Latest on Joffrey Lupul, Jordan Staal, James Wisniewski, Jeff Petry and many more.
TSN updated trade bait list.
TSN: updated their list of top-ten NHL trade bait heading toward the March 2 trade deadline. Arizona’s Antoine Vermette tops the list, followed by Carolina’s Andrej Sekera, Edmonton’s Jeff Petry, Toronto’s Daniel Winnik, Arizona’s Zbynek Michalek, Buffalo’s Chris Stewart, Florida’s Sean Bergenheim, Carolina’s Jiri Tlusty, Calgary’s Curtis Glencross and Colorado’s Jan Hejda.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not really an enticing list of talent. All of them are second tier at best. If those are the only notable players moved on deadline day, it’ll be a letdown compared to the big names who were on the move last season.
Lupul and Winnik on the move soon?
TSN.CA: Darren Dreger reports there’s a 60 percent chance Toronto Maple Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul could be dealt leading up to the trade deadline and into this summer. If the oft-injured Lupul can stay healthy, Dreger claims there are several clubs with interest in him who could try to land by the deadline. Dreger also considers Leafs forward Daniel Winnik 100 percent likely to be dealt at the deadline. The Leafs seek a second-round pick and either a third-rounder or a prospect. The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly interested, and Alex Burmistrov’s name has been floated as a possible trade chip.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox cites Sportsnet590 host Andrew Walker claiming the Leafs are actively shopping Lupul. The Montreal Canadiens are one club linked to Lupul in the rumor mill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the uncertainty over next season’s salary cap, Lupul’s $5.25 million per season contract running through 2017-18 and his injury history, I think an NHL general manager would be insane to acquire him. Yes, when Lupul’s healthy he’s an effective top-six winger, but he’s constantly injured, and his contract carries too much salary for too long. Lupul’s not worth the risk.
Updates on Jordan Staal, James Wisniewski and Jeff Petry.
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Chip Alexander reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis disputed media reports out of Pittsburgh that the Penguins are interested in reacquiring center Jordan Staal. “We’re not moving Jordan Staal,” said Francis.
NBC SPORTS: Dhiren Mahiban cites a report from The Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline claiming two different sources state the Blue Jackets are trying to move defenseman James Wisniewski by the trade deadline. Wisniewski was a healthy scratch during the Jackets game against the New York Rangers on Sunday, prompting speculation he might be dealt, though GM Jarmo Kekalainen claimed no deal was imminent.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson suggests the Oilers should rest defenseman Jeff Petry, who’s nursing sore ribs, rather than continue playing him leading up to the trade deadline and risk aggravating the injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise Francis denied the Staal trade speculation. Jordan obviously wasn’t about to be moved at the trade deadline. Still, if brother Eric decides he’ll test the 2016 free agent market this summer, Francis could try to move him, which could also affect Jordan’s future in Carolina…Looks like Kekalainen was only telling half the story regarding the Wisniewski trade speculation. More like, “No deal is imminent…but we’re working on one.” Wisniewski’s a right-handed shot which is a valuable commodity, but his cap hit is $5.5 million annually for two more seasons….There’s sufficient interest in Petry so the Oilers don’t have to showcase him now. If he needs a few days to recuperate from his rib injury, it might be wise to shut him down until deadline day.
Latest on the Bruins, Senators and Capitals.
ESPN BOSTON: Joe McDonald reports David Krejci’s knee injury puts pressure on Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli to fill the void. Should Krejci go on LTIR until season’s end as expected, it’ll provide the cap-strapped Bruins with some relief (he’s earning $5.25 million this season) to pursue a short-term replacement. McDonald suggests Arizona’s Antoine Vermette as a trade target. If callup Ryan Spooner plays well at center, McDonald suggest perhaps targeting Winnipeg Jets winger Michael Frolik.
OTTAWA SUN: Don Brennan reports the Senators could unload forwards Colin Greening and Erik Condra by the trade deadline.
CSN WASHINGTON: Chuck Gormley reports the Washington Capitals need a top-line right wing, second-line center and blue line depth. For right wing trade targets, he suggests Edmonton’s Jordan Eberle, New Jersey’s Jaromir Jagr, Carolina’s Jiri Tlusty and Buffalo’s Chris Stewart. For centers, Toronto’s Daniel Winnik and Arizona’s Antoine Vermette. For blueliners, Carolina’s Andrej Sekera, Edmonton’s Jeff Petry and New Jersey’s Marek Zidlicky.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes are reportedly seeking a first-round pick and top prospect for Vermette, which likely prices him out of the Bruins and Capitals market. The Jets seek a top-nine forward so I doubt they’ll trade Frolik to the Bruins…Condra is a UFA and likely has more value at this year’s trade deadline than Greening, who has term left on his deal…The Capitals stand a better chance of landing Tlusty, Stewart, Winnik or Petry.
No significant moves for Canucks, Islanders and Wild?
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Vancouver Canucks are confident Eddie Lack can fill in for sidelined starter Ryan Miller and have no plans to shop for a goalie. Dreger claims they’re still on the hunt for goal scoring.
NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis reports sources claim Islanders GM Garth Snow won’t be pursuing a major deal leading up to the trade deadline and could stand pat.
STARTRIBUNE.COM: Michael Russo reports Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher believes his club’s priority is its health and not the trade deadline. While several players are sidelined by injuries, others (Justin Fontaine, Jordan Schroeder, Matt Dumba) have stepped up to fill the void. The Wild have won six of eight games since those injuries.
Lock the crazy bin and throw away the key, cause I think Lupul gets moved…GMs are insane for any amount of deals they do and contracts they sign, it still dosent stop ’em from doing it. lol
salary would have to be retained no? Or a bad contract coming back too.
