Latest on Curtis Glencross, Sean Bergenheim, Dennis Seidenberg, Antti Niemi and more.
Glencross on his way out of Calgary?
Are Curtis Glencross’ days with the Flames numbered?
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports Flames forward Curtis Glencross was asked by management to provide a list of potential trade destinations. Glencross has a full no-trade clause and must waive it if the Flames are to move him before the March 2 trade deadline. Glencross is also a pending UFA and said he’s had no contract extension talks with management. Randy Sportak lists the Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning as teams Glencross could help win the Stanley Cup.
CALGARY HERALD: Kristen Odland reports Flames GM Brad Treliving claims Glencross hasn’t requested a trade and praised the winger’s professionalism amid trade speculations. Treliving declined to comment on possible trade talks he might be having with other clubs.
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes several teams, including Boston, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, Chicago and perhaps Washington, could have interest in Glencross.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Glencross ultimately controls his fate. If the Flames can’t find a deal with any of the clubs on his list, or he’s unwilling to broaden his list, he’ll finish the season in Calgary. He’s been hampered by injuries and hasn’t produced much offense since returning to action in late-December. Still, perhaps a change of scenery could do him some good. I expect the Flames will want a decent draft pick (second rounder) and perhaps a prospect in return.
Growing interest in Panthers’ Bergenheim.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Gary Lawless reports the Winnipeg Jets seek a top-nine forward and the Florida Panthers seek depth on defense. He notes winger Sean Bergenheim has requested a trade from the Panthers while the Jets have extra defensemen like Paul Postman, Jay Harrison and Adam Pardy. He also notes the Jets have interest in Toronto’s Daniel Winnik as well as perhaps Columbus’ Matt Calvert. The Boston Bruins were also rumored to have talked to the Panthers about Bergenheim but with both clubs battling for a wild-card berth it’s unlikely they’ll make a deal.
CBS SPORTS: Chris Peters cites reports from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun claiming the Jets, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks reportedly have interest in Bergenheim.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bergenheim is a solid two-way forward with good puck possession numbers, which could make him a decent depth forward. However, he’s struggled through injuries and his playing time has been reduced this season. The Panthers probably won’t want much in return (a draft pick perhaps) to move him.
Latest on the Bruins, Flyers and Sharks.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty reports Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg is willing to waive his no-trade clause if approached to do so and if the deal made sense for both sides.
CSNBAYAREA.COM: Kevin Kurz reports San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi isn’t paying attention to the trade rumors swirling about him in recent weeks.
CSNPHILLY.COM: Tim Riday reports the Philadelphia Flyers’ re-signing of defenseman Nick Schultz is a logical move if the club’s intent is to trade a defenseman currently under contract. It’s well known the Flyers have been unsuccessful thus far in attempts to trade Braydon Coburn, and for the right deal could move Andrew MacDonald, Nick Grossmann and Luke Schenn.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word on which clubs could be pursuing Seidenberg or who the Bruins are trying to shop him to…As I’ve frequently said, the Sharks won’t trade Niemi unless they fall out of playoff contention. They’ll want a decent return if they do shop him…It seems only a matter of time until Coburn gets deal, either at the deadline or this summer. I don’t see much of a market for MacDonald (expensive contract), Grossmann or Schenn.
