Nov 2 2009
An occasional round-up of NHL trade rumors from around the hockey world.
Alexander Frolov was benched by the L.A. Kings for a couple of games in October. he's also a restricted free agent at the end of this season. Makes you wonder if he has any future in L.A. But the Kings won't deal him now. If they wanted to trade him, they should wait until he hits a hot streak.
A report out of Montreal suggested the Canadiens would trade G Carey Price, possibly to Chicago. The rumor has been denied all around.
Anaheim checking forward Todd Marchant is said to be available to any team needing a veteran center. The Ducks are looking to make a move after a slow start.
Could the Ducks move goalie J.S. Giguere to Toronto? Anaheim could use the cap space and Toronto could use the goaltending. But the Leafs would likely have to give up a quality forward to make the deal.
Another team off to a slow start is Minnesota, which increases trade speculation surrounding back-up goalie Josh Harding.
Evgeni Nabokov has been shaky in San Jose. Eric Duhatschek at GlobeSports.com says the Sharks might be willing to take a chance on Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala if they can get him for next to nothing.
Martin Biron has had some good games in net for the Islanders, and could be a prime target for teams looking to shore up their goaltending later in the season. Detroit is an obvious candidate.
Oct. 11/09 -
Despite good starts from rookies Matt Gilroy and Michael Del Zotto, there are rumors that the Rangers are looking for veteran help on defense. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that F Chris Higgins, a free agent next summer, would be an attractive pick-up for contending teams.
The Blackhawks have to clear salary cap room to re-sign Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane next summer. Trading D Brian Campbell is the quickest fix, but it's unlikely any team will take on his huge contract.
Other names frequently mentioned as trade bait: D Cam Barker ($3.1 M cap hit) and F Patrick Sharp ($3.9 M cap hit).
More than a few contending teams will need to upgrade their goaltending this year. A likely source would be the Islanders, who signed veterans Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson last summer. But neither goalie looks great so far.
Will the Hurricanes trade for a top-six forward to fill in for the injured Erik Cole? GM Jim Rutherford says no.
Oct. 5/09 -
With D Andrei Markov out for at least three months, the Canadiens need defensive help from either the trade market or the free agent pool. Teams with an excess of defencemen include Washington, Vancouver, and Tampa Bay.
The Markov injury has inspired trade rumors in other NHL cities. The Denver Post reports that the Avalanche might be willing to move D Brett Clark, D Ruslan Salei (who was benched on opening night), D John-Michael Liles, or D Scott Hannan (who has a no-trade clause).
Goaltenders who could hit the trade market this season: Anaheim's J.S. Giguere, if Jonas Hiller solidifies his hold on the starting job, and Martin Biron of the Islanders, if Rick DiPietro can finally stay healthy.
BIron would have interest from more teams, as Giguere comes with a $6 million cap hit.
Sept. 17/09 -
Two of Detroit’s beloved grinders are nearing the end of the road. But F Kirk Maltby and F Kris Draper would look very attractive to teams in search of leadership, experience, and defence. The Red Wings have lost some scoring punch since last season, and might shop them if GM Ken Holland is looking for offence.
With Roberto Luongo signed to a lifetime contract, many believe Vancouver’s promising young goaltender, Cory Schneider is on the block. But the Canucks say he’s not going anywhere.
July 15/09 -
Kings D Jack Johnson is a restricted free agent, and until he has a new deal, there will be rumors of him shipping out of L.A.
Trade rumors will dog the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the coming season.
The Blackhawks have to clear cap space before the summer of 2010. That's when Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith are all due for new contracts with huge raises.
Possible trade candidates include F Patrick Sharp, F Dave Bolland and D Brent Seabrook.
July 6/09 -
Senators F Dany Heatley for Flames D Dion Phaneuf is the rumor circulating lately. Inevitable, perhaps, considering that Calgary's projected franchise defenseman was mediocre last season.
Hard to see Calgary making this trade, given Heatley's reputation as a defensive bystander and Phaneuf's long history with new coach Brent Sutter.
Or Heatley could end up in Edmonton, with a package including Oilers F Dustin Penner and a quality young player going to Ottawa.
The Oilers are reportedly also looking to move one of their offensive defenseman, and the most likely candidate is Sheldon Souray.
The rumor has Souray going to Los Angeles, where his kids and ex-wife live, for Kings D Jack Johnson. For a guy drafted as a grade A prospect, Johnson's name is surfacing in a lot of rumors lately.
June 28/09 -
Not a lot of new rumors circulating post-draft. Mostly just the usual names:
Lightning F Vincent Lecavalier to Montreal rumor appears to have gone cold, for now anyway.
Flyers still offering F Daniel Briere around. Montreal and L.A. mentioned as destinations.
F Simon Gagne also surfacing in rumors. Hard to see why the Flyers would part with such a well-rounded veteran.
Thrashers said to be offering goalies Kari Lehtonen and Ondrej Pavelec.
The D Tomas Kaberle for F Phil Kessell deal between Toronto and Boston is apparently dead.
No good offers for Ottawa F Dany Heatley during draft weekend. Interested teams? Rangers, Oilers, Blues, Wild, Kings, Blackhawks have all been mentioned.
Would San Jose move G Evgeni Nabokov if they could acquire Wild G Josh Harding?
Ottawa D Jason Smith and Alexandre Picard on offer, but little interest.
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