Latest on Eric Staal, the Sabres could be in the market for a goalie plus an update on the Coyotes
Staal contract talks on hold.
SPORTSNET: Mike Johnson cites Damien Cox’s report claiming Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes have put contract negotiations on hold for the time being. “Staal is in the final year of a seven-year, $57.75-million deal and wants to wait and see how the Hurricanes do before deciding on whether or not signing an extension would be mutually beneficial to him and the only NHL team he’s known.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will ensure Staal’s name remains in this season’s rumor mill. If the Hurricanes are out of playoff contention by the Feb. 29 trade deadline, it’ll only stoke speculation that he’ll be dealt by then.
Sabres could be in the market for a goalie.
Could the Buffalo Sabres have interest in Calgary Flames goalie Jonas Hiller?
SI.COM: Allan Muir speculates we could see our first trade of the season perhaps before this weekend is over. If Buffalo Sabres starting goalie Robin Lehner (right-ankle injury) is sidelined for an extended period, they could be in the market for help between the pipes. Muir believes the Calgary Flames, who are carrying three netminders, could be a trade partner for the Sabres, claiming they’re willing to part with Karri Ramo or Jonas Hiller. The latter is more experienced and also more expensive ($4.5 million) that Ramo, but the Sabres have the depth in cap space and draft picks to swing a deal.
THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Brian Costello tweets “Flames could get more in return for Hiller than Ramo, but would Cgy settle for a Ramo-Ortio duo if Hiller goes to Buffalo?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jonathan Willis recently noted the Oilers also have depth to move a goalie, having recently demoted Ben Scrivens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think the Sabres won’t have much choice but to acquire a goaltender if Lehner is on the shelf for a lengthy period. For them, this season is about being competitive and improving. To do that, they need decent goaltending. Hiller has more experience but he’s also struggled with his consistency. Sabres GM Tim Murray will certainly shop around and it wouldn’t be surprising if he calls the Oilers about Scrivens, who might benefit from a trade at this point.
Coyotes still looking to improve.
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Sarah McLellan recently reported Arizona Coyotes GM will continue to look at waivers, trades and recalls for players who can improve his roster.
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance reports the Coyotes have room to add salary and are trying to find an impact player, but they’re not interested in taking on another team’s salary cap problems.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, they’re not interested in a fading veteran with an expensive contract like Philadelphia Flyers forward Vincent Lecavalier. It will take time to find the player they seek.
Buffalo needs a goalie……. We’ll offer Bernier to Buffalo for anyone. Just take him, please.
Could Howard find his way down to Buffalo. Perhaps a Dallas goalie?
I don’t think howard or niemi or lehtonen will end up in buffalo this early in the season maybe later but after seeing bernier last and the start of this year don’t think the sabres will be interested in him at the salary
Maybe Nicolas Backstrom? Good, cheapish veteran goaltender.
… with one foot in the grave on the other on a banana peel!
Still, was an All-star, he could return to that, similar to Devin Dubnyk.
The closest he’s come to a full season is 2008-09 when he played in 71 games. Since 2012 he’s been in and out of the line-up with a series of injuries. Mind you, he is a UFA at season’s end and his cap hit isn’t all that bad – $3,416,667. But with the heat on Murray already for bringing in Lehner at the cost of a 1st round pick and his injury, do you think he wants to take a chance on a goalie who is often injured? That’s heading down NY Islanders road with goalies up the yin-yan.
1st off, 71 games for a goaltender, that’s incredible. 1year for a backup, Minnesota has Dubnyk and Harding, so he could go pretty cheap. BUT as correct ad you are at everywhere else, the issue you have is you seem to expect him to be expensive. They KNOW he gets injured, and KNOW he isn’t the Wilds starter, so, he should be cheaper. If not Backstrom, however, and think how you do, then, there aren’t a lot if options. Start Chad Johnson, HA! But, honestly, if anyone else ( As Lehner is out for 3-4 months) would be Dokarski or, maybe Reimer. Reimer is a lie probability, but could happen
How times have changed! Back when the Leafs acquired Bernier from the Kings to that point he had played 62 games spread out over 5 seasons and while some were greeting him as the second-coming of Johnny Bower I was called a “troll” and “Leafs hater” for saying wait a minute – he hasn’t played a full season yet and the in the games in which he did play he had an infinitely better team in front of him than he’s ever likely to have in Toronto. Now you want to just give him away to Buffalo!
