NHL Rumours and Updates

Montreal Rumours

2008-02-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

Montreal would send Chris Higgins and a 1st round pick to Atlanta for Marian Hossa

Montreal is trying to deal Huet for prospects or picks which will allow Price to become #1 goalie

Ottawa Wants Khababulin

2008-02-19T10:27:00.001-08:00

Ottawa has been in constant talks with Chicago on a trade that would send Ray Emery to Chicago for Khababulin.

We Are Back - Trade Rumours Galore

2008-02-19T10:25:00.001-08:00

Toronto Rumours:

Anaheim would send Bobby Ryan, Edmonton's 1st round pick and a 2009 1st round pick for Sundin

NY Islanders offering prospects and picks to Toronto for Bryan Mccabe and also Jason Blake

Philadelphia Offering Jeff Carter + Picks for Tomas Kaberle.

Site Relaunching next month

2006-10-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

the new site will be hosted at http://www.insidehockeyrumours.com

Pavel Kubina, MCL Sprain

2006-10-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Leafs are reporting today that Defenceman Pavel Kubina has suffered an MCL sprain. Further tests will be done to find out the amount of damage. Earlier reports out of Toronto were reporting everything from a tear to an ACL blowout of the knee.

Jordan Staal signs with Pittsburgh

2006-10-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Jordan Staal has signed a 3 year contract with the pittsburgh penquins. Its an entry level deal and he will begin his nhl career this week.

Leafs Roundup

2006-10-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

In Leafs News Today:

Pavel Kubina has been suspended one game for his crosscheck to the face of Jiri Hudler in last nights final preseason game. He will miss wednesday's Home opener vs Ottawa
Brad Brown has been put on waivers by the team, if he clears waives he will join the Toronto Marlies for fridays game.

Ribeiro Heads To Texas/ McKelvie's Opinion: Montreal Gets Robbed!!

2006-10-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

Hey all, well im the new kid on the block typing my first post. Reporting the trade that sent Mike Ribeiro and a 6th round pick to Dallas for a Janne Niinimaa and a 5th round pick. Even if this response is comming from a Leaf fan, I'd still think most habs fans would have to agree, Dallas blew them out of the water on this trade. Rebiero comming off a 51 Point season with a +/- of -6 was great chemistry with winger Mike Ryder. Janne Niinamaa, came off a season with about 16 points and a -14. You call that a defensemen?... I very much doubt that Janne Niinimaa will touch Ribeiro in succession this season. Even with the 1 round draft pick difference, it don't cut it. I seriously don't know what Bob Gainey was thinking on this one, if he was looking for defense i don't really think Dallas would of had much...

McKelvie

Jeff O'Neill Done in Toronto?

2006-10-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Its beginning to look more and more like Jeff O'Neill will not play another game for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sources out of Toronto have him not playing tonight for the Maple Leafs in the Final Pre Season Game. He was benched the last game he played against Ottawa and has not proven himself to Coach Paul Maurice during Practices. Maurice and O'Neill have a tedious relationship going back to their days in Carolina. Numerous Newspapers and Tv stations are reports that O'Neill will either start the season int he press box or will be sent to the minors and requested to leave them team. He would not be expected to join the Toronto Marlies. Other rumours have Toronto working out a deal to trade O'Neill and Tellqvist together to a Western Confernece team. Bates Battaglia looks like he has earned the roster spot that O'Neill will give up.

Pens shopping Fleury?

2006-09-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Its reported that the Pens are talking to some western teams about a deal to send Marc-Andre Fleury. They seem to have lost faith in the number 1 pick and are trying to change thier team fast.

More to come..

flames update

2006-09-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

Andrew Ference signed a new three year extension. As per club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

#21 ANDREW FERRENCE – DEFENCEBORN: Edmonton, AB (March 17, 1979)HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 189 lbs.SHOOTS: Left HOW ACQUIRED: From Pittsburgh on Feb.10, 2003 for a 3rd round choice in the 2004 Entry Draft

In 82 games last season he recorded 4 goals and 27 assists for 31 points. career highs in assists and points.

Upshall and Hartnell on the block?

2006-09-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

It has been reported that Scotty Upshall and Scott Hartnell are place on the trading block by the Nashville Predators.

