Monthly Archives: March 2016

Calgary Flames target net gains to upgrade goaltending in off season

Here are some of the candidates they’ll be looking at:

OIlers could look to move Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov

Maroon is under contract for two more seasons at $1.5 million annually, thanks to Anaheim’s agreement to retain $500,000 each year. While Maroon’s play and contract make him safe, the same can’t be said of Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov, the two most at risk of being moved for blue-line reinforcements.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/03/12/fluto-shinzawa-how-bruins-slowed-blackhawks-rubik-cube-attack/khFhkEXJpAbCEPZ0Am65LP/story.html

Who will the Canucks go after on July 1?

“I think Loui Eriksson is a real good target for the Vancouver Canucks. I think we keep hearing that it might be a real good fit for Eriksson with the Sedins, if they go down that road, so I think that’s a realistic one.

What Are the Odds? Drouin Returns to Crunch amid Continued Rumors of Trade

In any pro sports league there are bound to be rumors of player dissatisfaction and coaches that aren’t giving players a fair shot. Such is the case with Jonathan Drouin who has recently been called off a suspension that was imposed for refusing to play again at the AHL level. In a bold move by Drouin and his agent, Allan Walsh, Drouin opted not to show for a January game between the Syracuse Crunch and the Toronto Marlies. Having been suspended without pay for what was to be an ‘indefinite length of time,’ young Drouin has returned to the game and now it is anyone’s guess what will happen next.

Calgary Flames might be perfect fit for free-agent-to-be James Reimer

Is it big enough to transport Reimer’s home in Toronto to Calgary?

After all, this is one of the destinations Reimer could very well be eyeing up this summer when he decides where to sign as an unrestricted free agent.

Michalek didn’t want to leave Ottawa

Toronto GM Lou Lamoriello and coach Mike Babcock both called Michalek to let him know he’d be important with the Leafs. Michalek admitted he was disappointed to leave Ottawa.

“I’ve been there for so long and it’s been my home and my family was happy there, too,” he said. “It’s business. I’m here and I’m going to make the best out of it.”

Burrows sees roster reality

Burrows turns 35 next month and has a year left on his contract at a healthy $4.5 million US. That’s a lot of cap space for a depth player and one who’s no longer on the power play, is still on the penalty kill and is being a good mentor to a growing core of young players.

Goalies the Leafs should consider in the off-season, if they’re available: Frederik Andersen of Anaheim; Jimmy Howard of Detroit; Jacob Markstrom of Vancouver

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/03/05/simmons-says-initial-subban-snub-shows-hockey-canadas-living-in-the-past

Dreger Clarifies Trade Speculation on Eller and Yakupov

“I think you can say that about Nail Yakupov in Edmonton as well. Look, Peter Chiarelli is the guy who told me that Nail Yakupov was in play. His agent – one of them, anyway – Ian Pulver – would have been fine with Nail Yakupov getting a fresh start somewhere else.

“So all of the after nonsense of ‘Was this guy really on the block,’ or ‘Was that guy really on the block.’ I mean, there were no promises of players being traded, but these general managers were most definitely willing to consider those moves.

Ehrhoff might be this year’s Michal Handzus

Canucks could look to buy out Burrows this summer

The 2016 NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, but David Poile’s biggest acquisition is still yet to arrive.

With the exception of a minor-league deal to acquire defenseman Corey Potter from the Arizona Coyotes before Monday’s 2 p.m. (CT) deadline, the Nashville Predators General Manager made the decision to keep things consistent for a team that’s on a nine-game point streak. Poile’s belief that an additional goal-scorer, who has already been drafted by the club, will soon be sporting the Preds logo. That was also a major factor in the calculated decision to wait for the impending roster enhancement.