Crazy Sunday

Sunday is usually a slow day. Today has been anything but.

Edmonton sends Stoll and Greene to LA for Visnovsky. LOVE this move for both teams. Visnovsky is going to be replaced by Doughty anyways, while Stoll gives them another great forward. The Oilers get the puck moving defenseman they've been looking for. I'm being told Pitkanen is on his way out, and could even be dealt before July 1st. Montreal and Ottawa have great interest in him.

Tampa signs Malone and Roberts as reported by myself earlier in the day. Now they've aquired the rights to Rolston. It's too soon to tell if he'll sign, but don't count it out. Roberts and Malone are huge pick ups for the Lightning, Rolston would be as well. Tampa is looking around the league for a goaltender, they are not done shopping.

Foote and Liles have re-signed in Colorado, taking two more big name defenseman off the market. I'm starting to wonder if there will be anyone for teams to sign on Tuesday.

I know the big media outlets are saying Sundin's decision is still a ways away, but I think they are just playing it safe. Tomorrow is a very big day for this whole process. If Sundin signs tomorrow with the Habs, the Leafs get something in return. He doesnt want to leave the Leafs with nothing, especially after burning them at the deadline. If Sundin makes it to July 1st, the chances of him staying a Leaf are decent, though still less than 50/50. I think tomorrow he signs, but thats just a hunch.

Tomorrow has potential to be a very large day. A lot of RFAs and UFAs rights are being shopped. A lot of teams had Sunday night deadlines, and teams may get into bidding wars tomorrow. With the rights of Rolston going tonight, I fully expect someone to finally give San Jose what they want for Campbell's rights. Tomorrow should be fun

Sorry, TB not LA...my bad

Working on an LA thing right now, they're currently on my mind, that'll be tonight's blog....as well as a look at the RFA's...they're connected

Malone, Roberts Sign With Tampa Bay

Malone is really cashing in, long term deal, 6 or 7 years, worth over 30 million. Roberts is going to sign a one year deal worth 2 million.

Hearing Curtis Joseph is set to return to toronto, i'd be shocked if that didnt happen at this point.

Hossa to Boston is very likely I've been told. Chara and Savard are both huge reasons why Hossa is strongly considering the Bruins.

Leafs have significant interest in Jason Williams. Leafs are still talking to the sharks about possibly bringing in Marleau.

The Blackhawks will make Brian Campbell the best offer hes going to recieve, but Ottawa and NYR will be all over this guy as well.

Brenden Morrison is likely headed to Columbus it seems.

I've heard Naslund would really like to play with Bertuzzi, and may both sign with the same team...

More to come later, still waiting for Sundin's answer...

The Year of the Buyout...

Three more buyouts today, in what has been a buyout period that nobody has expected. Biggish name players are being added to what started as a weak free agent pool. This makes for a much more exciting July 1st.

We'll start with Todd Bertuzzi who is on waivers and who could be claimed before tomorrow. If he clears, which is very likely, Bertuzzi will be bought out by the ducks. This will cost the team 1.33 million a season for the next two years. A lot of chatter today about the Canucks thinking about picking big bert back up.

Shawn Bates is going to be bought out as well. The veteran struggled with injuries last season and only played two games. Bates has only played 50 games in the last two years, so it's unlikely anyone will be in a rush to pick this guy up. Bates will cost the team just 400,000 a season over the next two seasons.

Finally, Andrew Raycroft is being bought out by the Leafs. I'm surprised by this, as all indications were that Raycroft would be burried in the Marlies, or placed on re-entry waivers. Apparently Fletcher just wants him gone. Raycroft will cost the team about 750,000 a season for the next two seasons.

Toronto Sun is reporting that Leafs may have interest in Sean Avery. I'd love to see this guy in Toronto, but it'll be interesting to see if the Leafs are interested in bringing his attitude in, especially after dumping players like Tucker.

Brenden Morrison to washington is a really hot rumour right now.

Kristain Huselius will not be back with the Flames it seems. Ottawa, Chicago and Vancouver are early teams I'm hearing.

