The most recent rumors are entered on the first page of this article.
Jan. 14/09 -
Vincent Lecavalier to Montreal is a rumor that will not die.
A Lecavalier trade would blow what little credibility the new Tampa Bay owners have left. But despite his 11-year contract extension and his status as face of the franchise, the deal could happen, according to TSN analyst Bob McKenzie.
McKenzie says Lecavalier is disillusioned and possibly ready to consider a move, while Lightning management is at least listening to offers for any player on the roster.
According to McKenzie, a deal to Montreal could see F Tomas Plekanec, F Chris Higgins, D Josh Gorges, D prospect P.K. Suban and a package of draft picks headed to Tampa. That doesn't sound like enough to win the bidding war that will erupt if Lecavalier is truly on the market.
Recent comments from the Lightning won't do anything to quash the rumors. Lecavalier says he likes playing in Tampa and considers himself a "loyal person," but also acknowledges that a trade is out of his hands. Lightning GM Brian lawton says Lecavalier isn't being shopped, but no player on the team is untouchable.
Not so much a current rumor as a trade that appears to make sense: The Senators need a goalie and the Blue Jackets need a number-one centerman. So Eric Duhatschek of globeandmail.com says ottawa should deal F Jason Spezza to Columbus for G Pascal Leclaire.
The emergence of rookie G Steve Mason makes Leclaire expandable in Columbus. Faltering under the spotlight on a bad team, Spezza looks like a guy who could use a change of scenery. But Spezza's $8 million salary is a potential roadblock, as is Leclaire's injury history.
Ottawa GM Bryan Murray hints that just about anyone is available off his roster. F Daniel Alfredsson is said to be the only player who will not be dealt. The Senators wil listen to offers for anyone else.
The Boston Globe says the Bruins will deal for forward depth, with possible targets including Keith Tkachuk of the Blues, Jason Williams of the Lightning, Erik Cole of the Oilers, Steve Reinprecht of the Coyotes, and Nik Antropov of the Leafs.
Bruins' G Manny Fernandez is said to be available.
Now that Pittsburgh has signed F Jordan Staal to a four-year, $16 contract extension, trade rumors will continue to follow him. At that price he's an attractive package, but it's hard to imagine the Pens trading him until they see the full extent of his potential.
Toronto D Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina are making the rumor rounds, as usual. Both have no-movement clauses. But it's hard to imagine both of them finishing the year in Toronto.
Dec. 14/08 -
With several players soon to return from injury, the Flyers find themselves up against the salary cap. The most popular rumor has the team dealing D Randy Jones, possibly to Columbus. Other popular names include F Mike Knuble and F Joffrey Lupul. Knuble, a reliable scoring winger, is the more attractive of the two.
The more prominent Rangers rumor has the team trying to move D Wade Redden and D Michal Rozsival. Both are overpaid and not playing well. So who would take them? Plus, Redden has a no-trade clause.
Another struggling player not likely to attract much interest: F Maxim Afinoganov in Buffalo.
Most Ilya Kovalchuk trade rumors seem to originate in the Canadian media, so it’s no surprise that the destinations most frequently mentioned are Toronto and Montreal. Atlanta GM Don Waddell has repeatedly denied any plans to trade Kovalchuk, who can become an unrestricted free agent in 2010.
Another Thrasher said to be on the move is veteran D Mathieu Schneider.
Wild F Marian Gaborik has barely played this season because of ongoing abdominal/hip/groin issues. That makes it almost impossible for Minnesota to trade him. Efforts to sign him to a contract extension have failed and he’s a free agent in ‘09, so expect the Gaborik rumors to heat up when he returns, especially if he goes on a scoring tear. It’s said he would like to play in L.A.
Right now, Minnesota needs Gaborik. The team is desperate for forwards (so much so that D Brent Burns has been temporarily converted to a winger). Word is that D Kim Johnsson, D Marek Zidlicky and D Marc-Andre Bergeron are available. All three fit into the much-coveted “puck-moving defenseman” category.
Another star who qualifies for free agency in 2009 is Panthers D Jay Bouwmeester, so it seems increasingly unlikely that he will stay in Florida. There is speculation about a possible trade to Ottawa, mainly because the Senators are bedly in need of a blue line upgrade.
The Senators are also said to have contacted Florida about D Cory Murphy and Los Angeles about D Tom Preissing.
Hard to believe this one, but there are reports that the Panthers are also shopping F Nathan Horton. Horton has scored at least 27 goals in three straight seasons, and he’s still just 23 years old.
The Carolina Hurricanes are sinking fast, so dumping salary could be the next option. Struggling F Patrick Eaves and veteran D Joe Corvo and Frantisek Kaberle have reportedly been offered around.
Could Tampa Bay ask F Martin St. Louis to waive his no-trade clause? Sounds unlikely, but anything is possible with that team.
Blackhawks D Brent Sopel is likely available. Chicago might also look to move F Martin Havlat and his $6 million ticket.
Edmonton and Chicago would like to unload goaltenders. But the ‘Hawks are still stuck with G Nikolai Khabibulin and his $6.5 million salary. G Dwayne Roloson was considered the most likely trade candidate in Edmonton. But he’s stolen the number-one job with a streak of excellent play.
Blue Jackets G Fredrik Norrena could also be on the move, as rookie Steve Mason has apparently passed him on the depth chart.
Now that the Maple Leafs have a new GM, a roster shake-up seems inevitable.
The obvious candidates: D Tomas Kaberle rode the bench for the first period of a game earlier this month. F Matt Stajan and F Jason Blake have been healthy scratches.
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