If we were to write a list of all the things that we considered “insane” for GMs to do over the past few years it would be a mighty long list, and depending on the deal I doubt trading for Lupul would be near the top of it. Unfortunately quite a few of the other Leafs moves would be.
I don’t think the return will be much for Lupul given that he is a glass cannon. Maybe a 2nd and a conditional at most given the term he has left on the contract and the risk being taken that he’ll be hurt prior to the playoffs.
Im not sure its that much, a shorter or cheaper contract comes back and a pick is about all I think. Maybe more if they hold salary (Im not sure they will) some one with a 3-5 mill shorter term deal who is not as good as Lupul and a pick or prospect. Not a high pick not a blue chip prospect. The Leafs get a couple mill in cap relief and something else small.
I can see the pick whatever it ends up being a conditional one though given his injury history.
Lupul at best will fetch a 3rd round in 2016 and only if the leafs take 2M back in salary.
Lupul could go to a team needing to get to the cap floor. Toronto wont get much for him.
Lupul likely will be moved by the deadline. There is not a scorer of his caliber available at the deadline this year. Right wingers are especially in short order.
To the right team like Winnipeg, Anaheim, or Montreal Lupul will be slotted in on the second line and in future years the teams have the depth to play Lupul for 3 and rest him for 2 in the regular season.
Lupul goes for a second and a b level prospect.
Lupul doesn’t get that if salary isn’t retained.
There is not a better, affordable offensive (what a team has to give up) winger available. Don’t underestimate how few high end players are available this year.
You are right that there aren’t a lot of high end players available but wrong if you think Lupul is a high end player.
jaromip jagr at 43 is still better than lupul and he’s available so is antione vermette i know he’s a center by trade but he can play all 3 postioons up front he t is 2x the player lupul is…. here’s another jordan eberle lupul couldn’t tie his skates either
Lupul is an effective player when healthy. But that is the rub, he is rarely healthy. Teams will not give up much for a player they cannot rely on.
Lupul Straight up for Parenteau. Leafs clear cap space, while still getting an NHL caliber player in return. Habs take on the injury risk for the additional seasons.
Lupul is the better player, but the contract is risky. Only adds 1 Million to the Habs cap hit next year. The additional 2 seasons after that are manageable.
to tke that albtross contract for parenteau we’d need the leafds to add a pick for us to make it worth our while …i knoiw this for a fact bergevin won’t touch that contract for anything unless he benefits from the deal
So listening to TSN 690 radio Montreal, Melnick in the afternoon, Melnick notes how the rumours of Lupul to the Habs started after Mitch Gallow floated the idea of interest by the Habs in Lupul. The idea was COMPLETELY based on his over thinking on the lint in his navel. Nothing to this totally made up rumour.
If there were no injury issues Lupul would likely garner a first, an A level prospect and either a second or a second prospect.
If he did not injury issues his contract would be appropriate.
A second and a prospect is a huge discount.
Hey Schticky
Don’t you think it would be in the Leafs best interest if they trade Lupul over the summer? I do. Only having the Playoff teams interested is not going to generate them much. Thsoe teams will just cite injury risk and cap issues in the trade negotiations. The Market will be broader in the summer and there is always some team out their who is willing to take a risk on a player and fill a need. The only way I see it happening is if Toronto accepts a deal where the return increases depending on the amount of games lupul plays or how far the team who acquires him advances.
For instances. Lupul to Playoff team (whichever) for a 4th round pick. If he plays through 1rst round. 3rd pick. If he makes it beyond 2nd round 2nd round pick. If he gets injured before playoffs and unable to play 5th round pick. These numbers are just examples. I have thought of how reasonable the value of each pick is in a trade but the point being other teams will have concerns acquiring Lupul are you confident enough in him to make a move like this where you may end up with little to nothing. Accept the same risk as the team acquiring him.
Oh..does Lupul possess some kind of no trade clause?
14 teams ntc I believe, and no I think his value is highest now for a team that needs a top 6 guy for scoring in the playoffs. During the summer is when the questions of his durability will be bigger. Think about it you may get a GM who thinks he only needs to stay healthy for the next few months not 82 games plus the playoffs, they will cross that bridge when they come to it, in the mean time they send some salary back to the Leafs or another player that isnt working outfor whatever reason and then they have the summer to make any other adjustments….Lupul moving at the deadline can be spun to other GM like someone is getting a scoring winger who is a good team guy for a cup run, in the summer its tough to spin it as anything other than a salary dump. Lupul would be easier to move now than he would be in the summer imo.
More importantly any of the contenders know Lupul has the skill, potential, and drive to be a difference maker in the playoffs.
Any team acquiring Lupul wants the cup now. This is not a move about later.
He also carries a huge risk attached to him. Its a balancing act for most GMs and I simply don’t believe that Lupul is worth as much as you think based on whatever risk/reward analysis the GMs use. Then again I’m not a GM
MDZ name a player that is available that also possesses Lupul’s offensive touch.
Any trade for Lupul is all about 25 or so games at the end of the season.
I’m not sure if you are referring to Russ or me, but I dont think it matters when he is moved I dont think there is much of a return at all, I justthink it may be easiser now when some GMs seem a little more impulsive, than in the summer when it seems like more of a bigger picture or in the long run type moves.
@Shticky
I was referring to MDZ.
I think Lupul will garner a 2nd and a prospect.
The mentioned prospective trade in the media of a 2nd and Burmistrov is the type of deal to expect and not bad for the Leafs.
Most importantly the Leafs free up some cap room. The more draft picks the better for Toronto and a mid second rounder is handy.
Burmistrov is the gamble. Unlike most B level prospects the Leafs know this guy has talent. The negative side though is the attitude and expectations from him.
Leaf fans should not be disappointed with that deal.
