Eagle to Edmonton?
The Toronto Star Reported today that the Edmonton Oilers may be interested in Belfour.
Heres the article:
Don’t be surprised if the Edmonton Oilers take a serious run at Maple Leafs goalie Ed Belfour before next Thursday’s trade deadline.
With his team’s playoff fortunes sinking fast, largely because of sub-par goaltending, Oilers GM Kevin Lowe is under considerable pressure to get a proven NHL stopper and there is speculation that he has Belfour, not the much-speculated Curtis Joseph, in his sights.
It makes for an intriguing situation, one that could come to fruition despite the fact that Belfour has a no-trade clause in his contract. Belfour holds the power to veto any trade, but it’s believed that he would approve any deal if the team acquiring him agreed to pick up his $4.5 million (all figures U.S.) option for next season.
Under the terms of his contract with the Leafs, the team has the option for next season, but must pay Belfour $1.5 million if it declines to exercise it. That buyout amount would count against next year’s salary cap.
Going into last night’s game against the San Jose Sharks, the Oilers were 18th in the league in goals against and don’t have a single goalie with a save percentage of .900. The Leafs are 23rd in goals-against and Belfour’s save percentage going into last night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres was a career-worst .891. But he still has won 21 games this year behind the Leafs defence corps and there is a sentiment among NHL observers that Belfour could thrive in a more positive situation.
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