NHL Trade Deadline Rumors and News

[tbo41fan]

the labor deal is making me nervous again...cant take missing any more hockey

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Hawks scout at Isles-Canes game tonight

Meanwhile, slapnuts wrote this:

. I fully expect Ruutu to be moved...likey this week. San Jose and Chicago are taking the lead. It appears Toronto is not in this one anymore.

 

[DewsSox79]

ruutu would be a nice pick up

 

[DewsSox79]

* Similarly, Semin is at 60% to Washington, but I have talked to some people I trust over the last 72 hours or so who fully believe the Hawks are the team to look for in the Semin sweeps...over the Wings who I have generally considered the likely favorite. The question is will Chicago be willing to give what it will take to make this happen?

its ecklund so who knows.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Hawks don't need Semin. They need a guy like Ruuty & a d-man so Q can stop his fucking love affair with a useless POS in Scott.

 

[southern_cross_116]

Yeah well since Valentine's Day is coming up - it is a good time to talk to this point.

<3 When it comes to hockey True Love means never being scratched when you're healthy. <3

 

[Captain Iago]

the labor deal is making me nervous again...cant take missing any more hockey

For sure. With the addition of Fehr, who is a master at representing his clientele (to the fans' shagrin--as these things always work out), the players will not be pushovers as they have in the past.

I do not see a reduction in cap, though. I can, however, see a change in how the cap is calculated for each team, though, which may spell some doom for the teams who have legally circumvented the cap through this CBA.

 

[icehogfan08]

Rumor Round Up: Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings got off to a rocky start this season, something the long-time league powerhouse usually doesn't experience.

By mid-November, consistency was such a concern coach Mike Babcock held a meeting with his players to put the onus upon them to improve.

Superstar center Pavel Datsyuk was off to an uncharacteristic slow start and at one point called his performance “awful.”

There were concerns over the performance of other core veterans, such as defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, center Henrik Zetterberg and right winger Johan Franzen, while younger forwards Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler were struggling as well.

GM Ken Holland didn't panic and insisted his team would turn things around by mid-season, an opinion echoed by Babcock.

They were rewarded for their patience and belief in their players, as the Wings rebounded strongly and once again rank among the NHL's top teams.

Datsyuk, who had 15 points in his first 19 games, now has 53 in 50 games, which not only leads the Wings, but once again puts him among the league's scoring leaders.

Franzen is on pace for a career-best 65-point performance. Lidstrom, the ageless wonder, ranks among league leaders with a plus-24.

Zetterberg has only scored one goal since Dec. 17, but his playmaking skills have been beneficial to improving the stats of linemates Filppula and Hudler.

Since being moved to left wing on Zetterberg's line, Filppula is on pace for a career-high 64-point season, while Hudler has regained the scoring touch that abandoned him last season and is on track for a 25-goal, 52-point performance.

Aging power forward Todd Bertuzzi, an unrestricted free agent this summer who's likely playing his final season with the Wings, regained his scoring touch in recent weeks and could reach the 40-point mark for the fifth straight year.

Factor in the superb goaltending of Jimmy Howard, who is finally receiving his due credit as one of the game’s elite netminders, and it's little wonder the Wings have surged to first in the Western Conference.

With less than four weeks remaining until the NHL's Feb. 27 trade deadline, Holland acknowledged he'll be shopping around to bolster his roster, though he'd prefer not to move early round draft picks to do so.

It's believed Holland will shop for depth at forward, specifically a scoring winger or a good third/fourth line checking forward.

There was speculation earlier this season the Red Wings would be a destination for Washington Capitals left winger Alexander Semin, but Holland's comments suggest he'll look more at affordable roster ‘tweaks.’

Rumored trade targets include Montreal Canadiens left winger Travis Moen, Dallas Stars left winger Brenden Morrow, Carolina right winger Tuomo Ruutu and Edmonton Oilers right winger Ales Hemsky, though Holland is said to have concerns about Hemsky's injury history.

It had been suggested Holland would consider adding a more experienced backup goalie, but it appears his focus is more on his forward lines than in replacing Ty Conklin.

With more than $5.5 million in available salary cap space, Holland has room to take on additional salary, without having to move a roster player. Odds are he'll shop mid-range draft picks, prospects or minor-leaguers.

Looking to next season, the Wings have $39.6 million invested in 14 players.