Don’t get me wrong; i would love that trade for Lupul. Lupul might be the most talented and in a CAP free era or him being a UFA would have attracted considerably more interest. That is not the case though.
ok I understand your reasoning. Now if you were the GM of the maple leafs and another GM is ready to deal but tells you the draft pick will be conditional on how many games Lupul plays would you risk the move. Say he does get injured the week after traded and the return ends up being a 4th or 5th pick and said player.
You can not determine what roll he plays on the new team therefore it would be unlikely a conditional draft pick would be acceptable unless the first pick and an A level prospect are on the table.
Toronto would have to get the 1st pick if Lupul was healthy enough to play in 75% of the Playoff games available.
Doubtful the other team would want to take that deal.
What I been getting at is if you possess Lupul and are claiming his offensive up side, being the only player of his calibre available, is greater than his injury history + contract status would you stake your return on that belief.
Or does your faith in his ability to remain healthy waiver when the return you receive is in jeopardy?
Lets go all crazy and state nice an simple two options.
Lupul gets injured after traded and is out beyond DTD status or misses the majority of games in a playoff series, the return is a 6th round pick and the Leafs retain salary.
Lupul stays healthy or is sideline for a few days (DTD status) but no more than one such occurrence during the season and misses no more than 2 playoff games per series the pick is a 1rst round pick and top prospect.
Extreme ends of the spectrum yeah I know but to repeat are you confident he will remain healthy or does your faith waiver when your return is in jeopardy.
Lets be very clear here. Joffrey Lupul is not your guy with a chronic knee injury, back injury, neck injury, concussion problems (though he has had).
What Joffrey Lupul has experienced is nothing short of plain and simple bad luck.
Few would say it is how he plays or some flaw in his game other than maybe he should look into something to clear any bad Karma.
By NHL standards there is no specific health issue with Joffery other than at this point in his career he should take up a career as a crash test dummy because his luck can only get better.
Now that said and mentioned. Anaheim, Winnipeg, and Montreal (pre DSP trade this AM) had cap room and the need for a good winger.
The team needs his skill. There is nothing other than bad luck that’s the cause of those injuries so why would a team not consider picking him up?
From a cost perspective you are likely picking up a player that would normally garner a first round pick, an A level prospect and either a 2 rounder or another prospect for a second rounder and a b level prospect. Where is the risk?
If he gets injured long term there is LTIR and cap relief.
but if he plays and fills that roll in with no injury the team has picked up an incredible asset for next to nothing.
another drunk sens fan
If they are going to trade Lupul….they better sit him now….chances are he will be injured before the deadline!
Play him? you’d need to wrap him in bubble wrap and have someone spoon feed him to avoid injury with this guy.
According to Doug MacLean on Hockey Central At Noon, a GM would have to be “insane” to take on a cap hit of $5,250,000 with 3 more years to go after this for someone so obviously brittle. I guess we’ll see if there are any desperate nut cases out there.
ya… but GMs don’t agree with paul mcclean hence why he isn’t a GM anymore
doug*
At least one doesn’t agree with Paul either.
Yeah he should get traded, why not. Toronto should hold salary too in order to maximize their value. They’re rebuilding (or retooling/whatever) so salary shouldn’t be an issue next year or the year after unless they plan on keeping salary for someone else. Keep part of his salary, maximize his value. Someone near contention should pay something of value for him despite his injury history.
for the last time mtl you are not getting lupul nobody from the leafs is going to help you win
I agree Lyle I don’t see how Winnipeg can trade frolik when they just lost another forward over the weekend to injury if anything they will be looking to add.
Bruins fans may be going into mourning sooner than they thought. Krejci going down for 6 weeks may be the final nail in the coffin for the playoff hopes in Boston.
Rumblings in Boston are talking of Chiarelli being fired at seasons end not for his on ice performance but for his poor handling of the cap. Neely’s comments last week really add to this fact.
Chara and Siedenberg likely will be almost impossible to move. Both are suffering from lost steps and high contracts at an older age. The B’s may be stuck with these contracts until these players retire or the contracts expire.
Names that have a higher likelihood of moving to get the cap under control are:
Lucic – his strong physical game historically shows a shorter career expectation and the injuries may get more severe as time moves forward.
Eriksson – really has not lived up to expectations and being the piece traded for Seguin leaves an open wound.
Rask – Rask is among the leagues best goalies with Price and Rinna but if Chara and Siedenberg prove unmoveable the B’s may be forced to bring Subban sooner.
Russ, you have no clue what you are talking about.
M’kay. Summer will prove me right.
Ownership is really unhappy with the cap situation in Boston and we are all soon going to witness the reprecussions.
Whoever is GM this summer will be tasked with a mini rebuild. Rask, Lucic and to a leseries extent Eriksson will allow the B’s to get the needed pieces to be competitive again in a year or 2.
This is just the media spewing garbage that you are buying into.
Pete and Julien will be given an opportunity to fix the Bruins if things go astray on the season. Your complete distaste for Chara is evident, but he isn’t going anywhere. He is still a pretty valuable component to the Bruins team.
I like Chara.. he was a force for years and helped build Boston. The problem is his age is starting to show and the cap hit now hurts though Boston benefitted from a more reasonable cap hit a couple years ago.
That said too many big contracts are starting to hurt the Bruins depth.
I feel bad for Siedenberg.. he has quietly proven himself and then the knee injury happened at he is not what he once was.
If the Bruins fire Chiarelli he won’t be unemployed long and it will be to the benefit of who ever picks him up not to the bruins.
Please Boston fire him so Ottawa can bring him back.
Bruins would be crazy to let chia go. Toronto would snipe him in a heartbeat!
Chiarelli is from Ottawa , was groomed by the Sens and with Murray likely stepping down due to health in the near future it would be a short negotiation if the Bs let him go into the open market.
