Hockey Trade Rumors

Lots of fireworks so far in the hockey world with big free agent signings, and many surprises. No time to review the new faces on the new jerseys. The train keeps rollin’ and so, who is left?First of all, thanks to the active HTR members who submitted news very quickly. While we thank the people who compliment our work on the web site, we also give credit to the ones who make this hockey place great!

Sometimes our updates get a bit slow due to the major traffic, which is good news to HTR.com! But, you stick around and we give you the latest updates from around the media asap, and you get to comment without waiting.

So, who is left in the market?

Jeff Friesen: (CALGARY) Has slowed down offensive production, but still remains valuable depth to any team.

Ruslan Salei: (FLORIDA) Solid defenseman, clears the crease, plays with an aggressive edge and comes with good playoff experience. Not many quality defensemen left, he could go as early as tomorrow morning.

Serge Aubin: Not a meaningful player, but not a bad addition to a team that wants a pest on the ice to draw penalties.

Peter Bondra: Yes, he is old but he was on a good scoring pace. If paired with skilled linemates, he can provide some needed scoring on any team in need to fill a gap.

Mike Dunham: Has diminished consistently, but may provide some decent back-up goaltending.

Ronald Petrovicky: (PITTSBURGH) Almost like Serge Aubin, but lost his edge. Doubt anyone would take him anytime soon.

Travis Green: In need of a 4th line center who is good on face offs? He’d probably come in extremely cheap.

Brad Isbister: Has not shown any sign of improvements. Would be a depth winger, but quite insignificant.

Brian Leetch: For a Cup run? He’s still running on the last few gallons he has left. He may reach for the Stars?

Marty Reasoner: (EDMONTON) Solid 3rd line center, good for depth.

Mike Grier: (SAN JOSE) The forwards have had a hard time signing so far. The off-season is dominant for defensemen so the price on quality wingers has not been set yet. Grier showed tons of quality this year, he’ll get a job very easily.

Mike LeClerc: Just a depth winger for a team in need of depth.

Mark Recchi: (PITTSBURGH) Any team should try to sign him for cheap and either use him for the playoffs or use him as trade bait for playoff teams.

Aaron Ward: (NYRANGERS) Solid, hard working defenseman. Good addition on any team.

Doug Weight: (ST. LOUIS) Still a valuable center.

Matt Barnaby: (DALLAS) Is probably wanting to get his name back on the news as Chicago was a mistake for his career after a rebirth with the Rangers. Still an agitator and a yapper who can play hockey.

Eric Daze: I mentioned him before. I still think he deserves a chance. He may go for a contract similar to Jason Allison’s from last year. He is not physical, but his career is solid and I’d be one to give him a new fresh start.

Jan Hrdina: Still excellent on face offs and if he finds chemistry with wingers, he could put up decent numbers. Not bad for depth.

Trevor Letwoski: (CAROLINA) A very good penalty killer to have.

Radoslav Suchy: Not a bad option for a team in desperate need of a 3rd pair guy on D.

Jason Arnott: (NASHVILLE) Still a question where he could go. Montreal is heavily rumored and maybe the Rangers as well, although Slats dumped him as an Oiler. I think Arnott is overrated this year as a UFA because of the lack of quality UFA forwards, so that’s what makes him so valuable. He is a solid 2nd line forward fit to play on any team. He should be signing papers by tomorrow afternoon.

Bill Guerin: (ST. LOUIS) Many players have bad seasons, and he had one as a Star. Still a good skating forward for his size with the ability to net 25-30 g’s. I think he is a worthwhile winger to get. Pittsburgh may show some interest as they could use a winger with their young talented centers.

Manny Legace: Gerber out, Grahame out, Lalime out. Surprising, is it not? Florida and St. Louis are possibilities. I know he is overrated as he played for the top NHL team, but he is a good goalie nonetheless. As a starter? No, but any team that can have goalies sharing duties could use him.

Brendan Shanahan: (NYRANGERS) I actually think this guy will get a lot of interest from other teams. He is an oldie, but any team with an excellent playmaker will want to sign him.

Radek Dvorak: No longer a scoring threat, but his speed is very valuable. Should stick on the West coast. Maybe the Islanders will show interest from the East.

Mike Peca: (TORONTO) Quality center overall, a leader… with the Canes losing Cullen and possibly Weight, Peca could gain their interest. He showed a lot of value in the post-season this year.

Sergei Samsonov: (MONTREAL) A bit of a gamble with his injury issues, but a flashy winger who will most likely set the market price for forwards, moreso than Elias. He may be waiting for a guy like Arnott to sign to see where his asking price can be marketable. He’s an easy choice to make.

Jeremy Roenick: (PHOENIX) Well, it has to be a Canadian team, apparently. JR is a great character, great attitude….definitely what the Flyers lacked this year. He wants to prove something and he will prove it. He has the attitude to do it, so….for cheap…he’ll be a bargain.

Jan Bulis: (VANCOUVER) Definitely not a bad depth player to have on your roster. Could be looked at as a less talented Martin Rucinsky.

Todd Simpson: He is enjoying the high prices set on defensemen so far. He won’t come in as expensive, but he’ll get a nice million dollar deal. Solid for depth purposes.

Ken Klee: (COLORADO) Same as Simpson.

Viktor Kozlov: He wasn’t able to flourish his offense with the Devils, but he is a good playmaking 2nd line center with size and strength. Teams that are in need of a player to center skilled wingers must take a look at this guy. I’ve been watching this guy as a Panther and a Devil, he can bring more than expected to a team.

Erik Rasmussen: Showed his worth as a Devil. Plays hard, physical…solid 4th liner with grit.

Mark Eaton: (PITTSBURGH) Good defenseman who does the job quietly.

