Hockey Trade Rumors - NHL Trade Rumors and News

Hockey Trade Rumors Mega Rumor Update - Feb 4, 2012

Time to wake up for Bruins

Garrison Available?

Could Nabokov go to Detroit?

Dallas Stars owner targets a top-six forward & will spend money for one

Staples clock problem may not have been the first

Oilers likely to be sellers at trade deadline, but who is expendable?

Time to wake up for Bruins

“Right now, we’re playing more like a team that should be at the bottom of the standings than the top of the standings,” said B’s coach Claude Julien last night after his team’s 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes — who are at the bottom of the standings.

And while Chiarelli no doubt has been hunting for a veteran defenseman who could be added before the Feb. 27 trade deadline and provide some depth/insurance for the blue line, it’s safe to assume that’s not all he looking for now.

Especially given the uncertainty over winger Nathan Horton — whose “mild” concussion is proving to be more persistent than first hoped — maybe it’s time for Chiarelli to try and acquire a forward, for two reasons.

One, the right sort of veteran — say, for instance, Phoenix’ Ray Whitney, or even Carolina grinder Tuomo Ruutu — would fill a need right now.

And two, it may be that this team needs the slap in the face that a significant trade might provide.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/hockey/bruins/view/20220203time_to_wake_up_maybe_trade_needed_to_send_big_message/

Garrison Available?

Garrison’s heavy shot is what leads to his offense. He’s a good puck mover but few scouts will describe him as a dynamic offensive player. They will tell you he’s “very good” who’s just coming into his own at 27 years of age.

He’s also set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and all signs point towards him being available come July first. Considering he’s put himself in position to receive a nice raise, it’s very possible Florida GM Dale Tallon moves him prior to the trade deadline. The alternative of allowing him to walk away for nothing in the summer seems risky for a budget team like Florida.

There’s no doubt it will take a decent package to get him out of south beach. Sources suggest he’ll be seeking a contract that pays him in the $4.5 range with term this summer. Is Florida prepared to lock him up considering they already have Campbell, Jovanovski, Weaver, and Gudbranson all under control for at least two more years?

Some would say that’s a lot of money for a guy who’s done it for just one season but most will agree he’s well underpaid at $700,000. Garrison averages over 24 minutes of ice and carries a plus-6 rating.

Teams like Nashville and Florida need to be smart in terms of how they manage their assets. They would obviously prefer to hang on to him but if they know they can’t keep him moving him may be their best option.

There are plenty of teams looking for D-men and with Goligoski, Beauchemin, Liles, and Gleason all re-signing there are limited enticing options out there.

http://www.truehockey.com/articles/Garrison-Available

Could Nabokov go to Detroit?

You are right about the Red Wings’ goaltending depth issues. Conklin has played in only 10 games this season and has an .886 save percentage. Even though Howard’s injury doesn’t sound that serious long-term, do you think this hastens the urgency to find a more suitable backup for the Red Wings? It was GM Ken Holland, after all, who tried to nab Nabokov a year ago when the former San Jose mainstay cut short his experience in the Kontinental Hockey League. The New York Islanders grabbed him, however, and Nabokov has been OK with a pretty mediocre Islanders squad. But he’s not the long-term answer there. (Kevin Poulin appears to be the heir apparent with Al Montoya still looking to get a shot at the No. 1 job, too.) So, Nabokov to Detroit does seem a logical move and perhaps even more so with Friday's news.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/14435/daily-debate-gagners-eight-is-great-blackhawks-netminding-not-so-much

Dallas Stars owner targets a top-six forward & will spend money for one

Just completed a nice, long conversation with the new owner of the Dallas Stars, Tom Gaglardi.

My initial impressions are that this is a hockey man who knows this sport far better than his predecessor. In Tom Hicks' defense, he didn't grow up with hockey and he certainly never played it the way Gaglardi did, and still does.

The interview covered a wide-array of subjects, but what Stars fans are most interested in is will he allow GM Joe Nieuwendyk to acquire a large contract before the NHL's trade deadline? The short answer is yes.

