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TagsThe latest from ESPN and the Ottawa Sun, including rumors about Lecavalier, Kovalchuk, Turco, Souray and more.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the following: He believes the NY Rangers might have interest in Edmonton Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray, although they’d have to shed the salaries of either Michal Roszival or Wade Redden to make cap space. LeBrun suggests the only real option would be to demote Redden to the minors and “eat” his contract…Contract negotiations have started between the Penguins and defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang. The team isn’t close to a deal although that could change in a heartbeat. Lebrun suggests the term of Gonchar’s contract would be the main issue for the 36-year-old for if he retires at any point before the contract expires it’ll still count against the Penguins cap. Lebrun also suggests Penguins fans should expect a major trade deadline addition this year given the team’s limited cap space…Nashville Predators GM David Poile could soon face a decision on which of his two goaltenders he’ll keep. Pekka Rinne and Dan Ellis are both UFAs at season’s end and LeBrun wonders if Poile might shop one if he gets another re-signed before March 3rd….Contracts talks between the Senators and UFA defenseman Anton Volchenkov haven’t gone anywhere yet although GM Bryan Murray hopes to start concrete talks this week on the matter. Murray also dismissed speculation he might shop Alex Kovalev by the trade deadline…Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco will almost certainly be available by the March 3rd trade deadline. He’s a UFA this summer and its possible the Stars could go in a different direction. LeBrun suggests the Stars might be interested in Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak but the Habs asking price apparently has gone up since the two teams talked earlier in the season and the Canadiens might not part with Halak now. LeBrun suggests the Stars might consider Atlanta’s Kari Lehtonen.
SPECTOR' S NOTE: Souray would have to agree to a trade to the Rangers, and given his family lives in Los Angeles I doubt that's going to happen...If the Penguins make a trade they'll tweak rather than make a major deal...The Predators are playing well of late and could have no reason to trade one of their goalies by the deadline. They'll likely favor Rinne over Ellis this summer when it's time to talk contract...I expect the Sens will do everything possible to re-sign Volchenkov but it could require shedding some salary to make room for his new deal...I doubt the Habs move Halak by the deadline unless they get a great offer and even then it'll depend on where they are in the standings and how Carey Price is playing. As for the Stars moving Turco, if he doesn't improve his performance between now and March 3rd they'll be hard-pressed to find many takers. Lehtonen could be a goalie of interest for the Stars but there'll likely be other clubs bidding for him too.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the following: A league source claims NY Rangers GM Glen Sather has reached out to the Tampa Bay Lightning and another source claimed Vincent Lecavalier is on the market. It’s believed the Rangers are offering up Matt Gilroy, Wade Redden and either Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan but Redden would be a non-starter for the Bolts. The problem is it would be very difficult to convince Lecavalier to waive his movement clause as he’s very happy with the Lightning…It’s believed the Canucks are shopping around for a scoring forward…Sergei Gonchar could get between $6-7 million on the open market this summer but it’s possible he might accept a little less from the Penguins. As unlikely as it seems he could be shopped at the deadline if not re-signed by then…Atlanta Thrashers forward Colby Armstrong might attract interest the trade deadline. The Flames might be interested…The Chicago Blackhawks have to decide if they can win the Cup with Cristobal Huet as their starter. There’s “whispers” management could make a major deal for a goalie but the market is limited, citing Montreal’s Jaroslav Halak, NY Islanders Marty Biron and Anaheim’s JS Giguere…Ilya Kovalchuk’s agent is still hopeful of re-signing with the Thrashers and claims the trade rumors are just that: rumors…The Minnesota Wild could shop Petr Sykora. The Senators, Rangers, Lighting and Stars could be interested.
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Lecavalier's not moving... Gonchar's not moving. ..Armstrong won't be dealt if the Thrashers are still in the playoff chase. Neither will Kovalchuk... With Pavol Demitra soon to return to the Canucks lineup they won't need to make any trades for a forward...The Blackhawks won't move Huet nor will they be shopping for another goalie. If Huet can't get the job done they'll turn to Antti Niemi. Barring a major late season slump the Blackhawks currently have no reason to make any significant trades...Sykora will probably be dealt by the trade deadline at the latest.
