*-> The Boston Bruins are rumored to be shopping their star center Marc Savard. Savard's name has been mentioned in many rumors involving the Bruins attempting to dump cap. Many are saying that Savard is close to being dealt out of Boston to land a key defenseman for next season. Many teams are being linked to Savard such as the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets. A mjor rumor surfaced last week about the Bruins in talks with the Toronto Maple Leafs about a Savard for Tomas Kaberle swap. This rumor has been crushed by Brian Burke with him stating that the Leafs are not interested in Savard and no such deal was in the works. Boston has also said they will not drastically alter their blueline. Savard looks to be in play but I think if the Bruins can get a better offer for Patrice Begeron they will jump on the chance. Many teams may be waiting to see what happens with the Jason Spezza situation before anything goes down. The signing of Marleau and Plekanec should help drive up the price for a star center.
*-> Rumors have Marty Reasoner back on the move after being recently acquired by the Chicago Blackhawks from the Atlanta Thrashers last night. Reasoner was mainly acquired as a cap relief and the Hawks are looking for a late pick for him.
*-> While on Chicago, I'm still hearing that the Blackhawks still have a few guys up for sale. Andrew Ladd is most likely the next to go with the Vancouver Canucks desperate to acquire him. Meanwhile ether Kris Versteeg or Patrick Sharp could be had for the right price. Sharp is still being linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs while the Oilers and the Blue Jackets would both love to have Versteeg on their roster. Cristobal Huet is also on the block but his price tag is scaring away almost every interested buyer. The Hawks may have to settle for a costly buyout if they want the roster space. Last thing on Chicago goaltending prospect Corey Crawford who has been meddling away in the AHL could be had for a high pick or quality prospect as he's started to voice his frustrations with being stuck in the minors.
More soon.
11 comments:
I really dont see Sharp being the answer to the Leafs problems up front. While Ponikarovsky and Antropov were not what I would call winners, their spots have really not been properly replaced yet.
Flipping Kaberle for Carter would really help, plus sign a top 6 forward, and then I think they would be a legit playoff team again.
I agree that Carter could help the Leafs but I can't see Philly going after Kaberle unless the Dan Hamhuis signing goes South.
Philly would be nuts to move Carter, particularly with Gagne's injury issues. If they need an asset to move, they should consider Van Riemsdyk who is expendable given Giroux's potential dominance and the emergence of Leino as a contributor.
For what it's worth, I think the Bruins are making a mistake if they move Savard, but I cannot believe the Jackets wouldn't be all over him. I guess you move him if you're convinced Seguin is your guy and can contribute right away.
And also for what it's worth, I think Versteeg will end up in Florida where Tallon really likes him.
- Jalen
With the FA market depleting fast and not being that strong this year, I see the market price for a 2 way guy with offensive talent like Sharp sky rocketing. He's 28 and has 2 years left on his contract with is a cap hit of 3.9. He can fill that void on the leafs top line or be a very important piece of a teams 2nd line.
Also, has anyone heard anything to the Sens/Pens swapping rights rumours. The Sens get Gonchars rights and the Pens get Volchys? What do you guys think? Would it be worth the Sens going after a guy like Gonchar if Volchy walks? Do you think we could get Gonchar signed to something reasonable or would he go for the $$$? I think hes mainly looking for term because of his age. It seems that everyone only wants to give him a 1year deal with the risk of him retiring and his salary still fully counting towards the cap. I think he'd be a great mentor for young Karlson
Let me know what you guys think
-Mack-
I think Gonchar would be a Godsend for the Sens Mack. Hes aging at this point, but he is still an elite offensive Dman no question. I imagine he'll want at least 6, and he probably deserves it. The problem is having Kuba on the books really hurts this deal, so I would be surprised if anything comes of it.
Or maybe Melnyk will demand Murray sign him, he seems to love Russians on the wrong side of 35.
