Jul 6 2009
The most recent rumors are entered on the first page of this article.
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.
February 10/09 -
As the Ducks struggle, rumors surrounding D Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer grow louder.
If the Ducks fall out of playoff contention – a big if – they might consider moving either man, along with a couple of depth forwards.
Philadelphia might be looking for a player like Pronger. But the Flyers have to clear cap space. Would the Ducks be interested in F Scotty Upshall, Mike Knuble, or Joffrey Lupul? Not likely. It will take a package of blue chip prospects to lure Pronger.
The word is that only three Ducks are untouchable: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan.
Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has suggested that F Nik Antropov’s future is not in Toronto. Eric Duhatschek at GlobeandMail.com says Pittsburgh, badly shrot on top-six forwards, is the ideal destination.
The team is reportedly waiting for D Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina to provide their choice of teams they are willing to move to. Both are protected by no-trade clauses.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post says every Leaf is available except Luke Schenn, Mikhail Grabovski and John Mitchell.
The slumping Canadiens have to do something. The team needs a centerman to replace the injured Robert Lang, and possibly a defensive forward and offensive defenseman.
Might the Penguins be interested in Montreal F Alexei Kovalev as a winger for Sidney Crosby? Several websites report the team is willing to move D Ryan Whitney.
Also slumping badly are the Rangers. Right now all the talk surrounds a possible return of F Sean Avery from Dallas via the waiver wire. But they need more than Avery.
The Islanders are expected to move F Doug Weight as a rental. The Canadiens, Blackhawks and Panthers are among those with a hole down the middle. But Weight won’t command much more than a mid-round draft pick.
Also of interest to teams seeking help at center: F Radek Bonk is considered the Predator most likely to be dealt. But Tennessean.com says plenty of Nashville players could be on the move if the playoff race is over by the deadline, including D Greg de Vries, as well as F Vernon Fiddler, Scott Nichol, Steve Sullivan and Greg Zanon. All are free agents this summer.
The playoff race has thrown one hotly anticipated blockbuster into doubt. With the Florida Panthers in the thick of the Eastern Conference standings, they might hang on to D Jay Bouwmeester even if they can’t sign him to a long-term contract.
Bouwmeester is a free agent this summer, and looks almost certain to move on. Whether to keep him for a playoff run and let him walk in July is the huge decision facing Florida management.
The Flyers are often mentioned as a destination for Bouwmeester. But they can’t make any significant moves without clearing significant cap space.
Even John Davidson, who runs the Blues, admits that St. Louis F Keith Tkachuk is an ideal deadline trade candidate. Rumored destinations include Chicago, Boston, the Rangers, Montreal, or Columbus.
The Oilers are on a bad slide since the All Star break, and might be ready to give up on the season. F Erik Cole is rumored to be headed to Boston.
Rumors persist that Florida is ready to trade power forward Nathan Horton for a centerman. Pittsburgh is an ideal fit. Horton would command a player/prospect package.
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