Top-10 “trade bait” players, an update on Eric Staal plus the latest on the Canadiens, Sharks, Ducks, Blackhawks, Sabres and Avalanche in your NHL rumor mill.
Highlights from TSN’s Insiders.
TSN: Bob McKenzie reports we don’t know yet what the trade market will be leading up to the Feb. 29 trade deadline. No one has a strong feel yet if teams are willing to part with first-round picks, and if they do for which players, or if they’ll do like last season and toss around second- and third-round picks “like candy”. Pierre LeBrun suggests concerns of a flat cap for next season could also affect the market, as teams could retain their first-round picks compared to previous years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams could be unwilling to part with those picks, but I daresay there will be a GM or two in “win now” mode willing to make the gamble.
Darren Dreger lists five of the seven Canadian teams (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) join Buffalo among the sellers as this year’s deadline. It’s possible all seven Canadian clubs could become sellers. The buyers could include Anaheim, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Jose, Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Don’t expect the Canadiens to trade P.K. Subban.
TSN’s list of trade bait includes Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson, Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd, Arizona Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker, Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin, Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis, Calgary Flames blueliner Kris Russell, Toronto Maple Leafs rearguard Roman Polak, Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise and Flames winger Jiri Hudler.
In their latest “Insider Trading” segment, LeBrun reports unless Canadiens ownership forces something, GM Marc Bergevin won’t fire head coach Michel Therrien. LeBrun doesn’t believe Bergevin has any intention of trading defenseman P.K. Subban. Dreger claims Habs forward Lars Eller has been available for quite some time, though he said Bergevin isn’t shopping him or trying to push Eller out the door.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Bergevin trades Subban, it’ll be the worst move by a Habs GM since Rejean Houle dealt Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche over 20 years ago. That trade set the Habs back for over a decade. As a Habs blogger recently observed, unless the return is Connor McDavid or Erik Karlsson, trading Subban will have the same effect.
McKenzie claims the Blackhawks are aggressively pursuing a top-line rental left winger. He notes Ladd, Boedker, Eriksson and perhaps Eric Staal could be available at the deadline. He points out the ‘Hawks can make room for a $4 million cap-hit player at the deadline. If another team could retain salary it could be a more significant add.
LeBrun reports the hockey world is wondering what Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will do with Drouin, claiming Yzerman will move Drouin only when he gets the right offer, suggesting it could take until this summer to get it done.
Dreger claims the Sharks and Kings seek a top-five defenseman, with the Sharks pushing hard on this. He suggests Toronto’s Polak or Vancouver’s Dan Hamhuis, though the Canucks haven’t approached him about waiving his no-trade clause.
LeBrun also doubts the Ducks will move Frederik Andersen now, preferring to keep their tandem of Andersen and John Gibson intact for the stretch run and the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with LeBrun. Now that the Ducks have climbed back into the playoff picture, they won’t move Andersen.
Update on the Canadiens and Oilers.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun also reports the Canadiens could try to shop pending UFAs like Weise, Tom Gilbert and Tomas Fleischmann at the trade deadline, but could retain Paul Byron in hopes of re-signing him. LeBrun claims some teams have expressed interest in defenseman Alexei Emelin, but unless his reps seeks a trade it’s unlikely he’ll be traded. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin could wait until this summer to make bigger moves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect those bigger moves to include P.K. Subban, Carey Price, Max Pacioretty or Brendan Gallagher. I wouldn’t be surprised, however, if Alex Galchenyuk is shopped. I get the feeling that Bergevin could be running out of patience with his development. Eller could also be peddled and maybe Bergevin asks Emelin if he’ll be receptive to a trade. As LeBrun noted, the Habs struggles this season highlights the roster weaknesses Price’s performance had overshadowed. Now that they’re glaringly appparent, I expect Bergevin will take steps this summer to address them.
LeBrun also spoke with a hockey executive who suggests it wouldn’t be surprising if the Edmonton Oilers shop their first-round pick for a top defenseman. If they got the first overall pick again, would it be possible they offer that pick to the Arizona Coyotes for defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson? The Coyotes could then use that pick to select Arizona native Auston Matthews.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson mused about the same thing a couple of months ago. As LeBrun said, food for thought if the Oilers win the draft lottery again.
An update on Eric Staal.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said he wouldn’t be crushed if he were moved by the trade deadline, but his focus right now is helping his club win games. If the Hurricanes decide to move the pending UFA, Garrioch cites a league insider suggesting the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Florida Panthers could be interested. Staal must agree to waive his no-movement clause for a deal to take place.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: GM Ron Francis faces a tough decision. Does he retain Staal in hopes of pushing for a playoff berth and risk losing him for nothing this summer to free agency? Or move him for the best return? If it’s the latter, I believe Staal will accept a trade.