Upshall played 48 games last season recording 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points with a +14 +/-

Hartnell played 81 games recording 25 goals and 23 assists for 48 points with a +8 +/-

more to come on this situation...

CAROLINA TRADES JACK JOHNSON TO L.A!

2006-09-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Late breaking news, The Carolina Hurricanes traded Jack Johnson and Oleg Tverdovsky to the Los Angeles Kings this afternoon forTim Gleason and Eric Belanger! read more at...http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=179262&hubname=

Opinion- Hurricanes got ripped on this trade, good on L.A to get a blue chip prospect from defending Stanley Cup Champs, to bad he wont play this year, but L.A can wait, or at least I would

Summit Series = Annoyance Series

2006-09-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

I dunno about the rest of you, but the Summit Series is really getting to me. Media cannot stop mentioning it. I hear it all the damn time. Every time TSN or Sportsnet does a "Top Ten" thing, they always manage to squeeze in a play from the Summit Series. Yeah sure it was a good time and many people have fond memories of the series, but can we drop the media coverage of this thing? I mean Canadians have been relishing over this thing for years, and it still seems like it just happened yesterday. There's a TV series, there's a movie, there's a book, newspapers, magazines, interviews, etc, etc, etc. DROP IT ALREADY! We know how it happened, and all of us could probably retell the story while under the influence of heavy drugs and alcohol. It was 34 years ago! Can the hockey world focus on anything better and more recent than that? Apparently not.

Zherdev Finally Signs, Battle Of The Backups in T.O

2006-09-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Let me first start off by saying, Nikolai Zherdev re-signed with Columbus after about a month of negotiations. Zherdev, for 3 years straight, will be payed around 7 mill, give or take a bit. Zherdev finally got his wish, and the Zherdev to Toronto rumors will finally come to an end, because Nikolai is playing the the NHL this year. Read more about his signing at...

My Opinion on this is that its good the Blue Jackets re-signed their young star, but i don't think 7 mill was worth the money. Looks like Zherdev got his way thought, good signing, might as well get him then let him rot in Russia.

Now onto the Leafs Back-up situation. It's widley talked about around NHL sites everywhere, but they all say, Aubin For Back-up! Aubin Rules!... Yes, Aubin had a good end of the season last year. didnt suffer a regulation time loss. Not to take away from Aubs , but i think Tellqvist deserves the role over Aubin. First lets examine some stats for the two back-ups...

GP/W/L/OT/SA/Ga/GAA/SV%/SO

J.s Aubin
11 9/0/2 330 25 2.22 .924 1

Mikeal Tellqvist
25 10/11/2 697 73 3.13 .895 2

So Obviously, Aubin has the better record, playing 14 less games than Mikeal played might of helped that no loss streak, but Tellqvist has a respectable record for a back-up. After the Montreal Series, which some say lost the Leafs the playoffs for the first time in a long while, he was written off by the fans, coaches, and organization. 2 games dont make or break a career, neither does 11. Tellqvist, playing more games, has 1 more shutout than Aubin does. Which shows, along with Aubin, that he is capable of stealing a game, or in this case, 2 of them. 2 shutouts might not be that big of a deal, but if Tellqvist got to finish the season, he might have bounced back from the Montreal Series, like Aubin. Why? the Leafs had no pressure, they just went out to play, which lead to the above average (for the Leafs) defensive coverage, and the play of Mats Sundin, Alexei Ponikarovsky (sp?), and, arguably, Nik Antropov. So would Tellqvist have rose to the challenge in the last 11 games of the 05/06 season? My best guess is yes. Not as spectacular as Aubins run, but the Leafs were out of it after the series, so i am predicting his record would have been around 16/14/4 give or take a loss or so. Thats a pretty swell record. Tellqvist has proved last season that he could, and can take the backup role. Aubin, can be used as the third goalie, like last year, in case of ingury to Raycroft (which can be predictable) or to Telly himself. I dont not think that Telly should be traded or placed of waivers, cause this kid will be gone in a 2 week radius, because teams need an affordable back (Philly). Toronto's not gonna trade anymore, im about 80% sure of that. They'll start the season with three goalies. Maybe closer to the trade deadline is when they get rid of either one, or even Raycroft (if hes horrid like last year). Aubs and Telly are a great 1 two punch for backups, and could split the games evenly when the chance arrives. But if i was to take a back-up goalie out of the 2, Telly would be my choice, and on a highly unlikely last note, Trade Aubin, he has a higher trade value, i hear Philly needs a Goalie JFJ... Oh boy i can hear the stupid rumor mill coming, Aubin for Gagne, Oh Boy...

