Nov 2 2009
The most recent rumors are entered on the first page of this article.
June 25/09 -
The Wild could be moving young G Josh Harding, with St. Louis, Philadelphia, Edmonton, Detroit and San Jose mentioned a possible destinations.
Reports suggest Panthers D Jay Bouwmeester won't negotiate with teams before the free agency market opens on July 1. If that's true, there is no value in trading for his rights before then.
A Toronto report says the no-trade clauses of D Pavel Kubina and D Tomas Kaberle do not apply between the NHL Draft and July 1.
One potential deal: Kaberle, a 1st-round pick (#7 overall), and 2nd-round pick to Tampa Bay for F Ryan Malone and a 1st-round pick. Sounds to good to be true for Leafs fans.
The Blue Jackets have denied a rumor that they will trade D Kris Russell for Ottawa G Alex Auld.
Latest Dany Heatley rumors:
The Kings have offered (or have been asked for) one or two players from F Alex Frolov, D Jack Johnson, and F Jarret Stoll, plus a late draft pick.
The Wild are in the mix with some combination that would include two or three of F James Sheppard, F Eric Belanger, F Cal Clutterbuck, F Derek Boogaard, D Tyler Cuma and D Marek Zidlicky.
Ottawa could package Heatley with some combination of D Jason Smith, D Alexandre Picard, G Alex Auld and F Chris Kelly.
There is talk that Boston could move F Marc Savard, who has a no-trade clause.
It looks like the Wild will lose star F Marian Gaborik as a free agent, making Minnesote one team that could be in the running for Kessel.
The San Jose Sharks are said to be close to making a deal. Curiously, the most popular Shark in current trade rumors is F Ryane Clowe.
The Leafs are reportedly pursuing Bruins F Peter Schaefer, who spent most of last season in the minors, and Rangers D Wade Redden, whose expensive six-year contract was presumed to be untradeable.
The Atlanta Thrashers won't be trading F Ilya Kovalchuk. Not yet, at least. He's unrestricted next summer.
June 21/09-
The most often cited destinations for Ottawa F Dany Heatley are Western Conference teams. Maybe Anaheim, L.A., or Minnesota. Possibly Vancouver if the Sedin brother sleave as free agents. Heatley is due a $4 million bonus on July 1, so Ottawa will be trying to trade him before then.
Would the Rangers package F Niklolai Zherdev and D Michal Rozsival for Heatley?
Wild G Josh Harding says he wants to be a starting goaltender. That won't happen in Minnesota, where Niklas Backstrom has a new contract. Harding is considered an excellent young goalie with number-one potential.
One rumor that sounds implausible: Harding and Wild D Marek Zidlicky to Toronto for Leafs D Tomas Kaberle.
The Los Angeles Kings and Montreal Canadiens will come up in plenty of trade rumors because they go into the off-season with plenty of salary cap space.
Flyers F Daniel Briere to Los Angeles is a popular rumor, and Tampa Bay F Vincent Lecavalier to Montreal is a long-standing rumor that refuses to go away.
If Philadelphia can't deal Briere, there's speculation the team will move F Simon Gagne. Gagne makes less money on a shorter contract, and brings good defensive skills as well.
March 1/09 -
A Boston-Anaheim rumor: F Phl Kessell for D Chris Pronger, with Bruins adding another piece to complete the deal.
Ducks F Todd Marchant and F Rob Niedermayer are UFAs this summer, and available as rentals.
Devils G Scott Clemmensen carried the team for 50 games, only to be shipped to the minors when Martin Brodeur returned from injury. A team with goaltending issues, like Detroit and Philadelphia, would surely make inquires.
Detroit GM Ken Holland insists he will not trade for a goalie.
It's anybody's guess whether Minnesota deals G Niklas Backstrom and hands the job to Josh Harding. Backstrom is without a contract after this season.
Colorado needs a goaltender and prospects. F Ryan Smyth and F Darcy Tucker are candidates to be moved, though Smyth has a big contract and no-trade clause. Others available include F Marek Svatos, F Tyler Arnason, and F Ian Laperierre, all UFAs this summer.
Edmonton and Pittsburgh are frequently named as possible homes for Montreal F Alexei Kovalev.
The Coyotes decline means players like D Derek Morris and even F Olli Jokinen might be available. Many believe the financially strapped Coyotes are ready to dump contracts.
The Lightning are surely taking offers for aging forwards like F Gary Roberts, F Mark Recchi and D Marek Malik.
The Blackhawks need a center and the Sabres need a goalie. So F Tim Connolly for G Nikolai Khabibulin might make sense. So far, Chicago seems content to keep both its goatenders, even though Khabibulin is a UFA at the end of the season.
For what it's worth, word from Anaheim is that Chris Pronger's house is up for sale. If Scott Niedermayer commits to return next season, Pronger is expected to be made available. But the Ducks might hold out until the off-season.
If Niedermayer intends to retire this summer, he could be traded at the deadline, with New Jersey a rumored destination.
The Thrashers most likely to be dealt are F Colby Armstrong, D Niclas Havelid, F Marty Reasoner, and G Kari Lehtonen. A Lehtonen-to-Philadelphia trade reportedly fell through recently.
Islanders F Bill Guerin has reportedly waived his no-trade clause.
With Florida in the middle of the playoff race, the team will probably demand a good NHL defenseman as part of any D Jay Bouwmeester package, along with a combination of prospects and draft picks.
Ottawa D Filip Kuba and F Chris Neil are free agents this summer, and can be had for draft picks.
The consensus is that a blockbuster trade involving a top player on a long-term contract - like Ottawa F Jason Spezza or Tampa F Vincent Lecavalier - is almost impossible to complete at this time of year. Such trades are more likely in the off-season.
Next Page: More NHL Trade Rumors