TO’s largest issue is bad contracts not bad players so um yeah bring in a GM that has just been fired for the same thing.
Only In Toronto.
Funny how much respect Chiarella gets, sure he won a cup but he has made some questionable trades and hands out money like it’s candy. He got lucky on the Kessel deal if they had given him a 10th pick instead of 2nd he may only have Hamilton which is what he has now thanks to that horrible Seguin trade. The mess is his fault take away the cup win and he is basically Dave Nonis
If the Bruins fail to make the playoffs with the roster they currently have and the cap the way it is… I would expect Chiarelli to be fired and Claude to be given a small window of opportunity in the beginning of the 2015 season to prove his worth, hopefully after the off season proves successful and the Bruins make some necessary moves and changes to the roster.
There is not a GM in the history of the NHL that has not been the victim of a bad trade.
The fact remains Chiarelli brought a cup to Boston and to, what I would think, to know ones surprise has struggled to keep the team in tact and through his efforts has created some salary cap issues
This is the exact reason the NHL wanted the cap. To create Parody. Dynasties are very very hard to maintain in a cap system.
I am not a Boston fan but am not displeased in how Chiarelli has been doing. Yes the Seguin deal is something to take back. But he came in right after Thornton was move out as far as I can recollect and built a stanley cup contender. Somehow people seem to think it is easy to maintain the contender for ever.
Chiarelli for the most part is successful because of circumstance.
Almost his entire team that he went to the cup with were drafted before his control. the 2006 Draft did not have him at the helm. Part of the agreement of him going to Boston was that he could not start his position until July 15, 2006.
(In fact Chiarelli’s draft record is not good at all IMO.)
Seguin and Hamilton are products of his trading of Kessel which only happened because he knew the Leafs could make Phil an offer he could not keep up with and would have had the picks anyways.
Chara was poached by Chiarelli from Ottawa there have been mentions of player tampering in the Chara signing. Many question why Chara would not have signed before July 15th unless something was said beforehand. He knew everything Murray and others said about Chara… Not hard to figure out what D to get in Boston.
In the time at the helm he has traded Seguin, Boychuck, Wideman, Kris Versteeg, Joe Colborne in trades ranging in shades of bad.
So yeah I will take a pass on Chiarelli.
If they fire Chiarelli he’ll be snapped up before you can blink – and before long people will be writing that that marked the downward spiral of the Boston Bruins to one of the also-rans for some time to come.
More interested in what fringe teams do like Florida, Philadelphia, and that whole log jam in the west.
With all the injuries, various stages of rebuilds and ufas some of these teams have , i think that is more the interest. Too many teams with a chance, fewer sellers but guys like Lupul could get moved and there could be bidding wars for guys like Stewart, pushing up the price.
I predict there is a 60 percent chance that a GM makes a really, really, really bad trade and still misses the playoffs.
Hextall is on record as saying that the recent run the Flyers have had does not make the Flyers buyers.
They are still looking to drop some contracts/ players. Hextall has restated that he has no interest in trading young players/ youth/ picks for a playoff run.
I expect they will try to move a couple of the dmen, and that will be it.
With resigning Shultz, I would think he has to move 1 or 2 D atleast. somehow they need the cap room and roster spots next year you would think no?
Well, I thought that was what I was saying by “I expect they will try to move a couple of the dmen, and that will be it.”
I highly doubt any interest in VLC, Read and Umberger.
I can see 2 of the following being moved for draft picks:
Coburn
Grossmann
Schenn
Streit..yes he has 2 years left, but he is also in the top 15 of dmen scoring, and has been very good this year.
Macdonald is unmovable at his salary/ term ( another WTF, Homer!!!!!). Shultz is here, Timmonen will be done at years end, and Del Zotto is a resign…he has played well enough to deserve a 2 year bridge contract. Not too long, and if he keeps up his level of play, look at extending him longer in 2 years when most of the above list is gone. I’d like to see MDZ resigned for under $3 per for 2 years.
I’d be happy with draft picks for any of the above.
Noth Philly n
Boston in a world of cap hurt.
Both r screwed til off season at best. Cap hell is taboo.
Trevling in Calgary has gone on the record saying the Flames likely won’t be that active on the deadline as they want to stay the course with the rebuild.
Trades will only be made if it addresses missing pieces in thier plan. The Flames are looking for a right wing prospect that slots in the top 6 or another early 20’s Right shot defenseman with potential to be in the top 4.
If an Internet report I saw is accurate and Jim Rutherford is eager to acquire Jordan Staal for the Penguins, then he didn’t learn a thing in Raleigh (i.e. signing Alex Semin to a huge, long-term deal).
Assuming J. Staal’s large contract and concentrating an even higher percentage of Pittsburgh’s payroll in a smaller number of players would be folly.
The folly would rival that of the Penguins hiring a GM who handcuffed the Hurricanes with lengthy, lucrative contracts to underperforming players.
Ron Francis’ s emphatic response to the media says while the Penguins may be interested the Hurricanes are not.
Lyle,
“The Coyotes are reportedly seeking a first-round pick and top prospect for Vermette, which likely prices him out of the Bruins and Capitals market”
Prices the Bruins out of that market at this immediate moment but teams can certainly seek whatever return they please… doesn’t mean they’re going to receive it. Vermette is a $3.75M UFA, who’ll definitely be getting a pay raise this off season. I highly doubt teams that are in the playoff hunt are interested in giving up that kind of package for Vermette and even if they do it’s even more unlikely that 1st round pick is in this years draft. I don’t think we’ll be seeing many 2015 first round picks being moved between now and Monday, especially not for a UFA rental who’s set to test the market.
the teams that move 1sts in 2015 will be:
1. certain playoff teams (who still have a 1st—-Montreal, tampa bay, detroit, Pittsburgh, and possibly Washington in the east. In the west there are: chicago and anaheim. NY Islanders, Rangers, St Louis, an dNashville have already dealt their 1st in 2015
the playoff bubble teams will not move their 1st unless they put protections on the pick like if the team misses the playoffs and they win the lottery then the pick is theirs. 2016 goes tot he team. another ccriteris would be if they were to make the playoffs.