Latest on the Sabres and Avalanche.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Unrestricted free agents Jamie McGinn, David Legwand, goaltender Chad Johnson and defensemen Mike Weber and Carlo Colaiacovo could be shopped by the Sabres at the trade deadline, along with RFAs Marcus Foligno and Johan Larsson. Winger Tyler Ennis, with three years at $4.6 million left on his contract, and defenseman Cody Franson (one year left at $3.325 million), could also be dangled.
NBC SPORTS: James O’Brien reports Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic seeks a top-four defenseman, but that asset is difficult to find at this time of year. He’s also seeking a “puck-management forward”. O’Brien speculates the Avs could be interested in playoff rentals, but don’t want to give up a high-end draft pick unless it’s for an asset that can help them beyond this season. Winger Alex Tanguay may or may not be available.
Not sure how much Louis Jean may or may not know but
Did the rounds to find out if Subban is on the market. One team executive said “his name has come up”. @TVASports
Maybe Bergivin is crazy.
How good are the Leafs going to be next year with a top line center like Stamkos and the new captain PK Subban rebuild done
LOL. $19 million cap hit for 2 players. That supporting cast had better be good.
Exactly, but that is the same problems the habs are going to have in 2 years Price is going to want 11m if PK gets 9m plus they will have other guys to sign and the 2 of them eating 20m in space. I think trading PK would be a good move. But as a leafs fan I hope they keep him because his attitude and salary will kill the team.
While I am all for bashing the habs whenever the chance arises but I think your statement about Subban’s character is wrong. With the amount of media attention on Montreal I haven’t heard anything negative about him for over 2 years. The guy is giving back to the community as well on a regular basis. I’ll take Subban any day on my team. The guy is a superstar and is a great role model.
If Stamkos and PK are on same team Stamkos is Captain, not PK.
Isn’t it a bit strange that when a team isn’t winning, and hasn’t won for a while, it’s often the best players who take the blame. We want the best to be even better, in spite of the evidence in every tournament that it takes a full roster to win the cup, and a decent group with decent chemistry to make it in. Unless the quality players somehow are inhibiting the others on their team (I suppose it’s possible) the problem is likely lack of assets and/or coaching when it comes to making the show. You can worry about the “my guy is better than your guy” in the finals, but that’s not why you get to play golf early.
When a $9 million player makes a stupid play that leads to the game-losing goal, he deserves some criticism…
Play wasnt really anywhere near his net, and there were 3 guys back….Not that he dosent deserve any blame but I didnt hear anyone saying anything about the Wolverine (Pacioretty) blowing his assignment on the back check.
You didn’t hear anyone make excuses for PK and call out the other players and the coach?
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/plenty-of-blame-to-go-around-in-montreal~812002
I am saying the same thing as the article you posted, Therrien singled out Subban for a play that was really all his fault, Therrien dosent mention anything about the back check collapse just Subbans mistake.
Nobodys perfect
Have you ever played organized pro level sports of any kind ? What does salary have to do with making a mistake in the split second Subban had to make the play ? If were crucifying players for making mistakes two time winning norris dman Erik Karlsson makes the same type of give away every second week . I was watching a blackhawks game two weeks ago where D Keith made almost the exact same mistake . But i guess thats what we should expect from all these terrible defencemen . LOL. Get a clue . Watch some games and you might actually see what happens , because most goals result from a turnover or a blown defensive assignment and or bad positioning .
Or maybe Jean is being vague. Came up as in “Bergevin’s shopping Subban”? Or came up as in some rival GMs looked into Subban’s trade status. Regardless, like LeBrun, I don’t believe the Canadiens trade Subban. There’s no way they’ll get a return that improves them, let alone replaces what Subban brings to the Habs at both ends of the ice.
I agree they shouldnt…just found it odd. What the Habs should do compared to the course of action they choose to take are 2 entirely different things anymore it seems.
I will say this, seems that MB was kinda hesitant to give PK that contract (face 8t that was Molsons doing) and with Therrien calling him out like that, their previous hostory and the vote of confidence that MB gave the coach (what 2 weeks ago?) If I was a little bigger of a Habs fan I think I may not totally dismiss the idea of something blowing up and things going off the rails. Not saying its PK but at some point somethings gotta give.
It was repetitive turnovers like that on risk plays that bought Spezza a ticket out of Ottawa. Of course, he’d had enough of the constant media/fan criticism and couldn’t wait to get out of town. Be interesting to see what Subban’s reaction will be if – someday – the crowd gets on him for those gaffes. They did get on J.C. Tremblay’s case way back.
