Hockey Rumours!

[CantGetAWii]

i wonder if this means Hannan's gone? still hoping we deal Nabby at the draft, move Tosk to starter, bring up Patzold, and sign Ryan Symth.

Not sure about hannan, but your next comment brings me to one of today's biggest stories. I won't post everything, not much happening really yet today other than this:

THE GLOBE & MAIL REPORTS THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE ACQUIRED GOALTENDER VESA TOSKALA AND FORWARD MARK BELL FROM THE SAN JOSE SHARKS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE LEAFS FIRST ROUND PICK (13TH OVERALL) PLUS THEIR SECOND AND FOURTH ROUND PICKS IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT.

We got Vesa now, sorry dude.

 

[FWELR]

Not sure about hannan, but your next comment brings me to one of today's biggest stories. I won't post everything, not much happening really yet today other than this:

THE GLOBE & MAIL REPORTS THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE ACQUIRED GOALTENDER VESA TOSKALA AND FORWARD MARK BELL FROM THE SAN JOSE SHARKS IN EXCHANGE FOR THE LEAFS FIRST ROUND PICK (13TH OVERALL) PLUS THEIR SECOND AND FOURTH ROUND PICKS IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT.

We got Vesa now, sorry dude.

have been talking it about elsewhere (wiichat is not the first place i come for hockey talk). basically, we cleared up cap space with bell and tosk (3.5 mil i think) and now we have 3 2nds and the 13th overall to tangle if we wanted to go into the top 10. hopefully we can use the cap to lock up JT and Marleau (FOR THE LAST TIME HE WILL NOT BE TRADED!!) long term and make a run at Smyth and Rafalski.

PS as far as Tosk goes, i wanted to keep him over Nabby but unfortunatly, not too many teams want a 35 year old goalie making 5 mil a year, no matter how good he is.

UPDATE: it's been an exciting day for the Sharkies, let's recap:

TO TORONTO: Vesa Toskala (1.375 mil)
Mark Bell :thankyougod: (2.175 mil)

TO SAN JOSE: 13th overall 2007 draft
2nd round pick 2007
4th round pick 2007

-------------------------------------------

TO ST. LOUIS: 13th overall 2007 draft
2nd round pick 2007
3rd round pick 2008

TO SAN JOSE: 9th overall 2007 draft (Logan Couture taken here, smart, good character center with an awesome shot, extremely soft hands, a poor man's Joe Thornton passing skills and absolutely no skating skill, his only weakness)

-------------------------------------------

TO WASHINGTON: 2nd round pick 2007 (41st overall)
2nd round pick 2008

TO SAN JOSE: 28th overall pick 2007 (Nick Petreski taken here, basically more bad-ass than Pronger without the offense, 6'3", 213 pound heavy hitting, mean-streak guy)

-------------------------------------------

so, at the end of the day we traded Toskala, Bell, a 2nd rounder this year, a 2nd rounder next year, and a 3rd rounder next year for the 9th and 28th overall picks, as well as a 4th rounder this year. we cleared up almost 3.5 mil in cap space (used nicely on Rivet) and got a terrific center and a bad-ass d-man. now, we just have to find a quality left-winger (ryan symth, ryan symth, please, lord, ryan symth) and a top 4 d-man(hannan if he'll stay cheap or rafaskli if we can afford him). pretty good day.

 

[CantGetAWii]

Some Day 2 action

REPORT: KINGS TO SIGN PREISSING.

THE OTTAWA SUN REPORTS FORMER SENATORS DEFENCEMAN TOM PREISSING HAS AGREED TO A FOUR-YEAR, $11 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE LA KINGS. THE DEAL ISN'T YET OFFICIAL AS IT HASN'T BEEN FINALIZED.

Spector's Note: Like the reports last night of Ryan Smyth's signing with the Avalanche, this is probably a done deal, given the details of the contract.

BATTAGLIA RE-SIGNS WITH LEAFS.

TSN REPORTS THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE RE-SIGNED UFA FORWARD BATES BATTAGLIA TO A TWO-YEAR, $1.3 MILLION CONTRACT.

THE LATEST UFA NEWS & RUMOURS.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/NEWSDAY: both reported on the prospect of the Rangers re-signing UFA winger Brendan Shanahan in the wake of yesterday's major signings of Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. John Dellapina of the Daily News wonders how the Rangers can fit Shanahan under the cap and believes he might not get the same money as he made last season ($4 million), whilst Greg Logan of Newsday reports Rangers GM Glen Sather expressed his determination to re-sign Shanahan.

Spector's Note: One way as suggested by Larry Brooks of the NY Post is if Shanahan accepts a base salary of $2 million and another $2 million in easily attainable bonuses, since under the CBA reasonable bonuses for players of Shanahan's age are allowed to exceed the cap.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Lonnie White reports Kings GM Dean Lombardi was busily working the phones yesterday but was unable to land Scott Gomez and Chris Drury, who was high on Lombardi's wish list.

