Morning NHL news and notes for Friday July 28th.
- The Maple Leafs have traded Anton Stralman, Colin Stuart, and a 2012 7th Round Pick to the Calgary Flames for Wayne Primeau and a 2011 2nd Round Pick. The Leafs had 10 NHL calliber defenceman under contract, Stralman was the 10th. I’m thinking the 2012 7th round pick was the deal breaker. Sutter must of said, “we’re not doing this deal unless you throw in a 7th round pick, 2 years from now”.
- If Jerry Reinsdorf is the winning bid for the Phoenix Coyotes, he doesn’t plan to keep Wayne Gretzky around. Gretzky is scheduled to make $8 million per season.
- P.J. Axelsson is leaving the Boston Bruins and the NHL, signing a 4 year deal with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League. The Bruins will be tight against the cap and didn’t have room for the defensive minded Axelsson.
- Not only do the Pittsburgh Penguins get helpful information from Mario Lemieux, they also get help from a ‘homeless’ guy. Starting February, James Hoop has been tossing items and notes into Mario’s yard.
- The Phildalephia Flyers are bringing in Ole-Kristian Tollefson for a physical. If they sign him, he’ll compete with Randy Jones, Matt Carle and Ryan Parent for the 6/7th spot on the blueline. He would give the organization some depth on defense.