Brernier isn’t THAT bad. He’s a back-up, sadly for For, so is Reimer!:-)
Tor, dumb autocorrect…
Never was sold on Bernier n still not. He’s not a starter nor will ever be IMO.
I Like Reimer better still not a starter either but its the D thats a big issue as usual. Add to that the forwards as a group r hardly 2 way players.
Leafs need to start Reimer to begin every period and then switch to Bernier after cause he lets in the first shot on goal .I could see Buffalo make a move for Scrivens if they believe in Lehner as there guy .
I also think Calgary could be looking for a new netminder next season .With Tampa having so many guys to sign in the next couple years they could part ways with big Ben and the Flames would have big interest as well as a lot of teams .
Scrivens is not the answer nor will he ever be worth trading for.
After watching that Kings Coyotes game last night Im not so sure that Arizona should be in any hurry. They looked pretty good no sense trying rush things along. Boy that Duclaire and a first for Yandle looks worse and worse.
I don’t think you can make that call after one game. The guy always looked good, I’m not taking that away from him at all. But he played 9 minutes last night, the least of any player. (I didn’t see the game). I couldn’t see him cracking the top 9 in NY this season. I mean who’s spot is he taking in NY? Kreider / Nash / Miller? I can’t see it. Next year or beyond, maybe. But I honestly don’t think he would make the roster at all in NY this year.
had an assist was physical, I agree may not have been on the Rangers Roster thos year but how long will Yandle?
Down the road the combination of the draft pick and a young power forward who looks good cutting his teeth in the NHL is not something Id give up for a year and a half of a guy like Yandle.
I hear what you’re saying. But NY is looking to win now. And Duclair wasn’t or isn’t helping that cause today. I’m not really a fan of Yandle or any offensive d-man for that matter. But I don’t think Yandle will hurt them in achieving their short term goal. NY still has Buchnevich in the pipeline, and Lindberg is also looking pretty solid and can play all 3 forward positions. Maybe the best scenario (other than a cup) is NY completely falls apart, the pick they gave up is lottery protected, and trade Yandle to recoup some picks.
I thought they gave up too much for st Louis and yandle but yandle was a low cap hit and they are going for the cup
I have no issues with the trade. The Rangers made a stab at the cup. If they won the cup the trade would be heavily in their favour. They didn’t so we move on.
Yeah, they really took a shot at it. 1st will probably be in the mid 20s, Duclair, too bad, but Yandle, if resigned, WILL be worth it.
Cousin Tim won’t be hitting any panic buttons. I suspect that until the extent of the Lehner injury is confirmed, he sits pretty and waits. The team will be better this year regardless (you have to think), but is by no way ready to compete in the East. That is about 2 years away……
Another thought….. why would Maloney be looking for an impact player when they are clearly in the running for one already? Austen Matthews.
And say he actually was. Realistically who is out there that is obtainable and fits the Yotes rebuild? Only one player comes to mind, and I doubt he pays the price for Skinner.
Agreed that’s kinda what I was getting at. Not really the point you were making about Mathews but realistically they are no where near bring a ligit threat and who is available that would make them that much closer? Build it up let the guys deveop and gell and build from there… they look like they are getting better no sense in rushing it.
Off topic…
What do u make of the Lucic gooning n the Brown cheap head shot?
I think Brown is a puke who gets away with everything.
Look forward to the day he gets his.
As for Lucic the boy oughta learn to take a fair hit or pay attention.
Now about Couture he is an agitator but like many he never stands up to the music. Players like him n Marchand n many others r not held accountable n it creates problems which r not easily dealt with.
Truthfully, it’s not suspension worthy, but the Evander Kane hits on Tyler Johnson was downright dirty in my mind. Hope for a suspension. 2-5 games.
Hey. Easy there. I got him in my pool! LOL