Author Archives: Trade Man
No truth’ to rumours of Gretzky becoming Maple Leafs president
Wayne Gretzky was linked to the vacant presidency of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, which created a social-media firestorm before the rumour was shot down by MLSE president Tom Anselmi.
Bob McKenzie of TSN reported the Hockey Hall of Famer may have been discussed internally at the Leafs parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., as a candidate for president in August. He speculated there might even have been inquiries made of Gretzky through third parties, but no direct contact.
NHL Rumors – January 23, 2013
The leatest trade rumors from January 23, 2013 include Roberto Luongo, Ben Bishop and the belief that it may just be the Stars, Avalanche or
Bob McKenzie: Oilers are interested in Luongo and Chicago has had long interest. Says list of teams he WON’T go to isn’t that long
— TSN Radio (@TSN1050Radio) January 22, 2013
Niederreiter requests trade from Islanders: source
With Nino Niederreiter still in the minors and not getting an invite to the Islanders’ shortened six-day training camp, his agent has asked the team for a trade, a league source confirmed.
The trade request, first reported by ESPN.com, came early last week in an email, right around the time the Islanders made call-ups from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport in order to fill out the roster.
Niederreiter’s agent apparently was displeased his client was not part of that group, despite the fact Niederreiter played 55 games with the Islanders last season, and this season is leading the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the team’s AHL affiliate, in scoring.
Wayne Gretzky to the Leafs?
Gretzky next Prez. of the Leafs? There is a buzz…
— Bob McCown (@FadooBobcat) January 22, 2013
Potential Luongo deal does not involve the Leafs
Gillis says he has trade in place for Luongo re @rcamcole barring some shoes to drop and I can confirm deal he talks about isn’t with Leafs.
— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) January 22, 2013
What would you do?
Imagine that you were the owner of the Calgary Flames. What changes would you do in order to turn the Flames around. Would you try to hire Burke as the next G.M.? Would you move Iginla right now ? For who?
Please have your say in this post.
Remember this is just for fun.
Holmstrom to retire today
Teammates valued Tomas Holmstrom’s hard work and dedication in front of the opposition’s net and laughed at his humorous ways off the ice.
On Tuesday, Holmstrom officially will bid farewell after 15 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, announcing his retirement at a 4:30 p.m. press conference at Joe Louis Arena, before the home opener against the Dallas Stars.
Holmstrom’s absence already has been felt in the dressing room.
short-term deal at $5M per year not sought from Avs
he agent for Avalanche center Ryan O’Reilly on Monday said the restricted free agent is not asking for a short-term contract at $5 million annually, but Mark Guy declined to specify what has been offered by Colorado or how far apart the sides remain.
“People report numbers without any mention of term and it is just as important a consideration,” agent Guy wrote in a text message.
Last week, an NHL source told The Denver Post that O’Reilly, 21, was seeking $5 million a year and turned down two deals: two years for $7 million (a $3.5 million average) and five years worth $17 million ($3.4 million average) .
Gomez continues his evaluation period with the Sharks
Free agent forward Scott Gomez continues his evaluation period with the Sharks, and for the first time skated with the full team on Monday in Edmonton. Gomez was wearing a teal jersey with the other bottom six forwards and scratches.
A decision on Gomez is not expected until Tuesday at the earliest. The Sharks are evidently making sure that Gomez is in top physical condition before they take a chance on the former Montreal Canadiens player who was recently bought out of the final two years of his contract.
Head coach Todd McLellan was impressed with Gomez on Monday.
‘We have a potential deal in place with one team,’ general manager says of a Roberto Luongo deal
“We have a potential deal in place with one team that has to do something with another player that they have — and it’s not who anybody thinks it is — and so we have to wait. (But) we’ve been offered packages that don’t fit what our plan is, what we need,” said Gillis.
Like, how?
“Excess salary coming back with a [throw-in] player who can’t play in our lineup. They say, ‘OK, we’ll do this, but you’ve got to take this.’ Well, we’re not taking it. We’ve had lots of proposals like that with good pieces that can help us but the other part doesn’t help us, and oftentimes they have term attached to them, so we’d just be turning around and buying out a guy.
“I’d rather keep the guy we know, who’s a good person.”
Look for the Canadiens to use the Edler contract as a blueprint to resign Subban. hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 22, 2013
Kadri off to a good start.
The way Nazem Kadri performed at camp and played in the Leafs’ opener in Montreal, it looks like he’s here to stay.
