Monthly Archives: November 2013

Could the Leafs go after Vinny Prospal?

The Leafs also don’t have many other options at the moment. With Trevor Smith already with the big club, the Toronto Marlies are having issues at centre of their own, and only 34-year-old grinder Jerred Smithson has much NHL experience.

The other alternative would be to sign a player like veteran free agent Vinny Prospal, although the Leafs cap situation is incredibly tight and made more difficult by all of the injuries up front.

Tootoo on waivers

https://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie/statuses/398135858626166784

NHL teams are expected to pursue Hiller

Goalie Jonas Hiller has six wins for a team that finds itself with even greater goalie depth than it had after Viktor Fasth‘s emergence last season.

Rookie Frederik Andersen, substituting for an injured Fasth, followed his shutout of Dallas in relief of Hiller on Oct. 20 with a 3-0 showing on the eight-game trip.

New York Rangers might consider dealing big winger Chris Kreider to Edmonton Oilers if Nail Yakupov is in mix

If the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Rangers are talking trade, it’s unlikely the Broadway Blueshirts would surrender left-winger Chris Kreider unless Nail Yakupov is in play.

A source close to the Rangers said the six-foot-three, 230-pound Kreider, a playoff star out of Boston College in 2012 but a disappointment last season under John Tortorella, might be the best Rangers forward right now.

Are the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers talking Yakupov trade?

Craig MacTavish, Kevin Lowe and Mark Messier scouted the game between the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks last night for Edmonton last night. That in itself could mean just about anything, but Larry Brooks of the New York Post writes that there is a possibility the Rangers might have interest in a skilled winger – either Ales Hemsky or more likely 2012 first overall pick Nail Yakupov.

If the Oilers are in fact discussing those names with New York, what might they be interested in off the Rangers’ roster?

Brodeur would consider waving no-trade if Devils aren’t contenders

Jaromir Jagr does not have a no-trade clause but Martin Brodeur, who does, told The Star-Ledger he would consider going to a contender.

“I hope it will never happen , but if there is a situation that could be really fun for me and really good for the Devils, why not? It’s not like I’m going to play 25 more years here,” Brodeur said Tuesday.

Why is hockey so violent?

If you’re a hockey fan, and you’ve ever entered into a conversation with someone who knows little or nothing about the sport – I’ll bet you’ve been asked the question; why is hockey so violent?

It’s understandable why this is so perplexing to the outside world. After all, other sports which are well-known for their fights on the pitch such as American football, both types of rugby, Gaelic and Aussie Rules etc., are more obviously physical in the sense that the aim of the sport is to grapple – at least a little or a lot in some sports.

Is James van Riemdyk the answer at centre for desperate Toronto Maple Leafs?

It is a short-term move born out of desperation. And yet, it is a move that has been in the works for a long time, at least since the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired James van Riemsdyk more than 16 months ago.

More trade talk about the Leafs

Rangers interested in Oilers phenom Yakupov?

Edmonton, which has opened 3-10-2 under first-year coach Dallas Eakins, is believed to be accepting offers for veteran winger Ales Hemsky while also exploring the market for second-year winger Nail Yakupov, the first overall selection in the 2012 Entry Draft.

Even if interested in Hemsky, the Blueshirts would have to maneuver to get under the cap in order to accommodate the 30-year-old. Hemsky is on the final year of a contract worth a $5 million cap charge and is eligible for unrestricted free agency in July.

LEAFS SHOPPING FOR REINFORCEMENTS UP FRONT

The Toronto Maple Leafs are shopping for reinforcements.

Leafs general manager Dave Nonis is searching for a forward, preferably a centreman, to help fill the void created by injuries to Dave Bolland and Tyler Bozak.

It’s going to get ‘really uncomfortable’ for ‘disconnected’ Oilers

Dispirited captain Andrew Ference said he was at a loss for words after Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by the Red Wings. Head coach Dallas Eakins said his team had lost its confidence.

Defenceman Ladislav Smid, who has experienced his share of losses since 2006, said he was in shock.

What should the Jets do ?

Panic is easy. You see it all the time. But the man or woman standing still and measuring the situation while all around them are losing their minds is the rare one. They’re also the people you want handling your stock portfolio, operating on your heart, or, as it is in this case, running your hockey team.