Subban is a great player however I would wonder if they would try and gauge trade interest because of his presence in the room. I get the impression he is a loud, constant, annoying voice that you’d want to punch in the face. Not to mention parading around in his silly outfits.
Arnie,
I’m standing and applauding…..
except for the great player part.
It seems to me that the vagueness may have been intended to draw attention and sell “papers”.
The reality is sometimes news outlets stretch the details to create a great headline that gets everyone talking.
100% right.
What is crazy about exploring the trade market. Obviously not everyone is enamored with a 9 mil defenceman who continually makes glaring errors. I agree the good outweigh the bad but it blows me away when guy’s like Karlsson and Subban are winning the Norris when they are weak defensively. To me Doughty, Keith, Hedman, Weber, Suter, Peitrangelo are all so much better and at lower salaries. It’s as if everyone is on eggshells when it comes to criticizing Subban for fear of being called a racist and that has absolutely nothing to do with it. I firmly believe Subban will not play out his contract in Mtl when it becomes more apparent how much of a “me first”guy he is.
You hit the nail on the head, but nobody in the press is able to say it.
When was the last time a D scored 90 points in a season? You have to go back 22 years to 1993-94 and Ray Bourque who had 91. Karlsson is on a pace to get 90. Weak defensively? On a team that has given up the most goals so far in their grouping he’s a +4 – the only other + D is Methot at +8. Hardly “weak” when he’s paid to be the catalyst for the offence.
Sometimes I think of Bobby Orr played today and was just young some how people would say “sure he puts up points but….”
So right. If any one of these negative opinion posters was running a team and they had a choice of one of Karlsson, Doughty, Keith, Hedman, Weber, Suter or Peitrangelo they’d be flat out lying if they didn’t say “give me Karlsson.”
Its my veiw with a few guys, Karlsson being the best of em but, I get a kick out of the idea that guys who always have the puck and can skate with it or pass it, put up points and sometimes make mistakes doing thar are somehow bad, and guys who constanly chip the puck out of thier own end giving the puck to the other team on purpose are somehow good.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s become the “Highest Scoring Defenceman” award for many years now
Yeah, and they should rename the Norris Trophy the Bobby Orr Trophy…oh wait…only defenseman in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy…oh, ha, ha, never mind…;)
And he won it twice
I don’t think it’s impossible that you could see the Habs and Leafs as trade partners. If MB is actually open to moving Galchenyuk there would be a fit with the Leafs who have scoring wingers and could use a young C.
It’s a definite long shot, but maybe JVR for Galchenyuk, with JVR eventually being replaced by Nylander if he doesn’t develop as a C at the NHL level on the left wing or even Johnson.
JVR (+2 years at $4.25m cap) is on a team-friendly contract, but you could take salary back as needed and even up with picks/prospects if needed.
Nobody thought the Leafs and Sens would ever make a big trade either.
I don’t think Galchenyuk garners JVR as a return. The habs would need to add quite a bit to that package, I’m thinking at least a first rounder. I haven’t looked at any stats but JVR is a far superior talent and a genuine first liner
You could be right about that Tazi, but you are getting a player 4 years younger in Galchenyuk who would fit better with the emerging core around Rielly and Nylander, Marner, etc.
You could also argue that Therrien hasn’t given him the opportunities he would get in Toronto so his stats would improve. If you compare the numbers to JVR at the same age, not all that different.
Could be a case where it’s
To TOR: Galchenyuk + pick + salary dump
To MON: JVR
JVR will not land you galchenyuk. You
Would have to add a pick or prospect to land galchenyuk
Tony what dream world do you live in. A proven goal scorer with a cap friendly hit for a unproven player who seems to have serious lapses with his intensity and shown almost no improvement offensively. In short he seems to have flat lined, a 15 to 20 goal scorer who doesn’t like to get his nose dirty and is somewhat of a defensive liability and he`s supposed to have been playing on a better team than JVR. Can`t imagine Toronto even having any interest in the guy let alone giving JVR for him. Toronto has better prospects coming than Galchenyuk.
It figures that your a laughs fan . If subban was a laugh the gto media and laughs fans would be praising him as the next coming of ORR . lol
I used to make the same observation about TO fans and Alfredsson and Neil – i.e., that if either somehow wound up a Leaf they’d be lining up at centre ice to kiss their butts.
Right now Arizona’s top ranked defensive prospect is Tinordi. Not sure they’d be willing to give up OEL for Mathews no matter how much they’d love to get him.
