*-> Montreal Canadians GM Bob Gainey announced yesterday he would break his no negotiating with free agents during the regular season for UFA Tomas Plecanec. He said he'd love to retain him and would do everything possible including clear up cap space for him via trade. He also said if the right situation came up and the right deal he'd trade Halak. He also went onto say he respects Halaks wishes as he's ready to take on a bigger role. He also didn't rule out keeping the tender. Several teams have been calling Gainey it also was revealed because of Halaks play. Dallas, LA, Edmonton, and Philly are still rumored to be after him. Don't expect Halak to be traded unless the Habs fall out of the playoff race or can get a top line player or an overpriced deal. Keep in mind the Habs also have Curtis Sanford in Hamilton so if it can help the drive and Price looks ready to carry the team you never know.
*-> Ottawa is still searching for that replacement center for Spezza. Murray has admitted to searching but he's against the cap so he too would have to clear space first. The most likely candidates are Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly, and Alexandre Picard. The 1st 3 are all overpaid and playing a 4th line role. Chris Kelly has been playing better or late but is paying him that much for his role worth a non existant PP and offense? Chris Neil would be much sought after in the West and would bring in the most. The only issue is he's a fan favorite and he did take a discount to resign in the Nations capital. As for the centers out there the Sens are rumored to be interested its still limited to 2, Michael Nylander and Todd White. White in my opinion is reasonable while Nylander would be a desperation move. I have heard from a source that Spezza himself has said he'll be out till late February so it may be a possibility for Murray to make a move considering that and he has stayed he's looking.
*-> Rick Dipietro is set to return to action this week. Expect the Islanders to start shopping Martin Biron or Dwayne Roloson. I sure some of you rumor fans out there are saying Roloson? I think he could be the goalie to go. Its a 50/50. Roloson has been the hotter goalie and the higher cap hit so the Isles might want to get him off the books. While Biron has struggled and has the smaller cap hit. I'm hearing Biron still has more interest right now but down the stretch a veteran guy like Roloson might be the better option for a playoff bound team. The Stars, Leafs, Kings, Flyers, RedWings, and Oilers are reportedly looking for goaltending help. I don't know about the Wings because I think they've come to terms with Chris Osgoode and Jimmy Howard. Maybe if there in contention or they can aquire a starter for next season. The Flyers are another I doubt will go after a goalie.
5 comments:
You gotta admit Scoopz, that the Sens have played well without Spezz and Alfie... I mean they won't beat top teams without them but the supporting cast has done its role well. I doubt Murray makes any move unless the Sens go on a lengthy slide, and even then its Campoli or Picard on the move, not Neil, Ruutu or Kelly.
CA
Do you really think a 4th line is worth over 6 million? I agree Campoli and Picard need to go but if Murray wants to make the playoffs or atleast far he needs help and without clearing space that isn't possible.
It's too bad the guys are making as much as they are. Having the best 4th line in the league is nice, but not at that price. Guys like Winny/Keller/Bass (what ever happened to him?) would be cheaper and not too much of a downgrade, not too mention the relatively small role they'll be given. The fourth line is for energy boosts, which these three specialize in.
But we definitely need an anchor for the D. Packaging one or both of Picard and Campoli and throwing in one of the fourth liners could get us a solid player - isn't Phaneuf disgruntled out West :D?
Doesn't matter scoopz, if the 4th liners are contributing (which they are) then there's no point trading them for mediocre talent. Besides, melnyk doesn't mind spending to the cap, and the sens should have enough cap room with alfie and spezz on the shelf to get whatever rent a player they can snag come deadline day.
CA
I think we can all agree that the Sens do not have a D that can realistically compete in the playoffs. Volchenkov and Phillips are fantastic, but the rest are a shadow of that '07 team that went on the cup run. Kuba is not an elite puckmover, and the rest are 5-6-7th Dmen on a good night.
Also, I feel that 4th line is obscenely overpaid. Rutuu and Kelly have looked good recently, but you can find role players in this league much more easily than pricey scorers. And where did that 'A' come from on Kelly's sweater Scoopz?
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