The latest on Martin Brodeur, Mike Richards, Taylor Hall, Mike Green, Marc Staal, Ryan O’Reilly and Craig Anderson, plus updates on the Coyotes, Maple Leafs and more.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports it’s possible Martin Brodeur might return with the St. Louis Blues as their third goalie following his week-long leave of absence. The club could offer him a position in management though his former team, the New Jersey Devils, seem more likely under that scenario…Pierre LeBrun reports the Arizona Coyotes are expected to stage a full roster rebuild. That means Antoine Vermette is going to be traded, defenseman Keith Yandle could be moved either by the March trade deadline or the offseason, as well as blueliner Zbynek Michalek…Dreger claims the Winnipeg Jets seek a third-line right wing and could use a defenseman as trade bait once the blueline corps is healthy…LeBrun claims the Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs had conversations with the LA Kings regarding Mike Richards but his contract is a sticking point. He doesn’t believe Richards is a fit with either club…He also claims the Vancouver Canucks seek a top-six forward sooner rather than later, and they’re not thinking playoff rental…Mark Methot and the Ottawa Senators will take one more stab at contract negotiations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brodeur should retire. It’s obvious he’s done as an NHL goalie…Vermette and Michalek seem the most likely to be dealt at the deadline. I believe the Coyotes will wait until this summer to move Yandle, as he’s their best trade chip and there will be a better market for his services this summer…Richards contract and his declining numbers are significant stumbling blocks.
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports the Edmonton Oilers aren’t shopping Taylor Hall but he thinks they could entertain the notion, though such a move would happen in the offseason…McKenzie thinks the Washington Capitals will consider trading Mike Green if they’re in danger of falling out of the playoff picture…The Colorado Avalanche aren’t shopping Ryan O’Reilly, though McKenzie feels they’re looking and gauging his market value…Darren Dreger doesn’t expect the Arizona Coyotes to trade Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but Martin Hanzal and Keith Yandle are players they could consider moving. It remains to be seen if Shane Doan is willing to waive his no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Oilers receive a mind-blowing offer for Hall or he demands a trade, they would be fools to part with him…If the Capitals remain in playoff contention they’ll stick with Green for the rest of this season, even if it means losing him for nothing this summer to free agency…If the Avs are to move O’Reilly, the market for his services is better in the offseason…No way the Coyotes trade Ekman-Larsson unless he demands it. I’d also stick with Hanzal. Doan will remain a Coyote until he retires or asks to be dealt.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes the Pittsburgh Penguins losing defenseman Olli Maatta for the rest of the season could put them in the market for a blueline rental player like Carolina’s Andrej Sekera…Matheson thinks the Coyotes will try to move Vermette and Martin Erat by the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With Maatta and Pascal Dupuis off the books because of injuries, the Penguins have enough wiggle room to add a defenseman like Sekera…Vermette and Erat are goners by the deadline.
CALGARY SUN: Randy Sportak lists Antoine Vermette, Andrej Sekera, Edmonton Oilers defensemen Jeff Petry and Buffalo Sabres’ Chris Stewart, Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth among those to watch leading up to the March 2 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I suspect the Sabres will try to re-sign Enroth. The rest could be on the move by the trade deadline.
NATIONAL POST: Michael Traikos lists goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defensemen Cody Franson and Morgan Rielly and forwards Nazem Kadri, Phil Kessel and William Nylander as the closest thing to untouchables on the Maple Leafs roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless they can re-sign Franson, I’d swap Gardiner for him. Otherwise, I agree with Traikos’ take.
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Wayne Scanlan reports the security of a long-term contract has Senators goaltender Craig Anderson unconcerned over recent trade rumors about him suggesting he’d be a good fit on teams in need of an experienced starting goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Robin Lehner’s stalled development I’d say Anderson isn’t going anywhere.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the New York Rangers and Marc Staal are reportedly working toward a six-year contract worth between $5.6 – $5.9 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Can’t say I’m surprised. While the Rangers have a number of free agents this summer, Staal is their priority.
O’reilly for Eberle?