The coyotes are really deep in forward prospects (Duclair and Domi already up this year, Dvorak and Strome developing nicely, not to mention MacInnis and Nick Merkley) I just don’t see them gutting their defence for another elite forward. I can see them offering a forward, but that doesn’t help Edmonton. I’m praying the Leafs get it and ask for Strome and their first, a pipe dream maybe but I need something to fantasize about lol
I raised exactly that yesterday and I think it works. Also, easy to underestimate for us in bigger NHL markets how important the marketing angle of a hometown star is when our teams aren’t hurting for revenue, but the Coyotes may make those type of business choices even if you lose slightly on the hockey trade.
To TOR: Strome plus their 1st (10th right now)
To ARZ: Matthews
Maybe we throw plus Percy or Valiev to sweeten the pot.
Arizona is going to have to overpay if they want Mathews, I can’t see them getting him and another asset from any team. Of course if they win the lottery none of this matters, but I’m being greedy if I have the 1st pick.
Stammer is a good player but I’m not sure I pay what it’s going to take to get him signed. Subban needs to hear the truth he cost the Habs the game he needed to know how much time was left and put the puck deep.
I agree. Does Stamkos deserve to be paid in the top 5 overall. Toews & Kane are #1 at 10.4, Kopitar will be 3rd at 10. His UFA status; leverage, & age essentially mean it’s happening if he wants it to. I’m not certain Stamkos is 1 of the 10 best players in the game today. On talent & abilities Yzerman’s supposed offer of 8.5 is dead on but unfortunately being a the youngest UFA in history to date he will get what ever he wants.
Stamkos isn’t even necessarily the best player in TB any longer. That honor may well belong to Kucherov now who’s just scratching the surface of his potential. If Stamkos’s salary demands exceed 9.5 for TB I trade his rights in the off season for the best deal available & take the cap space & compensation & move on.
Pardon me. Not counting those players using the College loophole in the CBA. Technically Stamkos isn’t the youngest UFA as Schultz & Reilly used the CBA loophole & were & are younger.
Thought I better get that in there before Shticky took me to task. Ha-ha!
How did Subban cost them the game? It wasn’t even an odd man rush the other way. Max blew his coverage.
Yep
By his facial expression when he lost his footing, it appeared he may have been holding in one of those farts he lIke’s to cut loose in goaltenders faces. Obviously flatulence is clearly the culprit here!
Although I feel Subban took unfair criticism from his coach as it was a stupid accident not a hockey play that caused the scoring play against. He lost an edge and fell. He didn’t try and skate through every player of the opposition.
The Habs had defensive coverage in place and it looked to me that they simply failed to implement it. If one of your players fumbles resulting in an even man rush against where you are in decent position to prevent a goal it is hardly the sole responsibility of the player who fell that caused the goal.
Jeff… You are completely wrong. Any coach will tell you that puck as to go deep. He had pressure on him (he says he didn’t feel pressure, so not sure why he put his right arm down to protect the puck). I applaud Therrien for calling him out. He should have. Maybe not in public but in the room FOR SURE. It was a individualistic play that blew up. The puck should have gone deep.
If he dumps puck in the play going back doesn’t happen. Was a horrible decision.
If Max covers his man its not an issue. Again it wasnt exactly a bad pinch that a guy blew the zone on a breakaway. It was a 3 on 3! lol All these ifs…what if Subbans play wins the game? Ya can tell its getting hot when fans are more worried about not losing then they are about winning.
What 8f he dumps the puck deep giving over possession and they skate back on an even man rush and score anyway cause Pacioretty still dosent cover his man? Its ridiculous. Its the exact same thing. If you think he should just turn it over anyway whats the point in the debate? The result could very likely be the same as it was. 3 on 3 4 on 4 5 on 5 isnt going to matter when the backcheck misses assignments like it did there or the goalie lets in a soft goal.. its still a turnover.
I wouldn’t be surprised in the Flyers entertain offers for Claude Giroux before the trade deadline.
Woot woot, his home town is Gatineau. He’s coming to Ottawa. All stars want to play in heir home towns. Don’t they?
But he’s still persona non grata in the Market area!
Told ya George
No chance. G is the only consistent offence the flyers have. He’s not getting traded.
Ugh. What a horrific year to be a Habs fan.
Not saying Lyle’s wrong, but if Bergevin trades Galchenyuk before firing Therrien, he’s a fool. Maybe Galchenyuk isn’t going to develop well, but Therrien’s system/lineups hasn’t allowed for any opportunity to see what he can do. With Therrien on the hot seat, it makes no sense to trade Galchenyuk… and then likely fire Therrien in the summer, anyway.
Of course, not saying Bergevin won’t do it! Just that it makes no sense. (Lots of Habs decisions make no sense this year!)
