Latest on Joe Thornton, Nazem Kadri, Joffrey Lupul, Vladimir Sobotka and Roman Polak.
Could Joe Thornton be traded this summer?
Joe Thornton telling Sharks GM Doug Wilson to “shut his mouth” raised eyebrows around the league.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Mark Purdy wonders if the recent skirmish between Sharks star Joe Thornton and GM Doug Wilson could lead to the former being traded this summer. After Wilson told some fans on Thursday he felt the pressure of wearing the captaincy had gotten to Thornton (resulting in the club stripping him of the role last summer), Thornton on Friday told a reporter Wilson “just needs to shut his mouth.”
Purdy floats the possibility Wilson is trying to force Thornton to waive his no-trade clause this summer. Wilson has said he will never ask Thornton or Patrick Marleau to waive their movement clauses, but told the pair he’s rebuilding the club around youth and would leave it up to them if they want to remain.
Purdy doubts Thornton will request a trade as he and his family love the San Jose area. He also notes Wilson subsequently said he feels Thornton only heard part of his remarks and would fully understand if he heard his complete comments. He also said he won’t trade Thornton because the team needs him as part of the veteran base as they restock their roster.
TSN: Bob McKenzie weighed in on the Thornton-Wilson spat. He believes Sharks management wanted to move Thornton and Marleau last summer but the duo wouldn’t waive their movement clauses. Despite everything, McKenzie doubts this could lead to Thornton requesting a trade this summer, suggesting the center intends to outlast Wilson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think Wilson could be the one to go before Thornton. This situation has been simmering since last summer and going public the way it has only highlights how fractured the relationship is between the two men. For all the trade speculation about Thornton and Marleau or rumors head coach Todd McLellan could be fired, it’s Wilson who seems to be on thin ice right now. And when one is on thin ice, one should tread lightly.
Senators interested in Kadri?
NICHOLS ON HOCKEY: TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs explored trade possibilities last offseason regarding center Nazem Kadri. He claims there was “considerable back and forth) between the Leafs and Ottawa Senators, who coveted Kadri at the 2009 NHL Draft. He doubts they’ll revisit those talks, suggesting the Leafs were seeking more than the Senators were willing to part with for Kadri.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As tantalizing as the thought of Kadri joining one of the Leafs’ biggest rivals may be, I doubt we’ll see that come to pass via trade. Sure, the Leafs will likely listen to offers for Kadri, as they will for most of their players this summer, but I think it will take a significant one to give up their best center. It doesn’t appear as though it’ll be coming from the Senators.
Highlights from Elliotte Friedman’s recent “30 Thoughts.”
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman doubts the Maple Leafs trade Nazem Kadri, but if they were to shop him, his recent three-game suspension hasn’t hurt his trade value. “Past teammates and coaches, and even opponents, respect his ability and his compete level,” writes Friedman.
Don’t expect Vladmir Sobotka to rejoin the St. Louis Blues in the playoffs. The Blues RFA intends to play for the Czech Republic in this year’s World Championship (1-17 May) in Prague and Ostrava.
The Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals were among the clubs with interest in Leafs’ defenseman Roman Polak at the trade deadline. It’s believed the Leafs covet Blues’ prospects Petteri Lindbohm and Joel Edmundson.
The Maple Leafs and LA Kings did not revisit their Joffrey Lupul talks from last year at the trade deadline.
TSN should hire Thornton to sit beside Mackenzie and Dregger.
Yes.
So everyone respects Kadri, everyone but Leaf management that is.
You have to believe Wilson is hanging by a frayed thread in SJ and if they miss the playoffs this year (avoiding yet another monumental collapse IN the playoffs) he’s history there.
@ George
Wilson will be gone at seasons end 100%
Id also bet the farm that Todd Mclellan ends up as the new Leaf coach next year he makes the most sense with where the team and organization is right now …..the only factor may be how to convince him to come $$$$ LOL
Wilson and Mclellan should have been fired last year. Signing Thornton and Marleau to a 3 year contract with non-movement clauses was a really dumb move. The non movement clauses being the problem. Then last year Wilson and McLellan decided to point blame at Thornton, Marleau, Boyle, Pavelski et al. All of a sudden Mgmt wanted to rebuild via youth – problem is they don’t keep their youth around and keep signing vets who are on the downside of their career. I think plenty of teams would be thrilled to have a core of Thornton, Marleau and Pavelski and wouldn’t be alienating them but rather looking at them in more of a mentoring role. How can Wilson blast Thornton who has 57 points, Marleau at 48 and Pavelski with 61. Wilson needs to look in the mirror at some of his deals – Kennedy, Torres, Havlet to name a few.
Hopefully Wilson and McLellan will be gone at season’s end.
Completely agree with you on Wilson. The Thornton Nd Marleau deals were absurd even at the time.