Oilers priority going into next year likely won’t be a Centre – RNH/Draisaitl/Gordon + McDavid or Eichel. Eberle’s contract situation is way more favourable too. Don’t see that trade happening.
Ryan Ellis for Jordan Eberle would be a great trade for both sides. Addresses the needs for each team and an added plus is that he’s Hall’s old teammate from his Jr. days in Windsor. In regards to centre, i’d like to see the Oilers swing a deal with Buffalo for Grigerenko. A big centre who might be acquired at a decent price and maybe having Yak’s best friend on his team/line might kickstart both their careers. Not sure what Buffalo would want in return. The 1st rounder the Oil got from Pittsburgh maybe? Overpayment? Justin Schultz? Who knows…….
You want gringerenko, their best player/ prospect who will most likely turn out to be one of their best players for years to come. One of the guys they are going to build around? For a late first? Yup, ok… Typical oil fan, wants something for nothing at all. Good luck with that. They are not trading him.
Best player? Build around for years to come? Do your homework Broken hip. His trade value is a late first round pick at best in most circles. Demoted back to the AHL because of his disappointing play. You must have hit your head when you broke that hip. A late first round is nothing? Gimme a break
@ Oiler Girl
I’m a Sabres fan and honestly you should also do your homework. Grigorenko wasn’t sent down do to poor play. He was sent down because the injured player who he was called up for came back. He’s in the AHL to gain youthful experience. He’s one of the very best prospects in the league. He will command more than a late pick. It’ll take a better pick then a 25-30 pick. If the pick is in the 20’s then it will most likely take a first and a decent prospect.
I am still up in the air on Grigorenko. Most of all, I hope he has the patience to become a solid NHL player and not just chuck it and go to the KHL. He had a history before the draft, but Dorky Darcy, true to form took him anyhow. Not sure how good of a prospect he really is.
Oreilly and varlamov for hall, scrivens and ference
“Michael Traikos lists goaltender Jonathan Bernier, defensemen Cody Franson and Morgan Rielly and forwards Nazem Kadri, Phil Kessel and William Nylander as the closest thing to untouchables on the Maple Leafs roster.”
If so, why did they try to trade Franson for Gorges? I think Franson has upside but we have to remember, he is playing for a contract again. The defensive style the Leafs are playing now should yield dividends when playing teams other than last years Stanley cup winners and three of the top six teams in the western conference, which is superior to the east. When paired with Phaneuf last night for the first time this year it was Polak, not Franson scoring. I like Franson, but I think he is traded by the deadline. Leafs do not have enough cap space to resign Franson, Bernier, Kadri and all the spare parts they need without trading some bigger contracts, including what Franson will ask for (I am betting close to 5 million). I am fine with the rest of Traikos list.
Smart post Murph…good call. I think they may try amd sign Franson but you could very well be right.
@ Shticky
Just throwing this out there …Bernier is a smart cookie, could be a bad situation for the Leafs !!
After actually NOW being included in this debacle called the Leafs.
who is to say Bernier wants to actually stay in this stupid organization …..he can play anywhere and on a GOOD TEAM and many teams are looking for his services and will pay him
$5 million PLUS I am sure …..
I see this happening as he owes the LEAFS nothing …say good by to Bernier
I am not100% sold on either guy yet, I think both, look good some nights and some nights not so much. Tough to say, Iam not sure its a good ides to lock down any goalie long term Bernier lets alot of weird soft goals in imo if he is looking for 5 + long term move him, keep Reimer for a year or 2…very tough to judge after 3 years of Carlyle and no D.
Move Bernier where?
Goalies fetch not much in trades. Any goalie in Toronto has a hard time functioning consistently with the media circus n crap defence. Pretty dumb idea giving up on a young Bernier n then insult Reimer. Hardly a solution.
As most players realize when they are with the leafs and when the fans actually like the player and contract…then said player is usually more than happy to stay. Bernier is liked.
Biggest following in hockey in T.O.. Good and bad.
I’d have to disagree but you could be right
@ Shticky
Heres what I got out of the Western Leaf road swing !
For as much as Gardiner played against the KINGS they are very much interested in him and he was showcased to L. A .
Reimer and another peice ???….was showcased in San Jose
Lol just because he played a lot vs LA doesn’t mean LA is interested in his services.
I agree Jes he played alot in LA (and since the coaching change) because he has looked a little better the past few games, Horachek is giving him a little more playing time…nothing to see here. Still a young d man findimg his way, down the stretch there will be guys with different roles all about evaluation. New coach new system, for the most part.
Leafs should not have an “untouchable” list.
Don’t you think that having a core is a better idea than saying….screw it , lets trade anybody and everyone and see what happens? You have to start somewhere. It can be argued all day long who the core should be, but not having any building blocks what so ever just screams lack of direction.
Ya but let them rant on…always good for a chuckle or 2…
And go on about how they need to buld a good young core amd develop young centers amd d men while they yammer on about tradimg Nylander (19 yar old center) Kadri (23 year old center) Rielly (20 year old d man) Gardiner (24 yrar old D man) and the young goalies away for more picks they can bash when they dont develop into 70 point centers and 40 point D men as rookies….
Don’t confuse no player is untouchable with trade everyone away. That’s looking at the situation way to literal. Everyone is available for the right price. The right price is your team gets exactly what it wants. Not a fire sale.
@Kurt,
Fire sale not fire sale…..you have to be able to at least understand what direction you want to attempt to go in….how can you do that if everyone is on the hit list? You have to start somewhere. Starting with lets trade anybody and see where that takes us until the next trade, sounds like dysfunction at its finest imo.
Leafs need a no. 1 center and D to build the franchise around. Only way to get this is through trade (unlikely) or draft.
Chances are trading off a Phaneuf or another few players gets you out of the 8-12 draft range (a la Iginla Calgary Flames) and puts you in the 3-5 range. That should be the direction. Getting the core pieces. Kessel is not a piece you build your franchise around. Kessel is a piece you add at the end.
I am a firm believer on building from the Net out. When you don’t, you look like Last years Panthers / Islanders or this years / last 5-7 year Oilers. So Even if it’s Reilly, Percy, Bernier, Franson, Nylander, (Insert name here) I believe you have to at least form somewhat of a foundation up front. Even if that foundation needs to be tweeked a little along the way. At least it is somewhat of a frame/structure going forward.
Could they not wipe this roster out completely and bring in a new core by next season. At the same time cause a lovely tank job to rise a few spots in the draft.
I don’t think that overhauling an entire roster in 1 year is within the realm of possibility.The salary cap makes that near impossible. And if it were possible, would any Gm really do it or consider it a good idea?
Screw it trade everyone.
Thats called a rebuild.
Not in the Leafs vocabulary.
Leafs commit to team defence or trade for it like any winner does. Horachek is getting them to play better. Heck Kessel blocked a shot n backchecked last game. He needs more mates doing the same.
Nylander should be the only one on it …
“…closest thing to untouchable…”
If you Leaf Fans want to trade players you 1st have to get rid of Nonis and bring back John Ferguson Jr opps sorry that is who made this mess that you are in I don’t know of any team that wants a player from the Leafs or as I like to call them the Make Me Laughs if you think about it Hockey Season starts in the Fall but for the Leafs it Starts and Finishes in the same Season because I am sick of raking up those Damn Leafs
Why is everyone wanting to trade Franson so badly? I would say trade Gardner and use the money and re-sign Franson. Maybe move Gardner and a third rounder to LA for Richards and LA Holds on to about $1.75 mil of his contract. I think Richards would be a great fit for the Leafs. He can be put on the 3rd line and asked to help develop Kadri & Holland.
Highly doubt LA holds salary in a Richards trade,
If the Leafs trade any young players for Richards Im finding a really tall bridge or builfing and jumping off it…
I would recommend princess towers schticky!
LOL! Ya familiar with Kingston MDZ?
Haha, yeah, lived there for 9 years.
I wish more leafs fan thought like you.the world would be a better place. 😉
Off subject Shticky, but is Chez Piggy’s still there? Way back when I was in Kingston during business trips I’d make it a point of going there for lunch or supper and couldn’t believe it years later when, following his death in 2002, I discovered that the owner was Zal Yanovsky, a member of one my favourite 60s groups The Lovin’ Spoonful. Would have loved to have had a drink with him and talk about that aspect of his life.
My sister was worked and managed there for a few years…it actually burnt down. lol was a nice spot tho.
Sticky, don’t jump; lets push management instead.
I enjoy your posts; theirs (leafs) not so much
My mistake George Chez Piggy is still here, I was thinking The Pig and Whistle another resteraunt that was fairly well known in Kingston back in the day.
Well that’s good to hear – at least for Chez Piggy’s. Another I recall going to theree was The Pump House – an ex-fire station if I recall.
Agree..Gardiner is a liability n resign Franson @ 4.5m/5yrs.
Richards is a 2 centre on the Leafs n put Lupul on waivers when healthy if untradeable.
I dissed Franson before but I am starting to like his game. Right handed-d man, I agree they should resign him. Interesting to see Kadri on the list and no JVR.
JVR is their best trade chip…and the one I could see going first….hopefully Nonis doesnt screw that up too or is fired before it happens.
JVR is a top 6 forward and young too. I don’t trade young top 6-ers unless the bounty coming back is too good to be true.
Maybe Franson to Pittsbugh as a rental idk
I admire Shane Doans loyalty to Phoenix, but if he really wants to help them he should accept a trade. I thought he would be more interested in going for a cup. He is the perfect add on to a contender. Too bad, he deserves a better fate.Lulled by the desert sun.
I had the same feelings about alfredsson a few years back when they traded Phillips. of course no one thought he would play much longer but yes it could of helped the sens a lot as he would of probably gotten the sens a 1st and a high prospect.
In the end they lost him for nothing and tarnished his legacy. glad he came back and retired a sens but still, I’d of preferred they dealt him to the bruins or something and i could of watched him raise a cup with kelly.
uh not phillips(wishful thinking) but fisher.
A player traded away prolly cares a less about what his ex team receives. Sundin stayed the course n was roasted by some ppl. Pros compete n all 29 teams r the enemy. Loyalty is to their team only.
5.7 for 6 years for Staal….Franson is making atleast 5.
Realistically he is worth right around 5mill a year, the term will be the issue. He will probably want a min of 5 years.
Let’s get something straight,
the MAXIMUM franson is worth is 4 mil. Considering stupid owners then ya I’ll agree he’ll get 5 mil.
Leafs should walk from that salary…time to justify salary with defensive stats & heart, which is opposite from the norm.
Hence, why leafs and 20 other teams suck.
They need to start a precedence, by making Winnik $3mil/Polak $3.5mil / Bernier $5 the highest paid leafs and if you can’t battle like those players, then go elsewhere or get traded, even if we suck for another 50 years. Shinny hockey is for Ottawa, not Toronto.
If I was gonna waste $5 mil on players then I’d rather pay Polak or Bernier instead. You don’t want to lose him because of franson/gardiner/phaneuf salaries do you?
Sorry I should have said his market value will be 5mill a season, and I believe term will be the problem in Toronto … the rest of your post is assbackwards
Slats strikes again – Stall is a good d man who really hasn’t been the same since his concussion. Rangers have Stepan, Zukes and St Louis to sign. Zukes having a down year but still working signing. My issue is the NMC. Rangers stuck with Staal for 6 years.
I hope that St-louis will bolt. i don’t see him sticking around to be honest. I could see him going for a real contender. If pittsburg could afford him they should take a run at him.
@Broken hip lol….NY has only won more playoff series than anyone but LA and Chicago and maybe Boston over the last few years…..but what do facts have to do with anything?
I’m saying that not because of how many playoffs they have won but because of how badly they lost to LA. They lost some important players after that. Sure guys like Kreyder are gonna get better, but I have my doubt wether they will be able to build back a contender that can build a team in the west.
I’m taking it you don’t watch many Ranger games? The guy is a #1-2 playing #3 and has proved this over and over again in Mcdonaghs absence and before his presence. The concussion was 3 years ago, and Staal has shown that is behind him. Do you really think re-signing St.Louis (40 years old in decline) is a higher priority than Staal (28)? Zuccarello isn’t exactly screaming “Raise please” this year. Stepan Will be the next priority. Plenty of room for Hagelin, Stepan and Zuccs. If St.Louis enjoys playing practicing 10 minutes from home, he’ll come cheap.If not he can go to Brooklyn or NJ.
Also, Staals new deal includes a 3 year no trade clause (He’ll be 31) and a a partial no trade clause the last 3 years.
So this is a done deal?
It’s not done, but its close.
Now that’s a deal the Rangers can live with. 3 years with a no trade works fine for me and it gives my rangers options
The closest thing to untouchable does not mean untouchable. It’s a tough pill to swallow from a fans point of view that any player on this roster commands at least five million per year. Franson might be best moving on and making room for a roster change. If the leafs are keen to change they have to move players and Franson is part of the current problem (not that the leafs ailments sew his fault) not part of the future solution.
Nope sont need D men!
Shanny, if you are listening, Gardiner for Richards straight up, make good friends with L.A. Reimer, Phaneuf and Nylander to Edmonton for Eberle and Fasth. Kessel and Robidas to Carolina for a Staal or 2. BTW I have never had so many NHL games appear on the “guide” and be blacked out since Rogers bought all of the broadcast rights. Brutal! They’re even blacking out US teams lol.
Thank God you aren’t the GM of the Leafs… those are horrendous ideas for the Leafs.
Couldn’t agree more!
Like this one NYR!
I’m thinking the Leafs should just close the doors! LOL. Just quit. You have nobody of value!
So, you would give us Moore for Kessel and Nylander? 🙂
If we are talking J. Moore (a.k.a future Shea Weber)….I may take that deal…..even though its a huge sacrifice! But since Kessels deal is so bad, you will have to add at least 2-1st rounders.
Martin, I generally like your posts but I cannot agree with that one. Kings sgould send you a fruit basket just for suggesting the trade. Golden rule of the cap era – never trade a player who is getting paid for he he used to bring to the rink. Richards is a 3rd line center, dollars and term don’t justify the contract and the buds already have enough bad paper.
never trade for a player….
do you realize that reimer would be terrible in EDM? they need a real goalie.
Yes Please!!!!
I don’t want Gardiner for Richards straight up.
I called it MARCHAND 2 games.
More games out west now.
Its great
I’m guessing we can all put the ridiculous Carolina / Staal brothers reunion to rest now?
Kadri an untouchable? I don’t know about that.
And heres one here… for a center.
I would put Kadri on that list, why wouldnt you?
23 year old Center who has alot of offensive skill and has shown the desire to learn to play better defensive hockey. He has also put up decent numbers with average or below average line mates. Plus he hits and has a bit of a chip on his shoulder,
Because he is a Leaf! That’s why!
Consistently there best all around player…yep should pack his bags.
Kadri sucks, his main value is drawing penalties. Other than that, he skates around the ice trying to look good. For a guy that so called has so much potential, he has had enough time to try and prove it. I’d rather package him to get someone who is a ‘proven’ player.
Your right you have changed my mind with the brilliant argument of Kadri sucks …. Touche
good points advocate they could land a decent return on him since nonis hasn’t gave him a dumb contract like gardiners yet!
Funny how the Bruins start winning and the emergence of Pasternak kills the trade rumors. Being a Bruins fan I would say no one on Toronto is untouchable due to Seguin being traded he was probably on the top of the untouchable list for Boston at the time.
I would move Kessel for a top line center if possible.
good call and try to move gardiner,lupul and Clarkson too those contracts are just dead weight on a sinking ship
Heard the Jets are looking for a third line RW, well Jets fans, do I have a treat for you! How about a Physical RW who hits in his prime at 30, kills penalties, is on a second power play unit, has some leadership qualities, a 30 goal season and he’s gonna cost you only $5.25 million for the next 5 and a half years.