Pittsburgh don’t have a first but I believe Tampa has two; theirs and NYRs
Like I said, highly doubt these 2015 first round picks are moved between now and the deadline, especially for a rental… playoff team or not unless its a stunning package that helps both teams short-term and long-term. Many of those teams you’ve mentioned that still have 1st round picks available have openly stated they’re not in the market for rentals or interested in mortgaging future assets for short-term fixes. Packaging a teams 1st round pick in this years draft would likely fall into that category.
Holland has already said he won’t trade his 1st round pick and that he likely wouldn’t move his 2nd round pick for a rental either.
Holland and Detroit in general manages the long term very well. Holland refuses to overpay the players perceived value.
The second a player appears to be getting greedy Holland trades them for prospects or players that have that potential.
Exactly, and he’s not alone… many teams have said the same thing. Now, whether that holds true or not come Monday afternoon when teams are frantically trying to one-up each other to make the best deal remains to be seen. But IMO, the 1st round picks (2015) are unlikely to move unless it helps the teams short-term and long-term… not for rental players.
We hear the term ‘hockey move’ a lot; Vermette has less points than Bozak this year and will be expensive to sign in the offseason. I wonder if the teams interested in Vermette are also calling on Bozak who plays the PP and PK just like Vermette and is signed to a cap friendly $4.2 million for the next couple of years.
I wonder what Bozak’s value is at this time?
Vermette’s versatility is his largest asset. He can play any forward position. He can play on the 3rd line or can fill in on the second line if you have injury problems. Is am excellent penalty killer and so forth.
“He can play on the 3rd line or can fill in on the second line if you have injury problems”
I sure hope he’s a lot more than just a 3rd/fringe 2nd line player. Why would teams be willing to give up a 1st and top prospect for a player who can play 3rd or 2nd line, and an UFA.
Any of the teams calling for Vermette’s services will have him slotted on the third line as they all have depth at C.
Jordan Staal’s services were being inquired about for the same reason. Jordan would have required much more in returns.
Unless it’s Washington or Vancouver where he slots into the 2nd line. Think other teams are looking at him as more of a versatile winger at this point and insurance against an injury to a center
Wow so a third line centre is going to get a first plus prospect and get 6 mill per in the summer. Hate to be the team that does that.
See Jordan staal trade
Well mdz I can tell you that Bozaks value would be a lot higher than Vermettes. Come summer time Bozaks cap hit will be considerably less than AV’s, and neither one are number 1 center quality but only one will be paid like one.
I’d take Bozak (age 28) over Vermette (32) in a flash.
I cant see anybody meeting the price for vermette , if the price is a first a top prospect plus, any gm coffing up that price should be fired right after the trade . Vermette is no more than a number three center on a decent team ,just because he plays first line on one of the worst teams in the nhl does not make him a first line center . People have to realize even his limited offence will suffer when he gets played as a second or third line center on a better team he wont be given the ppand prime time minutes he gets in arizona
Hextall is hoping Timonen plays this weekend so he can move him to a playoff team like Detroit or Anaheim for a pick or prospect.
Wisniewski to the Canucks maybe if Columbus takes back Edler’s contract? The nuks need help on D and Edler has underachieved, and gotten hurt, 2 years on the trot.
Lupul to LA for Richards? LA needs some scoring and the cap hit is the same so no loss there and maybe a gain if he does get hurt they can always LTIR him to create space. For the leafs, Richards ahs played very well in Manchester and if as expected, Winnik follows santorelli out the door then Toronto is even thinner at C than before. While a shell of his former self, havng Riahrds as the Leafs 3rd line C is still probably better than where they are now.
Heellllllll no, I would rather have Richards than Lupul. First off Richards is better, is a playoff performer, center is a harder position to fill than winger and he is not a huge injury bag. Remember the saying “better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t”.
Well I agree I wouldn’t do that trade either but it’s because I’d rather have lupul then richards. Lupul is still a top winger can put up points and check. Richards can’t contribute. I can find cheaper guys to trade for who don’t contribute.
Richards is in the minors apparently you are the only one that wants him.
Yes, I’m sure Richards will be an integral part of Manchester’s AHL playoff run.
tml_gm shouldn’t he be as his best asset is leadership and 5 mil a yr for it lol
Wisniewski for Edler … Good one, LOL!
You mean Richards that cleared waivers a few weeks back? Likely not happening.
Ummmm….the kings block shots and play a physical game.
Not good for an injury prone player
Not good for an accident prone player
I highly doubt the Kings will risk it.
Lupul has always seemed like a pretty good team guy, and a player that takes pride in playing in Toronto. Call me crazy but I don’t mind if he stays. His value isn’t what his worth is anyway, and he could mentor some of the younger guys coming in.
Durtmchurtt, I agree about Lupul. I think they should trade him if they can, but if the deal requires them to retain salary or take back Richards contract, I’d just as soon keep Lupul on the Leafs. His injury luck has to change eventually?? (Disclosure, I always kinda liked Nik Antropov as a Leaf, so I may not be the best judge of oft-injured Leafers.)
I can agree with that and when injured he can still be a positive influence in the locker room with the young guys coming in.
I was saying the same thing yesterday. Holding back salary on Lupul and getting minimum returns will be very short sighted. No need to hold salary here, the Leafs won’t be threatening a playoff spot next year and will be have enough cap room.
