As FB said, Huet and Niemi won't get it done in the postseason unless they get really hot. They have the pieces to get Halak or Price from Montreal, maybe they should look into that.
http://[h3]
[/h3][h3]Cost of Phaneuf for Bruins[/h3]
9:27AM ET
[h5]Dion Phaneuf | Flames [/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2282Dion Phaneuf might be headed to the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Bruins, and the cost might quite high: Blake Wheeler, Dennis Wideman, a prospect and multiple draft picks, according to CSN's Joe Haggerty.
This is interesting, considering reports that the Bruins are also in on Ilya Kovalchuk. If both trade talks are happening, something huge might be brewing in Boston. It may be impossible for them to acquire both, but we'll keep you posted on the developments.
This rumors was came from "multiple sources" that told Hendricks Hockey that the Flames and Bruins have talked about the potential deal. The deal also was previously rumored around the internet. This might be a touchy topic because Hendricks Hockey reported Phaneuf asked for a trade, only to have GM Darryl Sutter deny it.
But the New York Post reported the Flames are "desperate" to move Phaneuf and his $6.5 million annual cap hit, so Sutter might've been playing this one close to the vest. Meanwhile, the Bruins have the pieces to acquire Phaneuf, including a plethora of draft picks. They won't trade the 2010 first rounder they got from Toronto, but they may be open to dealing their own first rounder.
http://[h3]Cam Fowler losing ground?[/h3]
9:17AM ET
[h5]NHL Draft [/h5]
[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/leagues/lrg/trans/nhl.gif[/img]
For a while now, Cam Fowler has been rated the No. 3 player in the draft and the top defenseman in the class. But the ride may be shifting, as some scouts are now putting others ahead of Fowler.
At least two scouts told TSN's Bob McKenzie that they now rate Erik Gudbranson (Kingston, OHL) over Fowler. And one scout said Brandon Gormley (Moncton, QMJHL) is the top defenseman over both Gudbranson and Fowler.
At one point, some believed Fowler could be the top pick if the team holding the selection needed a defenseman. But chances are he won't surpass Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall, though he could get surpassed by others right on his tail.
http://[h3]Secret Kovalchuk suitor[/h3]
9:03AM ET
[h5]Ilya Kovalchuk | Thrashers | Interested: Islanders?, Flames?, Kings?, Flyers?, Bruins?, Maple Leafs? [/h5]
[h5]Kovalchuk's rumored suitors[/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=chiChicago Blackhawks: That trade would most likely involve http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3148http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3148http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3148Cam Barker, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3392http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3392http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3392Kris Versteeg and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3202http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3202http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3202Dave Bolland.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=washttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=wasWashington Capitals: They might swap http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2139http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2139http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=2139Alexander Semin for Kovy, but that seems unlikely. Still, some league execs feel the Caps are the odds-on favorite to land Kovy.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=torhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=torToronto Maple Leafs: GM Burke says he wants no part.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=loshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=losLos Angeles Kings: Coach Murray seems interested. GM Lombardi doesn't want a rental, though.
KHL: KHL president Alexander Medvedev might also swoop in with a huge deal. He said he's already talked to Kovalchuk and can offer a better deal than the NHL because of tax laws.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=boshttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Bruins: Won't trade their first rounder they got from the Leafs this year because that could net them either Cam Fowler, Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall. But a source told LeBrun that the Bruins are very much in the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. The trade could involve http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3961Blake Wheeler, but they won't part with http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3405Tuukka Rask.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=colColorado Avalanche-- Here's why.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pithttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=pitPittsburgh Penguins-- No money, no space.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyihttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyiNew York Islanders -- GM Snow wants in on trade talks, but they'll likely wait until free agency.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=cgyhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=cgyCalgary Flames -- GM Darryl Sutter doesn't want a rental, but they remain in the hunt.
There is an unnamed Eastern Conference team that has entered the Ilya Kovalchuk bidding, along with the Kings, Bruins and the Canucks, the Los Angeles Times reports.There is some speculation that this team might be the Islander or even the Devils.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Thrashers are not making it easy on teams trying to trade for Kovalchuk. Atlanta wants four to five assets for Kovalchuk -- a package that include young players, prospects and draft picks, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. And it appears they're demanding far more than teams are willing to offer.
For example, WEEI.com reports trade talks between the Thrashers and Bruins stalled when Atlanta GM Don Waddell asked for the 2010 first round pick the Bruins received from the Maple Leafs -- a highly valuable pick, because it could be in the top three.
This comes a day after news that the Thrashers will not give any team permission to speak to Kovalchuk or his agent, which means teams will blindly be trading for Kovy without knowing their chances of re-signing him in the offseason.