I know that there isn’t a lot of “Leaf” news posted here today, but I’ve been too busy the past few days and I’m just spending the morning catching up while I have some time…I was reading one J Seagal’s articles this morning and watching some of the interviews with current Leafs on TSN and I think Lupul made some really valid points about the rebuild in Toronto. As he basically went through this same experience in Edmonton, he had some pretty good insight to offer about trading everyone and icing a bunch of draft picks. I know lots of us have had our own opinions about that, but to hear a player speaking about the potential disaster that could become adds some new insight. The recent rumors of trading Polak, JVR, Kadri etc have got me thinking about what other assets beyond pure skill are important to a rebuilding team…through all of the loses the Leafs have piled up recently one thing has been positively consistent, the play of Polak. He has on many nights lead the Leafs in shots on net, attempted shots on net, blocked shots and hits…all this from a “defensive defenseman”. In my opinion this is how heart and leadership can be measured, and if the Leafs are going to be competitive in 3-4 years, its going to need to become the new “culture” in that dressing room. Kadri has mean streak, and I believe he would fit well into that type of culture. Lupul lacks the mean streak, and is often injured, but when he does play he gives 100% even if it doesn’t always show on the score sheet. So regardless of raw talent, contracts, injury history and current production, maybe the list of “untouchables” should be expanded to include some of these guys that despite their production show up and play. Maybe signing Winnik to an extension should be the next step towards signaling that this management team is going to embrace a different culture.
I agree about keeping a guy like Polak (because he has a contract) unless someone over pays for him, as far as the Winniks and Santorellis of the world you will be able to sign them most likely in the summer for the same price as extending them, or there will be others like them for affordable 1 year deals similar to Booth and Raymond , you move them now for the picks and if they mean that much to you go back and offer them deals in the summer. With the cap remaining kind of stagnant this year in the offseason, there will be lots of these type of players looking contracts.
Part of building a great team is having great leaders and this has been a large part of Toronto’s issues since Gilmour’s departure.
You need that leader that works harder and expects more of himself than he does of others. That guy that the other players will follow into the depths of hell because they know he will put them all before he worries about himself.
He is that guy all rookies fear and revere but soon learn provided they look after doing what is expected of themselves he is the best guy in the world. But when problems arise in the dressing room he is the one that steps up and deals with it before it can affect the team.
This needs to be the first thing the Leafs need to deal with before the beginning next season. The culture of the Leafs is the first step in bringing the Leafs out of the abyss.
Yep leaders like Doan Erik Staal Ferrance Gionta, really make a big difference to a team….I dont think there is a more overstated term in hockey, how many other pro sports do you see this nonsense resonate in like it does in hockey? Go write a war novel.
Overstated or not the Leafs lack leadership n character.
Don’t think leaders matter? Look at the Islanders and Tavares..Hawks and Toews, Kings and Brown/Doughty. What the Leafs have lacked over the past few years is the energizer who, like Gilmour, refused to lie down even when defeated……this Leafs team does not have that. Lupul might have been the guy but for injuries.
Wasnt that supposed to be Komisarek Bolland Robidas Polak Gleason Steckle Phaneuf McClement Tucker Armstrong Clarkson…those teams like the Hawks and Kings and Islanders are good teams because they are good teams, its not necessarily because they have the best “leaders” but because the have great players and are well coached.
Carter amd Richards run out of Philly on a rail for not being great “leaders” 2 cups later the Kings are full of great “leaders” with Gaborik Carter and Richatds…my oh my how winning changes peoples perception of what a great leader is.
don’t worry McGill the leafs haven’t had a leader since Gilmour! hence why they don’t think leaders matter! everyone knows leaders make a difference for when teams go one slides and for the young guys
Since Gilmour?
*Cough*Cough*
Mats Sundin.
Gary Roberts.
Joe Nieuwendyk.
Owen Nolan.
Brian Leech.
Darcy Tucker even.
Toronto has had the leadership since Gilmour. Just saying…
It’s ok, we’re use to the leafs dominating everything off ice but nothing on ice.
lol I see what you did there…
I know I kind of high jacked this thread this morning, but I haven’t been able to get to the forums the past few days because of work. So I apologize to all the non Leaf fans…but hey, at least you have a reason to bash them this morning
And Leaf fans wonder why there are haters. There’s nothing here for you today little boys, maybe give it a rest for just one day so the rest of us can enjoy Leaf free day.
Jeff thanks for the perfect example of why Leafs fans hate haters. The guy apologized for talking Leafs news like twice but his comment was a valid one which opens discussion. Sorry it wasn’t a comment of your team so you can be happy but maybe you should if you can.
It’s easy to enjoy a leaf free day…see the address box at the top of your screen?