Lupul is a great top 6 winger if he could only get over being prone to injury
True
Lyle,
Does Olli Jokinen fit the bill for some of these teams (ie.Boston, Winnipeg, Dallas) as a fill in for injured players currently down? Relatively low cap hit and term, could probably be had for a low second or high third round pick? All the top candidates (ie. Vermette) seem to have asking prices that are just too high for those teams to pay.
Not trying to hijack a question meant for Lyle, but I would suggest that teams will inquire about Jokinen when they miss out on other players they were targeting, but there is no way he fetches a 2nd. I would say a mid draft pick like a 4th at best.
Depending what TO is asking Boston could be in the market for Olli with Krejci down for 6 weeks.
If Toronto is good with a couple b level prospects a deal may be possible.
A couple b-level prospects? I would guess they will be happy to dump him for a low draft pick.
I agree, a 4th or 5th would be just fine
The prospects for Olli would be ones Boston feels don’t fit in thier organization. Boston wants it’s draft picks to restock with prospects to fit the blueprint moving forward.
Book it now!!!
Lupul + Bozak
For
Krejci + Savard (+ maybe a B level prospect or 3rd/4th rounder 2015)
Leafs get the best player in the deal (currently injured) and the headache that is Savard’s salary.
Boston addresses their need at C due to Krejci’s injury and on the wing which they have been looking to fill all year!
Win + Win
Flame away!
Not gonna happen. Lupul is always injured. Bozak is at best a 2nd line center. Krejci is a bona fide #1 center and plus Bos has to throw in extra’s cmon!
So let me get this straight, Boston gives up one injured headache in Savard only to acquire another one in Lupul at a higher cap hit, then turn around and trade a #1 center for a 2-3 center and throw in a pick or prospect for good measure? Wow is all I have to say about that.
Lets not book that at all!
More drunk leafs fans… you guys think your players are worth some sort of bonus because they play with the leafs.
If a trade like this happened and the Bruins were not getting back AT LEAST 1 1st round pick, then the entire Bruins Management team should be fired AND the team should be sold to Alaska.
How do you even wake up and think that deal is remotely close to a hockey deal. Amazing.
Nobody is going to want Krejci and his 7.25 million salary for the next five years.
Kind of have to agree with the rest of the replies… not a good deal for Boston. They would be getting rid of Savard’s contract, which has been cumbersome in the off season but when it comes to the actual season doesn’t count against their available space so I’m not entirely sure that’s really enticing. Also, Krejci would command a much better return than that.
Then the Boston gm walks immediately into the owners office and takes a dump right on the desktop then turns and says “would you believe this is actually the second worst career decision I made today”
Savards contract comes off the books at this years end. Anyway, it never counts against the cap cuz he goes to LTIR every year. Its not a problem for the bruins and wouldnt need to be included in any kind of trade.
Savard CANNOT be traded he is on LTIR.
His cap isn’t affecting the Bruins anyway.
Can anyone tell me what happens to the Bruins salary cap now with Krejci being down for 6 weeks. Is it true Pete can put Krejci on LTIR until the playoffs? Take the free’d up cap space dollars and use that at the deadline to acquire someone. Having said that can Krejci and new player suit up for the playoffs as their is no cap in the playoffs?
If so, this could actually be a weird positive for the Bruins to bring in an impact player. At the same time have Krecji back for Game 1 of the playoffs if they so make it….
That is correct Mark. Once on ltir the Bruins can apply for cap relief but it should be an automatic.
There are no wages played in the playoffs.
You’re correct, the Bruins can now put Krejci on LTIR and receive the cap relief. It honestly opens up the doors for Chiarelli to really make some impact moves to help this roster and set themselves up for a hopeful run as an 8th seed. They’d be wise to ensure Krejci stays shut down until the 1st round of the playoffs and do whatever they can by the deadline to improve and then run with a healthy team come round 1. Won’t matter what their salary cap is at then and this team would be much better with the additions they make (hopefully bigger ones), and a healthy Krejci.
Habs just traded Sekac for Smith-Pelly From the Ducks. Interesting move, Don’t really see how Smith-Pelly fits into the Habs North-South style.
Same age, same offensive production. RW vs LW. Different countries of origin too.
Hmmmm….
DSP = 2nd line minutes + more yrs NHL XP
Sekac = 4th line minutes and only this yr of XP.
That must be the reason.
Seems odd..2 kinda struggling young wingers.
Watched a couple Ducks games in the last couple weeks and Smith-Pelly looked very good. He was an impact in every game. I think Habs fans will like this move in a couple weeks.
Really. Awesome move!!!!
I really like Smith-Pelly. He will fill a role quite nicely for the habs. He adds a physical dimension to the Habs who always seem small come playoff time. 147 hits to date this year.
dang that’s sweet.
Seems like whenever I have seen DSP play North south is exactly the style of game I noticed from him, maybe I have not seen him play enough. He is a good on the forecheck, hard on the puck , the kid is a bull and has good wheels.
Sekac was impressive in the game vs Fla last week, maybe the best forward the on the Habs that game. He played a very good 2way game , was moving the puck nicely.
Good hockey move by both teams.
Personally I think the Habs needed to add a player who plays a simple north south game and has a physical aspect. DSP would not be a fit for everyone but I really like it from a montreal perspective.
I agree Jeff , I think he will fit in nicely in Montreal. They gave up a decent prospect in talent in Sekac but the Habs need some people who can skate, grind and bang up front. If he brings some offence too that is a bonus.
fergy… your right smith pelley is what the habs needed sekac will be a good player habs could lose this trade in the future but dsp was a great pick up for the playoffs
Leddy just signed a 7 year extension. Boychuk next?
oops wrong place.
