Latest on the Bruins and Hurricanes, a list of free-agent defense targets for the Avalanche and an update on Sharks goalie Antti Niemi.
Bruins’ Eriksson, Smith could be in play.
BOSTON HERALD: Steve Conroy reports Bruins president Cam Neely and whoever replaces fired GM Peter Chiarelli will have work to do to fulfill Neely’s vision of restoring the Bruins reputation as a tough team to play against. Among the decisions is whether to re-sign struggling power forward Milan Lucic this summer. Conroy expects the Bruins will push to re-sign rugged, but oft-injured, defenseman Adam McQuaid. The Bruins could also shed salary to free up cap space for other additions. Conroy speculates winger Loui Eriksson and recently-resigned winger Reilly Smith could be in play.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty also speculates Smith, whose production declined this season, could be available despite his recent re-signing. Haggerty also suggests that contract could give the Bruins piece of mind “at right wing while shopping bigger names such as Milan Lucic and Loui Eriksson”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bruins retain Lucic for the final year of his contract to evaluate his performance. McQuaid will be open to re-signing but it’ll depend upon how much he seeks and how much the Bruins can afford. Eriksson and Smith lack the toughness Neely prefers, which could make them expendable.
What next for the Hurricanes?
Is a contract buyout coming for Alexander Semin?
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Chip Alexander reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis acknowledged his club’s inability to score during his recent season-ending press conference. Head coach Bill Peters also noted the need to bolster their defense after trading away Andrej Sekera and Tim Gleason at the trade deadline. Alexander speculates that could be done via free agency or trades. Francis also said he’ll open contract talks this summer with captain Eric Staal, who is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. Luke DeCock believes the Hurricanes should buy out the remaining three years of struggling winger Alexander Semin’s contract, even though it will be expensive. While Francis said he’ll consider all his options regarding Semin, DeCock believes buying him out is the only realistic way to get the declining forward off their books.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this season, Francis denied speculation he would buy out Semin but I think he has no choice. Francis will try to trade Semin in June and if he can’t find any takers I expect he’ll buy him out before the end of that month.
Free agent defense targets for the Avalanche.
THE DENVER POST: Mike Chambers recently listed Los Angeles’ Andrej Sekera, Nashville’s Cody Franson, San Jose’s Matt Irwin, Washington’s Mike Green and Buffalo’s Andrej Meszaros as his top-five free agent defense targets for the Colorado Avalanche.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Regardless of the options, the Avalanche have to add an experienced top-four defenseman. They cannot continue to be among the worst teams in shots against and puck possession.
Niemi would like to stay a Shark.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Chris Pashelka reports pending UFA goalie Antti Niemi said Wednesday he’d like to return with the Sharks next season but he realizes his days in San Jose may be numbered.
Nothing says great trade chip, like a cap floor calling you to say “wanna deal on a really expensive contract we may consider buying out???”
I can see Smith being trade bait for the Bruins. I believe it would be a mistake for them to trade Eriksson, toughness comes in different ways and Eriksson gets the majority of his goals 3-5ft in front of the net which is a tough place to make a living in the NHL. He will never hit like a truck or punch you in the mouth but he can give them 20-25 goals on a team that needs the goals BAD.
I would trade Lucic while he has some kind of value. I guarantee Lucic plays well this season but once the extension kicks in get used to seeing that dominant power forward every 6 or 7 games again. There isn’t a better example on this team of a complacent player.
If you want him I will drive Meszaros to the airport.
LOL, I can’t see Meszaros helping Colorado out on the blue line either! Even Franson and Green are not D first type guys and really not top pairing, maybe Green 4 years ago, but not now.
That was one move where Ottawa made the right choice by dealing him as an unsigned RFA to Tampa Bay for Filip Kuba, Alexandre Picard and the rights to the San Jose 1st draft pick in 2009. He had a great rookie start in Ottawa but soon began going downhill.
I’m sure Niemi would love to stay in San Jose. Who wouldn’t? Great climate in which to live and raise a family. But the Sharks are another team in need of a real shake-up and with Thornton and Marleau digging in their heels and refusing to go ANYWHERE, and with Pavelski, Couture, Wingels, Hertl, Vlasic, Braun and Karlsson not going anywhere (that’s an integral part of a young core) they have to deal or say bye to somebody in order to improve.
