Hockey Trade Rumors

Well, here’s the 5th installment of the Sourced Trade Rumours Series. Not much going on around the rumour wise but a few rumours.

From http://www.thefourthperiod.com/rumors.html

Boston Bruins: According to the Boston Globe, Bruins management have been disappointed with the production, or lack there of, from forwards Peter Schaefer and Glen Murray. The Globe reports that if Murray doesn’t pick up his game soon, the Bruins may have to move him and his 4.15 million dollar Cap Hit. The Globe reports that the Bruins may have to settle for another high-priced veteran in return for Murray. Another option could be to send Murray down but if you ask me, that’s a last resort to save money and I personally think it would never happen.

Chicago Blackhawks: It is well known that the Hawks are looking for a left-handed Power Play specialist to play the point. It is believed the Hawks are willing to part with several young players/prospects. Most notably: Dave Bolland, Rene Bourque, Cam Barker, Danny Richmond and Dustin Byfulgien as well as veterans Yanic Perreault and Sergei Samsonov. It is noted that Richmond and Dyfulgien will come at a price. According to sources, the Hawks have looked at Bryan McCabe as their man. They have also looked at the Phoenix Coyotes Derek Morris and Ed Jovanovski as well as Nashville Predators defenceman Marek Zidlicky.

Edmonton Oilers: GM Kevin Lowe, unhappy with the Oilers performance thus far, has been constantly talking to other GM’s about a trade. Only problem is, those other teams are only interested in Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Tom Gilbert and the Oilers 1st Round Pick (Actually, Anaheim’s 1st Round Pick) as nobody seems to want the Oilers struggling veteran’s. Lowe also isn’t ready to blow the team up as the Oilers are missing 4 Key defenceman in Sheldon Souray, Joni Pitkanen, Matt Greene and Mathieu Roy as well as Fernando Pisani.

Atlanta Thrashers: Since becoming coach of the Thrashers, Don Waddell has led the Thrashers to a winning record. Though they still sit below .500, Waddell told the Atlanta Journal he’s enjoying himself and isn’t rushing things when it comes to picking another coach. The Journal says Waddell could remain the Thrashers coach for the rest of the year. Possible candidates for the job include: Pat Quinn, Pat Burns and Brad McCrimmon.

Buffalo Sabres: Talks have begun between GM Darcy Regier and potential Free Agent Brian Campbell on a new contract. Campbell is apparently looking for a 5 year deal while earning 5 million dollars per year. The Sabres apparently want a deal of 5 years but closer to 4 million a season. The Sabres don’t really want to lose yet another big piece to the team and I personally think they will cave and give Campbell somewhere between 4.5-5 million. It is also reported the Sabres want to get defenceman Dmitri Kalinin under contract after they sign Campbell.

Anaheim Ducks: Well, the L.A Times are reporting that defenceman Scott Niedermayer may return in mid-December. He is apparently skating with former Ducks Travis Green and Jeff Freisen. Niedermayer’s agent is stressing that his client won’t make a decision for at least another month. If Niedermayer does in fact come back, Brian Burke will be forced to make a trade or two, so as to free up Cap Space. Expect Ilya Bryzgalov, Todd Marchant and Sean O’Donnell to be traded if Niedermayer does comeback and also expect Burke to get less value then he normally would for those 3 players.

Ok, coming from http://www.spectorshockey.net/rumors.html

Ottawa Senators: Hugh Adami of the Ottawa Citizen pondered the other day as to how much of a pay-cut Wade Redden would take. Most notably, Adami wondered if Redden or his agent would allow a pay-cut of 3 million or more from the Senators. Spector believes Redden won’t take a significant pay cut, especially if he become’s a UFA because he would be the most sought after defenceman in the NHL which in turn, would let Redden make Top Dollar.

Chicago Blackhawks: Tim Sassone of the Chicago Herald continues to report that Sergei Samsonov and Yanic Perreault are on very thin ice. Samsonov has been especially disappointing, being a healthy scratch for a 5th or 6th straight game. Spector note’s that the only one of the two worth-while would be Perreault, but he’d be valued to a deeper team because of his ability to win 60+% of his face-offs. Spector also said that if the Hawks want to free-up Cap Space, they could just send Samsonov down to the AHL and “loan” him to a Russian Super Team.

Montreal Canadiens: The Habs have placed Garth Murray on waivers and are prepared to send him down to Hamilton. All I can say is, It’s about gosh darn time. Murray is a waste of a roster spot and is barely qualified to put on an NHL jersey. He’s got hands of stone and is a terrible fighter, worse then P.J Stock. Also, Spector put away the internet rumour that Montreal and Tampa Bay were on the verge of a trade. It was said to have looked like this: Michael Ryder, Andrei Kostitsyn and Jaroslav Halak for Brad Richards and Andre Roy. I’m not the one who reported this because it’s one of the single-most lopsided trades I’ve ever seen. It’s up their with Russ Courtnall for John Kordic back in the late 80’s.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Forward Simon Gamache may end up going back to Switzerland instead of going back to the Marlies. Gamache has had his role diminished since his call-up to the Leafs and is now pondering going back to Europe. The only way for this to happen is if the Leafs “loan” Gamache to a Swiss team like SC Bern or HC Lugano. Pierre LeBrun reported that if the Leafs are out of contention by the Deadline, moving Mats Sundin to a contender might be a strong possibility, considering his potential worth.

Washington Capitals: Caps GM George McPhee has admitted to calling around about potential trades but also said that nothing substantial has come up. He says that the Salary Cap and Free Agency play a big role in trades being shot down. Which is why Ducks GM Brian Burke wants to convince other GM’s and the NHL to change the fact that teams cannot take a portion of a player’s salary when he is traded. To do this, the NHL would have to open CBA talks, something they most certainly won’t want to do.

Vancouver Canucks: Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province has hinted that the Canucks may pick up veteran defenceman Richard Matvichuk off waivers. But only if the Devils put him on re-entry waivers.

Eric Lindros: The Big E is supposed to announce his retirement today in a news conference in London, Ontario.

Well, that’s about it, it’s been a relatively slow week. Hopefully their will more next time.

Just a little side note, I do not think Eric Lindros deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. I know he did score a lot but he was barely ever healthy in his career and never reached any significant milestones. IE. win the Cup, score 500 Goals, net 1000 points, play 1000 games. Come on, he didn’t even play 80 games until his 9th NHL season and played 70+ games 4 times in 13 seasons. Some may say Lindros deserves to be in the Hall more so than someone like Cam Neely, well Neely scored 50 goals 3 times, including a 50-50 season in 93-94.