What universe is this where Garth Snow keeps making good moves? 7 years 5.5 for Leddy is a very good deal.
I know right? It’s like he’s been taken over by an alien from a planet that actually knows hockey.
Next thing you know he’s gonna sign Boychuk to a 4 year $24 million contract.
Boychuck will be going for his payday this summer. Expect 5-7 years at a cap hit of 6-7 mil. I think out of respect for NYI Johnny will let Garth match but he wants to get paid.
There will be many teams bidding on his services.
When you say “match” it isn’t like matching an R FA offer sheet. Snow would have to provide both similar dollars and term – and maybe more depending on which team he has to match. By summer, with decks cleared, you could have the likes of L.A.,Anaheim, Pittsburgh, Chicago and even Montreal interested enough in Boychuk to provide a big-buck long-term deal. Then he’d have to decide where his best chances lay for a cup.
You are correct George I am saying he will give the Isles a crack at his best offer to give them a chance to bring their offer up.
The Isles will then have to decide if they can afford Johnny as they have many young stars that will want raises in the coming years.
Size on the wings for Montreal.m they’ve been searching for someone like that ages. Hopefully this trade is better than Rene bourque. I actually love this trade for Montreal. He will be invaluable come playoff time.m they need one or two more bigger possession guys (like Winnik or Lupal, of coarse not saying I think they should).
I hate to say it but good for Montreal
Colin Greening cleared waivers quite recently, so it’s tough to imagine there is significant demand for his services now. I suspect the Sens want to try to include him in a deal along with a more interesting name (Erik Condra, Patrick Wiercioch) in order to avoid having to buy him out next season.
Don’t the New Jersey Devils remind you of the Calgary Flames of two years ago? Wouldn’t you think they would be moving a lot of bodies out and looking for draft picks? I think this season might be Lou Lamoriello’s in Jersey.
I think Jersey is actually in worse shape than the Flames were. You would think they’d be having a fire sale to pick up prospects and picks. Centre the team around Schneider and try to contend before he’s 50.
trade lupul for nick ritchie
Anaheim’s been down the Lupul injury highway once – I doubt they want a repeat that would cost them even more than the first time around.
Enough with the young guns from Edm to be traded! Who is Washington possibly going to give up? Stars (saying it a bit loosely) do not get traded at trade deadline. Oilers are not giving up a guy like Eberle for prospects and draft picks.
Its just another media guy spouting off trying to create a story with no substance.
MacT pretty much gave Eberle, Yak, Roy and RNH a security blanket last week. So anything mentioning any of those 4 is pretty much wishful thinking.
The only player MacT has not come out and said he is safe is Hall. Now I think this comes from an attitude thing but whatever. With the rumblings in the media and bloggers for the Oilers it leads me to believe if EDM gets either MacDavid or Eichel there could be a couple changes.
That would leave the Oil with 3 First liners in RNH, Draisaitl, and MacD or Eichal. Logic would dictate 1 would likely be on the way out possibly for that stud D-Man.
Next you have Taylor Hall and the rumblings that he is toxic in the dressing room. Maybe that is where the Subban rumours are coming from. Maybe a trade for Rask and Hamilton? hmm who knows.
There are no rumblings and never have been about Hall’s attitude or effort. That was all drummed up by Darren “dumb@ss” Dreger who has zero connections to any western conference teams. He throws out a name and stirs the pot. He has been trashing Yakupov since the day he came into the league, spat out Hall who is untouchable, and also recently said stupid things about the Flames and Canucks. I don’t pay any attention to anything he says. He’s a Toronto mouthpiece, nothing else.
A men, Drager should wear his Leafs Uni when he goes on camera so there isn’t any confusion about who he’s stumping for.
Um no chester. There have been many mentions in the past couple years by coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers.
The latest coach to say it was Dallas Eakins on camera.
This is not a new revelation.
Dreger is not a very objective reporter but he is accurate on this one.
With the recent trade of Smith-Pelly and how he doesn’t fit into the Habs style of play, do people think he could be flipped in part of another deal?
How about this:
Smith-Pelly + 2nd round pick to Toronto
Lupal and 1m of Lupal’s 2015-2016 salary retained by Leafs to Montreal.
Habs get the 2nd line winger that suits more of their style that they have needed since the season began also get him at not a horrible cap hit for the short term.
Leafs get a 2nd round pick that will likely be around the 20-25 range as well as a physical young player who could take time to develop into a solid NHL player.
Click. Montreal has just hung up.
I agree with Mongo.
If there was a chance to trade Lupul to Mtl it vanished with the acquisition of Smith-Pelly.
I keep reading here how smith-pelley is not a good fit in montreal?
He played on the canada jrs with 3 or 4 others on les canadiens right now, is big at 220 lbs (something mtl isn’t) and can reportedly play at both ends of the ice.
at 800,000 cap hit, at the worst throw him on a line with prust and go tell him to hit some body.
i think it makes sense for montreal. He will be a role player, he will not win nor lose the cup for mtl on his own.
i like it, a lot
Gordon… dsp will fit into the habs lineup especially for the playoffs! sekac showed he could/will be a good player but dsp is a great pickup for the habs going to the playoffs
Boy, you guys are really determined to dump Lupul’s contract on someone, aren’t you?
Lyle listed a bunch of teams apparently interested in Lupul. If you read all the posts the theme seems to be trade him if you get something good, otherwise keep him. Not sure how that translates into dumping him on someone. Personally I think he’s a good veteran guy who by all accounts provides leadership to the team, I’d keep him short of a really good offer. They shouldn’t trade him just to get rid of him, don’t retain salary or anything like that.
No actually Darren “I wish I was a Leaf, I wish I was a Leaf” Dreger listed a bunch of potential victims in a Lupul heist. Lyle stated that a GM would be crazy to take on Lupul.
