Hockey Trade Rumors

From Peter Forsberg to Sergei Samsonov. A list of available players including speculated destinations and interested teams, wages, contract status’ and my own thoughts. A good collection of rumors around the league from various sources. Take a look at who your team is rumored to be pitching for.1. Peter Forsberg C (PHI) Salary: 5.75M Rumored Teams: Anaheim, Montreal, Detroit, New York Rangers, Toronto, Vancouver, Colorado, Nashville, Atlanta, San Jose, and Carolina.
IMO: It’s unlikely that Toronto, Montreal, Carolina and Atlanta will have a shot at Foppa. I could see the Avs, Ducks, Sharks, and Wings having the best chance at landing him as a rental player throughout the playoffs, unless Forsberg is not interested in sticking around while the Flyers enter their rebuilding years. His foot injury will also be a set-back for any possible buyer. My Pick; if traded: Avalanche.

2. Todd Bertuzzi LW (FLA) Salary: 5.26M Rumored Teams: Toronto and Phoenix.
IMO: Although rumored to sign with the Maple Leafs this upcoming summer, Bertuzzi’s long time friend from his years in Vancouver, Jovanovski, had signed a lengthy contract to remain in Phoenix, and it is expected that Bertuzzi will sign with the Yotes this summer. That being said, I’m sure the Panthers organization does not want to be embarrassed in the Luongo deal, even if they already have been, and will surely send the big left winger to contender in return for some good prospects or picks. Although not rumored, I could see Bert pack his playoff bags and head for Detroit Rock City.

3. Ladislav Nagy LW (PHX) Salary: 3.00M Rumored Teams: Montreal, New York Rangers, Toronto.
IMO: I’m not too sure why Toronto is rumored to be in the running for this young bud. It is speculated that he is not willing to return to the Yotes next summer, which would lead the organization to shop the forward. After seeking “Briere” money last summer with the arbitration hearing, Nagy seems to be upset over his current contract status, and with the Yotes not willing to overpay for his inconsistency, it seems the two have met a road block, with Nagy likely to be dealt at the deadline. If traded, I could see him headed to the Rangers. New York likes the European type of play and he could fit in well in the Big Apple.

4. Shane Doan RW (PHX) Salary: 3.38M Rumored Teams: Detroit.
IMO: According to TFP, despite the Yotes offering him a contract extension, the rumors continue to pop up that the Red Wings are interested in acquiring Doan due to the possible loss of Robert Lang this summer. I just don’t see Doan moving at all this summer. I’d expect him to sign his contract extension with the Yotes. It’s hard to let your captain go.

5. Keith Tkachuk LW (STL) Salary: 3.80M Rumored Teams: Dallas, NY Rangers, Carolina.
IMO: It would be hard to see Tkachuk get dealt to a Western Conference team, much like the rumors of Doan heading to Detroit, but I could see him get shipped to the ‘Canes based on last years deal between the two clubs for Doug Weight. That being said, the Canes gave up way to much last year for Weight’s services, which evidently paid off with a championship, and may not be willing to move any more prospects for an aging winger. Rangers, however, are believed to have discontinued their pursuit of Forsberg, and have turned their attention to Keith, so if traded, that’s where I could see Tkachuk headed.

6. Brad Stewart D (BOS) Salary: 2.40M Rumored Teams: Edmonton, Carolina, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Vancouver and Calgary.
IMO: Boston needs to resign this kid. At only 27 years of age, and with the Bruins having a tough time finding a new contract for him, Boston would have to get some return for him by the deadline if no deal is in place in order to at least have something to show for the Thornton trade. I could see the Bruins fall into a bit of a disaster zone and offer him up more cash than what he is worth just to save a bit of face in the Thornton deal to San Jose. If traded: Vancouver could add more depth to their blue line if the likes of Mitchell goes down again before their playoff push.

7. Bill Guerin RW (STL) Salary: 2.00M Rumored Teams: NY Islanders, Vancouver
IMO: I recently did a little prediction rubric on here thanks to a post from another HTR regular, and I stated that Guerin would be the first “big name” type players to be moves, however, I did not see either of these teams being interested in the big and fast winger. That being said, he is set to be a UFA this summer and could provide the Blues with a decent prospect or pick in the upcoming draft, which is believed to be stocked with a deep core of great prospects compared previous years. If traded: Based on the two teams selected, I could see the Islanders making a push for him in order to offset a trade from the Rangers for Tkachuk.