Spector's Note: Lombardi's getting pilloried by some Kings fans for his inability thus far to land a big name UFA player, but remember, spending a lot of money doesn't guarantee a winner. The Kings must find a good fit for their rebuilding club, and there's still plenty of good talent available at reasonable prices.

NEW JERSEY STAR-LEDGER: Rich Chere reports Devils GM Lou Lamoriello admitted the loss of Brian Rafalski to free agency was huge but claimed confidence in Andy Greene, Johnny Oduya and Paul Martin.

Spector's Note: Expecting one of those three to step up and fill Rafalski's shoes is a tall order. I suspect Lombardi will be shopping for affordable replacements for Rafalski and for Scott Gomez.

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: David Pollak reports Sharks GM Doug Wilson declined to identify the free agents he was pursuing but added he wasn't surprised by the huge contracts Scott Gomez and Chris Drury landed yesterday.

Spector's Note: Hat tip to GJ Berg, who foreward that the Sharks might not land one of the top UFAs like Drury as oft-rumoured. Still, there's plenty of available and more affordable talent out there for Wilson to pursue.

WASHINGTON POST: Tarik El-Bashir reports Capitals GM George McPhee continues to weight offers to other UFA players, the most tantalizing option being Michael Nylander. A source also claimed that McPhee is interested in Alexei Yashin, although the Capitals haven't made him a formal offer and McPhee was unavailable for comment.

Spector's Note: Nylander might not be available but if he is McPhee should try to get him. As for Yashin, stay away, George, stay far, far away. You want a player who'll help build your team, and Yashin ain't it.

MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Michael Russo reports the Minnesota Wild have a one-year contract offer on the table for UFA forward Wes Walz. Wild GM Doug Risebrough doesn't want to offer him more than a one-year offer due to Walz's age (37).

TAMPA TRIBUNE: Erik Erlendsson reports Lightning GM Jay Feaster is fishing around for a defenceman and is interested in landing depth forwards.

Spector's Note: Given Feaster's limited cap space he's obviously fishing for minnows.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE/CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: both report Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon is still hopeful of landing a quality UFA centre after signing Yanic Perreault on Sunday to a one-year contract. The Tribune reports Tallon might target Michael Nylander, Robert Lang, Mike Comrie and Michael Peca, while the Daily Herald reports Tallon still remains hopeful of re-signing centre Michal Handzus.

Spector's Note: Nylander may have signed with Edmonton last night, which would leave Lang, Comrie and Peca for Tallon to consider. Handzus's value may have increased after yesterday's signings.

DETROIT NEWS/DETROIT FREE PRESS: report the Wings still hope to have Dominik Hasek re-signed soon and hope to re-sign Todd Bertuzzi, although yesterday's signings might drive up his value. The Wings might re-sign Danny Markov but his value too may have risen. The Free Press suggests the Wings might pass on Bertuzzi if his value rises over $2.5 million per season.

Spector's Note: You can bet Bertuzzi's agent is shopping around to see if he can find a better deal for his client. It remains to be seen if Markov's still an option for the Wings after signing Brian Rafalski yesterday.

BOSTON GLOBE/BOSTON HERALD: reported on potential moves for the Bruins following the opening day of the UFA market. The Herald reports GM Peter Chiarelli might try to sign UFA blueliner Karel Rachunek, who played for Ottawa when Chiarelli was assistant GM there. The Globe meanwhile reports the Bruins have a crowded crease after acquiring Manny Fernandez over the weekend, which could have Chiarelli considering shopping either Tim Thomas or Hannu Toivonen.

Spector's Note: Interesting tidbit about Rachunek, who might make an affordable addition to the Bruins blueline. Of the two goalies, Thomas has the most value but Toivonen could be the guy Chiarelli likely tries to move.

DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reports the Stars were in talks for Jason Blake yesterday but found his price too high. There were also in talks with Paul Kariya and Slava Kozlov.

Spector's Note: Kariya signed with the Blues last night so that only leaves Kozlov, whom the Thrashers are trying to re-sign.

BUFFALO NEWS: Tim Graham reports the Sabres were never in the running to re-sign Daniel Briere and Chris Drury, who signed with Philadelphia and New York respectively Sunday to huge multi-year contracts. Briere admitted his agent last spoke with the Sabres management last Thursday when he rejected the club's five year, $25 million offer, while it's unknown if Drury called the Sabres, who tabled a five-year, $30 million offer to him.