Other Habs thoughts:
– I can see Eller getting traded. But I think he’ll have a nice little career as an above-average 3C whether he stays or goes and that the Habs would miss him
– I doubt ownership would approve a PK trade, no matter what the rumourmongers say. His marketing value is too high
Agreed. Habs lose any trade they make for Eller unless it’s as part of a package for a top 6 forward. As for Chuky, I’m not sure what more he can do to prove his worth.
Habs have been missing the best player in the league for most of the season. Best player, in the most important position and it shows. Everyone thought Bergevin was a genius – he is proving to be very human.
Maybe he and Therrion will be gone, put Rick Dudley in as GM.
This situation with Subban & Therrien has been blown way out of proportion. Subban made a bad choice at an important time of a game. His coach called him out for it. Happens every day but because it’s Montreal it’s the rage. You french Canadian’s just need to calm down. I know your a passionate people but really, let it go.
Subban isn’t going any where. Therrien wore out his welcome long ago & if Bergevin doesn’t address it in the off season it will be his job on the chopping block next season.
Umm…Striker lot of Anglo peeps in Montreal and a whole lot of Habs fans everywhere this is truely one of the silliest things Ive seen you post. Not sure its just ” those french Canadians” who are talking about this.
I didn’t say Francophone French Canadians. My English friend’s that come from Quebec are just as passionate & crazy. Cultural thing, I think it has something to do with the water. Ha-ha!
Really who cares if Montreal won or lost that game & although Subban created the turn over it didn’t get any better for numerous other players following nor Scrivens. Their season ended when Price went down & now we’re being subjected to this ridiculous Subban crap. Subban isn’t going any where & even having to discus it is a complete waste of time.
Coaches call players out all the time. Why is this even news?
The answer is that it’s Montreal, Subban & there’s nothing else to talk about in Montreal with the season having been lost months ago.
You french Canadian’s just need to calm down. I know your a passionate people but really, let it go.
Sorry guess I just misunderstood this part?
Jeez man if that dont make ya sound a little…well you know.
I can assure you Shticky I am. Ha-ha! Sorry having lived many years in the only truly bilingual province in Canada, New Brunswick, I carry some baggage.
As I have French-Canadien heritage I’ll thank you to keep your condescending comments to yourself and not post them on this site. Comprenez vous?
To Montreal;
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 6 mil/yr cap hit at 5 more years after this one
Darnell Nurse – 2 more years of entry level deal
To Edmonton;
P.K. Subban – 9 mil/yr cap hit for 6 more years after this one
Pretty sure that it would take far more then just, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Darnell Nurse to Get P.K. Subban out of Montreal Edmonton still adds here.
as an Oiler fan i would like that deal and im a fan of both Nurse and RNH. Can’t see Montreal making the trade though. Gotta hope Oilers get the first pick and then they can trade that (Auston Matthews) along with Nurse for Subban+. would also like to see OEL in Edmonton but not sure if he’s worth the #1 pick when its Matthews. Matthews should be worth as much or more than Eichel and i don’t think Buffalo would trade Eichel for OEL or Subban. or at least they shouldn’t. so to me if Edmonton got Matthews and added Nurse they should get Subban and another solid piece in return or something like:
OEL/Boedker/2nd to Edmonton
Nurse/Matthews/3rd to Arizona
Subban/top 4 d prospect to Edmonton
#1 pick (Matthews)/Nurse to Montreal
then Oilers can try and move RNH in the summer or at the draft for another solid dman. Make up for losing Nurse who i think will be a strong #2 dman for his career.
RNH to NYI
Hamonic to Edmonton or
RNH to Winnipeg
Trouba to Edmonton
i guess what im saying is to get Auston Matthews its worth trading an all star player. Any thoughts about this? McDavid is a bit different i know but would the Oilers have traded him for any player in the league? and really how many guys would Buffalo move Eichel for? not many. maybe a half dozen or so? I haven’t seen enough of Matthews but ive read and heard that he would be the 2nd pick last year ahead of Eichel. anyone know if this is accurate? Montreal would be crazy to not consider moving PK for Matthews imo. Not a big Leafs fan but cheer for all canadian teams and it would be incredible for that franchise if they could get Matthews. Also think it would be great if Stamkos came to a canadian market. any team would be sweet. i think he resigns though. no income tax in florida = $$$ plus nice weather, its already home, etc but wouldn’t be shocked to see him become a Red Wing, Ranger or maybe even the Wild if they can shed salary. they surprised with signing both Suter and Parise a few years back. can’t see him in Toronto but would be awesome if he was. Stamkos, Auston Matthews maybe, Nylander, Marner yikes
Stamkos has proven himself at the NHL level. Mathews is a generational pick like MacKinnon and McDavid and will shine. But dont put Nylander and Strome in the same sentence as they haven’t proven a thing yet at the NHL level, and were and aren’t hardly in the same draft level as those just mentioned.
