Latest on Kyle Okposo, David Backes and Ladislav Smid in your NHL rumor mill.
Could Kyle Okposo become a trade candidate?
Could the Islanders trade Kyle Okposo before the start of the season?
SI.COM: Allan Muir referenced tweets from Newsday’s Arthur Staple claiming there’s been no contract extension talks between the New York Islanders and right wing Kyle Okposo, who’s eligible next summer for UFA status. Okposo is in the final season of a five-year, $14-million contract and Muir believes he could seek a six-year, $40 million deal.
Muir claims there’s a belief Okposo could be had via trade and thinks teams will line up for a physical winger capable of scoring 20-plus goals per season. While he believes the Isles are better positioned to reach the playoffs with Okposo skating on John Tavares’ wing, he speculates Okposo could be dealt if no contract extension is in place by the end of training camp.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leading up to the 2015 NHL Draft in June, there was speculation Okposo was available. GM Garth Snow denied the rumors, but it’s obvious he’ll remain a player of interest in the rumor mill. The Isles could try to trade him if he’s unsigned before the season begins, but they could also retain him and see how things play out between now and the Feb. 29 trade deadline. As Muir points out, their chances of returning to the postseason are better with Okposo in the lineup.
If Okposo hits the trade block, I doubt Snow wants prospects or draft picks. I think it’ll be a hockey trade, player-for-player, as Snow likely wants a return to help his club now.
No Backes-for-Schenn deal.
PHILLY.COM’s Sam Carchidi took to Twitter to report Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall indirectly shot down a rumor claiming he contacted the St. Louis Blues about center David Backes. The rumor had the Flyers sending Brayden Schenn to the Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Old habits die hard among Flyers rumormongers, as they’ve apparently grown so used to the club trading young players for veterans that they expect Hextall to follow suit. Hextall’s made it very clear he’s not trading his youngsters for aging players. Besides, the Blues made it clear this summer they’re not blowing up their core this year. The T.J. Oshie trade was the only significant shakeup they made.
Updates on the Flames.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Calgary Flames defenseman Ladislav Smid is working hard to rejoin the club’s very deep blueline. Injuries sidelined Smid for much of last season. He still has two years remaining on his four-year, $14 million contract. “The Flames arguably have the deepest blue line in the NHL with Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Dougie Hamilton, Kris Russell, Dennis Wideman, Deryk Engelland and Smid, if healthy,” write Matheson. “Also one of the most expensive with $28.7 million allotted to the seven guys for next season, which means somebody might have to be sacrificed.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The automatic assumption is Smid will be the likely trade candidate, though when healthy, he’s an effective shot-blocking blueliner. Still, when it comes down to it, it’s either Smid or Deryk Engelland who could become expendable. Smid’s physical defensive style could make him attractive to clubs seeking a physical shutdown rearguard.
Has Okposo played a full season in any league ? For that reason he is not worth 6m and will have to take less. Although he is a 6m skill level.
If GM’s make $7 million/yr the going rate for 18-20 goal forwards like Lucic and Okposo, many teams will be in cap jams like Chicago and Boston. A $70 million cap doesn’t provide enough to pay your 1 or 2 stars $10 million each and your tier II players $7 million each. These guys need outlet clauses in the CBA to protect themselves from their own stupidity.
There is one; its called buyouts. That there is only that minimal bit of lack of wiggle was demanded by the low revenue franchises to prevent the high revenue teams from spending money wildly and then burying mistakes in the minors with no cap impact.
Don’t forget, Lucic does more than just score goals. He also fights, and hits as well. Before his bad season, he was a 30 goal guy
I think that would be a bad trade for the Blues actually. Backes is their heart and soul and is one of the best leaders in the NHL. Schenn is an underachiever at best, in 2-3 years it would be better for the Blues but there would be a huge leadership void in St. Louis with the loss of Backes. And the Flyers gaining Backes would push them a little closer to the playoff picture although not likely into the playoffs as there would still be 5 teams significantly better in the metro. The Flyers defense is awful, they need to address that first.
The defence is being addressed through the draft and the young guys in juniors. They are just being patient until the kids are ready.
The Flyers will be looking to ship out a vet or 2 before the start of the year, not add players.
They currently have 8 dmen.
As an Islander fan I have been lobbying for an Okposo trade for a year now. I like KO but he is a power forward that tries to be a finesse player. Anybody that watches him on a regular basis knows that he has one of the lowest hickey IQS on the team. Last year’s end of the year swoon coincided to the day with KO’s return. As soon as Capuano put him back on the top line and took Lee off disaster struck. I wish KO the best of luck wherever he goes but no way would I give him 6 million a year.
would like to see the Bruins and Flyers get together .. Schenn trade to the B’s