Its not that ppl hate the Leafs they hate hearing about a perennial loser day in day out unendingly. That leads to most ppl enjoying the Leafs fall to anonimity.
Bud its a disaster of epic proportions already. Lupul should focus on health n hockey.
@Leafsmedic
In my opinon,
Must keep list:
Reilly
Kadri
JVR
Gardiner
Bernier
Really really Want to keep
Komorov
Polak
Might as well get used to, as they’re not going anywhere:
Clarkson
The rest will be phased out over time.
How many people here truly believe that Bernier makes the Leafs that much better than Reimer? He might be a better goalie (but so far his stats aren’t much better and he hasn’t lifted the team into a playoff spot), but twitter feeds this morning are saying that he might be signed today for 4yr/$20mil. I’d argue that he isn’t a $5mil goaltender. So is this the price of doing business or is Nonis about to make another blunder? @Joseph I agree with most of your list, but I’d swap Gardiner for Polak, and see what Bernier is worth to a team like San Jose that apparently isn’t sold on re-upping Niemi and could find themselves looking for a goaltender in the off season.
I do. I don’t think the leafs should go with Reimer. If they decide to move Bernier and go another direction. Move Reimer as well and stop replaying the same failed record.
id see what goalie I get the most back from trade wise and go from there …..6 of one half dozen of the other
just sayin
I agree 100%.
@Leafsmedic
Re: Bernier vs. Reimer
While last year it appeared that Bernier showed that he was indeed an upgrade over Reimer before he got hurt, this year he’s looked less impressive (mind you on this team who hasn’t).
The buzz on Bernier pre-trade was that his upside was much higher and that perhaps Reimer is almost as good as he’s ever going to get. Reimer is an incredibly classy act, and want to see him in a backup role in a successful organization.
Bernier I feel can be an A- starter, but a starter. I’m just more comfortable with him in net, he’s more positionally sound and doesn’t have to spasm/lunge so much to compensate for bad positioning. As goalies like D-men mature a bit later than forwards I think he could improve as well.
ALL THAT SAID – if a strong offer came in for Bernier you’d have to consider it, but I’d worry about having to use a high draft pick in the future for a tender.
the list isn’t bad except id get rid of kadri if the right pkg came along ,hearing he and his agent is worth 5.5 million a yr I think hes more like 3.5 a yr and they don’t want to get into the same mess by oversigning there non status players …..hes not a leader he a piece … other then that I think your keeper list is very good o’reilly is going to be there leader u can see it the more he plays and hes been there best player game in game out ever since Dion went down …. might of been a blessing for shanny
After all the Kessel negativity and trade talk was nice to read in the Star today comments from John Michael-Liles and PK Suban, Liles played with Kessel, Suban plays against him and spends time with him during the summer. both say he is passionate about Toronto and hard-working. Liles said Kessel is very vocal in the dressing room. I think it goes to show that nobody knows what goes on in the room except the players and coaches and that Toronto is harder on their best players than other cities are.
I’m a little shocked to not see more chatter out of NJ. 10 pending UFA’s, not to mention a bunch of bad contracts, aging players. I’d be pretty surprised if Lou stands pat. If he does, his career in NJ should be over!
Does NJ even have a scouting staff anymore? Our do they just send jr game tapes to Lous house?
As much as some think some other teams need to be rebuilt properly, I think it time for the Devils to part ways with Lou, this year could be as good a year as any with the ammount of UFAs they have.
I’m guessing he likes watching all star games from the 90’s and signs players over 35. I’m pretty sure they have given up completely on drafting.
Imagine Lous surprise when the Devils cheif scout and head of amature developmement signed a contract in
St. Louis to be their goalie.
Lou borrowed that idea from the Leafs. Enough off topics.
Glencross as a UFA n NTC idk how Calgary gets much. SJ is sliding n I’d trade Niemi if a markets there which i doubt. Philly has crap for a D corp sorry. Them n Boston both in cap hell n idk who is willing to bail them out. Be very surprised if Florida does not go for playoff trades. Sends a bad message if Tallon does not. Will MacT ever make good his promise n deal players?