What exactly has Mathews proved? Not disagreeing that he wont be first over all or anything of the sort but Mathews has put up arond 40 points in 32 games (1 season) in Switzerland as an 18 year old in thee swiss league as an 18 year old Nylander played in 2 better leagues as an 18 year old Swedish elite league and AHL and put up 52 points in 58 games as an 18 uear old Id say they are pretty much equally as proven. Again not sayin either is necessarily better than the other rather that you cant have youre cake and eat it too George. If guys are not proven till they show something in the NHL than Mathews as of yet has not showed himself to be anything more than the best pick available this year…we will see when he gets here how or if he is generational.
Well, I should have said the odds are pretty good that Mathews will star if you look at the # 1 picks since 2000: the only ones not to have lived up to the hype are DiPietro (2000_ – and there were extenuating circumstances there – injuries and being picked by the Islanders) and Erik Johnson in 2006 (Jordan Staal went 2nd and Toews 3rd). And, I suppose, the jury is still out on Nugent-Hopkins (2010) and Yakupov (2011) – although both are stars compared to Alex Daigle!
But what I’ve seen of Mathews he’s the real deal – stands out like a sore thumb.
Please, don’t ‘suggest’ the Rangers needing another staal…NY – where older players passed their prime come to die for 1st round draft picks/prospects… btw, duclair…16 goals…
*fingers crossed* please trade for Staal
just curious, you’re a fan of which team?
Just kidding around Matt there is another Ranger fan here I like to try and rattle from time to time….Im a Leaf fan who like most Leaf fans takes alot of abuse. No real offense meant.
no offense taking at all. so would like to get your opinion of the hit on Mac last night.. Also, fantastic Leaf fans last night, during the national anthem, the mic went out and the entire rink sang it, have to say that was pretty amazing.
Komarov is dirty…I dont think he is dirty enough to go after a guys head who he knew just came back from a concussion, but its not the first cheap shot he has taken. Gotta keep your head up when he is on the ice.
I dont think Komorov is dirty. Reckless at times, yes. By saying he is dirty you put him in with Gudas and I dont think Leo is that bad.
I dont think he is a rat or anything like that Yankee but that dont make him clean or just reckless either, weve seen it quite a few times him hitting a guy square between the numbers or kinda late. Plays hard for sure but I laughed when striker called all his hits “clean” a while ago seen a few boarding penalties (not majors but…) he knows what he is doing. Now I dont think he would butt end or spear someone or take a run at a guys head who he knows has had concussion issues for that matter but that dosent make him clean
He’s like Polak. Plays with an edge and sometimes its borderline.
Guess we can carry this conversation on at home since we’re the same person. lol!
lol!
Yandle was 27-28 at the time of that deal, Nash was 27? St.Louis was at the end of his career, but you are starting to sound like some other fans here. 1 deal,for an older player and now EVERY deal they make is for an older player? With the very real possibility that Mcdonagh gets shut down for a long period of time, I think having Yandle is probably a better idea than having Duclair at the moment. Unless he can play d too? Callahan HAD to go. Unless we miss having a 6.5 million dollar 3rd liner that is often injured? I guess we could always bring Drury back if that’s the case?
Shut up Shticky….! LOL…. I don’t want Staal, but after going through NY’s 1st round picks over the last decade plus, if the cost is only a 1st rounder they may be doing NY a favor!!! LOL
Yes yes yes…..its working! Feel the pain! Is there such a thing as negative prospects and picks?
Welcome to obscurity and irrelevance if this happens…lol
Current players on NY’s roster (players traded for)that were over the age of 27 at the time of the deal…zero.
Brassard was 23-24
Klein 26
Nash 27
Mcdonagh 20
Just thought I should mention when this happens (and it will) as the newest members of our club you guys are responsible for bringing the snacks to meetings. The Sabres fans like their wings spicy and flyers fans will take cheese steaks
Arizona isn’t trading 1 of the top 5 Dman in the game at 24 years of age with 3 more years on his contract after this season with a cap hit of 5.5 million. Now as he approaches UFA status He’s probably as good as gone as Arizona will be no better off financially than they are today. Although their 30 million in expansion revenue will help.
Arizona is about to lose their best forward again but at least has the common sense to get something for him this time as opposed to letting him walk for nothing.