Let those offers pour in my friends in central Canada 🙂
I didn’t say they would be easy to move mdz! lol
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/22800149/how-the-los-angeles-kings-corsid-their-way-to-the-nhls-elite
http://nesn.com/2014/09/bruins-claude-julien-on-hockey-analytics-i-think-its-an-important-tool/
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24548618/blackhawks-gm-stan-bowman-says-analytics-give-team-leg-up
Give these a read Jello…you were saying these things mean nothing and good teams dont know what they mean or use them…
why would I listen to reporters and guys like that they don’t know anything you say that all the time!?
jello on January 16, 2015 at 4:15 pm
shticky please prove to me that those stats are being used? most gms say they don’t even know what those stats mean! lol
Well you were the one that asked for one and for 2 they are interviews with the guys meathead…not Kyper or Oneill yammering on about whatever…
lol of course bad teams have bad stats! duh!! the leafs got kyle dubas supposed advance stats genius hows that working out for them?
The only stats the laffs should be concenered about is the that has the W “s in scoring more goals than your opponents
agree john
Writing was on the wall for Seguin – didn’t mesh with cj – didn’t play defense, didn’t want to go to the dirty areas… He was not a Bruin. Same with Kessel which is why he was moved as well. Seguin was never going to play Center in Boston (Are you moving Krecj or Bergy to let him play top 6 center?) and he never really excelled at playing wing.. so honestly the deal made sense.. at the time.
The Penguins don’t need another defenseman. A slight adjustment of their pairs and they will be fine. Try letang/ despres, ehrhoff/ Martin, and bortuzzo with scuderi unfortunately. I would dump Scuderi asap and bring up one of the 3 young guns down in wbs. That would put pmds on every line. And make their blue line very dynamic and dangerous. When this team gets healthy and hornqvist and comeau return it will be the deepest roster the pengiins have had in years. Add another ufa forward at the deadline to push adams out of the lineup and you have a team that can do damage in th playoffs.
Thanks! Nice to see someone else who can confirm where I stand on this one. I don’t get this sudden need to add another D? Pouliot has looked great, same as Chorney and Harrington…..why trade (or in my opinion waste) an asset for someone who arguably will do as well or a bit better than these kids who will be your defensive backbone within the next couple of years? Especially when there is no guarantee that new player coming in will help (see Douglas Murray). At least with the kids, they play and understand the system by being in the organization (WBS plays a similar style) and playing with the big club. Afterall, it was only in Sept/Oct that we expected Martin to be shipped out at the deadline and the only change in injury has been Maatta.
As for Adams, we can disagree on that. With age, his value is limited, but I think he can be productive on the 4th line within the PK and if he continues to play a hitting like he has since Christmas.
The only thing Adams is hitting after December is his own players at practice and getting on malkin’s nerves. Honestly I dread everytime Adams hits the ice, he’s slow,outmatched, and turning into a waste. If it wasn’t for him sacrificing his body on the pk he would be totally useless or used for a life like statue outside consol energy center. Honestly I’m hoping the addition of Arcobello puts Adams on the healthy scratch list more now. Adams has lost massive speed sense 2009, and people that hang on to him being useful are only foolong themselves. Adams should be off the ice and on the bench as a coach by now.
I think Sill would be a better first line pk guy if given the opportunity. He gets out at the end of the pk usually and he’s usually so aggressive he pins the puck in the other teams end and won’t let them get anything going. Put Sutter and sill on the first pk and Goc and spalling on the 2nd and if there is a third put out arco and Comeau. No need for adams at all. I love that Harrington is playing tonight but they say the wrong guy as a healthy scratch.
Considering the Sabres season is virtually over with the playoffs no where in sight, should they consider moving some of the veteran talent they signed in the offseason?
Mezaros please, Benoit too. Moulson has been a real disappointment, but nobody will take his contract nor Gionta’s. Starting to wonder about Tim Murray – he got robbed on the Washington. He’s way overpricing the guys he wants to get rid of.
I think the Flyers should try for Hall this summer. With their draft pick probably being a high one, I wonder if Coburn, Cotourier, and their 1st would be enough? I know the oilers have looked at Coburn in the past, and it would also give them a young top six forward that is still filling out his frame. (Either Schenn or Cotourier would be fine with me). I’m just imagining a top line of Giroux, Voracek and Hall.
I doubt the Oilers still want a Centre. Not sure they still want Coburn as they have added Nikitin, Fayne and Ference since they tried to trade for Coburn. Those three all have term left on their contracts so adding Coburn without moving one of them out might be a problem.
