Blackhawks and Avalanche news
The Blackhawks have an itchy trigger finger. They are looking for someone to play with Jonathan Toews, especially as Marian Hossa battles injury.
Colorado has told teams not to bother asking about Nathan MacKinnon or 2015 first-rounder Mikko Rantanen. After that, it sounds like the organization is determined not to make a panic move just to mollify everyone. The Avalanche know $17 million comes off the books after the season and they will have flexibility. Right now, cap room is as valuable as diamond ore. The price on Matt Duchene in particular would be pretty high.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-manage-bad-luck/
Chicago considering Jarome Iginla
Chicago considering Jarome Iginla as Hossa replacement
— Adrian Dater (@adater) January 3, 2017
Could Landeskog be traded to the Bruins?
CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty believes Landeskog would make an “intriguing power forward winger-type possibility” for the Boston Bruins. He speculates Sakic’s asking price would include rookie defenseman (and Colorado Springs, Col., native) Brandon Carlo, which could be a deal breaker for the Bruins.
Dreger thinks Sakic is more inclined to move Duchene than Landeskog. For the right offer of prospects or draft picks, he doesn’t rule out the possibility of the 25-year-old center being dealt by the March 1 trade deadline.
Big brag out of Toronto? Auston Matthews is better than Connor McDavid
This just in, a big brag out of Toronto, that Auston Matthews of the Leafs is a better player than Connor McDavid of the Oilers. It comes by way of writer Nicholas Frost of the Editor in Leaf hockey blog.
“I will stay silent no more!” Frost announces. “Auston Matthews is better than Connor McDavid.”
Why such a claim? Frost gives three reasons.
Could Bruins Sign David Pastrnak To Bridge Deal Like Blackhawks’ Panarin?
The Bruins could find themselves in a similar situation with their own dynamic young star, David Pastrnak. At just 20 years old, Pastrnak is enjoying a breakout season as he is tied for second in the league with 19 goals – all while missing seven of the Bruins’ 37 games. Like Panarin, he’s also set to become a restricted free agent after the season.
While losing Pastrnak to restricted free agency is not really a concern, as that is an incredibly rare occurrence, the winger is setting himself up for a serious payday in Boston.
Landeskog available via trade?
As mentioned before, Gabriel Landeskog would be an intriguing power forward winger-type possibility for the Bruins if he’s dealt away from Colorado, but one would image Joe Sakic and the Avalanche would ask about local Colorado Springs product Brandon Carlo going back to the Avalanche as part of a package for Landeskog. I’d be more tempted to think about this than when Carlo was mentioned in Jacob Trouba trade rumors, but I still wouldn’t trade a 20-year-old D-man that’s already playing top pair minutes in the first year of his entry level deal. You just don’t trade those guys.
Miller earns 350th win as Canucks down Avs
Sven Baertschi scored twice, including the winner on a power play with under four minutes to go in the third period, and Ryan Miller made 24 saves for the 350th victory of his career as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday.
http://www.tsn.ca/miller-earns-350th-win-as-canucks-down-avs-1.642687
Could the Leafs swing a deal for Dougie Hamilton
The rumor is still Kadri for Hamilton, however, one source tells me the Leafs will pitch for Hamilton even if Kadri isn’t involved.
Coyotes claim Burmistrov off waivers
The Arizona Coyotes claimed centre Alexander Burmistrov off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets on Monday.
“We are pleased to acquire Alexander through the waiver process,” said Coyotes general manager John Chayka. “He’s someone our scouts identified as having greater potential than he has currently shown. We’re hopeful a change will help his game.”
http://www.tsn.ca/coyotes-claim-burmistrov-off-waivers-1.642411
Subban out with a herniated disk
PK Subban, Predators, doctors to meet tomorrow to discuss path to treat what is believed to be a herniated disc…
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 1, 2017
Cody McLeod would welcome a trade
Given the situation, McLeod would welcome a trade if it offers himself a chance to play for a Stanley Cup contending team. He is under contract through next season, at a $1,333,333 million cap hit.
“We’ll see when that time comes,” McLeod said of the Feb. 28 trade deadline. “But I love Denver and my family is here. We love the fans and we’ll probably stay here when I retire. But at the end of the day, I want to win. I want a chance to win the Stanley Cup.”
Cody McLeod, the Avalanche’s most veteran player, has never seen things so bad
I wouldn’t take Julien hot seat speculation very seriously
The question Bruins fans would want to know then is just how serious that speculation should be taken.
“I wouldn’t take it very serious in the moment,” said TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger. “This is social media, and when you’re in a slow time coming out of a roster freeze, this is the type of stuff that is almost like sport when you look at certain organizations. And we know historically the volatility of the Boston Bruins, from ownership down, how hands-on they can be with Cam Neely hovering about.
http://www.fanragsports.com/news/dreger-wouldnt-take-julien-hot-seat-speculation-seriously/
Could Fleury go to St. Louis?
“I believe what Jim Rutherford, the general manager of the Penguins, though is hoping for is that the bubble teams in terms of the playoffs start to separate a little bit and maybe there’s a hint of desperation.
“I look at a team like St. Louis, as an example. It appears they’ve made their bed with Jake Allen, but if the St. Louis Blues believe they’re on the cusp or right there among the contenders and goaltending might be somewhat iffy or in question – look, Marc-Andre Fleury is a goaltender who has proven that he can take that team to another level.”
Allen’s four-year, $17.4 million contract extension with the Blues kicks in next season.
Fleury will still have another two years left on his contract once this season ends. His cap hit is $5.75 million.
http://www.fanragsports.com/news/dreger-wonders-blues-might-possible-fit-fleury/