Hockey Trade Rumors

With rumours heating up regarding Chris Pronger, I thought I would take some time to share my view on the situation. I read that Tomas Kaberle is furious that the Leafs would incorporate his name in trade rumours. Frankly, so am I. We have taken years to develop a player (Kaberle) that was drafted in the 8th round, 204th overall. How many players can the Leafs say they chose that late in the draft and are all-star caliber today. Not too many.

there is a very good message on this link about the pronger situation.

http://www.spectorshockey.net/

click on “the soapbox”

Ok I’m no expert but the leafs need to make a few changes, not only changes but changes that make sence. Here are a few things that the leafs should do which are actually possible.

What do leafs need after gettin Raycroft…

If you look at the free agent market.. theres number of players tht are available which leafs can pick up..

I’ve been watching the results come in from the draft on NHL.com. As a Toronto fan I’ve been paying attention to their picks (all of which seem to be unknown, brutal Europeans besides their first round pick…I’d say they wasted the rest of them). However, it seems two of their picks, which NHL.com had marked down as being Toronto’s picks until the draftee was posted, ended up being exchanged to different teams. Searching through all the hockey news sites I can’t see any report of a trade having taken place. As well, I there does not appear to be any draft picks from the teams in question going back to Toronto.

The Toronto Star is reporting that the Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are closing in on a deal which should involve Chris Pronger and Tomas Kaberle!

Rumours in Toronto and Sweden are that Mats Sundins long time friend Niklas Lidstrom is agreed in principle to a one-year one million dollar contract. This does sound hard to believe, but Lidstrom knows that Sundin wants to win a cup and wants to do it with the Leafs, so Lidstrom is offering out a hand. Also, reports out of florida are that mike keenan is seriously considering Toronto’s latest offer of Pogge, Harrison, Suglobov and a 2nd rounder for Gary Roberts and Roberto Luongo. Keenan is looking at more youth movement and thinks Pogge is NHL ready and roberts and luongo will help Toronto with their cup run next year. These transactions will hopefully be made more public by weeks end.

Now this is a Leaf rumor alot of people can be-Leaf

Not to beat a dead horse, but we’ve all heard many times how Toronto will be one of the busiest teams in the NHL this summer. They missed the mark last season and now JFJ will be busy making key personel decisions and deciding who to keep, who to let go and who to sign as UFA’s.

According to rds.ca, Mikael Tellqvist signed a one year contract. No financial details disclosed as of yet!

I think this is a good move since the Leafs are in a rebuilding mode. They probably won’t make it to the playoffs anyways so might as well try to develop young goaltenders.

I know I said no more Leaf articles till October, but watching the Canes win using one thing the Leafs lack hugely, that they used to excell at hugely, really angers me.

Barb Digiulio on the FAN590 indicated that the Leafs and Eric Lindros may have a tentative 1 yr deal for $700K

There is no mention on any site of this actually happening.

Before you all say “who!?!”, here is some info on him.

He was the captain of the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher (NCAA).

Harrington, a 23-year-old native of St. Cloud, Minnesota, played in 40 games for the Golden Gophers this past season, and earned a career-high 36 points (three goals, 33 assists). Harrington was Minnesota’s team captain in his fourth and final season at the school.

Harrington won a national championship with the Golden Gophers and was a WCHA All-Rookie selection in the 2002-03 season. In 129 career games at Minnesota, Harrington earned 109 points (14 goals, 95 assists) along with 264 career penalty minutes.

Harrington’s father, John, played on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, which won the gold medal.

Source – http://www.mapleleafs.com/news/news.asp?story_id=2016

He is by all rights a solid defenceman, and since he is being signed and not drafted, there is really no downside to this deal.