Cotourier is overrated and is a 3rd line Center the Oilers wont have a problem finding one without giving up Hall.
Don’t agree. Cotourier has a lot of value. Funny how everyone is in love with ROR and thinks the flyers are garbage.
I don’t think the Flyers are garbage at all, Cotourier is Dave Bolland 2.0. I would love to hear your argument on why you feel he is comparable to ROR other then they are both defensive minded forwards.
Check out the stats this year-10 goals vs 7 goals. That’s my argument
Well played sir … well played indeed
I don’t think Couturier is garbage at all. But I think the Flyers need Hall like they need a hole in the head. The lack of a scoring 1 dimensional winger is far from what ails them.
I am not saying he is garbage either just that he is overrated that’s all, He is a 3rd line player most Flyer fans think is the second coming of Stevie Y ..
I would give up Schenn instead of Cotourier, but according to al of these rumor blogs, Edmonton still likes Coburn. I think that the pick will have more overall value than either player. At this rate it could be in the top 5-7. And with the contracts our d has, there is just no way to add anyone else better. I think he would be a monster on the wing with G and Voracek. Or you play him with Laughton on the second to spread out the scoring a bit.
Man, you Toronto guys are just.. Its shocking. The day that phaneuf gets dealt for anything more than an aging dman or forward to a team other than one trying to make the cap floor… Well, that would be the day it snows on the equator in june. Clarkson.. Get used to him or else bury him in the A. Phaneuf is a bum.. May as well get used to Lupul as well. 5 mill for a guy who barely plays 60% of the games? And you think hes tradable?
I thought we in Edmonton overvalued our players!
Plenty of good posts on here today. Darryl K you are bang on with your take on the B’s trading Seguin, plus they were/are trying to win the cup now while Chara can still move.
Agree with all that say the Leafs need a rebuild with the core coming from the net out. Top flight, goaltending, D and centers win these days and you MUST play a 200′ game and play with grit and character, sorry Kessel this means you must go. Phanuef is a good D-man just a bad contract, he is getting paid like a top #1 D-man. He isn’t so ditch that contract too. Keep the youngsters Schticky mentions above and begin the rebuild. Otherwise you are that mid range team that never gets there and doesn’t draft high enough to get the centers and D-men you never get in a trade.
Very well said bud. Some of these Laugh fans think they have all the talent in the world. They think they could get mountains for Clarkson, Phaneuf and Lupul. Nobody wants these 3. You guys made the same mistake Buffalo did with Leino. Clarkson will finish his career with Toronto unless the Leafs buy him out. Nobody wants Lupul. The guy still hasn’t played 1 full NHL season to date. And what could we say about Phaneuf. The guy is absolutely horrible. Makes horrible turnovers for a $7+ million defenseman.
No one will take those guys without incentive. That meaning the Leafs will have to pick up the max amount of the contract going the other way and add a pretty good prospect that will be going the other way. If the Leafs do not want to pick up the max amount of salary they’ll definitely have to take a garbage contract in return.
I also agree with the masses right now in Pittsburgh. They won’t be hunting for a d-man for the playoffs and if by some chance they do land one it’s only because Martin is most likely getting moved. Matta’s spot can and will be filled with one of our young d-men waiting for their chance and they will do well.
Lol why the hell would a Stanley Cup favorite deal a good defenseman like Martin? That’s like saying the Kings will deal Williams by deadline. Those guys are staying put for this season. Unless the Kings/Pens get unbelievable returns for those players they aren’t going anywhere.
Actually, funny thing. That is the trade I’m hearing
Martin to kings
Williams to the pens.
Even trade. Rental for rental.
The Oilers need to throw money at boychuk and stafford this summer after drafting mcdavid or eichel also making a trade for martin jones makes sense to and than they have a shot at the playoffs next year.
I still think the Leafs could use Richards for some grit up the middle — although I realize there’s no way they separate Kessel from Bozak and his contract is an issue.
They Leafs could (and would have to) send an ugly contract back to LA (hello, Robidas).
I also have a hard time believing JVR is not on the list of untouchables, but this is the Leafs, so who knows.