@Gordie,
Just because NJ wasn’t mentioned here does not mean it’s off topic. Any team with that many pending ufa’s in the cellar should be a hot topic imo.
Lou has always done his own thing…sometimes debatable, but the players have always been loyal to him and his reputation around the league among the players is (to my knowledge) very high and respectful. Maybe they don’t do much at the deadline out of a sense of loyalty to guys like Jagr, Zubrus and Elias but IMO the return for some of these guys is minimal. Jagr, and Ryder might get a second round pick each, but I can’t see the Devils getting anything other than late draft picks for the rest of them. I can’t see Lou tarnishing his reputation among players for 5/6/7 round picks.
Not so sure I agree with that assessment. While if he trades some players away, he may lose loyalty /reputation of players….but they will be elsewhere. If he stands pat he loses the respect of owners, he may very well be looking at a forced retirement.NJ is old, bad, and have some VERY bad contracts. Take whatever you can get imo. 5-6-7 round , future considerations, etc. They will be no closer to being a winning team next year if they stand pat than they would be trading for lower picks.
Business first; hockey 2nd.
These players have families, homes…
Imagine working at a company where every day could be your last…even after 5+ years of dedication and establishing your life…just to get dumped for cheap temp labour.
I understand your point though
I’d take Lou in a heartbeat
That’s like saying I’m selling my 1969 corvette stingray cause I don’t have MP3 player!
Lou’s about professionalism, loyalty & heritage and building from Goalie, Defence, forwards out. Every cliche in the book, he actually does.
Although, for unknown reasons he didn’t show Brodeur that respect at the end.
Personally, I hope he leaves and comes to toronto.
Alot of non-hockey issues would be resolved instantly!
I agree with all the players Joseph has mentioned with the exception of one, JVR. I like him alot and I believe he can bring alot to a rebuilding team, but I truly believe a guy like JVR with his contract can get alot in return from other GM’s especially the ones who tend to over pay. IMO most players in the league have their price, so I agree with the mentality the Leafs are going with that no one is untouchable, albeit Reilly not so much as others. Anyways point being, hypothetically if a team fighting to make the playoffs decides to offer up a 1st round pick straight up for JVR, I would definitely consider it if I’m Leafs Management
Assuming it be a late 1rst rounder. I would want a prospect to come along with that pick for JVR. I’d think their be a bidding war for him. a 2nd rounder and a prospect is something I prefer over just a late 1rst round pick.
In regards to JVR, he’s a 25 yr old with multiple 20 goal seasons and on pace for consecutive 30 goal seasons at a friendly cap hit. I don’t think you give this sort of player up for anything less than a high draft pick, an A prospect and a top 9 roster player. It may sound like a lot, but I would doubt that the return would equal JVR’s overall value in the end.
Aye Aye.
He’s equivalent / better than O’Reilly (equaling out def for off stats and contract – player stats are very similar also from what I recall.
Plus he’s a 2nd round pick – say what you want about him and Kessel but for anything less than a Top 5 Pick or equivalent is a bad deal. Would you rather have a $100 bucks or a lotto ticket for “maybe” $1000000
Montreal should trade for Phil Kessel today.
lets see Price , Subban, Pacs and Galenchuck for the Toronto maple leafs and their ahl team
lol
kessel in pitts or duck country
If I was rebuilding a team, I would fine out who in Detroit is responsible for all them draft pick, who scouted them and who advocated them to the chief scout or gm. Then I would try and pry that or them individuals’ out of Detroit. Looking at the Red Wings roster there is only 2 or 3 players on it that have not been drafted by Detroit. Someone(s) knows talent and when they can draft in that organization and that who I want to help start my rebuild.
That was the first thing Shanny did. The complete scouting and development system has been retooled with way more resources and very respected people in key positions.
It was announced very early in December.