Calgary's Centre Quesions

2006-09-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

Ok... so all flames fans are wondering about a first line centre and thinking up possible trades. Calgary currently has 5 natural centres: Langkow, Lombardi, Yelle, Ritchie, and Taratukhin, and 3 other players who can play centre: Nilson, Tanguay, and Lundmark. So all flames fans are going crazy on getting a first line centre. The real quesion is why do we need one? we have tons of guys that can play centre, we just need to find the right player. Lombardi is currently the first line centre and in the pre season game against Edmonton played fairly well showing great speed and goal scoring touch. Theres tons of potential lines for the flames Langkow could possible be that key guy, he score 25 goals and had 59 points, with Tanguay on his left and Iggy on his right his numbers will only go up. Iggy and Tanguay are both threats for scoring and are great passers to the opposition wouldnt know what to expect. Lundmark was a great pickup by GM Darryl Sutter and had 10 points in 12 games with the flames, watch for him to be a big part of the flames offence and who knows maybe he could be our first line centre. Dustin Boyd is having a great season and that could help our centre problems in the future, I dont see him making the big leagues right away but he will be in the next preseason game centering Tanguay and Iginla so who knows, maybe he is the key.

The "wonderful" Gomez rumor is completly dead because people are starting to relize that the NHL still does have a salary cap. Another rumor is Marleau to calgary, supposably sutter has been after Marleau for some time but just cant find the right trade. Also the 1-2 punch of Thornton and Marleau is going to be great once again this year so why would they want to give that up? There is a rumor that Marlaeu knows he can be that number 1 centre on a team such as calgary and could possibly ask to be traded. Calgary will stick with the lineup they have now and possibly make moves throughout the season. So fans please be patient, we could have a number 1 centre on our team without even knowing it.

Yzerman Becomes Detriot's VP

2006-09-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

TSN reports that longtime Detriot Captain Steve Yzerman has just be given a role in the head office, Vice -President. No doubt that this role is to shape him into another postion in the head office, Assistant GM or even GM.

"The NHL team announced Monday that Yzerman is now its vice-president and will work with the management team of senior VP Jim Devellano, general manager Ken Holland and assistant general manager Jim Nill."

Read the full aritcle at....
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=178787&hubname=

Devils In Big Time Cap Trouble

2006-09-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Bob Mckenzie Posted a fanastic Article on tsn today about the salary cap troubles facing the New Jeresy Devils (http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/bob_mckenzie/)

On further inspection of what the devils are facing, it seems they are in dire cap problems. Lets take a look at the players New Jeresy has signed.

Forwards:
Patrik Elias - $6.0 million
Scott Gomez - $5 million
John Madden - $3.893 million
Jamie Langenbrunner - $2.8 million
Sergei Brylin - $1.52 million
Jason Wiemer - $950,000
Jay Pandolfo - $836,000
Grant Marshall - $760,000
Zach Parise - $703,000
Cam Janssen - $450,000
Michael Rupp - $450,000

11 Forwards: $23.2

Defencemen:
Brian Rafalski - $4.2 million
Colin White - $3 million
Dan McGillis - $2.2 million
Richard Matvichuk - $1.368 million
Brad Lukowich - $1 million

5 Defencemen: $11.8

Goalies:
Martin Brodeur - $5.2 million
Scott Clemmensen - $500, 000

2 Goalies: $5.7

Retired/Not Playing:
Vladimir Malakhov - $3.6 million
Alexander Mogilny - $3.5 million

2 Players: $7.1

TOTAL: 48.0

Unsigned:
Brian Gionta - $3 Million *
David Hale - $1 Million *
Paul Martin - $1.5 Million *

