Category Archives: Florida Panthers
Tidbits from Elliotte Friedman
I thought it was important to start with Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon’s denial in a Miami Herald blog of our report on Hockey Night Hotstove that he had a trade in place involving Dmitri Kulikov, which was the reason the defenceman was scratched last week. It is believed Tallon’s trading partner was the Colorado Avalanche. The two teams did have some serious talks and may do so again. Tallon didn’t comment before we went to air and I stand by the info, but it should be known that history proves he’s been honest when I’ve contacted him about things.
Here’s a clue as to why the Dmitry Kulikov deal with Avs might have fallen through…
As noted by Ottawa Sun uber columnist Bruce Garrioch today – and this is something I’d heard as well – it’s possible that the reason why a deal fell through to bring Kulikov to the Avs is because of his contract status and the KHL. There is word that Kulikov might just take a big offer to go back to the KHL after this season, that he doesn’t love life in the NHL that much. More on that here:
http://sulia.com/channel/colorado-avalanche/f/501af6e2-0c3d-4632-ac0a-d8de79c94ed4/?source=twitter&repost=240
Are the Avalanche interested in Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov?
According to ace Rogers Sportsnet reporter/podcast host Jeff Marek they are.
Marek, one of the hockey media people I respect a lot, said on the air that his sources are telling him the Avs have interest in Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, the 14th overall pick by Florida in 2009 – 11 spots behind Matt Duchene.
Trade rumblings
I mentioned last week that the Vancouver Canucks had a conversation with the Washington Capitals about Martin Erat — who has asked for a trade — but the Canucks after some thought decided to pass. Ditto for the Ottawa Senators, who initially showed a bit of interest but ultimately decided Erat wasn’t a fit. …
Panthers trying to get an auction going for Kulikov
Bob McKenzie: Florida Panthers defenceman Dmitri Kulikov has been available for most of this year but the Panthers are kicking it up, very aggressively shopping him, and trying to get an auction going for a 23-year-old defenceman who was picked 14th overall in the 2008 draft. Kulikov though has two knocks against him. One, he hasn’t been developing and playing particularly well for Florida and two, he’s a restricted free agent at the end of the year and there are fears that because he has the KHL option as a Russian, he might go back there instead of playing in the NHL.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=438137
RUMOURS DU JOUR – From the Ottawa Sun
Three teams say there is a lot of chatter and most of it is coming from the Sunshine State. After sending Versteeg back to the Hawks, Florida GM Dale Tallon isn’t done. He’d like to move RW Scottie Upshall, LW Tomas Fleischman, RW Brad Boyes, RW Tomas Kopecky, C Marcel Goc and C Shawn Matthias before the deadline.
Are the Habs looking to make a deal with Florida?
The Panthers and Canadiens have been circling each other for the past few weeks. With Francis Bouillon struggling, Montreal might have some interest in Kulikov as well, but it’s a better bet that they’re looking at big center Shawn Matthias. The Habs are deep down the middle, but Matthias would give them a dimension they lack–a strong forward willing to drive the net and compete on every shift.
Kulikov trade talks continue
The Florida Panthers continue to field calls for defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, as the team has let its opponents know a number of players are up for grabs.
Last week, the Panthers shipped right wing Kris Versteeg to the Chicago Blackhawks and more trades are expected this season.
Did Campbell say that he wanted to be in Chicago too
Versteeg went on WGN radio in Chicago this morning and not only said he hoped former Chicago defenseman Brian Campbell would eventually follow him to the Second City, but that other teammates sounded a little jealous in their text messages to him.
Campbell said he never mentioned to Versteeg that he wanted to be in Chicago.
Tallon vows to stay aggressive after Versteeg trade: ‘I’m not happy where the team is’
On Thursday night, Panthers GM Dale Tallon made waves by sending Kris Versteeg back to Chicago in exchange for prospects Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen.
Apparently, there are more waves to come.
The Blackhawks have made a trade with Florida for Kris Versteeg
The Blackhawks acquired Kris Versteeg from the Florida Panthers, general manager Stan Bowman announced following Chicago’s 5-4 shootout win over the Phoenix Coyotes.
What does Florida have to trade? Let’s pick over the roster
As for Florida’s veterans? Here are a few to consider:
Tomas Fleischmann: The team’s leading scorer, with 11 points in 15 games. The 29-year-old winger is signed through 2014-15 with a $4.5 million cap hit that would’ve been a lot easier to move in any other season. (Cap space isn’t exactly plentiful for most teams.) But given Rick Nash’s health concerns, might the Rangers have some interest here? Just throwing it out there.
Dineen firing first of many moves in Florida
This won’t be the last time this season the Florida Panthers make news.
“This is just the beginning of our changes that need to be made. If our players don’t respond to this, then they won’t be Panthers for very long,” fiery GM Dale Tallon told the media on a call Friday after dismissing most of his coaching staff, including head coach Kevin Dineen.
Peter Horachek takes over as interim head coach, but the players whom the longtime Predators assistant will have at his disposal in Florida could be in flux, to say the least.
We told you a few weeks back in a Rumblings blog that Tallon was looking to shake up his roster, but despite working the phones feverishly over the past few weeks, he’s been unable to make a deal, needing to find a trade partner to comply this early in the season.