Latest on the Blue Jackets, Ducks, Canucks, Senators, Stars and Maple Leafs. Enjoy!
Latest Rumblings from Pierre LeBrun.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets could listen to trade offers but they’re not engaged in a roster fire sale. Mark Letestu is their only UFA of note, while RFAs Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert have garnered some attention. LeBrun speculates the Jackets might listen to offers for defenseman James Wisniewski…Injuries to Matt Beleskey and Sami Vatanen could step up the Anaheim Ducks’ efforts to do something at the trade deadline, perhaps adding a defenseman…The Vancouver Canucks’ priorities are finding a top-six forward and help for their banged-up blueline…With Marc Methot re-signed, the Ottawa Senators are carrying eight defenseman and could try moving one.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries contributed to the Blue Jackets demise this season. Management doesn’t have a need to rebuild. The Jackets showed their promise last season with a healthier lineup…Ducks could move a prospect or two and perhaps a draft pick to add a defenseman…Canucks don’t have much to offer up for trade bait to address their needs. Winger Zach Kassian, veteran forward Chris Higgins, winger Jannik Hansen and backup goalie Eddie Lack could be what they’ve got to offer up, which won’t attract much.
Could the Senators shop Jared Cowen?
Senators shopping a defenseman?
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Ken Warren speculates the Senators could shop a defenseman like Jared Cowen or Patrick Wiercioch for draft picks and prospects while shedding some payroll for next season.
OTTAWA SUN’s Bruce Garrioch took to Twitter to suggest the Carolina Hurricanes could have interest in Wiercioch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seems like Wiercioch ($2 million annual cap hit through 2015-16) could be the likely trade candidate. If, as expected, the Hurricanes trade Andrej Sekera they could consider Wiercioch to add depth to their blueline. As the Sens could be trying to shed salary he’ll likely only cost a draft pick or prospect.
Latest on the Stars and Maple Leafs.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reports injuries to Tyler Seguin, Ales Hemsky and Patrick Eaves could affect the futures for pending UFAs Shawn Horcoff and Erik Cole. Both appear likely trade candidates but they could be retained to help the Stars fill their injury gaps and stay in the playoff chase.
NBC SPORTS: Jason Brough cites a report by The Globe and Mail’s Eric Duhatschek claiming the Los Angeles Kings covet Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hey, maybe the Kings can get Polak by shipping a package of Mike Richards, Tyler Toffoli and a first-round pick to Toronto…Kidding! Just kidding. Seriously, Polak comes with a cap hit of $2.75 million through 2015-16, so the Leafs will have to retain some salary if the Kings want him.
Vancouver won’t give up any of it’s future for a rental so that ties their hands for this year but even getting into the playoffs is valuable experience for their younger players. right now players like Horvat, Kenins, Glendening, and even Kassian are getting better so the future is bright even if they’re just a bubble team this year.
True 63 n Lyle is correct not msny piece to trade or fetch much. Nucks will be quiet n at most a minor deal is my guess. We need a top 6 RW n D depth.
I watched an interview with Team President, Trevor Linden in between periods of last nights game. He essentially reiterated that they aren’t willing to mortgage the future or change course simply to make the playoffs. They are keeping their options open but would be looking to make more of a hockey deal.
Canucks were rumored in on the Methot sweepstakes before he resigned with Ottawa, maybe they could pick up Cowan or Wiercioch for a draft pick.
The Sens last night seemed to be show casing some of their young guys including Weircioch. As I watched the game the commentators said their were no less than 7 scouts from other teams in the arena watching the Canes and Sens battle. Hopefully the Sens get a good deal going.
Nucks resign Matthias n well earned at 2-2.5m/3yrs
Sign Dorsett 2.5/3yrs
Keep Kassian cuz cannot see getting value.
Move Higgins for 2/3rd or package up with Lack/Gaunce
Let Richardson walk
Need top 6 RW n D depth
Next year I can see young guns pushing for 1-2 forward spots. Jensen is closest but jury is out on him. Virtanen is perfect but prolly I’m dreamin.
Shinkaruk can be a dark horse.