That leaves Holland with considerable cap space to add more skilled talent, particularly to replace Lidstrom, who may retire at season's end, as well as unrestricted free agents such as Bertuzzi, Hudler, left winger Tomas Holmstrom and defenseman Brad Stuart.

Of course, the new CBA will play a role in how much room the Red Wings have to play with and what type of moves they can make.

 

[icehogfan08]

Rumor Roundup: Grabovski a goner?

Toronto Maple Leafs center Mikhail Grabovski's pending UFA status led to his name being mentioned in trade rumors, despite GM Brian Burke's claim there was no reason to consider shopping him.

The Toronto Sun reported Wednesday agent Gary Greenstin, who represents Grabovski, was in Toronto this week for potential contract negotiations with the Maple Leafs.

Grabovski has shrugged off the recent trade speculation, insisting he'd prefer to remain with the Leafs.

Given Grabovski's development over the past couple of seasons as a solid second-line center, there's a good chance the Leafs will re-sign him. The 28-year-old is making $2.9 million this season and could command more than $4 million per on the open market this summer.

SUTER SAGA FAR FROM OVER

Fans from outside Nashville harboring any hope the Predators will move pending UFA defenseman Ryan Suter at the trade deadline would've been disappointed to read that Predators GM David Poile is continuing to negotiate with Suter's agent.

Suter made headlines a week ago when he said he wouldn't re-sign before the trade deadline, but that was because he doesn't want to be distracted by contract talks during the season, not to an unwillingness to stay with the Predators.

Poile, meanwhile, said the only real deadline he had was July 1, when the blueliner will become eligible for UFA status. That gives him five months to negotiate with the Suter camp.

FLYERS CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR DEFENSEMEN

With Suter and recently re-signed Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason off the market, the Philadelphia Flyers - long rumored to be in the market for blueline depth - will shift their focus elsewhere.

Sam Carchidi of Philly.com suggested Montreal's Hal Gill or Gleason's teammate Bryan Allen could be of interest to the Flyers.

Both are big blueliners and while Allen plays a more physical style, Gill has considerable post-season experience, winning a Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.

Niklas Grossman of the Dallas Stars is also an option, though as ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun observed, the Stars have begun contract talks with Grossman's agent.

NOT-SO-BIG-Z ON THE BLOCK?

Another defenseman who might be available for clubs seeking depth on the blueline is Marek Zidlicky of the Minnesota Wild.

Zidlicky, who turned 35 on Feb. 3, has had his playing time reduced this season under Wild coach Mike Yeo and prior to the all-star break was a healthy scratch for the first time since joining the club in 2008.

Things recently came to a head between Zidlicky and Yeo when the blueliner voiced his unhappiness in the local media, increasing speculation he’ll be shopped by the trade deadline, provided he's willing to waive his no-trade clause.

SENATORS INTERESTED IN RUUTU

The Ottawa Sun reported the Senators may become one of the teams interested in Carolina Hurricanes right winger Tuomo Ruutu, though the asking price is reportedly high.

No word on what the Hurricanes are seeking in return, though it's been speculated they'd want a first round pick or top prospect as part of the return.

The Senators have considerable depth in young roster players and prospects, which could give them an edge in any bidding war for Ruutu.

 

[DewsSox79]

we need some help.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

More help than any deadline deals will bring.

 

[icehogfan08]

I'm not expecting this deadline to be very active. So far there's not many sellers. Hopefully that changes within the next couple of weeks. If not sellers can get some good pick and SPEC packages.

 

[Diehardfan]

Picking up other team's assorted rejects is not going to change much on this team. Not unless they plan on using them in the slots currently being taken by the Hawks so-called core group.

In the 5 game losing streak Keith, Leddy and Bolland are a combined -19.

Duncan Keith...starting in 2008 then 2009 and of course the Norris winner in 2010, he
was about as good as it gets. He's been in decline ever since. Although he's been a bit better this year, he still turns it over too much and is afraid to get his nose dirty in front of the net.

Nick Leddy....you can't miss his potential but its been painful watching him do on-the-job training with the Hawks instead of Rockford.

Dave Bolland....these last 5 games pretty much seal the deal that he's no better than
a third line center. Minus 7 in 5 games for your defensive specialist?

And dont forget about the goaltending...with the exception of the Niemi days, its been the Achilles Heel of this team seemingly forever. Am I the only one that thought Crawford was pretty decent last year but not off the charts good? He's slow post to post, not quick at all to recover and has pads that pucks come off of like Super Balls.
When at his best, he's servicable but he wont win a game for you with his play like a lot of the top goalies will do from time to time.