Here is the long answer from the man himself:

"Scoring is a weakness. We are one or two guys away from having a top six NHL team. So I guess the question is - what do we do about that? Do we have some guys in the system that can step in? We might, but not tomorrow.

"Are we looking at making our team better in the top six? The answer is yes. If that means more payroll, are we prepared to do it? The answer is yes. The question is, what is the cost?"

My impression is that Gaglardi is leaving this to Joe Nieuwendyk to create the trade, and he would approve it. That hasn't happened with the Stars in a long, long, long time. But Gaglardi sounds like a man who is committed to the long-term scenario in buidling this roster.

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.com/mac-engel/2012/02/dallas-stars-owner-targets-a-top-six-forward-will-spend-money-for-one.html#storylink=cpy

Staples clock problem may not have been the first

While the NHL investigates the addition of one second to the third period of the Kings' game against Columbus on Wednesday, footage has surfaced of another apparent pause by the clock at Staples Center during a game last month.

A video clip posted on the website thescore.com Friday appeared to show the clock stop twice in the final seconds of the Kings' game against Colorado on Jan. 21, once with 3.9 seconds left and again with 2.1 seconds remaining. It went unnoticed because nothing extraordinary occurred that required video review.

A pause prolonged the Kings' game against the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, long enough for defenseman Drew Doughty to score with 0.4 of a second left and give the Kings a 3-2 victory. The goal was ruled to have been legal and the addition of the extra time wasn't discovered until later.

Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior vice president of hockey operations, told The Times on Thursday that Columbus was wronged. He said the league would examine the Daktronics clock and would meet with the off-ice officials who staffed the game. Off-ice officials, including the timekeeper who starts and stops the clock, are employed by the league.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-kings-clock-20120204,0,4613799.story

Oilers likely to be sellers at trade deadline, but who is expendable?

Wingers Ryan Smyth and Ales Hemsky and defenceman Andy Sutton all are unrestricted free agents on July 1, for example.

A report out of New York City suggested Smyth would be prepared to waive his no-movement clause to enable a trade to the first-place Rangers.

Which certainly was news to Smyth.

“I’ve moved four times in the last five years,” Smyth said. “I think I wanted to come back here for a reason, didn’t I?”

Of course, in theory, Smyth could OK a trade, perform as a rental in New York, perhaps even have a shot at a Stanley Cup, then re-sign with the Oilers.

“There’s no guarantees in life, is there?” a skeptical Smyth retorted. “No one has mentioned anything to me.

“Obviously, I’ve heard speculation, but I’ve never really been approached.”

Smyth wants to stick around and finish his career in Edmonton, he believes there is tremendous potential with the young Oilers.

So does Hemsky.

“I feel that I’m just coming into my prime,” said Hemsky, who has scored four goals and amassed 20 points in an injury-marred season. “I’m 28 years old and I have lots of hockey in front of me.”

Hemsky has had no discussions with the Oilers about a new contract, although he has certainly heard the trade scuttlebutt.

“Maybe the rumours are true,” Hemsky said. “You don’t believe everything you hear, but there is something (that’s) true in them, for sure.”

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/MacKinnon+Should+they+stay+should+they/6100128/story.html

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Feb 3, 2012 - Mega Hockey Trade Rumors Update

If Chris Stewart is really back on the trading block, the Avs should try and get him back

Desperate to Deal

Jeff Carter and the Maple Leafs trade rumour of the day

Bolts notes: Yzerman flexible regarding trades

It's turned ice cold here (in Boston) - Perhaps a couple of new warm bodies would help

If Chris Stewart is really back on the tradling block, the Avs should try and get him back

That said, let me put on my GM hat here and advocate for a trade: the Avs should try and get Chris Stewart back. This is ESPECIALLY true if the RUMORS out of St. Louis are true – that Stewart may be available via trade right now.

Here’s one thing I know about Chris Stewart: he never wanted to leave the Avalanche. He was really sad to go to St. Louis right after the trade. Yes, he performed very well for the Blues the remainder of last season (and, in doing so, played a big role in the Avs getting the 11th pick in last year’s draft, as St. Louis leapfrogged the Avs in the standings).