Matthews may well be the consensus 1st overall pick but that doesn’t make his value any where near OEL’s. He’s not a generational talent. Had he been available in last season draft the earliest he would have been selected was 4th & he might not have made the top 5. Given a choice of D. Strome & Matthews I take Strome.
Matthew’s playing in his home state is appealing but Arizona has a ton of young talent playing now & coming. I’m sure Maloney would love to have Matthew’s but he’s not overpaying to do so. The only way Matthews ends up in Arizona is if Arizona wins the lottery & the odd’s don’t favor that happening although not impossible.
Actually many scouts think that if Matthews had gone in last years draft he would have gone 2nd or 3rd and is predicted to be as good as if not better than Eichel, so an OEL for Matthews trade would make a lot of sense.
If Subban is traded he’ll either end up in Florida ( Brian Campbell’s contract comes off the books this summer 7.14 mil cap hit ), plus they have the prospects/young players to offer ( Crouse, Howden, Pirri, Smith, Gudbranson, etc.) or Tampa Bay and the bolts will let Stamkos go in the offseason and use that would be stamkos money on Subban, plus they would offer up Drouin plus.
Drouin won’t be moved until the off season. Simply not enough trade partners able to bid for his services now & he provides no help to a contender at present having not played a meaningful game for far to long & they can’t move any existing NHL assets with out hurting their chances in their respective playoff runs.
It will be interesting to see what Drouin decides to do after the trade deadline having not been moved. If he continues to refuse to report to the AHL with Syracuse Yzerman will apply to port his contract from this season to next season as that improves his value having his contract with 2 seasons remaining on his ELC as opposed to 1.
Drouin hasn’t currently played enough NHL & or AHL games combined for this season to qualify as a season of play under the CBA. He’s 2 games short.
Let him rot
There is a possibility that he will meet some peers on the road to hockey Damascus this summer and see the light. The locker room is fine with him. The coach and GM are adults.
If there is no offer of the equal of a third overall he is back in camp with the Bolts next fall — with the tacit support of every GM in hockey for putting a rogue agent in his place — running a team is tough enough without money grubbing reps, too many of whom have turned out to be scoundrels, determining playing time and role.
I’m putting Eriksson,Seidenberg,Chara & McQuaid on the trade market if Sweeney won’t do it….in return want to get younger and clear cap space…..
So to talk Chara up he’s been on the ice for the last nine consective goals scored against the Bruins …any takers ?
Hat’s are a small team. No big power forwards…..plain and simple, need size and grit to make it in this league.
The Hawks are a smaller team they seem to do ok.
The Hawks are a different story. Toews and Kane are the best of the best. It will be rare for a team to find a 1-2 punch smaller, type guys like them that dominate.
thats funny two years ago when the Bruins (54-19 regular season record) lost to Mont in the playoffs they were a lot bigger team that couldn’t keep up with Mont speed so they decided to get smaller and quicker now they are a team that gets pushed around by the heavy teams in the league and can’t beat any playoff teams this season …..since the break this year they have 1 win against a playoff team..Bring back The Big Bad Bruins
Agreed – been saying that for a long time. Gotta have guys who can work the corners and get near the blue paint.
Hawks – helps having a hall of fame core
Ok Subban is not being traded. Therien will be coach for the rest of the season (as MB said) but is gone in the summer. MB will interview for a replacement after the deadline. Emelin has a full NTC this year but a limited NTC for the rest of his contract. I do not think it will be a problem to trade him now to a team MB will be able trade him to over the summer regardless of Emeli’s opinion. Subban is getting called out because he is a passionate guy who got caught trying to step up. He has the talent to do it and the responsibility to do it. Things went sideways because stuff happens. The real issue there is Therroen has again proved where he is flawed as a coach. What I mean is I am sure Mike babcock has and has had players he can not stand. That said can you name them? No because he keeps that to himself, he is a total professional. It is clear Therrien does not like Subban but adored Desharnais. you should not be able to read those emotions on a coach. It is how he, IMO, ruined Jared Tinordi as a Habs prospect.
Lyle, I am amazed at the number of times, on many sites, that supposedly educated Canadians still use derogatory names for French Canadians….I hoped we had long ago lost that part of our heritage of bigotry! There is no circumstance in which it is alright to be so nasty and biased!
well said, totally agree.
