The Rumor Report : Goaltender Shuffle Part 1

The Rumor Report: The Goaltender Shuffle



To say this season has been a strange one for netminders would be an understatement. With the emergance of many goalies such as Tuuka Rask, Annti Niemi, Craig Anderson etc. many of the teams have found their 1st of second goalies expendable and many of their names have surfaced or resurfaced for that matter in the trade mills. Although the "changing of the guards" is pretty common among the backend it is very uncommon for so many talented goalies to be rumored to be out the door. Toronto Maple Leafs already made a major move and aquired J.S Giguere from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks as Jonas Hiller surplanted him for the title of number one. With the post season getting near and the rumors heating up I figured we'd take a look at the goalies being linked in various deals around the league. Some may actually be on the block others pure speculation but in ether case these are the rumors that I have heard being reported so use your own judgement.



Anaheim Ducks -> The Ducks have no real goalie in waiting so a trade is most likely not going to happen. Vesa Toskala could be had I'm sure if the right offer was made. The Ducks have Jonas Hiller as their clear cut number one so Toskala was just a throw in to get Blake and solve their backup issue.

Atlanta Thrashers -> The Thrashers have a goalie log jam. Kari Lehtonen has been called from a conditioning stint on Sunday while injury forced number one Ondrej Pavelec has been stellar. On top management loves Johan Hedburg as the teams reliable backup. Also 3rd stringer Manny Legace is toiling in the minors. Lehtonen has been the subject of rumors as he's a UFA at the end of the season and the Thrashers like Pavelecs play as well as his cap hit. I've heard the Detroit Red Wings would love Lehtonen as long as they could ensure they could resign him. The Dallas Stars are also considering the once major prospect as an alternative to the Turco era. Legace is available but there isn't much demand for him but if injury problems occur the Thrashers could be getting a call, however he could have to clear reentry waivers.

Boston Bruins -> Boston also has a goalie delemma but I think its a media created delemma. Tim Thomas is rumored by the Ottawa Sun to be on his way out to make room for Tuuka Rask. Rask is ready for prime time which brought on the trade rumors. I doubt they'll deal Thomas this season as A. He's got a no trade clause and B. Thomas is a Bruins favorite. Dallas and Los Angeles have been listed as possible suitors. I wouldn't think too much about this one until the Bruins can find a bonefide backup for Rask.

Chicago Blackhawks -> The Hawks are another team with a rookie goalie whose set to take the reigns. Annti Niemi looks like he's ready to go but it really could be just an amazing Chicago team. Cristobal Huet is still the number one goalie but mainly because they couldn't justify that expensive of a backup goalie. Its been no secret the Hawks have been testing the water with Huet but arn't 100% sure in Niemi yet as it's his first real season. The Hawk's would definatly have to ask for an experienced backup in return if Huet were to be dealt. The rumors on the Huet front are pretty quiet but some have linked him to his former team the Kings. Another crazy rumor had Carey Price of Montreal heading to the Blackhawks for Cristobal Huet, Jack Skille, and a 1st. In my mind thats 100% nonsense and wouldn't make sense at all for ether teams. For now it looks like Huet will remain a Hawk.

Dallas Stars -> The Marty Turco era is coming to an end in Dallas it appears. Many believe with the clubs financial problems they'll be forced to dump salaries and with Turco's incosistent play and UFA status his days appear to be numbered. The Stars are the one team linked to almost every avaliable goalie and Joe Neiwendyk even stated himself he'd be looking at every possible option for next season including a goalie change. The Stars backup Alex Auld isn't a starter so it looks like Turco could be the guy to go. A playoff bound team looking for a rental goalie could be in luck. The Los Angeles Kings have had their eye on Marty as well as the Columbus Blue Jackets with Steve Mason taking several steps back. Also according to recent reports the St. Louis Blues could be interested only if they were allowed to talk to his agent before hand to keep him for next season. The team that ineterests me the most is the Colorado Avalanche who could be a major contender this spring and can Craig Anderson really stay hot? He's never really been tested in the post season and backup Peter Budaj doesn't exactly enstill confidence in his club. I've heard only whispers and maybe the possibility of a cheap veteran but Turco could be a really good option. Edmonton could be the darkhorse in this one as both young goalies in the Oil clearly have shown their not starters and with Nikolai Khabibulin getting older they may want to invest in a goalie till their rebuilding process is over. Finally I've heard Chicago and Detroit once again but I think it's just maily because of their goaltending woes. Both teams most likely could not afford him unless serious cap came back to Dallas which they wouldn't want. Ether way unless Dallas decides to stick with him he should be out the door deadline day.

Montreal Canadians -> Everyone knows Montreal's goaltending woes, especially more so now that the media has came out with the Andrei Markov vs Carey Price story. Jaroslav Halak has been the teams saviour this season while Carey Price should be the starter, he's faultered once again all season long. Both goalies are RFA's at the end of the season which adds to this ordeal. Halak was thought to be on the way out till he carried the team down a rough stretch and proved he's capable of number one status. Nether goalie is happy with becoming the number two guy so a move must be made. Whether or not the Habs can afford to make a move right now is a different story since they are in the mix for a playoff spot. The story takes a even more drastic twist now that Bob Gainey is out of the Montreal as the GM. Gainey as we all know is the head of the Price fan club and has supported him in Montreal from day one. People have even gone as far as saying that he was in odds with the management over the Price vs Halak issue which lead to him giving up the position. I truely feel it could be Carey Price now out the door instead of Mr. Halak with the GM change. Some sources have already said the Hab's have been listening to offers for Price. He was rumored to be part of that Lecavalier deal last season after all. Price to Dallas has been a main one all season long, while some say Tampa Bay is still hot for the young goalie. Another viable option is the Red Wings who have lost faith in Jimmy Howard. Chicago is allways in the rumor mills when goalies popup as well. Edmonton is the tem I've heard covets Price the most however and they reportedly put forth an offer mid season for Price which included Cogliano, Eberle and a 6th. New Jersey could be another to watch as Brodeur is getting on in years and Yann Danis isn't exactly the next saviour in the Brick. Atlanta has been mentioned as well although they have their own worries right now. Halak has been mentioned to Los Angeles, Washington, Edmonton, and Chicago as well. This is the goalie move to watch because we all know ones coming because Montreal cant keep this tandem happy being 1A and 1B for another season. One will go at the deadline or during the draft is my prediction.

Part Two Tomorow Evening After The Sens Game