Keep picks n keep stockpiling for at least 2yrs to replace aging vets as in Sedins n Bieksa. Lookin good at C n G.
they must of been lost and realized it when the sens came out and tried to leave
Can’t really see why the Leafs would trade Polak. Affordable cap hit, not on the team for long. Not that he’s invaluable to the team, but the Leafs need some players (and not draft picks) to actually play their games!
Through all the Leafs’ proposed trades, they still need a couple of warm bodies in return and I don’t think they could trade Polak and get anything too serviceable back.
True. I was kind of wondering the same thing. He isn’t a top d man but woild be a decent piece to have when younger guys like granberg, Percy, loov are trying to figure out there game. Even learning from him as he’s one of the more basic do your job nothing flashy guys.
I agree guys but it seems as though polak is the type of dman that teams may overpay to get this time of year. Not a first round pick overspend but maybe a second. It’s tough because you move him if a team over spends for him but he seems to be helping Reilly along quite a lot. He is defensive and will protect the kid. I’d be very happy keeping him because, hey, if this is a major rebuild we will need bodies to trade next year too
That right there is the largest change that has to be made within the dressing room itself. That culture change is very hard to achieve without the right leadership.
Toews brings this to Chicago, Chara to Boston, brown in LA, and so far Giordano in Calgary.
Calgary is poised nicely to take advantage of the cap crunch this summer.
With names like Lucic, Sharp, Eriksson, and such being bandied about as contract dumps and free agents like Justin Williams, Jarret Stoll, Zuccarello, Oduya, Boychuck, Paul Martin, Erhoff, Mike Green and Frolik.
Zuccarello and Williams I think would look really good in red and black.
There is no way the Rangers are losing Zucc, he fits perfectly in their system and has stated several times that he loves playing in NY. The 2 sides will agree on a 3 year deal in the range of 3.25-4.0 mil per season. He is an important part of the core and is only going to get better over the next few years. LGR!
Habs rumors are correct, they are seeking a forward named Antoine, however I believe the last name is incorrect. It should read Roussel IMO. Eller for Roussel. They are the same age, and the habs would get a french kid who is not afraid to get dirty in front of the net, can skate, fight, and has better numbers offensively than Lars. And he makes 1.5 million less on the cap hit and is signed for the same term as Eller. Just my 2 cents. Welcome any thoughts.
Hey Lyle why did you say the Leafs would have to retain some of Polak’s $2.75M to trade him to a team reported to have a strong desire in obtaining him? The way I see it, It’s not like it’s the Leafs that need or have to trade him to LA (if in fact he is something they want to deal) and if they do it will be on LA to make him fit. We can all agree that when a team retains salary it can facilitate a trade easier than not but in this case, I don’t think the Leafs would need to retain a dime.
Personally I wouldnt be in any hurry to move him if they plan on moving Phaneuf, he is the type of character to keep arou d for what will ne a very young blueline next year if you are looking at Percey Rielly Gardiner Granberg,, the Kings or whoever wo6ld have to pay a good price for him and I agree with Ron there would be no holding salary, unless that price was even higher…it d8esent make sense, why do the Kings a favor? Here Polak for a second round pick dont worry we will hold salary? His presence to the team has more value than moving him at that point…I dont expect there eill be much of a cap issue after the dust settles this summer.
Far be it from Ottawa sports writers to over value and or invent rumors (cough garioch cough) ….but really. Who would want Weircoch.
Im a Sens fan.
Other than being Turris’ best friend this guy isn’t bringing much to the table for Ottawa. Blame MacLean, who knows why but his confidence is gone. He hurries his decisions and panics with the puck.
I’d try and fix him. Cowen too. Young rebuilding team with only Freddy Klausen in the cupboard. Better start fixing the D you’ve got rather than dumping them for 3rd picks.
Funny thing a 3rd string goalie would be helpful right about now. Nabokov want some work? Rick DiPietro on speed dial?
so so so true
I like where the Canucks are going. Competitive, while grooming their prospects properly. I agree, keep Kassian, and resign Mathias and Dorsett. Wouldn’t mind seeing them add Stewart and Gorges from Buffalo, If they decide to take a shot at it this year, but I won’t be disappointed if they’re quiet at the deadline.