Category Archives: Florida Panthers

Teams talking to Florida about Kulikov?

 

A look at the NHL’s East heading into the trade deadline

BOSTON BRUINS

GM Peter Chiarelli likes to get ahead of the pack, but that has proven difficult this year. The Bruins have cap room and Chiarelli wants to bring in an impact forward to help the power play. He’ll go after either Dallas winger Brenden Morrow or Calgary captain Jarome Iginla. It will be costly, though.

Stephen Weiss and Maxime Talbot Available?

Panthers Move Stephen Weiss?

On the surface this makes little sense considering he just had wrist surgery, but there’s talk it’s possible he could recover in time to play this season.

Just keep this in mind….

Panthers looking to move Versteeg?

Six points out of the No. 8 spot heading into Sunday’s visit by the Montreal Canadiens, the goal for Florida now is to try to move a few contracts and see if the club can set the course for next year after the Panthers fell back.

With the exception of centre Jonathan Huberdeau, defenceman Erik Gudbranson, goalie Jakob Markstrom and centre Drew Shore, pretty much every player on the Florida roster is up for grabs as the Panthers try to shed some cash.

So here’s an idea of the forwards that still fit the bill for the Black and Gold with Ryder scratched off the list:

JAROME IGINLA

The dream candidate on Boston’s list because he has played with a Bruins-style mentality throughout his entire career. The belief is that a winning situation could spark the 35-year-old’s game. He’s got power-forward size, a mean streak that will fit in well with the Black and Gold and enough offensive ability to post 32 goals and 67 points last season. There’s little doubt that he’s slowed down in the morass that is the Calgary Flames, and he’s got only three goals along with a minus-3 rating in 18 games.

Panthers bench slumping Stephen Weiss

Stephen Weiss has been one of the most consistent two-way players in franchise history, so his season-long slump on both ends of the ice has been baffling to coach Kevin Dineen, who finally sent the veteran center a stern message during and after Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Boston.

Dineen not only moved a listless Weiss from the top line to the fourth line as the game progressed but he benched him for all but two shifts in the third period, including the final 6:01 when the outcome was still in doubt.

Panthers on the block? Weiss? Theodore?

Of course the trade rumors are heating up. Panthers heart and soul center Stephen Weiss continues to be missing in action. Panthers higher ups are confounded by his subpar play. At first the impending free agent was thought to be playing hurt by that is no longer the case. Weiss himself told me he’s fine and I believe him.

February 11, 2013 NHL Trade Rumors

Derick Brassard and Penner Available?

Who is available? Well, a few teams would love Ryan O’Reilly, but God knows how that ends. Once again, Derick Brassard’s name is coming up. That’s been an uneasy marriage, to say the least. The Columbus Blue Jackets have three first-round picks next year — their own and one each from the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers. I can’t imagine they’d trade their own for anything less than a superstud, but the other two are strong commodities in a deep draft.

Another player of interest is Dustin Penner. He’s really in the doghouse with just three games played. If the Kings so desired, there would certainly be a market. He’s on a one-year deal. Hard to pin down many more names. Some teams don’t want to deal excess players because depth is critical. Very few teams are out of it, which prevents fire sales, and with the cap going down to $64.3 million US in 2013-14, you don’t want to add a big salary if you can avoid it. Maybe things loosen up in the next week or so.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2013/02/30-thoughts-devils-out-to-prove-last-year-no-fluke.html

Speaking of trades, rumours will heat up on Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Stephen Weiss and Jarome Iginla. But the Anaheim Ducks have looked good with Getzlaf and Perry.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2013/02/10/surprises_emerge_as_nhl_season_hits_quarter_pole.html

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HTR Believes that this is leading to more speculation that he could be on this way out of town.

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Kessler to return to the Canucks lineup soon.

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Flames claim goaltender Joey MacDonald off waivers from Red Wings

The Calgary Flames have claimed goaltender Joey MacDonald off waivers today.

MacDonald was cleared to play today after being out since March 14 due to a bulging disc.

The Flames needed a goalie after started Mikka Kiprusoff sprained his MCL last Tuesday in a game against the Red Wings. He is listed as day-to-day.

MacDonald, who turned 33 last Thursday, went 8-5-1, with a 2.16 goals-against average and .912 save percentage for the Red Wings in 2011-12. He stepped in when Jimmy Howard was injured and won seven games in a row at one point, winning the back-up job from Ty Conklin.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2013/02/flames_claim_goaltender_joey_m.html

Weiss Rumor

Panthers plan to keep Stephen Weiss

If you watched Hotstove Tonight on Hockey Night In Canada last weekend, you heard Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon toss cold water on rumours that he was willing to trade unrestricted free agent-to-be Stephen Weiss, who has a no-move clause.

“Ridiculous,” Tallon said. “I’m not trading him, I’m going to try to sign him.”

The Panthers are loaded with prospects and re-signing Weiss allows the organization to a) hold on to those players and b) prevent head coach Kevin Dineen from tossing them into situations they may not be ready for.

It’s really hard to find good centres. Clubs get them and try their hardest to keep them. In the last four seasons, Florida’s finished 17th, 28th, 27th and 27th in goals per game. In each of those years, Weiss finished in the top two in team scoring.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2013/02/30-thoughts-panthers-plan-to-keep-weiss.html

Are the Panthers looking to trade Weiss?

Florida in desperation mode?