I think the “Never draft wrong” in Detroit example is over-rated and one of my pet peeves for awhile, finally I can say it.
If you have a Good/Great Team/System, and you can at least become consistent on that team, then you will probably be considered good/great as a player/scout even though if you hypothetically take the same scout/player and the change team/scenario to Buffalo…voila instant bum
I do agree that Detroit is a model business/hockey to emulate for success for the same reasons I mentioned
if I was rebuilding a team I would wait for a draft yr like this before I do it if possible ,fiqure on that for the next 2-3 yrs we will be fun to watch but be cellar dwellers and stock up my shelves with draft piks thru trade and sign key veterans and have a coach in place that r good with the young player (players coach ) Ted Nolan type try to line the cubboards with center , defense and goaltender prospects thru draft and good scouting 3 yr contracts at the max except for my key players (max 4)then let brian burke come in win the Stanley cup and get all the credit lol
I agree, I would want a prospect along with that 1st round pick for JVR, but when I was saying a first rounder I was thinking more towards the middle of the pack(11-15). I would do whatever it takes to get a first rounder in the low teens if I were Nonis and Shanny, Timmo Meir would be a great pick up if they were to get another pick. Unfortunately 1st rounders in this years draft are hard to come by. One more 1st rounder to go along with their own and Nashvilles could go a long way for a team like the Leafs who plan on starting their rebuild. It could potentially set them up for drafting a future franchise centremen, a big scoring winger and a big stay at home defencemen. Seems to be alot of big talented defencemen and wingers in the top 30
How about something like Eriksson ( 4.250 mil ) and Siedenberg ( 4 mil ) for O’Reilly ( 6 mil – pending UFA ) and Hejda ( 3.250 mil – pending UFA ).
ROR has another full year left on his deal.
Thanks for catching that NYR4LIFE!
wouldn’t ROR for Dion make sense for both clubs avs need defense leafs need leadership good trade for both of course the leafs would have to eat some of dion contract maybe avs give up a 2nd rounder this yr
now if oilers r looking at a goalie of the future id be looking at the Pickard kid with the avs he looks really good
1st & 2nd’s this year r top comodities. Phaneuf for ROR makes decent sense to me but Leafs prolly eat some salary n definately no pick IMO
Leafs fans derailing this forum.
Dump them in Boston Harbour so we can talk hockey here.
Boston Harbour isn’t deep enough and there aren’t any dangerous fish in there. Dump them in the Everglades and let the gators go to town on them.
Funny lol
Seriously though Ops above saying wait for a good draft year says money 1st n winning can wait. Fans pay n wait while a team takes da money n runs.
’67 was a long time ago n past the point of waiting LOL
I live on the west coast, grew up in alberta during the dynasty years and my favourite players growing up were Yzerman, Raymond Bourque, Gino Odjick and loved Bure and of course Gretzky.
So i never really cheered for teams, mostly followed players.
with all that said, I am pretty neutral about the Leafs. Last guys i really liked from there are Gilmour and Wendel.
my biggest pet peeve on forums is when someone trashes maple leafs talk because it is off topic or something. Who cares, go to the next comment or start a new conversation that you would like to talk about.
the fan bases for toronto and montreal are legion in canada and obviously that is what we hear about most unless you live in an NHL city.
let everyone talk hockey and instead of talking smack about it (unless you are doing it in the name of fun, because let’sbe honest a good leafs joke is a good leafs joke) because if you are really getting bent about it, start a thread, a conversation about what you want to talk about, about your team because you probably have something worthwhile to say.
well rant is over.
happy Friday!
I’m one of those that talks smack at times about the Leafs. That said its cuz the product on ice n management for far too long n Leaf Nation.
Granted there r many more Leafs fans inundating every thread gets tedious. My only true gripe is references to Cups from the Original 6 era that has no application to today. I was firtunate as a kid to meet Sittler when a rookie visiting our family friends. He went on to be a great player til Ballard did his usual crap n that day any interest i had in the Leafs vanished.