Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Ice Scoopz: Tuesday Afternoon

*-> The Vesa Toskala deal reported this morning is apparently a one month contract according to TSN so I guess that means Vesa may be eyeing a return or showcasing his skills for any interested teams around the NHL and the KHL.

*-> A major rumor has surfaced in Toronto today, it appears the Leafs may have their eyes on St. Louis forward David Backes. Backes is struggling to come to terms with the St. Louis Blues who have a handfull of free agents this summer. Toronto is still eyeing that prize piece of the puzzle to put in the middle beside Phil Kessel. With the slight chance the BLue could lose Backes this summer the rumors have already begun spinning. A rumor reported this morning has the Leafs offering Nikolai Kulemin, Tyler Bozak and James Riemer for David Backes and a late round pick. I've seen several other variations also today with some sending just Bozak and a high level prospect. It's doubtful that the Leafs organization have already given up on Bozak as he still needs time to learn, it's only his second season after all. Nikolai Kulemin is also a key piece on Toronto's special teams but I can see the Leafs parting with him if they can obtain that offensive setup man to compliment Kessel. I don't think the Blues are ready to give up on signing Backes yet ether but as the season progresses expect the rumors to heat up especially to Toronto as Backes makes sense and has several ties already to the Leafs with Brian Burke GMing the USA National Team at the Olympics and Kessel already seeing ice time beside Backes in the past.

*-> It appears it was just smoke blowing in regards to the Phoenix deal for Savard. Nothing new on that front but maybe it could be due to Savards no movement. We still don't know the other 3 teams Savard has listed as potential destinations. Right now just Ottawa and Toronto are the two possibilities, for now we'll rule this one a dud.

*-> Bill Guerin still hasn't given up on signing with an NHL team this season, he has told the media he is ready to go and willing to sign with a team interested. Just as Pandolfo told the media Guerin too is being forced to think about retirement earlier then planned but Guerin seams to have a little more faith and will to wait it out. He also said he hasn't been in talks with any of his former teams about a possible return. It's sad to see guys like Guerin on the sidelines when they still can be a positive and useful player on almost any roster.

*-> The Vancouver Canucks have sent down Jeff Tambellini to the Manitoba Moose.

*-> The Los Angeles Kings are very close to signing forward Brayden Schenn to an entry level deal.

No comments: