It’s another quiet Sunday for media-generated NHL rumors, so here’s another look at what’s kicking around the ol’ blogosphere. Enjoy!
The St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils are interested in Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see how Bozak is a fit for either club. The Blues are deep at center with David Backes, Paul Stastny, Jori Lehtera and Kyle Brodziak. Lehtera is currently recovering from offseason ankle surgery but is expected to be ready for the start of the season. The Devils have Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique centering their top-two lines.
Could the St. Louis Blues trade defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk this summer?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m sure a lot of teams are interested in Shattenkirk, but the Blues aren’t parting with him. The Penguins made their blockbuster move earlier this summer when they acquired Phil Kessel from Toronto. They lack the cap space to pursue a big-ticket defenseman. Freeing up salary to acquire him would weaken their depth elsewhere in their lineup.
The Montreal Canadiens are trying to acquire Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets aren’t trading Byfuglien to the Canadiens or anyone else before the start of this season. Sure, it’s quite possible they could lose “Big Buff” to free agency next summer, but they’ll take that risk if he’ll help them reach the playoffs again this season. As for the Canadiens, they’re not parting with assets for a player they could very likely lose to free agency in July. If they really want Byfuglien or any other high-level potential UFA, it’s best to wait until the trade deadline, when they won’t have to give up much to acquire such players as postseason rentals.
Because of uncertainty over Patrick Kane’s future, the Chicago Blackhawks are trying to acquire Carolina Hurricanes winger Jeff Skinner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The investigation into the rape allegation leveled at Kane does raise questions over his future, but the Blackhawks currently aren’t looking at replacing him. Like everyone else, they’re awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
So basically a weekly segment solely based off of rumours from a blog written by a 13 year old nobody?
Many of them probably are, but you’d be amazed how quickly some of these can gain traction, especially during a quiet offseason like this one.
How is that different from many trade proposals we see posted here by Leafs faithful, JR?
Very little hope for big dollar conract trades at this point. I am just surprised we have not seen more UFA deals, with camps just around the corner. Tlusky and Bergenheim would be good additions to teams looking to move up this season. Franson will get a 1-2 deal at best.
Like 14-15 I expect a few teams to be sniffing around cap strapped teams to see what they can scoop up. Like the Isles did last year with Boychuk and Leddy. Now these teams still need to be cautious as apposed to extending Boychuk the way the aisles did. Worst deal signed last year IMO. Boychuk at 31 will be a 6 mill cap hit until he is 38! That contract might be fine for a couple more years but let’s see what it looks like 3 years from now when Boychuk will be 34.
On the flip side, I do like the deal they signed Leddy to.
It’s not just Boychuk. Many (most?) of the 7-8 years deals are suspect and only provide value the first 3-4 years really. The league has itself to blame. I gave my head a shake last CBA lockout when the League agreed to such high cap floor and long contract length limit. I don’t see how most contracts beyond 5 years make any sense. Too much financial risk. They should have capped contract length at max 5y.
If the jets don’t want to or can’t afford to resign Byfuglien, then they’ll will trade him. They can’t just let an asset like Buff walk for nothing at season end. Regardless of the playoffs or not. The west had 4 new teams in the playoffs last year and could have 4 teams in the playoffs next season that wasn’t in this year playoffs. They could keep him until the trade deadline and if it appears the playoffs are out of reach then they could trade him to a team in the west ie Anaheim.
By doing that, the Jets need to make sure their roster is strong enough to absorb the loss of Buff as he relates to the teams’ success. You have a choice – obtain assets for a player in his last year or use the asset to get deeper into the playoffs. Buff is core player, not easily replaced. Is what you get in trade going to stronger than using to asset to contend.
Who has the cap space right now to take his contract, and who is willing to pay now for an asset that has the right to walk at the end of the season?
also – Jets’ ownership needs to decide how much $$$ they will commit to the roster. Canadian teams will continue to be squeezed by a weak CDN.