* = Expected Salary requests

The Devils therefore have 18 players signed at 48.0 million, a team needs 20 players atleast at any given time. Lets say they sign all 3 restricted free agents at the asking prices. That will be 21 players on roster equaling out to $53.5 million. That is 9.5 million dollars over the cap. Lets cut the Devils some slack and say they will get out of Mogilny's salary for this year. That will knock them down to $50.0 Also John Madden has an injured Hernia, he will most likely not be ready till at least a month or 2 into season. That will buy the Devil some temporary Relief. Lets put them down to $46.1. However they are 1 forward short, so they will need to call up a minor league player at a salary of atleast $500,000. So they go back up to $46. 6. They are still $2.6 million dollars over the cap. They will now most likely trade Scott Gomez, getting a prospect or picks in return. That will take them down to $41.6 million + a player called up to replace gomez so back up to $42.1. So it is possible for the Devils to get under the cap, however when madden is ready to return he will need to be traded or salary equal to him must be dealt. The Devils were one of the better run teams during the last CBA. That can however not be said for the current state of the franchise. They overpaid for players such as Dan Mcgillis, John Madden, Brian Rafalski, Alex Mogilny and Vlad Malakov and they are paying for it now.

Leafs Cut Nine

2006-09-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs have released a press statement annoucing 9 cuts made to the team, the following players have been assigned to the Marlies Training camp:

Forwards:
Jiri Tlusty
Robbie Earl
John Mitchell
Jeremy Williams
Kris Newbury

Defencemen:
Dominic D'Amour
Tyson Marsh
Jamie Sifers

Goalies:
Justin Pogge

That leaves Bates Battaglia, Ben Ondrus, Erik Westrum, Brett Engelhart, John Pohl and Alex Sugolobov fighting for 3 spots up front and Ian White, Carlo Colaiacovo, Staffen Kronwall, Marc Moro, Brendan Bell, Jay harrison and Andy Wozniewski fighting it out for 2-3 spots on defence. Along with the Battle for backup goalie between Mikael Tellqvist and J.S Aubin, this should be an interesting final week of camp

Leafs Trade Winds Blowing

2006-09-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

The leafs are most likely to make some kind of trade before the rosters are finalized for the season. The leafs have 2 goalies in Aubin and Tellqvist who would have to clear waivers to be sent to the minors. They also have defencemen in Bell and Harrison who if they dont make the team will have to clear waivers. The Leaf goalies, who have looked excellent during the preseason, have started to attract attention around the league. Its very possible the leafs will package a goalie with a defenceman in an attempt to get some help up front or for a decent prospect or pick. The leafs do not want to lost these player for nothing on waivers.

Gomez trade rumor

2006-09-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Gomez is rumored to go to St. Louis for Cajanek and some prospects St. Louis is well under the cap and this would be a great trade for them.
Also a source from Gomez is reporting that he will test out the UFA market next season.

Introduction - doman

2006-09-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone I just wanted to introduce myself. I will be contributing to this blog with Buffalo Sabres information. I would like to thank Derwood for allowing me to contribute my 2 cents and I will be back with much more.

John Madden Injured

2006-09-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

New Jeresy Devil's Forward John Madden has not recovered from Recent Hernia Surgery and does not seem to be close to rejoining the Devils for Training Camp. The Devils are looking at placing him on the Long Term Injury list therefore freeing up his salary from the cap until he is healthy enough to return.

Leafs Need Bondra, or do They?

2006-09-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Bondra idea is very perplexing. You can look at it from two different perspectives. On the one hand, you have a guy that could potentially score 30+ goals if played with Sundin. Or, you could have a Bondra that scores much less than 30, and just turns into another Czerkawski. So what I am try say is that JFJ is possibly is thinking the same thing. What do I think? I think that they should get Bondra onboard immediately, because as far as I am concerned he could either help the team, which would be nice, or he could just do nothing and be a scratched from the line-up for half the season. Bondra is a much better offensive talent than Czerakawski is/was, so I think, that put in the right situation, Bondra could still excell for one season, and help the Leafs come close to at least making the playoffs.

Bondra to Leafs or Wings?

2006-09-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sportsnet.ca is reporting that both the Red Wings and Maple leafs are looking at signing Peter Bondra to a contract

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/blogs/hockey_
hearsay/2006/09/20/leafs_looking_at_bondra/