Hockey Trade Rumors

It’s a pleasure I have to make lists about any category of players. You probably remember my list about the best defensive d-men or about the best d-corps. I thaught about writing one about the best offensive d-men, but with Markov and Kaberle in play, it would be too dangerous 😉 Maybe one day!

Here’s my take on what happened since July 1rst. There’s still a few good free agents available, but in general, most teams are done. Let’s start a good discussion!

Anaheim : The jury’s still out. While signing Niedermayer was a good start, they were needing at least 2 top 9 forwards. Also, if they don’t resign Beauchemin, the D isn’t looking as strong as it was. Time’s not up yet, so we’ll see. But they have to move if they don’t wanna be losers.

This July 1st, hockey fans were able to witness something that is typically rare during free agency day. That being Canadian hockey teams actually signing free agents. Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto, spent some money and were able to get some of the most coveted free agents this off-season. Now…the calm after the storm happened and now all of us are starting to get a clear picture of what next years rosters are going to look like.

Tonight the Avalanche have traded Ryan Smyth to the Kings for Kyle Quincey, Tom Preissing and a fifth-round pick.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a great statement towards stablizing their franchise by re-signing star forward Rick Nash to an 8 year 62.5 million dollar contract.

Free Agents are continuing to sign on the dotted line as we speak, but there certainly is some talent remaining in the pool of available players.

The frenzy is over but there are teams with some cap space and needs and players looking for work. Whether they will get the kind of money the players who signed July 1st got remains to be seen. But certainly help is available. It just depends on the price.

As the dust begins to settle two days after July 1st, we can already begin to see winners and loser on the day so many teams look to, to become a playoff team next season.

The Montreal Canadiens will show a new face next season with Koivu, Lang, Brisebois, Bouillon, Schneider, Dandenault, Kostopoulos and fan favorite Alex Kovalev all gone and newcomers Gomez, Gionta, Cammellari, Spacek, Darche and Gill arriving.

Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas, three-time Olympian Mike Modano and young gun Patrick Kane headline the list of 34 players that USA Hockey has invited to its 2010 Olympic orientation camp this summer. On Tuesday, USA Hockey released the list of participants for the camp, which will take place Aug. 17-19, at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, Ill, a suburb of Chicago. The roster includes three goaltenders, 12 defencemen and 19 forwards and leaves off many of the older, long-time Team USA stars. Here is the roster:

I want to focus on moves the Leafs should make post July 1st, as the acquisitions of Orr, Exelby and Komisarek have already been readily discussed, admired and/or scrutinized. In short though, I LOVE the moves made by Burke yesterday – the Leafs get tougher which allows their speedier offensive-type players to feel a little more protected. I don’t think the big name offensive players like the Sedin Sisters, Cammelari, Hossa, Gaborik, etc. that were out there yesterday would fit into the Leafs future plans and/or we don’t want them anyway for various reasons which I won’t get into here.