8. Adrian Aucoin D (CHI) Salary: 4.00M Rumored Teams: Montreal.
IMO: After a bit of a bust in Niinimaa, it looks like the Canadians are looking for a bit more blue line depth in order to keep a bit of pressure off of Sheldon Souray, who is having a great campaign this season. The Blackhwaks would love to move Aucoin, but his hefty contract for a mediocre performance could be too much for salary-capped teams to take a chance on. Expect him to remain a Blackhawk.

9. Mats Sundin C (TOR) Salary: 7.60M  Rumored Teams: Anaheim, Calgary, Nashville.
IMO: This is a bit of a two-sided affair. On one side, you have a streaking Buds who are no doubt playing playoff hockey as we speak in order to make the playoffs in April, but on the other hand, the Leafs are known to streak all season long, whether with wins or losses. When it comes down to it, it could be just too little too late for the Leafs, much along the lines of last season and we could see the Buds stand relatively still at the deadline, while finishing just outside the playoffs and drafting around the 12 to 16th pick once again. In all reality, this is Ferguson’s opportunity to prove what he can really do for this team. I personally believe it’s time for the Leafs to rebuild and send try to get something back for the captain, but if this would be done, it would be a prospect, a high draft choice and a conditional pick coming back to Toronto based on the acquired teams choice to pick up the option year on the Big Swedes contract. If not, expect Sundin to get his playoff push and resign with the Maple Leafs this summer. It was also rumored earlier that the Leafs were trying to find a way to get rid of the option year on his contract and sign him to less money, this could be the only way for the Leafs to do so. If traded: Ducks.

10. Eric Brewer D (STL) Salary: 2.01M Rumored Teams: Edmonton, Atlanta, Boston, Carolina, Nashville.

IMO: All I really need to say here is I see him landing back in Edmonton, much along the Craig Conroy trade. Both players play great in Calgary and Edmonton and I could see Kevin Lowe bringing the Canadian back to Canada.

11. Darcy Tucker LW (TOR) Salary: 1.59M Rumored Teams: Calgary, Edmonton, Dallas, San Jose.

IMO: It is believed that if he is traded, it will most definitely be to a Western
Conference team in order to stay away from playing the Leafs again this season, and also because the West is much grittier than the East and it would fit Tucker well. Tucker has spoken time and time again that he wants to remain a Leaf, and due to his recent injury, it is thought that he could sign for less than expected. It is no longer the 3.5 to 4.5M contract negotiations, but more along the lines of 3 to 3.5M max over three years. Teams are highly interested in him as long as he remains unsigned by the Maple Leafs due to his attitude on the ice. Tucker is a heart and soul player, and is perfect playoff rental for prospects. My take: Calgary alongside Iginla.

12. Craig Conroy C (LA) —Traded to Calgary Jan.29—
Nice to see Conroy go back home.

13. Gary Roberts LW (FLA) Salary: 2.25 Rumored Teams: Toronto, Dallas.

IMO: Don’t expect Roberts to sign long term anywhere. He’ll return to Florida next season if he’s even traded at all. He is currently building his retirement home in Florida as we speak, where he’ll become a snowbird (Canadians who live in Florida). That being said, I could see him head back to Toronto if the Leafs are in playoff contention. I don’t think the Maple Leafs should go after him, but it’s just a typical move I could see happen if Fergusson is shopping for a player and can’t find anyone younger and more long term.

14. Bryan Smolinski C (CHI) Salary: 1.52M Rumored Teams: Montreal, Atlanta, Anaheim, NY Islanders, Carolina.

IMO: According to TFP, many scouts have been at the past few Hawks games, and Smolinski is practically guaranteed to be dealt by the deadline. I have a gut feeling the Islanders are going to make a pitch for him.

15. Nick Boynton D (PHX) Salary: 2.95M Rumored Teams: San Jose, Nashville.

IMO: I’m not really sure why either team would be interested in his services. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was dealt, but just not to them. It is believed the Yotes will have a fire sale if they fall out of playoff contention, and Boynton is attracting a few teams. If traded: No idea. I think this could be one of those last minute deals at the deadline and an unsuspected team steps in to pick him up.

