Hockey Trade Rumors

Donald Brashear unhappy about role

Donald Brashear unhappy about role

ANDREW GROSS

Donald Brashear was a healthy scratch for the sixth straight game Wednesday and the 11th time in the last 12 games. The underused enforcer believes the inactivity is due to his requesting a trade.

“It just shows me they don’t believe in me,” Brashear told The Record. “I ask for a trade, that’s more likely why I’m not playing any games. Usually, when you ask for a trade, they don’t play you.”

Brashear, 38, who serves as his own agent, signed a two-year deal worth $2.8 million after spending the past three seasons with the Capitals. Brashear, who has played in 36 games this season with one assist and 73 penalty minutes, is on pace for his fewest games since dressing for 20 with the Canadiens in 1994-95, when he split the season between Montreal and Fredericton (AHL).

“When I talked to [coach John Tortorella] this summer, he was telling me he was going to play me in different situations,” Brashear said. “I came here in shape ready to play. I thought I had a good camp. You think, why sign me for two years if you’re not game to use me?”

The Rangers courted Brashear after former enforcer Colton Orr signed a four-year, $4 million deal with the Maple Leafs.

“At the same time, I don’t really understand what they expect,” said Brashear, who injured his hand early in the season and recently had a hamstring issue. “Do they want a showman like they had in Orr or do they want a guy that can play and fight?”

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/84087392_Brashear_unhappy_about_role.html

Marty Turco talks

Mike Heika/Reporter

Some interesting stuff:

I asked him about the situation, and he said he has talked to Joe Nieuwendyk and understands what is going on. He said he wants to continue to play well and help the Stars win games.

“I don’t have any qualms or problems. You put yourself in Joe’s shoes, and that’s it. Then you just focus on your job and that’s all you can do.”

When asked if he knew of any trade talk, he said he did not, and that he was moving forward as if he would not be traded.

“A lot of people know how I feel and where my heart is, and if I keep playing like I’m playing now, then I’ll be OK and I’ll look back at everything and have a great big smile on my face…And I still look forward to having a smile on my face by winning a Stanley Cup here in Dallas (this year).”

I asked him about his experience in 2002 when Ed Belfour did not get a contract extension, and Turco had to suffer the wrath of the No. 1 goalie who was none too pleased with a backup wanting his job. He said he was proud that he dealt with the situation well and emerged as the No. 1 goalie. He said he always holds Belfour up highly for his intensity and play.

“It was a rough year. We had the coaching change, and he had his issues. But you learn from it. It was a defining moment in my career, because I felt I met a strong challenge and played well.”

Turco will start in net against Calgary Thursday and said it’s a huge game. The Flames are in eighth place (the final playoff spot) with 67 points. The Stars are in 10th place with 64. If they win that game in regulation, they are one point out of a playoff spot.

http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/marty-turco-talks.html


Bye, Marty Turco? Possible after Stars’ trade for goalie

MIKE HEIKA / The Dallas Morning News

Marty Turco punched diligently at his cellphone Wednesday, checking for updates.

That’s what happens when your team just acquired a goalie of the future, when you’re an unrestricted free agent in the summer, and when the NHL trade deadline is March 3.

“Haven’t heard a word,” Turco said with a slight smile, “But you never know.”

The man who holds pretty much every Stars franchise goaltending record during the regular season, and is scheduled to play his 498th NHL game today against the Flames, is trying to take in stride the news that the Stars acquired goalie Kari Lehtonen from Atlanta in a trade Tuesday. Lehtonen has battled injuries, but he is 26 and a former second overall pick in the 2002 draft – which reduces the chances of Turco re-signing with the Stars in the summer.

Now the question is whether Turco might be traded as first-year general manager Joe Nieuwendyk tries to shape the roster for now and for the future. Turco said he has no idea what might happen next, and that he will try to put that out of his mind while hoping to get the Stars in position to challenge for a playoff spot.

“I don’t have any qualms or problems. You put yourself in Joe’s shoes, and that’s it. Then you just focus on your job, and that’s all you can do,” Turco said. “A lot of people know how I feel and where my heart is, and if I keep playing like I’m playing now, then I’ll be OK and look back at everything and have a great big smile on my face.”

Lehtonen had two back surgeries in the off-season and has yet to play an NHL game this year. He is not scheduled to play in the next two games and will become a part of the Stars’ goaltending situation when the team returns from the Olympic break March 1.

“It’s been good,” Lehtonen said of his work to rehab the back. “The last few weeks have been great, and I didn’t have any issues when I went on my conditioning stint in the minors. I had no issues with my back, so that made me very happy. It’s a relief that it finally feels good.”

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/021110dnspostarslede.3eed965.html

Carter on standby for Olympics thanks to Duck

Jeff Carter received a phone call yesterday very similar to the one teammates Mike Richards and Chris Pronger received from Team Canada on Dec. 30.

He was told to pack his bags and fly to Vancouver on Sunday, after the Flyers finish their pre-Olympic schedule in Montreal on Saturday night.

The only difference is that Carter doesn’t know if he will be needed just yet.

Carter was phoned by Team Canada general manager Steve Yzerman to notify him that he will be added to the roster if Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf is unable to play.

Getzlaf sustained an ankle injury Monday. For now, Getzlaf and the Ducks are calling it an ankle sprain and not a high ankle sprain – which means it could be a quicker recovery.

“The test showed no significant ligament or muscle tears, and Getzlaf is day-to-day,” the Ducks’ statement said.

Final rosters are due Monday upon each team’s arrival at the Olympic Village. Once players are moved into the Village on Monday, changes cannot be made – regardless of injuries during the tournament.

Getzlaf is planning to test the ankle in the Ducks’ final two games this weekend, lessening Carter’s chances of being added to the roster.

“All signs are pointing to things progressing to the way we want it to,” Getzlaf said. “We have our fingers crossed and hopefully things will keep going the same way and we don’t have any setbacks.”

Carter likely will not know his fate until Sunday in Vancouver. Yzerman said he will monitor Getzlaf’s injury daily until then.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20100211_Carter_on_standby_fo
r_Olympics_thanks_to_Duck.html

Hurricanes GM Rutherford expects to trade Cullen first, then Whitney

Just because the Carolina Hurricanes have started winning more often than not in recent weeks, don’t expect the team’s front office to stop talking to other clubs about moving some players.

President and General Manager Jim Rutherford says he expects to trade Matt Cullen before the Olympic roster freeze, which runs Feb. 12-28, and Ray Whitney after the break but before the March 3 trade deadline.

“They are unrestricted free agents at the end of the year so come July, we may make a run for them to come back,” Rutherford says. “But for now, with Scott Walker, Chad LaRose and Eric Cole ready to come in and contribute, I believe we will be OK.”

The three forwards have been hurt for a while and are expected to return to the lineup as early as this week.

With defenseman Nick Wallin gone, and with the imminent departure of Cullen and Whitney, the team could shave as much as $2 million from its payroll starting next year.

Rutherford also said that for the Hurricanes to start looking at the standings and get excited, the team must bring the point difference between the eighth spot in the conference (last spot to qualify for the playoffs) and Carolina to single-digits. The Canes headed into play Wednesday night behind by 10 points for the eighth and final spot. “Obviously, we have to win the final two games (against the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils) before the Olympic break.”

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2010/02/08/daily35.html