Montreal is seriously hand-cuffed. 17 players under contract and just $9.7M in cap space, should the cap remain static. It makes no sense to trade any of their tradable players (Price, Subban, Pacioretty, Gallagher, Galchenyuk-yuk-yuk). They have a bit of a hole to fill on defense before they can even consider upgrading their scoring depth. Desharnais and Eller are really the only obvious candidates to be moved. But with term on both of their contracts it would have to be more of a money-in, money-out type of deal. Their best hope is winning the draft lottery (which would crush the spirits of Leaf fans like myself, but we are resilient). I think their best option is to do very little, try to move their UFAs, let Price get healthy, look for bargain UFAs in the summer, and hope that some of their prospects can step up next year. I think all this adds up to Therrien being cast as scapegoat and given the axe this on the last day of the season. It may not be just but someone must pay the price, and it’s usually the coach.
Lyle,
I think you agreed with the dummy that put Pernell Subban in the same class as Connor McDavid and Erik Karlsson. PLEASE tell me I’m wrong!!!!!
You’re not wrong. If you don’t like Subban’s game or personality, that’s your problem. Anyone with functioning eyes and an understanding of stats knows Subban’s a great player. That includes the majority of knowledgeable hockey people among the fans and punditry.
what could the Bruins give Mont for PK ?
Nothing.
Bruins should give half the team to include Rask for subban and price.
nothing is what I thought but had to ask
HA!!! You wouldn’t take Patrice Bergeron for Subban?????
Your over rating PK, maybe your being influence by his carisma. I think MTL would jump very quickly to trade him for McDavid and if that happens then PC should be fired immediately.
But Montreal isn’t jumping to trade PK. Guess they’re influenced by his charisma too. Or maybe, just maybe, they also recognize him for what he is: a great player they’d be lost without.
Lyle my good man, I realize you’re a Habs fan but you’re letting your heart get in the way of good sense!!! He leads the league in turnovers. A great example of why he was nothing more than a cheerleader on Canada’s Olympic team. To mention him in the same breath as Erik Karlsson is silly. To mention him in the same breath as Connor McDavid is downright laughable.
I may be a Habs fan, but that has nothing to do with my assessment of Subban. And I’m not alone in my assessment, nor the only one to mention him in the same breath as Karlsson. But you believe whatever you want.
Oh, and guess who else leads his team in giveaways this season? Karlsson. And yet I wouldn’t suggest that he’s a bad defenseman. Like Subban, when you’re on the ice as much as he is and you have possession of the puck as often as he does, you’re going to have a high number of turnovers. However, that doesn’t mean either guy is a horrible defenseman. Like plus-minus, turnovers aren’t always an accurate indicator of a defenseman’s overall effectiveness.
Don’t believe PK will get traded anytime soon; if at all, but more apt to believe that Therrien will be shown the door if the Habs miss the playoffs.
Throwing PK under the bus in public is a bad move. Behind closed doors, sure go for it. I believe had PK’s turnover occurred in Oct/Nov, when they were winning, instead of now, when the team is losing, none of this PK/Therrien so called rift would even be a topic of discussion.
2nd problem in Montreal with coaching is the fans and media PREFER a bilingual coach. Well ok, if you fire Therrien, then who’s left out there who speaks French and has NHL experience and would be willing to walk into that mess? Guy Boucher? I don’t know;he failed in Tampa, got fired from the Swiss League in November of 2015 but he’s speaks
fluid French; and is bilingual and has NHL experience. He at least meets the politics
of the job requirement.Doubt that’s enough but who knows.
Has Therrien lost the room? Don’t know.. maybe. Bergevin has about 10 days to figure
it all out. In the meantime, PK, Carey Price, Patches and Gallagher seem to be the key
pieces that turn the wheel in Montreal. If Therrien loses the support of that group of
4, he’s done as a coach in Montreal.
Therrien will be fired. It’s just a formality at this point.
Boucher was fired cause he said he wanted to coach in the NHL and wasn’t likely to sign an extension…in Tampa he had absolutely brutal goaltending and coached the team to give them a chance to win with that system. Think there are some misconception with Boucher. I think he would or will be a very good coach when he comes back…where ever that might be. Before the Leafs for Babcock I was hoping for Boucher. Has won every where he’s been
funny how Bergevin, might be losing patience with Chucky, and not losing patience with the way his coach is treating the young players. I swear Therrien hates creative players…
Montreal need to drop Markov asap the guy is a 22 minute playing Dman plus last year 50 points this year might come close to 50 again signed for one more year maybe Avalanche or stars or someone willing to go after him give the old guy a chance at the cup instead of going for last place .. Also can someone tell Montreal the number 1 pick is Mattews it’s like they can’t do nothing right they win when they need to loose and loose when they should of been winning this club is pathetic coming from a Habs fan .. Also I think subban should be traded just the fact for Montreal to get some assets .. Like RNH with edmontons first plus Yakupov and Schultz all four and you throw subban and Eller to Edmonton