Spector's Note: The loss of Briere and Drury was a huge blow to the Sabres and their fans, the result of management's standing policy of not negotiating contracts during the season. GM Darcy Regier now has to consider diving into the UFA pool for possible replacements, although it's doubtful he'll find players who'll come close to bringing to the Sabres what Briere and Drury did. Still, the Sabres are filled with plenty of good young talent so they're not about to wither and die, but they're not the same team they were over the last two years.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Bryan Murray is believed to have yesterday contacted Bill Guerin, Martin Gelinas, Slava Kozlov and Petr Sykora. Garrioch also reports Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli considered sending an offer sheet to Sens goalie Ray Emery before acquiring Manny Fernandez on Saturday from Minnesota. Sens UFA blueliner Tom Preissing is believed considering offers from San Jose, Colorado and the LA Kings, while the Leafs, Capitals, Devils and Kings are believed to have interest in centre Mike Comrie. Forward Oleg Saprykin's agent said his client won't accept the Senators qualifying offer thus making him eligible for UFA status on July 15th.

Spector's Note: Sykora's now off the market having signed with the Penguins Sunday night. Preissing and Comrie will become more attractive options to teams that are shut out of the bidding for the top UFA talent. It remains to be seen if any team will tender an offer sheet for Emery.

ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Craig Custance reports Thrashers GM Don Waddell had negotiations with his UFA forward Slava Kozlov and remains hopeful of re-signing the veteran forward.

Spector's Note: Waddell has better move fast, as Kozlov is bound to attract more lucrative offers as more of the top free agents are snapped up.

THE TENNESSEAN: John Glennon reports Nashville Predators defenceman Marek Zidlicky has been the center of recent trade rumours but he won't be moving. Glennon points out Zidlicky has a "no-trade" clause in his contract plus GM David Poile is expecting Zidlicky to fill the void left by the trading away last month of Kimmo Timonen.

Spector's Note: Those facts won't stop the rumourmongers from dreaming up fantasy trades involving Zidlicky, but unless he suddenly tells Poile he wants out he won't be dealt.

NEWSDAY: Greg Logan reports Sunday was like a dispersal draft for the NY Islanders, losing forwards Jason Blake, Ryan Smyth and Viktor Kozlov and defenceman Tom Poti to free agency. Logan wonders if the Islanders are willing to pay the price to replace them.

Spector's note: GM Garth Snow faces a daunting task as losing those four key players won't be easy to replace. As one reader suggested the Isles roster now looks like Rick DiPietro backstopping a minor league team.

EDMONTON JOURNAL/EDMONTON SUN: both reported Oilers GM Kevin Lowe tried unsuccessfully on Sunday to land a top UFA forward yesterday, including former Oiler Ryan Smyth. The Journal reports Lowe is expected to re-sign recently acquired RFA defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a one-or-two year contract. Lowe intends to keep shopping today.

Spector's Note: Lowe's inability to sign a big name UFA yesterday did little to dispel the myth that Edmonton isn't a favoured destination of UFA players. There was a report last night however that the Oilers had signed Michael Nylander but there's been no further confirmation as of yet.

CALGARY SUN: Randy Sportak reports Flames GM Darryl Sutter wouldn't set a timetable for re-signing captain Jarome Iginla and is awaiting Miikka Kiprusoff's return from Finland before commencing contract extension talks with the netminder. Sutter also shot down a trade rumour involving Flames forward Alex Tanguay heading to Florida for Olli Jokinen, stressing Tanguay's importance to the Flames. Sportak also reports the Flames recent additions of Cory Sarich and Adrian Aucoin likely means Roman Hamrlik and Brad Stuart won't be returning with the Flames.

PALM BEACH POST: Brian Biggane reports Florida Panthers GM Jacques Martin also denied the rumour of a blockbuster deal sending Jokinen to Calgary.

Spector's Note: That was a stupid rumour. The Panthers aren't trading Jokinen, period. And yes, Stuart and Hamrlik are gone, the question now is where they'll sign, a question that could be answered as early as today.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports Maple Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. said any more moves by his team won't happen until mid-week and might involve a trade. The Leafs yesterday signed winger Jason Blake.

Spector's Note: There's lots of rumours about the Leafs trying to shop Pavel Kubina and Andrew Raycroft, none of them making any sense, so this story will only add fuel to the fire. It'll be interesting to see what JFJ might have up his sleeve.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey reports Sheldon Souray is still a Canadien but wonders for how long. Jack Todd questioned GM Bob Gainey's willingness to gamble to bring in offensive talent.

Spector's Note: Todd's suggestion/critique is unfair to Gainey, who's tried to land a top UFA forward over the last three summers but has been shut out due to Quebec's high taxes, the fishbowl existence of Habs players in Montreal and in the case of some English UFA players, language. Looks like Gainey may once again have to settle for UFA leftovers if he fails to land a quality second-tier player this week.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Rangers GM Glen Sather attempted Sunday to re-sign centre Michael Nylander but passed when Nylander received offers from rival teams of four years at more than $20 million. Sather instead signed Scott Gomez and Chris Drury to hefty long-term contracts.

Spector's Note: A report last night (see below) claimed Nylander had signed with the Oilers but there's been no further details as of yet.