I agree Tom, we would definitely have to move Kuba off the books if we had any chance of signing Gonch. The downfall is that Kuba is injury prone and has only played a maximum of 81 games once in his entire career. His salary is somewhat enticing at 3.7 for the next 2 years, but for a guy who has never played a complete season and only ever hit the 40 pt plateau once seems unlikely
-Mack-
Fair enough Mack, but wouldn't you say that Fisher brings even more of a two way game than Sharp with a cap hit of 4.2? Rumour floating that Murray is shopping Fisher under the radar. NMC but we'll see.
Gonchar would be a great Sens pickup. If they can't do a rights for rights swap, get Pittsburg to pull a sign and trade involving Kuba (like the Sens did with Hossa). That would free up the Kuba salary and significantly upgrade our number one D. He might take 5-5.5 with Pittsburg. They can't afford that, but could take Kuba's 3.7 for two years. Snake move but all's fair in love, war and the NHL.
CA
Leafs need to package Kabs and Scheen to the Ducks for Bobby Ryan. Then go after Kovolchuck after July 1.....2nd most points in the NHL since the lock out....he could carry the leafs on his back!
Mack, Tom and Chartered Accountant,
I think Gonch is looking for at least $6M and 2 years to sign...although I could see Murray being interested, I think it would be a mistake given the team's cap structure. Personally, I really want someone that's better defensively - Gonch looks to be wearing down quickly - and a true hammer on the PP a la McCabe (hate him) or Souray (hate his contract).
DWYZ - Kovalchuk may have the second most points, but he also has one career playoff win.
I see why you want Ryan, he's a stud, but I can't see the Ducks interested in your deal especially since Kab's only has a year left on his contract. Don't you think you need a center? or do you think Bozak can play first line minutes?
- Jalen
CA,
Love the idea of a sign and trade and I totally agree that all is fair in love and hockey buddy, but I dont think that the pens would take kuba considering they have letang (3.5), Orpik (3.75), and Goligoski (1.8). I just think that they wouldn't take on the risk of him not playing the full season and counting as 3.7 against the cap. Also, the pens might consider re-siging Leopold, probably at around what he made last year (1.8). This leaves a lot of money tied up in their D considering if they sign Leopold their top 5 D will be making fairly heafty cash if they took Kuba. We would probably have to sweeten the deal with a younger prespect and im not sure i'd be willing to give one of them up.
Jalen,
I think everyone is aware that the Gonch isnt getting any younger and that maybe he isn't the best defensively, but the man is golden when it comes to setting up and controlling the PP. He is an animal in the offence department and we all know the Sens are lacking someone who can consistently produce from the back end (until Karlson is ready). I think he'd be the perfect mentor for our young stud. Gonch had 50 pts in 62 games and has hit the 50+ pt marker 4 of the past 5 years.
Just food for thought fellas
-Mack-
I like the idea of trading Gonchars rights for Volchenkovs but I don't think Pittsburgh's looking for that kind of guy. The sign and swap situation is interesting and could work for the Sens but as Jalen pointed out it could be an expensive pickup. I'm hearing gonchar is ok with 5 to 6 million but he wants 3 years, some are saying more which might not be a cap friendly situation in a year. Dumping Kuba will help out quite a bit but I don't believe the Pens would have any use for him, the Sens are going to have to dangle something that Pittsburgh actually wants.
Ilya Kovalchuk would be a great pickup but Phil Kessel is clearly the goto guy in Toronto and the fact he still doesn't have a setup guy or even a linemate to play with is troublesome. The Leafs need to find that senter with Kaberle. Burke has even recently said he has no intentions in Kovalchuk this summer.
Bobby Ryan is a incredibly talented player and the ducks would be stupid to move him unless they can land a major haul in return. Kaberle would help the Ducks out quite a bit but they'd have to have some reassurance that they'd be able to keep him after next season.
I'm interested to see who would take Fisher at that monsterousity of a contract. Sounds like Charles Wang draft day territory.
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