16. Martin Rucinsky RW (STL) Salary: 1.75M Rumored Teams: NY Rangers.

IMO: He played very well with Jagr, mind you, who doesn’t? It’s hard to believe the Rangers are after the entire St. Louis Blues first line, lol, however I could see Rucinsky make his way back to the Big Apple as well. It is rumored the Rangers would want to send Kaspiritis the other way in any deal they might make, and the Blues could accept Kaspiritis’ contract as long as the Rangers deal a prospect in return.

17. Marco Sturm LW (BOS) Salary: 2.10M Rumored Teams: None.

IMO: This is another one of those “what if” players the Bruins might try to move if a contract is not in place. Once again, the Bruins are in a bit of a rut when it comes to showing what they got in return for Thornton. There are rumors that do state this off-season Sturm will return to the Sharks thanks to another salary-cap increase possibility. How funny would that be?

18. Aaron Miller D (LA) Salary; 2.28M Rumored Teams: Atlanta, Nashville.

IMO: A veteran at 35, with leadership qualities could be a rental player for any team looking for defensive depth. Seeing as Atlanta is an Eastern Conference team with lots of prospects and picks available to trade to bolster their blue line, I could see Miller finish up the season in Atlanta, if not sign an extension with the club once he arrives.

19. Jason Blake C (NYI) Salary: 1.55M Rumored Teams: None.

IMO:  TFP claims there is interest in the quick-handed center man, but I really don’t see him moving at all, especially with the Islanders on the verge of making the playoffs this season.

20. Jozef Stumpel C (FLA) Salary: 1.75M Rumored Teams: Atlanta.

IMO: I think the closer we get to the deadline, there more teams will begin to jump on this possible acquisition. At 34 years old, he still has some flare left in him to provide additional offense to any team.

21. Joe Corvo D (OTT) Salary: 2.50M Rumored Teams: Edmonton.

IMO: Apparently there are reports out of Ottawa that claims the team would like to swap him with another defensemen, but I really can’t see this guy moving. He plays way too well under the Senators roster and was an impact player while Redden was injured.  My take: He’ll remain a Sen.

22. Richard Zednik LW (WAS) Salary: 1.97M Rumored Teams: None.

IMO: Zednik could be a “Samsonov” type acquisition along the lines of Edmonton’s risk to add some offense, however, I believe Zednik might be a little less risky. He could add offensive help to the second line power play unit for a stretching club.

23. Ryan Malone RW (PIT) Salary: 1.30M Rumored Teams: NY Rangers.

IMO: The Rangers are going to shop for everyone. OR maybe they just wanted to see what it would take to acquire players this season and their inquiries are becoming public. They were rumored to be after Malone last season as well, offering up the likes of Prucha. I would expect Malone to once again remain a Penguin.

24. Petr Prucha C (NYR) Salary: 550K Rumored Teams: Pittsburgh, St. Louis.

IMO: This is just too clear to even be classified as a rumor and I’ll tell you why. If NY makes a deal with either team, Penguins or Blues, which TFP has reported they are interested in specific players from each team, then it would be evident that a rumored player available “Prucha” would be sent the other way. I think at 24, Prucha has a tremendous upside, and not enough space to prove it on the Rangers current roster, so it is possible that pending a trade between the Rangers and either team, Prucha will be packaged.  He would get more ice time on either team than he would remaining in NY. That being said, he could be a player that haunts the Rangers later on if traded.

25. Sergei Samsonov LW (MTL) Salary: 3.52M Rumored Teams: Chicago, Philedelphia.

IMO: Although he has fallen off the horse a bit, I think he is actually playing to his best performance. It proves he was only playing above himself because he was paired with Thornton, much along the lines of Cheechoo now. Samsonov won the Calder trophy ahead of Thornton when they both arrived in the same year, and after Thornton left, Samsonov has been shipped to the Oils and Canadians, in both places not finding his groove. The Canadians could be shopping him for picks and drop his salary off their payroll.

Additional Rumors: Gerber to Tampa, Sanderson to Vancouver, Zherdev to Montreal, Avery to Tampa, Stuart to Ottawa, Zhitnk to San Jose, Horton wants out of Florida.

Rumored Players on the Block:

Avery, Carter, Dupuis, Gratton, Lapointe, Modin, Morrison, Prospal, Sanderson, Cullimore, Hutchison, Morris, Niinimaa, Ta
nabe, Van Ryn, Aebischer, Theodore. 

Feel free to comment or criticize, I just gave my own thoughts on the possible trades, my information came from the following sites:

Mike