Monthly Archives: November 2013
Flyers Shopping Luke Schenn
The Flyers are vigorously shopping defenceman Luke Schenn (foot speed issues) and fellow blueliner Andrej Meszaros but both make too much money. Schenn, who came from Toronto for James van Riemsdyk, sports a $3.6-million cap hit for three more years, and Meszaros is $4 million, but he’s an unrestricted free agent in July.
Trade and Rumor talk about the Oilers, Flyers and Ducks
I heard the Nashville Predators poked around Bryzgalov, too. But that was denied like a layup attempt over Dikembe Mutombo.
One of the rumoured goalies Edmonton checked out was Jonas Hiller of the Anaheim Ducks. A couple of GMs thought there was no way this would happen because Ducks GM Bob Murray tries hard not to trade within his own (Pacific) division. Apparently, some of the offers for Bobby Ryan were from that area. Murray wanted no part of that and Ryan was traded to Ottawa.
Oilers and Rangers talking trade?
Moving Smid leaves a big hole on Edmonton’s blueline.
“Ladi Smid is a great individual, a hard player, a heart and soul guy and we thank him for his commitment to our team,” Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins told the Edmonton Journal.
Yakupov’s agent to meet with Oilers, ‘willing to make a move’
Nail Yakupov‘s agent, Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov, will reportedly head to Edmonton to discuss how his client is being used by the Oilers, according to ESPN’s Craig Custance.
What’s more, he’s also willing to explore the option of a trade if the club is unhappy with his client.
NHL free agents: Will they stay or will they go?
USA TODAY Sports’ Kevin Allen predicts whether other potential unrestricted free agents will take extensions or explore the market:
What does Florida have to trade? Let’s pick over the roster
As for Florida’s veterans? Here are a few to consider:
Tomas Fleischmann: The team’s leading scorer, with 11 points in 15 games. The 29-year-old winger is signed through 2014-15 with a $4.5 million cap hit that would’ve been a lot easier to move in any other season. (Cap space isn’t exactly plentiful for most teams.) But given Rick Nash’s health concerns, might the Rangers have some interest here? Just throwing it out there.
Chicago has lost confidence in Khabibulin
During the course of an NHL season, some games set up better than others for the backup goaltender get the call.
The Blackhawks’ contest against the struggling Oilers on Sunday night at the United Center — their second of back-to-back games — appeared to be the perfect scenario for Nikolai Khabibulin to return to the crease.
Simmonds shrugs off trade rumors
According to the rumors, the Oilers have a thing for Simmonds. They need size and grit and those two features are why Simmonds said he was born to wear orange and black when he was traded to Philly in the summer of 2011.
“We were out-battled along the walls and out-sized,” Oilers coach Dallas Eakins said after the Flyers’ 4-2 win Saturday. “We spent a little too much time in our zone. It’s hard to come out of that.”
Should Anaheim trade a goalie?
Which high-flying teams are in for a fall? When should the Anaheim Ducks trade a goalie? Should Ray Emery’s fight spark a rule change? All these questions and more in this week’s mailbag. And remember, if you want to send in your question or comment on anything hockey-related, send it in here, and you may find it published in a future column.
Rumours of trading Eberle are ridiculous
Craig MacTavish said rumours of trading Eberle are ridiculous … #Oilers
— Derek Van Diest (@SUNdvandiest) November 9, 2013
Blue Jackets not likely to sign Prospal
Despite chatter, interest from Prospal camp, see no chance #CBJ try to sign him. Plan is to get healthy, let young players figure it out.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 9, 2013
Flyers listening to many offers
According to the report, "Holmgren is listening to offers on any Philadelphia player not named Claude Giroux or Steve Mason."
— Ryan Bright (@philabright) November 9, 2013
RUMOURS DU JOUR
Dallas GM Jim Nill has been actively working the phones trying to make changes and has shopped C Vernon Fiddler. Making $1.8 million through 2013-14, I’m told the Maple Leafs looked at the possibility of bringing in Fiddler in a third or fourth-line role but decided they didn’t have the cap space to make that move.
Fiddler is an effective player if the Stars want to find him a new hole they will … It would be surprising if defenceman Matt Niskanen finishes the season with the Penguins. With a cap hit of $2.3 million, he is set to become a UFA and it’s believed GM Ray Shero has been sniffing around to see what he might be able get in return. After signing defenceman Kris Letang to a massive extension last summer, there likely isn’t any room to keep Niskanen and he should be able to bring a good return if Pittsburgh decides to make the move … Columbus coach Todd Richards is on the hotseat. Since taking over last year, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen hasn’t played the coach firing card and the club has taken a step back this year. The only guy who can save Richards job is goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and he has to stop the puck.
Wear a poppy on Remembrance Day.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/09/where-are-all-the-bold-moves-edmonton-oilers-general-manager-craig-mactavish-promised-when-he-took-over