I was hoping the Wings would pick up Franson before the deadline, but after watching him struggle back in Nashville, I’m kinda glad Holland opted not to go that route
Berube fired-Look for Babcock or Mclellan to be moved in in spite what the flyer bashers say-they have a solid base of players.
I can’t imagine Detroit not handing Babcock a blank check and telling him to write his salary demands on it. But even then, let’s say Babcock decides its time to move on….why the Flyers? That’s a lateral move, at best. He’d be going from one medicore-to-decent- team to another
His name keeps popping up among Philly media and national media. Hextall and Babcock are supposedly friends. I think its going to come down to Philly and Detroit. Comcast will write any check that is required to sign him. I think it comes down to the working relationship of Babcock and Holland. Nobody really knows if its solid or if there are issues.
In all honesty I think Julien could do a really nice job there if he gts the axe in Boston. Everyone thinking Babcock, but unless something out of the ordinary happens, like a team offers him a GM/coahing position I dont really see him moving on,there will be more to it than money, and Detroit will offer him that. Great coach probably the best in the game but I think alot of fanbases probably the Leafs most of all are wearing blinders thinking tjat Babcock is the only way or the best way to turn things around…there are going to be a few really good coaches available, and some young guys that shouldnt be discounted.
Very much a possibility as well. Flyers have a history of alternating Internal and Big Name external for their coaches.
Also refreshing to get a constructive comment-rather than the “your on crack” or “or flyers are garbage” that some others usually post.
You are on crack the Flyers are garbage …
Babcock is in every rumor mill of every team that isn’t in the playoffs. But then again who would pass up the opportunity to coach the likes of future superstar Sean Couturier (Dave Bolland) and the huge numbers he puts up or Matt Read who is on the cusp of becoming a dominate superstar himself. And that D-corp is so solid that the cup is in the bag. Can’t forget about Claude “Better than Crosby Best Player In the world”Giroux …. Im with you Scott Babcock is as good as there right behind the Flyers winning the lottery and Mcdavid sweaters going on sale ..
Pass it to the left right?
Dino as I re-call you were the guy I was debating with on Toronto media. You claimed Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger’s father got them their jobs at TSN. So your credibility and knowledge of the facts is not that great.
I can assure you I never said such a thing at all and ask you to show any such post where I made any such claim.
Then I have you mixed up with an another Flyer Basher
I’m gonna throw a dark horse in the Babcock sweepstakes.
Edmonton Oilers. They are desperate for a big name splash and will cut a blank cheque as well. Friedman said he’s looking for a team that has 5 or 6 foundation players and provide a new challenge if he decides to leave Detroit. Oilers fit the bill.
Strong connections with Kevin Lowe and Bob Nicholson through Hockey Canada and the Olympic program.
This would take major heat off the Klowe/MacT disaster. Don’t be surprised if this happens.
The Avs swung and missed on Niskanen and Kevin Hayes this past year. Their defence corp is bad, but they’re not oblivious to this. None of those options listed above sound appealing. Sad part is, they are all upgrades. Personally, I would like to see the Avs be patient, not give up any top-flight talent via trade, and wait for some of their d-men coming up the pipeline to arrive.
Sekera would be a nice addition. But there are a couple stud prospects in Bigras and Geertsen who could crack the roster. Siemens is also an option, although he has had trouble staying healthy enough to develop as planned.
I agree. I think Bigras and Geertsen will make a push next year. I just don’t think you can give up on Siemens or Elliott yet. If the Avs are patient, then in two or three years they could have a solid, home-grown blue line.
Be interesting to see how ROR effects all this in the near future if they do extend him and Iggy signed for 2 more years, McKinnon finnishing up his ELC next year and Tyson Barrie an RFA the same time as that…not going to be much much room in the next couple years for a high priced D man, really unless they make a move or 1 of the young D in the pipe line make a big jump.
I agree. Joe Sakic has all but said that if ROR isn’t signed by the new season, he’ll be traded. Just have to wait and see.
Smith and Erickson both rumored on the block? Seguin trade looking even worse.
This would be a big reason for the Leafs (or another club looking to rebuild with young players) not to jump all over Chiarelli.