Here’s my theory on why Stewart played so well after the trade: he was angry at the Avs and wanted to show them up. At least, that was a part of it. He’s a guy who plays well when he’s mad, and he was very mad at getting dealt. Mad, and hurt.

Now, I’m not saying Stewart is pining to come back to Denver. I don’t know that for a fact. But I do know he’s still friends with a bunch guys remaining on the team, and that he even hung out with a couple of them during the all-star break – TJ Galiardi and David Jones.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2012/02/02/if-chris-stewart-is-really-back-on-the-tradling-block-the-avs-should-try-and-get-him-back/9515/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-blogs-avalanche+%28Denver+Post%3A+Sports%3A+Avalanche%3A+Blog%29

Desperate to Deal

TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger was on the NHL on TSN panel last night to discuss the Maple Leafs trade situation leading up to the deadline. Dreger said that Leafs GM Brian Burke is desperate to make a move and will take a run at Philadelphia Flyers forward James Van Riemsdyk.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=386714

Jeff Carter and the Maple Leafs trade rumour of the day

An unhappy Jeff Carter could fit nicely as the No. 1 centre that Brian Burke needs to make snipers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul even more effective as the team pushes for a playoff spot for the first time in four seasons.

The Internet has been abuzz with rumours about Carter, 27, being targeted by the Leafs. In fact, his name seems to be linked to the Leafs every season.

Then again, Carter also seems to be linked to just about every team looking for a top-line centre.

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Carter’s on the trade block just seven months after being acquired from the Flyers to fill their No. 1 centre hole. The Blue Jackets gave up plenty to get Carter, including young forward Jakub Voracek and a first-round pick that turned into promising rookie Sean Couturier and would presumably ask a lot in return.

Carter almost became a Leaf two years ago when it was believed that then GM Cliff Fletcher had the groundwork in place to send defenceman Tomas Kaberle to Philadelphia for him and a first-round pick. But the Leafs blueliner reportedly refused to waive his no-trade clause.

The Star will look at Leafs trade rumours every weekday leading up to the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 27, and analyze their, ahem, chances of becoming reality. Here’s the book on the Carter proposition.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1125425--reality-check-jeff-carter-and-the-maple-leafs-trade-rumour-of-the-day

Bolts notes: Yzerman flexible regarding trades

With the trade deadline coming on Feb. 27, Yzerman is prepared to go whichever way is warranted — buyer or seller.

"The plan changes," Yzerman said. "We lose seven in a row and things are looking bleak, then we win five in a row. And now we have three more here at home (including Thursday against Winnipeg). If we can get through that, see how many points we get out of it and see what else happens around the league, you get a better indication" of which way to lean.

The Lightning entered Thursday's game nine points out of a playoff spot, trailing eighth-seeded New Jersey and Southeast Division-leading Florida by the same amount of points. And when it becomes more clear which way Tampa Bay is leaning — as well as many other teams — then casual conversations could turn into deals.

"I think everyone is kind of feeling everyone out right now as far as getting ready for the trade deadline," Yzerman said, "and teams are trying to decided if they are buyers or sellers and what their needs are."

http://www2.tbo.com/sports/lightning/2012/feb/02/2/next-three-games-could-determine-if-lightning-are--ar-354363/

It's turned ice cold here (in Boston) - Perhaps a couple of new warm bodies would help

What these next three-plus weeks could decide is whether Chiarelli wants to pare any of the current roster. And though that’s always possible, it’s not all that likely. He could wheel guys such as Joe Corvo (0-4-4 in his last 18 games) or Benoit Pouliot (last goal Jan. 10), but those are precisely the kind of depth guys that nonplayoff teams yield before the trade deadline.

Maybe one or both would fit better with a different club, benefit from a change of scenery, but that’s not much more than a dart-to-dartboard calculation.