That’s great for the young man and for anxious Leafs fans who have been waiting for the 2009 seventh overall pick to blossom into an everyday NHL player.
But there seems to be this school of thought that it was big, bad Ron Wilson to blame for Kadri’s slower than expected progression as a big-league player and for his frequent demotions to the Marlies the past couple of seasons. Which is a lot of hooey. Yes, the former Leafs coach threw the London, Ont., native under the bus with his public criticisms of Kadri’s decision-making with the puck and defensive play (or lack thereof). But the reason why Kadri has taken a step in the right direction this season has more to do with his maturity as a player, and not because new coach Randy Carlyle is his new best buddy.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/20/leafs-kadri-off-to-a-flying-start
San Jose Sharks have not made decision on Scott Gomez
Unrestricted free-agent forward Scott Gomez flew here with the Sharks for their season opener Sunday, but a decision on his future with the team might take another few days.
However, coach Todd McLellan made it clear he didn’t see Gomez’s presence as a distraction.
“Everybody right now is so focused on game one and excited about it,” McLellan said before Sunday’s 4-1 Sharks win over Calgary. “Having Scott around and having him make his decision on whether he likes our environment and whether we like him in our environment is a great opportunity for us over the next couple of days.”
Gomez, 33, seemed fine with the situation as it was and the potential chance to play for the Sharks.
“You always hear about San Jose and you never hear anything bad about the organization,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”
O’Reilly standoff with the Avalanche continues
What is the situation with O’Reilly? It seems to be an old-fashioned, stubborn standoff between him and the Avs. General manager Greg Sherman declined to comment Saturday, other than to say communication is ongoing with O’Reilly’s agent, Mark Guy. The Avs have two offers on the table to O’Reilly: five years at $17 million or two years at $7 million. The Avs believe a salary averaging about $3.5 million per season is consistent with others in their dressing room — it’s what Matt Duchene is averaging — and they aren’t interested in going near the roughly $5 million a year O’Reilly is seeking.
January 21 – Luongo Update
Despite months of rumors, the season opened with Roberto Luongo still in Vancouver, albeit with his status changed from franchise goalie to Cory Schneider’s backup. Not a good look, and not one likely to remain long, given his $5.33 million cap hit. The most logical landing spots for Bobby Lu are Toronto or Florida (where he formerly wore his Apollo 13-sized pads). One source claims Brian Burke, recently pushed aside as Leafs GM, worked out a deal for Luongo with Canucks GM Mike Gillis over the summer, one that would have delivered the goalie to Toronto when the lockout ended. Ex-Canucks exec Dave Nonis, now the Leafs GM, made the deal in 2006 that brought Luongo to Vancouver and also signed him to his monster contract. Toronto remains the front-runner for Luongo, but that could change rapidly, if a club with shaky goaltending (Chicago?) stumbles out of the gate.
Leafs sign Lupul to a new contact
Leafs sign Lupul to a 5 year 26.25 million dollar contact.hockeytraderumors.com
— hockeytraderumors (@hockeytraderumo) January 20, 2013
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo remains a backup as team considers trade options
Not many expected Luongo to still be with the Canucks once the shortened season began, but you’ve got to give GM Mike Gillis credit for being patient in trying to drive up the price for the veteran goalie and not just giving him away.
While Cory Schneider is the starter for the Canucks, he’s one bad game or untimely goal away from giving way to Luongo. If that doesn’t happen, then sooner or later somebody will be desperate enough to give Gillis what he wants.
Gomez likely to sign with Sharks.
Unrestricted free agent Scott Gomez has travelled with the San Jose Sharks to Calgary, but he has still not signed a contract with the team.
The Sharks open their season against the Flames on Sunday night, while Gomez is scheduled for more testing.
Subban contract dispute enters a new phase
The contact dispute enters a new phase with the season opener and the early season results will have a bearing on the talks. Tomas Kaberle has moved into the top four on defence and if he can do the job and the Canadiens win a few games, Bergevin has bought some time and the pressure will be on Subban.
If the Canadiens stumble out of the gate, Subban is the winner and there will be pressure on the Canadiens to get a deal done. It’s one thing for a bunch of younger fans who didn’t pay for their tickets to Friday’s scrimmage at the Bell Centre to chant: “We want P.K.!” It will be another matter if the high rollers who buy season tickets take up Subban’s cause.
shoes