Danny Markov: (DETROIT) I always have a blast watching this guy play. I just wish he’d be healthier. Definitely a solid defenseman with grit, good skating skills and brings a good attitude on the blueline. He’ll be quick to go.

Yanic Perreault: I thought he was deserving of a contract extension. He came in Nashville and exploded. Excellent on face offs and can still net a few good ones.

Mike Sillinger: (NYISLANDERS) This oldie exploded with offense. Good vet player to have, but not to fight over with.

Brendan Witt: (NYISLANDERS) I was sure he was going to be a Canuck. Definitely would choose him over Willie Mitchell. But, he may be asking for a lot of money too. Probably the last best defenseman available on the market. Maybe he was smart not to sign yet after all.

Tom Poti: (NYISLANDERS) Showed a lot of improvements defensively. I wouldn’t call him a bad pick up for any team.

Steve Rucchin: (ATLANTA) Still a valuable forward when healthy and it showed when he was out of the line up. A hard worker, wants to do what’s best for the team…good all-round player. Better fit as a 3rd liner, but he can fill in a 2nd line pretty well if needed.

Martin Rucinsky: If he could ever stay healthy. Excellent season with over a point a game. Solid two-way winger. He definitely wants a 2-year deal, which is what is giving the Rangers problem to re-sign him. He earned my respect, he plays good hockey.

Marty Straka: (NYRANGERS) When his wheels spun, he was all over the place. A very good center to still get for any team. Hope to see him back as a Ranger.

Petr Sykora: Very valuable on shootouts. Took a while to get in scoring shape. He’s one of the better wingers available, excellent shot. Speculation has it that he could go where Arnott goes.

Dominik Hasek: Just retire already.

Vaclav Varada: Seemed pretty useless to me.

Donald Brashear: (WASHINGTON) Go join Peter Worrell with the Charolotte Checkers of the ECHL.

Oleg Kvasha: No more potential to be a scoring winger, but gives solid depth with his size and very good skating and speed.

Alyn McCauley: (LOS ANGELES) Anyone looking for a potential playoff hero needs to look at this guy. I’d like to see the Leafs get him back.

Petr Cajanek: (ST. LOUIS) Not much to do with his numbers, but not a bad player either. With a good team where he goes unnoticed, not a bad pick up.

Jason Allison: Similar case with Eric Daze as he is risky to get. He posted good numbers as a Leaf and all I read was complaints about his play. Blah blah. Allison is going to have a good season, if healthy. Skilled, big… he’s worth a shot.

Eddie Belfour: (FLORIDA) I said this guy should have been bought out last year! I think he is near done. Only if a team has a good young goalie, or a solid back up goalie like Markkanen or Auld, then he’d be useful.

Eric Lindros: (DALLAS) He may have lost his offensive dominance, and he is another injury prone risk, but I’d take him any day.

Anson Carter: He is waiting to see the market price on good wingers. He should not be overpaid, so no rush to sign him. He is sought after, but either he finds chemistry or he finds himself useless.

Jarkko Ruutu: (PITTSBURGH) Why not? I can’t stand him sometimes, but that’s why I’d take him.

Jeff Halpern: (DALLAS) Probably on no one’s radar, at least….from the media. A heart and soul player….gives it his all. He’s one of my favorite guys this off-season.

Jaroslav Spacek: (BUFFALO) One of the few good defencemen left. Plays a good defensive game and showed last year he has a wicked shot and can play on the PP. Should receive many offers.

Valeri Bure: Suffered from a back injury and did not even play for the Kings last year. Just like Daze or Allison, a team could take a chance on the pocket rocket as he still have an upside when healthy.

Teppo Numminen: (BUFFALO) Rumored to be back in Buffalo, but had another heart surgery this summer. Is a gamble but extremely reliable when healthy.

Brian Boucher: Quality goaltender but very streaky. Can still be a good backup at an affordable price.

Shean Donovan: (BOSTON) Gritty forward who plays with heart and passion. Solid 3rd or 4th line player who’ll come in cheap.

Cory Cross: Once was the most hated player in Toronto, showed he could use his size and be a solid depth player to any good team.

Dick Tarnstrom: Offensive d-men that did well in the playoffs when asked to play for the Oilers. Showed he could stand his ground defensively and still can quaterback a team’s PP.

Georges Laraque: (PHOENIX) Don’t fight so much anymore due to his hands condition, became pretty much useless in the ”New NHL”. Plays with heart though and won’t ask for much money.

Joel Bouchard: (NYISLANDERS) One very unlucky defensemen that won the Masterton trophy in 2001, Bouchard suffered from meningitis and almost die. Was considered one of the best skater in the league before that, Bouchard managed to come back in the league. Played for the Isles last year but suffered from an injury at the start of the season. The Habs could show some interest.

Mike Morrison: (PHOENIX) 26 year old goalie that showed some great things with the Oilers last year. Why two teams gave up on this guy is beyond me.

Eric Desjardins: Rumored to be retiring. Might just happen.

Geoff Sanderson: (PHILADELPHIA) Rumored to stay with Phoenix, could receive interest form a bunch of teams as he still is a very good skater.

Dean McAmmond: Was 2 minutes short of joining the Oilers at the deadline last year, could’ve been a great asset to their cup run. Great skater and hard worker. Should be considered as a decent 2nd liner or very good 3rd liner.

Scott Young: Going for his last contract? Still a decent skater with a powerful shot. Could be useful on a solid team as a depth player.

Richard Park: Smooth skater that goes under the radar. Could be useful to a basement team looking to fill roster spot with veterans.

That’s it for the most noticeable players left on the market. Not such a great list, but interesting nonetheless.

Stay tuned! The madness continues.