It’s more likely that Chiarelli keeps the group together and tries to add a guy like, say, Jaro Spacek, who had the second assist on Staal’s goal last night. Or maybe he could make a play for ex-Bruin Hal Gill, currently employed by the Good Ship Hab to Nowhere.

As one NHL scout noted last night, “Chara and Gill paired on the same PK unit? Now that’s a scary thought.’’

Pal Hal will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, and given his long run here on Causeway Street, his time to adjust to the city would be the length of time it takes to walk from the Garden to Pizzeria Regina.

All that is clear at the moment is the fact that, unless something changes soon, Chiarelli will have to make a move. Last year, just prior to the deadline, he pulled off deals for Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley (now the top-line right wing with Nathan Horton sidelined), and Tomas Kaberle.

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/articles/2012/02/03/bruins_unable_again_to_shake_midwinter_malaise/?page=full

Rangers could deal for Smyth: source

If Rangers general manager Glen Sather is interested in reuniting with Ryan Smyth by acquiring Edmonton’s veteran left wing to bolster the attack, the feeling may well be a reciprocal one, The Post has learned.

A well-placed source told The Post that Smyth, who was drafted sixth overall in 1994 by Sather and then played the first five years under his direction while he was general manager of the Oilers, would give serious consideration to waiving his no-move clause in order to pursue a Cup on Broadway.

The Eastern Conference-leading Rangers, who have scored 17 goals in their last nine games and have been limited to two goals or fewer in 20 of their 49 matches, are seeking to add both scoring punch and a defenseman in advance of the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

Smyth, who will turn 36 on Feb. 21, has recorded 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists) in 50 games while getting 19:55 of ice time in this final year of his contract under which he carries a $6.25 million cap hit.

The Rangers, who face the Flyers at the Garden on Sunday, would need to clear space in order to accommodate the acquisition of Smyth, not to mention both the winger and a defenseman. Sather, who has enjoyed a longstanding good relationship with Smyth, will have myriad options to create space.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound winger is a do*****ented net presence who certainly would be a sight for sore eyes on the dysfunctional Rangers power play that has failed on 28 consecutive five-on-four advantages since Jan. 5, and is mired in overall 1-for-26, 2-for-39 and 4-for-57 skids.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/source_rangers_on_smyth_radar_tnrcx77ovFAzjNpT4SMVIL#ixzz1lKbq0uYh

Trade Deadline Looming

As we near the trade deadline we will start to get a better idea as to who is truly on the trade block. Usually this time of year we hear a ton of names but how many of them are actually in play is a different story.

Tuomo Ruutu is a name starting to circulate as the 28 year old is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. The Carolina Hurricanes is one team identifying which players they want to move forward with versus the ones they’re willing to move on without.

It appears Ruutu will be moved and the St. Louis Blues are well aware. Here’s a guy that would fit in well with any team looking to add a little scoring and some grit for the playoffs.

I’ve said the Blues scoring issues can be addressed internally but it doesn’t mean the Blues won’t look to upgrade their roster if the opportunity presents itself.

It may take a player like Chris Stewart from the Blues to swing a deal for Ruutu or someone of this magnitude. Stewart is an interesting player to look at. He’s shown he can score with back to back 28 goal seasons but it’s no secret things haven’t gone his way this year. At minimum he’s due his $3.25 million salary at the end of the season. Will GM Doug Armstrong and the Blues be willing to part with Stewart knowing it could come back to bite them down the road? The other danger is holding on and waiting for a player to reach a certain level. The Blues publicly stated they expected 35 goals from Stewart this season and at the time it sounded very realistic.

http://www.truehockey.com/articles/Trade-Deadline-Looming-01

Leafs trade rumour of the day features Ryan Getzlaf

When Ducks GM Bob Murray announced a month ago that everyone on his team, excluding veterans Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, could be traded, it opened the floodgates for rumours involving his team’s Big Three: forwards Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry.

It also lit a blazing fire a under the Ducks, who have recorded a 9-1-1 mark since the comments were made. With his club now 10 points out of a playoff spot, Murray may yet change his mind but speculation remains that the Ducks will be sellers as the NHL trade deadline nears.

