … Ah Sheldon, if it was only that easy. “It’s not a players thing. It’s not a fans thing or a city thing. It’s a management thing,” Souray said. “They’ve given up on me, and it’s a two-way street.” Souray has 2 years left on a 5 year, $27 million deal. That’s a $5.4 million cap hit for a player who only played in 37 games this year (4 goals, 9 assists), and was a -19. Last season he appeared in 81 games (53 points), but in 2007, he only appeared in 26 games. So the Oilers are trying to trade a player with a large contract, who has an injury history, and who’ll only go to certain cities because of family reasons. Souray’s hand injury didn’t allow GM Staeve Tambellini the opportunity to try and move him at the deadline, but he’ll be actively trying to move as soon as he can.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal mentions the Souray for Ribeiro trade rumor, but rebuts with, why would the Oilers want another center if they are thinking of drafting Tyler Seguin. My question is, why would the Stars want to trade Ribeiro for Souray, not the other way around? Matheson does think that Ribeiro in Nashville could be a match, though I don’t know if Nashville could give them the NHL ready, puck moving defenseman they’d like.
Ribeiro on the Move? Devils want Ilya Back … Injury Notes from Ottawa … Plenty from Hockey Night in Canada Hotstove
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 4th, 2010
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal:
- Matheson wonders if the Dallas Stars would trade Mike Ribeiro for Sheldon Souray. The Stars have Brad Richards as their #1 and Jamie Benn could step up in to the #2 spot. Sure, the Stars could use a puck moving, power play defenseman, but I don’t see them moving Ribeiro for Souray.
- Dallas Stars owner Tom Hicks owes about $674 million, and it doesn’t seem like anyone wants to buy the Stars and half of the American Airlines arena.
- The New Jersey Devils want to bring Ilya Kovalchuk back, but will they give him Crosby-Malkin type money, $8.7 million?
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:
- Ottawa Senators defenseman Filip Kuba could be done for the season with a wonky back. Kuba originally hurt his back at the Olympics. Milan Michalek was back at practice yesterday, and there is a chance he’ll be in the lineup on Monday.
- Andy Sutton, acquired at the deadline by the Senators from the Islanders, didn’t rule out signing with the Islanders after July 1.
Hockey Night In Canada: Tomas Plekanec contract negotiations going well with Montreal. The Salary Cap could be going up by $900,000 next season, mainly due to the strong Canadian dollar. Edmonton to let scouts decide if Hall or Seguin. More on the Phoenix situation. NHL in Europe
Gagne for Thomas? Zherdev Coming back to NHL? 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on March 29th, 2010
- Mathson thinks the Blackhawks will buyout Cristobal Huet after this season. It would be a $1.8 cap hit for the next 4 years.
- The Detroit Red Wings could offer Nicklas Lidstrom a “Joe Sakic one-year-at-a-time” contract at around $5 million a year.
- If Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne retire, there should be plenty of room to re-sign Bobby Ryan and bring in a top blueliner. Matheson thinks Ryan could be re-signed for about $4 million a year, a deal similar to Nathan Horton’s 6 year, $24 million. I think it will take more than that, somewhere in the $4.5 to $5 million neighborhood.
- The Edmonton Oilers are one of about 8 teams interested in Finnish goalie, Jussi Rynnas.
- Matheson thinks it makes more sense for the Oilers to take center Tyler Seguin over LWer Taylor Hall. Seguin could center RWer Jordan Eberle and LWer Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson. If the Bruins win the Lottery with the Maple Leafs pick, they’d most likely take winger Taylor Hall as they have Savard, Krejci and Bergeron up middle.
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