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More teams interested in Kaberle … Murray and Spezza to meet … Good fit for Nabokov could be Washington
Mark Easson
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke mentioned the other day that 2 teams have shown interest in Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle, and according to Simmons, that number may have increased to at least 6 suitors. The return they’d get for Kaberle would be higher if he were to get an extension from that team, rather than them trading for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. Burke would like add a winger in his 20s that can score and has some size. If he isn’t moved by/at the draft, Burke may look at the possibility of an extension.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray hopes to sit down with Jason Spezza in the next 3 weeks to discuss Spezza’s ‘unhappiness’. Spezza was booed in the 1st round by Sens fans, and already has complained to Murray about it. There were rumors that he requested a trade during their initial meeting, but Murray wouldn’t say. Murray has talked to several teams about trading the rights to Anton Volchenkov, but teams are frightened about the money at the moment. Volchenkov turned down 5-years and $20 million before the Olympics. The Capitals and Rangers may be interested in him.
E.J. Hradek of ESPN: Hradek thinks that Nabokov could be a good fit in Washington, mentoring along Semyon Varlamov. If they went after Nabokov, they wouldn’t be able to go after Anton Volchenkov. Tampa Bay could also use a goalie, but Yzerman will most likely be interested in a younger, chearper goalie.
AP in the New York Times: Coming out the GM meetings yesterday was that the GMs unanimously recommended that blindsided hits to the head will result in a 5 minute major and game misconduct. They are also looking at overtime/shootouts. Nearly 25% of games this past season went to a shootout, and 61% of games went to OT, also went to a shootout.
Chip Alexander and Luke Decock of the Raleigh News & Observer: Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr. indicated that a decision to buy out Rod Brind’Amour or not may not happen for awhile. Sergei Samsonov is in the final year of his contract at $2.8 million, he could be bought out or they could try and trade him. GM Jim Rutherford will be meeting next week with UFA Ray Whitney. Anton Babchuk and his agent are in Raleigh to discuss the return of the defenseman to the NHL.
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: Though the Colorado Avalanche have plenty of salary cap space, don’t expect them to be spending it on free agents, they will continue “build from within.” The Avs have a cap number of $30.2 million for 14 players.