In short, Kovalchuk suitors will be giving away at least four elite assets with the only guarantee that Kovalchuk will stay for the remaining three months of his contract. Will any team agree to Atlanta's terms?
Previously, ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote that the Bruins, along with the Los Angeles Kings, are favorite to land Kovy. The Kings have had "significant" trade talks with the Thrashers, as well, and a deal might involve http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3583http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=3583Jack Johnson and 2009 first rounder http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5219http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=5219Brayden Schenn.
But the Kings might also balk at Waddell's demands, because Lombardi has previously said he refused to trade for Kovalchuk as a rental, and he doesn't want to give away too much, either.
http://[h3]Lecavalier trade hints[/h3]
8:51AM ET
[h5]Vincent Lecavalier | Lightning [/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=523Vincent Lecavalier has been a part of trade rumors for a while, but most have been false. This one, however, might have some merit.
Boston-based financier Jeffrey Vinik is rumored to be the favorite to buy the Lightning. And as the Hockey News writes, "There is also speculation that if Vinik buys the team, he will be eager to cut payroll to get player costs in line, which means captain Vincent Lecavalier and his $7.7 million salary cap hit (and $10 million salary for the next six seasons) may very well be shopped before the trade deadline and prior to Vinik taking control of the team."
Of course, they can't just trade him that easily. They'll have to find a trade partner willing to take on a $10 million annual salary for the next six years. That severely limits their trade possibilities.
Recently, there were rumors that the Rangers were interested in Lecavalier, but those rumors were denied -- at least twice. However, two league sources told the Ottawa Sun that the Lightning definitely had talks about dealing their struggling star. Hmm, who to believe...
http://[h3]Souray, Moreau to Ducks?[/h3]
8:37AM ET
[h5]Sheldon Souray | Oilers [/h5]
Here's an idea: Sheldon Souray and Ethan Moreau may be packaged in a deal to the Anaheim Ducks, the Hendricks Hockey writes. Rumors is that multiple teams are interested in the two players -- and some are possibly interested in both -- so the Oilers may try to kill two bird with one stone.
That trade may be unlikely, but it's possible that one of those players ends up in Anaheim if the Ducks turn out to be buyers at the deadline. Meanwhile, Souray will likely waive his no-trade clause for only Western Conference teams, since he wants to stay close to his daughter. Possible destinations are Los Angeles, Phoenix and Dallas, as well as Anaheim.
At various times, there was buzz that Buffalo, New York, Boston and Washington are looking at Souray as well. But he'll probably might all those deals to try to stay close to California.
http://[h3]Oilers' most valuable assets[/h3]
8:31AM ET
[h5]Edmonton Oilers [/h5]
The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=edmhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=edmhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=edmEdmonton Oilers appear to be trading almost everyone, outside of the potentially untouchable Dustin Penner. So the Edmonton Journal looked at which players would be most desirable in a trade.
Fernando Pisani, Andrew Cogliano, Alex Hemsky and Penner are considered the most valuable assets, followed by Lubomir Visnovsky and Tom GIlbert. But the Journal writes that there's a reason they're desirable: Because the Oilers should keep them.
But some believe a trade will be hard to come by. TSN's Darren Dreger writes, "With the exception of Cogliano -- who many outside of Alberta believe is a mere team change away from being a very good number two center -- most in the group assembled above are a tough sell."
Dreger says the Oilers will make trades to change the culture of the team, and that means they will part with some players by any means necessary. If they can't trade some guys, they'll bury them in the minors or buy them out at the end of the season.
http://[h3]Four Sykora suitors[/h3]
8:29AM ET
[h5][/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=920http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=920http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=920Petr Sykora is on the free agent market, but rumor is that he won't stay there for long. An NHL source told Craig Custance of the Sporting News that at least four teams are interested in his services. Let's do some guess work:
Teams that have previously shown interest are the http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=otthttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=ottOttawa Senators, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyrhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=nyrNew York Rangers, http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tamhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=tamTampa Bay Lightning and http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=dalhttp://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=dalDallas Stars, as well as the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks.
The http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/clubhouse?team=atlAtlanta Thrashers might also be interested.
http://[h3]Kariya to Boston?[/h3]
7:32AM ET
[h5]Paul Kariya | Blues [/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=434Paul Kariya might become one of the Boston Bruins' big targets once they realize Ilya Kovalchuk will be too expensive for them.
It's long been rumored that Kariya would be on the block, and we thought the Vancouver Canucks might be interested as well.
As for the Bruins, WEEI.com writes, "It would certainly be interesting to see how Kariya would mesh skating with Marc Savard. He would add team speed to the Bruins and provide a nice counter-attack off the rush."
Other potential targets for the Bruins: Raffi Torres, Lubomir Visnovsky, Ray Whitney and Alexei Ponikarovsky -- all guys who are on the trading block.
