Lyle Richardson or better known as Spector, is one of the few bloggers/reporters who uses facts and not fiction like Eklund does. Here are some rumors that are being reported by various newspapers/news services:
22 JUNE 2007.
NOTE: There’s lots of rumours today so it’s taking longer than expected to post them all. Check back regularly for updates throughout the day.
Latest update: 10:30 am AT
AUCOIN TO BE DEALT TO CALGARY.
TSN.CA: Bob McKenzie last night reported Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Adrian Aucoin has waived his “no-trade” clause to facilitate a trade to the Calgary Flames. The paperwork and finalization of the trade is expected to take place Friday.
Spector’s Note: My thanks to everyone who sent this in (see what happens when I go to bed?) and a special thanks to “Mrs. Wazz”, the knowledgeable spouse of my Faceoff Hockey Show colleague “Scotty Wazz” for sending in the reports from the local media in Calgary. Much appreciated! It was TSN’s Darren Dreger who first broke this story Thursday evening, assuring us that the deal was all but done (see yesterday’s rumours). One reader asked if this means the end of Roman Hamrlik in Calgary, which is a good possibility, although Aucoin could also be seen as a replacement for Brad Stuart.
FRIDAY’S DRAFT TRADE RUMOURS.
PIONEER PRESS/MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE/BOSTON HERALD: reported on the possibility that Minnesota Wild goalie Manny Fernandez could be deal on Friday, possibly to the Boston Bruins. Wild GM Doug Risebrough however claimed “nothing is imminent” when questioned Thursday evening about the rumoured deal nor would he elaborate on the return for the Wild. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Phoenix Coyotes are also believed interested in Fernandez.
CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN: Dave Stewart reported on Thursday’s rumour of the Tampa Bay Lighting shopping PEI native Brad Richards. Stewart noted Tampa Tribune hockey columnist Erik Erlendsson and a certain Foxsports.com free lancer with a website that tracks trade rumours dismissed the possibility of Richards being shopped.
ST. PETERSBURG TIMES: Damian Cristodero reports Tampa Bay Lightning GM Jay Feaster expects goalie Marc Denis, the subject of trade and waiver speculation, to return with the club in the fall. Cristodero does suggest Denis could be packaged later in the season with one of the Lightning’s top forwards but only if they got back a goalie that sets them up for five years or more. Cristodero ruled out a contract buyout for Denis as too expensive.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Eric Stephens reports Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke expects goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to “ask him for a new home” in the wake of Burke’s re-signing JS Giguere.
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS/PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/CAMDEN COURIER-POST: offered up conflicting reports as to the Philadlephia Flyers intentions with the second overall pick. The Daily News suggests GM Paul Holmgren will likely retain the pick unless he receives an offer of a top player. The Inquirer however reports Holmgren is willing to trade down with the pick although he won’t go lower than 7th overall. The Flyers also need to dump some salary if they’re to bid for Daniel Briere or Scott Gomez, with Denis Gauthier, Geoff Sanderson and Joni Pitkanen as possible trade candidates.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. is hoping to use his defensive depth as trade bait to perhaps land a goaltender to push current Leafs starter Andrew Raycroft.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: David Pollak reports Sharks GM Doug Wilson won’t comment due to the league’s tampering rules on speculation he might try to sign Buffalo’s Chris Drury. Pollak points out Wilson would have to clear cap space to sign Drury, which is stoking speculation Wilson might trade captain Patrick Marleau. Regarding the Sharks goaltending tandem of Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala, Pollak reports the most likely of the two to be dealt is Toskala because of his salary and lack of a “no-trade” clause. While Wilson “left the door open” that either goalie could be moved, Wilson claims he’s had no talks with Nabokov or his agent about waiving his “NTC”.
THE TENNESEAN: John Glennon reports the latest trade rumour involving the Nashville Predators has the club moving goalie Tomas Vokoun but he has a “no-trade” clause. GM David Poile reiterated that he currently has no plans to deal any of his players currently under contract for next season. Still, Glennon expects the Preds to make a trade or two for third and fourth line depth. He also reports the Predators won’t be trading impending UFA forward Paul Kariya.
SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL: Steve Gorten reports the Florida Panthers have ten draft picks at their disposal in this year’s draft, some of which might be used in draft weekend trades. GM Jacques Martin admits talking to several general mangers. He also dismissed a rumour claiming he might be interested in Ottawa goalie Martin Gerber, had spoken with the Nashville Predators about Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason but has no deals in the works for a goalie and is looking at re-signing Ed Belfour.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney is not shopping the third overall pick, but any potential takers would also have to accept defenceman Nick Boynton (two years remaining at $2.95 million per) as part of the deal.
RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke Decock reports defenceman Bret Hedican intends to return with the Carolina Hurricanes for next season. His $2.4 million salary will prevent the Hurricanes from shopping for a free agent, but Rutherford is shopping around for an offensive defenceman to shake up his blueline. Decock also reports Scott Walker’s new contract contains a no-trade clause.
COLUMBUS DISPATCH/MONTREAL GAZETTE: reported on the possibility of the Canadiens moving up in the draft order. The Canadiens presently hold the 12th overall pick and the Dispatch claims the Habs could try to trade up for the Blue Jackets 7th overal pick to land Quebec prospect Angelo Esposito, but the Gazette reports Habs GM Bob Gainey has denied plans to trade up. Habs chief scout Trevor Timmins admits he’ll consider drafting Esposito if he’s still available at 12th overall
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Jeremy Rutherford reports the Blues have ten picks in this year’s draft, including three in the first round, which has them in a position to perhaps trade one or more of those picks. Team President John Davidson said the team has received several inquiries but would only move them if something piqued their interest.
THE LATEST UFA RUMOURS.
NEW YORK POST: Mark Everson reports the Philadelphia Flyers recent acquisition and siging of defenceman Kimmo Timonen to a six-year, $38 million contract has boosted the market value of New Jersey Devils impending UFA Brian Rafalski, whose agent also represented Timonen and negotiated the deal with the Flyers.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports the possibility of Anaheim defenceman Scott Niedermayer retiring could be bad news for the Detroit Red Wings’ attempt to re-sign Mathieu Schneider, as it could raise his asking price plus add the Ducks to the list of suitors. Khan anticipates the Wings could re-sign Dominik Hasek by Saturday, while re-signing Todd Bertuzzi might take up to or beyond July 1st. Danny Markov’s return depends on whether or not the Wings can re-sign Schneider.
SPECTOR’S MAILBAG.
“Alex from Quebec” sends in the following rumours:
RDS sources told them a lot of rumours.
1. Patrick Marleau is interesting the Canadiens, they’re also trying to get him. San Jose are studying this because he struggled in the last playoffs and he’s becoming a UFA July 2008.
2. Sheldon Souray would receive a contract offer by the Anaheim Ducks because Scott Niedermayer is considering retirement. They would have more money and maybe Selanne is gonna leave so…
3. Alexei Yashin didn’t received a lot of interest… Mark Gandler won’t be suprised if he’s signed after the first week of UFA…when all the big names will be out.
4. Vancouver Canucs as contacted the Boston Bruins because they want to trade their 2005 1st Draft Pick, Luc Bourdon.
5. Chicago Blackhawks says that if they receive a very good offer they’ll reconsider if they’ll trade the first round draft pick.
6. Montreal is really interested by the 8 round draft pick, belonging to Boston.
