NHL Rumors III: Sabres, Stars, Flames, Oilers, Avalanche and Maple Leafs

From twitter unless otherwise noted

  • The Fourth Period: The Sabres could be close to trading captain Jason Pominville. Patrick Caisse of TVA Sports said that the Sabres have asked Pominville to submit a list of eight teams he won’t be traded too. The Sharks, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Canucks and Kings have shown interest in Pominville.
  • John Vogl: Sabres GM Darcy Regier: “We’re really going to look toward building this team, not just to move into the playoffs, but go deep into the playoffs. No one is quite sure of the timeline, but we’re certainly going to focus in next season.”
  • Dennis Bernstein: Hearing that the Sabres are not finished trading. The Kings may have another move up their sleeves.
  • Nick Cotsonika: The Stars loss last night could be the biggest development. The Stars need to sell this time, Jaromir Jagr? Derek Roy? Stephane Robidas?
  • George Johnson of the Calgary Herald: Flames Miikka Kiprusoff could be next for the Flames. Michael Cammalleri, Alex Tanguay and Cory Sarich are other possibilities. A full re-build is on.
  • Mark Spector of Sportsnet: It might take a decent prospect and a 2nd round pick to get Kiprusoff. The Oilers could keep Ryan Whitney. Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco and GM Greg Sherman could be on their way out this summer. Spector thinks the problem lies with president Pierre Lacroix. Spector thinks the Leafs should hold pat and not trade any picks or prospects.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: The Maple Leafs want to make a trade that will help in short and long-term, preferrably a  “hockey” trade.

    “We’re not trying to sell off players for future assets,” Nonis said on Monday after the team finished practice. “We’re either going to, likely, add a piece or two or stand pat. I wouldn’t say we wouldn’t move players or even UFAs, but we wouldn’t move them for draft picks. The players have worked hard to try and get themselves in position. And if we make deals now, by and large those will be for pieces that can help us.”

    On the Kiprusoff and Luongo talk,

    “It’s not a priority,” Nonis said of adding a goalie. “It’s the same as every other position. If we can add a goaltender that strengthens our group and helps the guys that we have here, then we would look to do it. If not, as we’ve said all along, we think we have two NHL-calibre goalies. They’ve proved that so far this year, and goaltending hasn’t been an issue.”