There are others who easily could have been listed (Bickell, Frolic, etc.) but these guys are a big part of the team and its future, so they stand out more. What do you do when your best players don't perform?

You lose.

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Sure, but all stats, +/- are going to be exaggerated by an 8 goal beat down (thanks Crawford)...

Keith could be better. When the team is down to 4 d-men and playing from behind (which they have been doing lately) of course he's going to take some minuses. It's a bad position for any d-man to be in.

Leddy will be better. Recently heard Denis Potvin say that defense men in the NHL need to play 300 games before you can really judge them. It doesn't help that Leddy is being forced to play big minutes, but whatever. He has promise.

I wouldn't call out Bolland for anything other than his bad faceoff play. He's been good, especially considering the constantly rotating cast of wild underachievers he's been stuck with.

And you mention goaltending. Goaltending and defense go hand in hand (duh). Tighter defensive play makes the goaltending look better and a strong goalie will cover up a lot of defensive lapses.




A BIG, good d-man and a goalie who doesn't let so much slop in would go a long way to make everybody on this team look better, though there are still problems facing this team beyond that. Start with those two items and move forward.

 

[Capt. Serious]

Nick Leddy....you can't miss his potential but its been painful watching him do on-the-job training with the Hawks instead of Rockford.

Q thinks the kid is Phil Housley at 20 yrs old. If they had a 3rd pairing worth a shit, he wouldn't be overplaying him.

Then again Q is the same clown that thinks Scott is NHL material. :dunno:

 

[southern_cross_116]

No Joe, it is a little more aggravating than what you make it out to be... sometimes Quenneville thinks Scott is NHL material, and other times he doesn't -with no real discernable pattern.

He also decided that Crawford was the number one goalie -despite the fill in guy they signed, being on a roll - to which effect has been - that Crawford still is meh or worse, and the guy that had been on a roll? Well, he is no longer on a roll ... nice timing...

Brunette was not signed at the expense of Brouwer - Brunette - no matter what you think of him was still signed for under $1 a year and Brouwer was making over $3 mil per year. The Hawks had cap space to fit Brouwer under -but the GM elected not to.

Now, you can think that Brunette isn't much good ... and it was a worthless move, but the fact of the matter is still, that he wasn't signed and Brouwer moved to sign Brunette.

What it is -is that for whatever reason the team wanted Brouwer gone. Not sure why, I liked him when he was on the team -but it is what it is ...

Plus, now I read in the Trib that Brunette might be back soon -well that'll help ... it isn't like a 4th line winger is going to help too much with the 8 against nights -and the fact is that the offense isn't the problem - but the defense is ... but- well, who am I? ? ?

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

You know who....

LA, Vancouver, Chicago and Toronto are the team who appear most seriously gearing up for Nash.







I want Nash.

 

[icehogfan08]

^ that would be sweet.

28 scouts at the oilers and leafs game tonight via twitter.

 

[DewsSox79]

No Joe, it is a little more aggravating than what you make it out to be... sometimes Quenneville thinks Scott is NHL material, and other times he doesn't -with no real discernable pattern.

He also decided that Crawford was the number one goalie -despite the fill in guy they signed, being on a roll - to which effect has been - that Crawford still is meh or worse, and the guy that had been on a roll? Well, he is no longer on a roll ... nice timing...

Brunette was not signed at the expense of Brouwer - Brunette - no matter what you think of him was still signed for under $1 a year and Brouwer was making over $3 mil per year. The Hawks had cap space to fit Brouwer under -but the GM elected not to.

Now, you can think that Brunette isn't much good ... and it was a worthless move, but the fact of the matter is still, that he wasn't signed and Brouwer moved to sign Brunette.

What it is -is that for whatever reason the team wanted Brouwer gone. Not sure why, I liked him when he was on the team -but it is what it is ...

Plus, now I read in the Trib that Brunette might be back soon -well that'll help ... it isn't like a 4th line winger is going to help too much with the 8 against nights -and the fact is that the offense isn't the problem - but the defense is ... but- well, who am I? ? ?

wrong!

brunette- 2 million
brouwer- 2.35 million

Id much rather spend the little bit of money and kept brouwer.

 

[icehogfan08]

Brouwer was given every opportunity last year to show he could play top 6. He failed and was shipped out for whatever reason, it could be any reason but no one knows for sure. Let's move on from brouwer, I think his style of play suits that Washington team better than it did the hawks.