Jim Kelly of SportsIllustrated: Kelly throws out a new Blackhawks name as possible trade bait to elevate their cap situation, Marion Hossa and his 12 year, $62.8 million contract. Though it would be hard to see someone biting on the $5.2333 million per season salary hit for the next 11 years.
Eric Stephens of the OC Register: Stephens brings up the Tomas Kaberle-for-BobbyRyan rumor again. Ducks GM Bob Murray called it ‘ridiculous.’ The Ducks are still negotiating with Ryan, and waiting to hear what Scott Neidermayer’s decision is on retirement. Stephens thinks if the Leafs were to included Luke Schenn or Nazem Kadri in the conversation, it might make the deal more do-able ….
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Chicago’s Niklas Hjarmalsson played himself into a top 3 or 4 defenseman, and might get an offer sheet from someone. Bruins scouts are split on Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, so it doesn’t appear they’ll push hard for trade with Edmonton for the #1 pick.
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: If teams are looking to re-make their teams this off-season throught the free agent market, it isn’t going to happen with this year’s weak crop. It is rumored that Steve Yzerman has talked with the Canadiens about Carey Price. The Canadiens would want scoring in return, Martin St. Louis? Garrioch’s top-10 UFAs: 1.Patrick Marleau 2. Ilya Kovalchuk 3.Scott Niedermayer 4.Tomas Plekanec 5.Evgeni Nabokov 6.Dan Hamhuis 7.Anton Volchenkov 8.Alexander Frolov 9.Sergei Gonchar 10.Marty Turco
Courier Post: The Flyers have until the end of the month (for exclusive negotiating rights) to decide if Michael Leighton will be their #1 goalie next season as he’ll become a UFA. If they’d like to move in a different direction, potential UFAs that might interest them are; Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabokov. If they go the trade route there are plenty of options; the usual Price or Halak, Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas, but the article also mentions Jonathan Quick or Jonathan Bernier, both of the Los Angeles Kings. They could use Jeff Carter as trade bait for a Canadiens or Kings goaltender.
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Edmonton Oilers will continue to try and trade Ethan Moreau, Patrick O’Sullivan and Robert Nilsson. From June 15th to the 30th, they’ll also have the option to buy each player out for 2/3rds their contract. The Oilers will also try to move Sheldon Souray, possibly to the Sharks who will be looking to replace Rob Blake. Though Souray’s cap number is $5.4 million, his actual salary is $4.5 million. The Oilers have to decide if they which of their 15 Group 2 RFAs they want to qualify.
Michael Trailkos of the National Post: After posting a 26-7-4 regular season record with a 2.25 GAA, and winning the Stanley Cup, Antti Niemi is looking to be piad like a #1 goalie after just one seaon in the league and won’t be taking a discount. From his agent, “He’s going to get his money,” Zito said. “But the term is going to have something to do with it too.”
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: With only 6 picks in this year’s NHL draft, and no action until #62, Toronto Maple Leaf scouts may have an easy time. But with Brian Burke at the helm, they have to be ready for anything. Head amateur scout, Dave Morrison and his staff have put together their list of top 210 prospects, and are ready to go with any additional picks the Leafs may get. Burke has stated that he’s not actively looking for extra picks, though I’m not entirely sold on that.
