Friday TidBits
After trading F Steve Begin to the Dallas Stars for D Doug Janik, the Habs have placed Janik on waivers to make room for newly aquired F Glen Metropolit (picked up on waivers from Philadelphia). Metropolit, 34, is a penalty killing specialist (a Gainey/Carboneau type player). Metropolit has 1 year left at 1.0. Also, there is conflicting reports as to Mathieu Dandenault & Georges Laraque, as it has been reported that both/either have asked to be moved. I caught an interview with Big Georges and he publicly laid that to rest, but one can only wonder, if that remains the case behind closed doors.
Metropolit was not the only Flyer picked up on waivers, as the Vancouver Canucks have claimed D Ossi Vaananen. Vaananen offers the Canucks a solid depth rearguard and is a UFA at season’s end.
Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Dallas Stars will place F Sean Avery on re-entry waivers on Monday. The New York Rangers are expected to claim him, failing a rival bid from a team lower in the NHL standings.
If no team claims Avery (picking up half of his remaining salary) then the Stars will allow him to continue playing in the AHL, or they will allow him to leave while continuing to pay him not to play, thus officially cutting ties with the forward by buying him out during the buyout period this summer.
Islanders D Brendan Witt has been suspended by the NHL for 5 games for a hit on Leafs F Niklas Hagman Thursday night.
Ducks D Chris Pronger continues to create a buzz, as several teams appear interested in aquiring the nasty S.O.B.. According to the Boston Herald, the Bruins are highly interested.
Florida D Nick Boynton has been dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons and will not be with the team for the remainder of the team’s three game road trip. One can only assume that he has played his last game with the Panthers. Boynton, 30, is a physical presence and could be added depth for anyone looking.
Lastly, Scott Cullen of TSN (http://tsn.ca/columnists/scott_cullen/?id=268952&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl) puts together a list of rumors. Amonst them:
– While reports out of Colorado seem to refute F Ryan Smyth trade rumours, the Ottawa Sun says that the Canadiens are investigating the possibility of acquiring Smyth. Other Avs players getting a lot of play in the rumour mill include D Jordan Leopold and RW Ian Laperriere.
– As it seems with every deadline day, Coyotes C Olli Jokinen is again rumoured to be on the move, with the Calgary Sun noting that, naturally, Mike Keenan’s Flames are a potential destination, while the Globe and Mail questions whether the Flames would be able to handle Jokinen’s contract ($5.25-million) for next season.
– The Buffalo News indicates that the Sabres may have to seriously consider a F Tim Connolly trade and figures that the Columbus Blue Jackets should be interested in pairing Connolly with star winger Rick Nash and sending D Rostislav Klesla to Buffalo.
– Even if a deal seems less likely with Florida in playoff position, the Panthers reportedly will consider offers for D Jay Bouwmeester but would require more than just prospects and picks to make such a deal. The Buffalo News says that the asking price is a top-four defenceman and a veteran forward that can be sold to the Florida fan base (and help the Panthers make the playoffs this season).
– The Orange County Register discusses some possible Ducks deals, noting that the Capitals, Blackhawks, Bruins and Flyers could be interested in D Chris Pronger, but that each suitor would likely have to swallow hard before including some of their top young talent in return. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has the Devils, Bruins, Flames and Sharks monitoring the Pronger situation closely.
– Reports out of Philadelphia indicate that the Flyers may be willing to swap top prospect F James VanReimsdyk for Thrashers G Kari Lehtonen. If the deal was actually on the table, the Thrashers would surely have to jump on it.
– The Calgary Sun wonders if the Flames would be interested in Predators RW Steve Sullivan. Now that’s back to scoring goals, Sullivan could provide a nice boost to second-line scoring.
– According to the Ottawa Sun, the Thrashers are shopping both D Niclas Havelid and D Ron Hainsey.
– Some of the more interesting and different names included by the Ottawa Sun as “available” before the deadline include: Stars winger F Jere Lehtinen, Kings F Alex Frolov, Thrashers F Colby Armstrong, Thrashers G Kari Lehtonen, Flames F Matthew Lombardi, Bruins F Michael Ryder (really?), Hurricanes D Joe Corvo, Penguins F Miroslav Satan, Canucks D Kevin Bieksa and Capitals D Shaone Morissonn.
– The Arlington Heights Daily Herald Times notes that the Blackhawks are likely just looking for a solid checking centre at the deadline and there are several who could be available, including F Jeff Halpern, F Dominic Moore and F Samuel Pahlsson.
– According to the New York Daily News, the Islanders are listening to offers for F Bill Guerin, D Radek Martinek and D Brendan Witt.
– The Ottawa Sun notes that D Chrisoph Schubert is likely to be moved and names the Oilers and Lightning as potential destinations.
– The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests that Penguins F Jordan Staal could be the next core player to be moved from Pittsburgh, if not by the trade deadline then in the summer, if the on-ice results don’t improve.
– According to the Vancouver Province, the Canucks won’t make a major move before the deadline unless they suffer an injury in the meantime.
– Red Wings GM Ken Holland tells the Detroit News that he won’t be making a move for a goaltender before the deadline.
– The Columbus Dispatch reports that there is some interest in Blue Jackets G Pascal LeClaire, even as he’s recovering from ankle surgery, listing Ottawa, Colorado, St. Louis and Atlanta as potentially interested parties.