There are a number of teams being bandied about but with the Leafs expressing a need for a big, strong, playmaking centre, Getzlaf would seem a natural fit. For trade speculation.

In one scenario, the Leafs would send centre Tyler Bozak and forward Nazem Kadri to the Ducks with defenceman Luke Schenn. To sweeten the deal, GM Brian Burke might also throw in promising young centre Joe Colborne of the Marlies or a first-round pick.

Another rumour has the Leafs shipping Nikolai Kulemin, a first-round pick, Schenn and promising junior tough guy Brad Ross, 19, to California.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1124676--reality-check-leafs-trade-rumour-of-the-day-features-ryan-getzlaf

To trade or not to trade Miller, that's Sabres' question

What happens between now and the NHL trade deadline will reveal how the Sabres feel about Miller and a few others. He has a 0.63 goals-against average and .976 save percentage in his last three games. The better he plays, the greater his value. The better he plays, the more tempted they are to keep him.

And that's what makes the coming weeks so intriguing. Do they trade him with the idea they can make significant upgrades in other areas, assuming they can find a trading partner to take his salary? Or do they keep him with the risk he'll have another season like this one?

"If they came to me and said they wanted to move me, I would want to know why," Miller said. "That hasn't been the case. No one has ever asked about my feelings regarding players and movement, especially with myself. People think there's more discussion being done behind the scenes than there really is."

Generally, if you have a great goalie, you keep him and build around him. The Sabres have witnessed the best and worst from Miller in the past six weeks alone. Perhaps change would benefit all involved at this stage of his career. Nobody knows for sure. It's a tough call.

Miller is making $6.25 million per season, which wasn't a problem when he was winning the Vezina Trophy and establishing himself as one of the NHL's premier goalies in 2009-10. These days, with him being Exhibit A of an underachieving team, it's a heavy price.

He has the third-highest salary-cap hit among NHL goalies behind the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist and Carolina's Cam Ward. Lundqvist should be a Vezina candidate this year and is held in higher regard than Miller, but their career won-loss records are strikingly similar.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article719733.ece

Could the 'best backup goalie in hockey' be traded this summer?

Schneider, who turns 26 in six weeks, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. True, he might be a No. 1 masquerading as a backup. But he'll never get paid his full value in arb because of the small sample size (65 games) of his work.

His value in a trade, on the other hand, would seem to be considerably higher, which brings us to our next intrigue.

Four years ago, then Dallas backup Mike Smith was the centrepiece of a trade with Tampa for Brad Richards. Two summers ago, Montreal dealt Jaro Halak, who was coming off a bravura playoff performance, to St. Louis for former first-rounder Lars Eller.

Schneider's value, meanwhile, only seems to be rising with each outing. Given Luongo's uneven history in the playoffs, it would take an oh-my-god offer to pry the Boston College product loose from the Canucks before this season's trade deadline.

But, at some point, in the near future, the organization is going to have to make a decision on the young man from Marblehead and the aftershocks of that move will be felt for a long time, both in Vancouver and wherever Schneider lands.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Could+best+backup+goalie+hockey+traded+this+summer/6081788/story.html#ixzz1lEnFeMvh

State of the Market - from tsn.ca

TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun discussed the Flyers' need for a defenceman and Ryan Suter's market status last night on Insider Trading.

LeBrun says that with Carolina inking Tim Gleason to an extension the Flyers now have to regroup in their defensive search. He says that Montreal's Hal Gill could be an option with his experience, shot-blocking and penalty-killing ability. He says that Dallas defenceman Nicklas Grossman and Toronto's Luke Schenn could also be targets.

Dreger says that many teams around the league believe the Predators All-Star defenceman to be in play leading up to the deadline. He also discusses what the potential asking price would be for Suter, saying the Predators would want a four-piece-deep package in return.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=386604

A Tweet from Damien Cox about Grabovski

If the Leafs want to keep Grabovski, they'll have to make him a $5 million per year player. Big number to swallow.

https://twitter.com/#!/DamoSpin/statuses/164524376304259072