That being said the players do deserve the criticisms and need to be traded. They will do nothing but stunt the growth of the young shark forwards. They’re taking valuable ice time need by the youngsters to grow and while Thornton and Marleau are still putting up decent numbers they aren’t the right number. Watching them play there is no hunger in their game and they’ve never shown the ability to rise to the challenge in the playoffs.
As a Kings fan I love watching the team wither away without getting the real rebuild they need.
It’s a mess but I don’t agree that the signings were bad. It’s a solid group. The problem here is managment openly said they have no faith in Thornton or Mareau. Idiotic move that was, they should of held their cards tight to the chest now we can watch it all play out in the media.
It made sense in the off season to acquire a player like Kadri, he would be a big upgrade of who they did pick up, Legwand. Now however with Turris’s, Xabinajad and Lazar I see no reason for the Sens ro give up a big bounty for Kadri. They need a true number one not another 2nd line centre.
Shanny would have been better telling us all what Kadri did wrong that way everyone would know what is and what is not acceptable in Leaf Land.
So very true. Saying it the way he did opens the kid up to all kinds if innuendo – and you just know that that is going to follow as the “conspiracy” nuts begin weighing in with their “concrete sources” rumors.
No I don’t think that’s anyone else’s business but theirs. Fans are not part of the team so we really don’t need to know what their guidelines are and I’m pretty it’s like that around the league. This type of thinking is why the coverage of this team is so bad. Fans think some how if they knew x, y, & z they can solve or understand this team. They feel entitled to know details that have nothing to do with hockey or the sport of hockey.
I honestly don’t mind hearing one story about a player showing us that they are human by making dumb mistakes that we all do…but do we need to have that forced down our throats day after day just repeating the story but one “new” fact or opinion to weigh in? It makes us forget that you don’t judge by what someone who has something to gain saids about them but rather decide who/what that person is once you meet and know them.
Wow. Well said Ron, great comment. Couldn’t agree more.
How the blazes is Kadri or any other player supposed to know what is not tolerated? “He has some growing up to do” – 1/4 of the league has some growing up to do, you gonna suspend 25% of the players?
Leafs barely beat Buffalo, then stunk Calgary – gonna blame Kadri for that?
Not being “anyone’s business” is one thing – having the kid exposed to all sorts of unfounded innuendo and constantly being required to deny nasty rumors is quite something else. Like it or not, these guys are in the public eye and paid far far more than the average Joe and Jane to play a game. A game that relies on the goodwill and hard-earned cash of those same Joes and Janes who, I think, deserve to know if a player is indulging in some activity that hinders his on-ice performance. And THAT’S the kind of “know what I heard” rumors that will now start to haunt him.
I’d agree Ron if Shanny said nothing. Yet he went in front of the cameras and started talking, if not for that I’d agree with you, but Shanny can’t have it both ways…..oh wait, yes he can.
Thornton isn’t the only one feuding with Wilson. Lot of players are unhappy with the way Niemi’s upcoming RFA status has been treated. Wilson is right about one thing: There will be a rebuild, but it may start with mgmt and coaching.
Wilson is handicapped by his own actions – no movement clauses given by Wilson for two old players who no longer have maximum value for his team.
Wouldn’t call Thornton and Marleau useless considering they’re 2nd and 4th in scoring. And Marleau is a beast in the post-season. It’s Wilson’s fault for not surrounding the existing talent with better players.
Great players make the players around them great. Thornton and Marleau have never been difference makers when it matter most.
As for the talent around them, there are a lot of teams doing more with less. (Hello, Calgary)
dude, when did I call these players — USELESS? Past their prime – yes, useless – never.
All these kadri rumours; What is he worth? he scored 20g and 50pts, almost online for the same this year. he is also 24yrs old. I keeping hearing that Toronto should get a boat load for him, what’s a boat load for a 20g 50pt player, with a potential higher ceiling?
I would suggest a 1st or 2nd rounder and a prospect. The draft position depending on the quality of the prospect and a body that could play on the leafs roster.
maybe more if multiple teams are interested.
I really like Kadri as a player for what he does. Kadri is just not a guy that you give up a ton for.
I’ve been reading all these comments comparing the Kadri situation to Kane in Winnipeg. The feeling that the jets done very well in the deal. 1st of all, kadri doesn’t compare to kane. Kane is a 30 goal scorer with a ton of speed and plays a physical game and was alos Winnipeg #1 man on the pk. Secondly Winnipeg gave of Bogosian. The sabres sent Myers (lots of potential) the gentle giant as they call him in the Peg. personally I would prefer the nasty giant but that’s not his game. The jets got Stafford a ufa and two solid draft picks. By removing Stafford from their linup it helps the sabres ice a weaker team because their is no replacement for him, which is helping them land last and with the best chance of getting MacDavid or the second prize of Eichel. In summary Kadri is no Kane and the Sabres won the trade but the jets did ok.
i always thought Kadri was more like Plekanec than Kane.