I think you got your trade mixed up. That was supposed to be Lupul + Toronto’s first + 2 mill in cap retention per year right? I still think Montreal passes.
There is no Chance in hell Lupol will be a Hab because if they traded for him he would be on the Injury list because he has never been on a winning team in such along time and also he would fit in nicely with Buffalo
I wouldn’t do Lupal for the 2nd, let alone throwing in Smith-Pelly.
I can’t see that happening at all…not evwen with the retained salary.
I don’t see how the Jets hanging Burmistrov is supposed to entice any team, and I certainly hope Toronto doesn’t go after him. Regardless of whatever talent he is perceived to have the bottom line is 1) he’s produced minimal numbers, 2) he has that attitude of wanting to be paid for what he thinks he can do instead of what he’s done, and 3) Winnipeg simply wants to unload a headache. In reality he is not being floated as a “trade chip”… the team simply wants someone else to take him off their hands.
Click. Montreal has just hung up.
With the Bruins losing Krecji for the rest of the season now is Florida’s time to take advantage and make a big move. I know they aren’t going to trade any of the “young studs” for rentals, but there is a hockey deal to be done here that should push the Panthers into the playoffs.
Wholeheartedly agree. I think the panthers smell blood. If it were another gm not tallon I would say he likelihood of a hasty trade has increased but he is level headed however, if this can raise the chance of Kessel being moved there and maybe loosens the tightness he has on his top prospects then maybe push for it a little harder
With Krecji going down, watch for terrible, desperate moves from Bruins Management and then the changing of Bruins Management. I don’t think they get that this is NOT the year and it’s time to think about next season. But I guess there’s a reason I am here and they are there…
It was reported on the team 1040 in vancouvet last week that the bruins are going to do a major over haul both in management and player.
the rumors have already started
On Sunday i called it…
I Predicted big trades breaking in a day or 2 n recall a poster said try a week or 2. Well expect more IMO very soon. Teams want to get the jump n get on with the playoff push or tinkering.
Wonder why the Ducks gave up Smith-Pelley?
Time will only tell what the Bruins will end up doing. I would think the next 3 games will be very telling of what they’re leaning towards come Monday March 2nd. If they go 0-3-0 the team should strongly consider throwing away the season, resting some of the older players more, playing some of the younger AHL prospects… and begin laying the groundwork for a mini rebuild. It’s not in the teams best interest to throw away assets for rental players where the team is on the cusp of either making or not making the playoffs. The Flyers and Panthers are certainly pressuring the Bruins to stay ahead but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins get bumped at some point over the next month and then it begins to be a game-by-game basis as to who is in the 8th spot.
The next 3 games will certainly tell if they think Spooner can adequately fill in for Krejci. Bruins won’t be selllers. Pete and the core players have too much heat on them from Neely and Jacobs. The only option is winning, now.
Is PC blind? Smith Pelly was on the block an he let the Scabs get him! Big RW that likes to hit another blunder by PC. I really think this guy has tunnel vision on getting Stewart clueless
Habs gonna luv DSP
Have to say I’ve pretty much lost any respect I had for Dreger with his flogging of Lupul and Winnick. I wonder if his butt gets sore from having Shanni’s hand jammed up it so that he can make Dreger’s mouth move when SHanni’s words come out.
Lupul could be dealt if the Leafs retained 1/2 his salary and didn’t expect much back. He’s basicly a 20 – 30 goal guy if he could play a full season which he hasn’t done in quite a while. He is paid like a 20 – 30 goal guy for the next several years of course which is a huge problem for almost all of the teams that are competitive. The Leafs can afford to keep him if they rebuild as they won’t have a bunch of high salaries, or they can afford to keep part of his contract to entice someone to give them something/anything back for him. I would suspect a GM would be willing to give up a mid round pick or a low level prospect if the Leafs retained salary. Otherwise you should expect a toxic contract back.
Winnick isn’t worth a 2nd plus. I know that there will be some who will say I’m the only guy on here who doesn’t understand Winnicks incredible value (ala Cob with Santo). I doubt Winnick is worth a 2nd at all. Not every piece you pick up off the scrap heap is going to be gold.
Re: Winnik – asking price isn’t usually the same as value. Toronto asks high; rival GM offers low and they meet in the middle. That’s how trades work in general, its not brand new information.
I completely agree with Lupul not worth much but there is no point to holding back salary if the return isn’t significant which is at least a 2nd round pick. Lupul has value to the Leafs during the rebuild and they can just shop him again next year if need be.
No one is saying that Lupul is worth the moon but to suggest that Leafs pay someone to take him (essentially) isn’t very good business from the Leafs.
It’s time for a Boston package from Buffalo…
Now with David Krejci hurt, Buffalo should deal. Hodgson is the wild card that makes this deal work.
Cody Hodgson, Chris Stewart, Andrej Meszaros to Boston for
Reilly Smith and Malcolm Subban
Higgins prolly traded anyday now. Nucks need a RW.
Hodgson maybe soon n possibly NYR or Arizona or TO is a wild guess.
Stewart would look real nice in Florida or Vancouver or TB or Washington.
NYR’s can’t afford Hodgson.
Must be some kind of sick joke?
What in the world would Boston want Hodgson for at 4.25 for multiple years? Pete would be surely fired making a horrible trade like that.
Agree
Cannot see Hidgson as a fit or what a Bruin represents.
As a Buffalo fan, I’ve watched A LOT of talent come and go here. Whomever grabs Hodgson is getting a steal.
Nolan and Hodgson don’t click and it shows! When Nolan gets canned next year and if we do keep Hodgson, let’s have this conversation next year at this point.
To pITT..Jordan Stall
To Carolina.. Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoliun, Derick Puoloit..
Oh wait we already did that!!!