@ Durtmchurtt
No offence… Kadri is like neither of those guys …Plekanecs is a well rounded player and a 200 foot guy who makes little mistakes and is a wayyy better skater …Kane is a power forward with a way better shot than Kadri from all areas and uses his body more in games.
I am not sure Kadri is even better than Grabovski at this point to be completely honest.
He is a low to mid 2nd line career centre man.
The best comparison for Kadri is probably Brayden Schenn IMO
My 2 cents $
Agree, making Kane comparable so us crazy. Schenn for Kadri swap is equitable.
Two schenn’s + Prospect + lecavilier for Phaneuf, Kadri, + Salary held
I don’t think Luke nor Phaneuf are as bad as people make em to be and I don’t think other teams will really jump at those players anyways.
Im sure Phil want’s solid vet dman minus the salary and tor would get bigger and refresh.
How would toronto fans react? Who cares
@ assbackwards…..
That trade would be assbackwards for the Flyers…..and why would Toronto want to take Schenn back?
The Flyers do not have room for Phaneuf, even at $5 per, and Kadri would be run out of town in a year.
The Flyers backend is going to be fully revamped in the next couple of years, but it will be with their prospects, not by trading.
The only way the Flyers change from that is if they are offered a guy like Weber or Subban. They are not going to be tying themselves to a long contract over 5 per.
I doubt the Leafs would be interested, as they had Schenn, and the fans ran him out of town.
Hextall is also on record as saying he will not trade picks/ prospects for older guys with term. That would be Phaneuf…so no, this would never happen.
Holypuck, I never once said Kadri was like Kane. I was responding to Caper who heard that comparison god knows where. I was comparing him to Plekanec based on the fact he’s a smaller forward that plays a two way game with grit. You make valid points on the holes in his game, but he’s also 5 years younger, give him time. He’s improved his defensive game every year he’s been here.
Sorry, Kadri is 8 years younger than Plecs.
In the end it won’t be all about Kadri’s off-ice shenanigan’s, but will be about his contract demands – if he will be asking for $5 M per, or north of this, then he is as good as gone.
@ Greg Smith
Kadri along with 3 other players that I won’t mention should be as good as gone regardless of what the $$$ or contract is….IMO
When the coach says that Jake Gardiner and Dion Phaneuf have chemistry you know you have lost all your marbles and things can not get any worse in evaluating your players and team ! LOL ….insanity !!!
Both players are give away machines …..both players are over paid for talent and Gardiner has to be the softest D man to ever play the game !
Jake skates pretty
long time leaf fan here
regarding Gardiner:
I know its rare to see one bad? player affect a teammates stats except for maybe a goalie, but the one player (besides phaneuf on occasion) who you can watch and almost predict a bad turnover/goal during gameplay from is Jake Gardiner. Additionally, although -/+ is not a great stat of defensive play, it does seem to be consistently bad with Gardiner and whomever his teammate is at that time (polak -20)
I wonder how bad the top line/dmen +/1 would be if Jake sat out a month?
I believe Carlyle tried this at start of last season but was pressured by Nonis to play him instead.
Phaneuf and Gardiner are the dmen that need to prove themselves in last 10 games. This is why they are together now because the question is: Can either be a #1 so let’s see
regarding kadri there would be no one on the sens that are worth anything also check out the spelling on my words
You lose any semblance of credibility with idiotic statements like “there would be no one on the sens that are worth anything …” That isn’t based upon any knowledge of the game but rather some incoherent dislike of another team without any real substance – such as the “dirty” hit Alfreddson on that little angel Darcy Tucker – over 10 frikken years ago. Grow up.
sorry i don’t fit your mould on this soap opera site
Not a question of fitting a “mould” – more of a “what’s the point of baggy-pants schoolyard juvenile taunts?” And if you don’t like this “soap opera” site – don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out.
Ummmmm….Who is worth Kadri.
Turris. Ryan, Anderson, Karlsson, MacArthur, Hoffman, Stone, Cecil Hammond (for now) Zabinajad.
Holy over payments Batman
You misspelled the word troll
i think it’s time for your mommy to tuck you in bed
It kills me to say this because I am a huge kadri fan but the leafs need to move him. How much more can the kid take? He has been dragged through the mid since he came to toronto. He has really had a brutal ride there. He is a great second line centre (I should say, should be). If the right deal comes up move him. An Ottawa deal is a really bad idea. It would and should cost Ottawa way more than they are willing to spend (rumour was Cowan and a first). I wouldn’t move him to Ottawa for anything less.
This will be one of the many big time mistakes the leaf will regret