As this has been the year of the buyout, it could also be the year of the offersheet In the next day or two I will be posting a lift of RFAs, and which ones you can expect to recieve offer sheets, and who may be offering them.

Have a great day, more as it develops

Niedermayer To Play Next Season

Scott Niedermayer has told Brian Burke that he will play next season for the Ducks. This is good news for a team who missed his presence for much of last season. I am being told Selanne is likely to head to July 1st.

The Mats Sundin saga continues, apparently toronto has given him a Sunday deadline. I continue to hear that Montreal is the favourite, with June 30th as the possible day this gets done. I still think he'll hit the open market July 1st.

Also with the Leafs, reports today suggest that the Leafs have threatened to sit McCabe if he won't accept a trade. ATL, NYR and NYI are the teams very interested in him.

For more rumours, check the rumour mill at Hockeyleaks.com

Hockeyleaks.com News! Chat Tonight!

We have finally purchased our own server, which should mean better things for Hockeyleaks.com. We will not be moving right away, as changing servers will result in about 5-7 days downtime, and obviously I'm not shutting things down before or around July 1st. Expect the move to take place in late July, early August...

The chat is also back just in time for July 1st. I'm going to be in Chat tonight from 10-11 PM EST tonight to discuss whatever rumours and news you would like to discuss! Chats will be more common leading up to the Free Agent season. It will also be the place to be on July 1st when free agent season kicks off.

Thanks for all your support over the years, lets make year #4 our best yet!

Clarifying The Leafs' Moves

Im getting A LOT of emails regarding the moves the Leafs have done today. A lot of you are unsure exactly what has happened, so here is exactly what has gone down.

Darcy Tucker is being bought out. I spoke to a source who confirmed that Tucker has a NMC and thus was given the decision if he would like to be placed on waivers. Tucker rejected that, and will immediatly be bought out. Tucker does not have to be placed or clear waivers, and thus will do niether.

Raycroft has been placed on waivers, but will not be bought out I have been told. The team will likely wait until Fall, and place Raycroft on re-entry waivers. If he clears, they may just keep him in the minors for the season. Buying Raycroft out makes very little sense for the Leafs at this point, though I guess with Toronto, anything could happen.

Wellwood has also been placed on waivers. If he clears, the Leafs will have to decide whether or not to qualify him. His rights could still be traded between now and july 1st as well. Vancouver, Minnesota and Phoenix are teams I have heard may be willing to take a chance on Wellwood, who I believe still has a lot of game left in him.

Aside from Raycroft, I am not a fan of the moves Cliff Fletcher has made today. I think Tucker should have been kept for one more season, while Wellwood is still young and deserves another chance. The Leafs are re-building, they can afford to take chances on a couple of question mark players. I expect Tucker to sign somewhere in the Northeast, so he can show the Leafs exactly what they bought out.

Sunday Morning Rumours!

A lot of big rumours coming out this morning, you can tell free agent season is almost here.

First, while it has been speculated that the Leafs will receive picks and/or prospects from Montreal should they sign Sundin, I have been told that may not be the case. The Habs need cap room, and Chris Higgins could be on his way to Toronto. Higgins has a cap hit of just 1.7, but its a start for the Habs. Several other teams, Detroit and Colorado for sure, made offers to have Sundins rights, but Montreal obviously had the best offer, and if it is indeed Chris Higgins, Leaf fans should be hoping Mats signs with Montreal and fast...Gainey will be in Sweden this week to get something done.

Brian Campbell to Ottawa? It's a very hot rumour right now. Ottawa has seen it's blueline take a thrashing the last few years, and they are going to find a way to fit this guy into their cap. Brian Campbell is likely to sign in the East, with NYR, Buffalo and Chicago the rumoured cities.

Look for the Phoenix Coyotes to make a deal for some defense. Pavel Kubina could be headed down south, while they are also going to make a pitch for Wade Redden. Phoenix is looking to make a serious run...next year. They have the offense and goaltending now, but their defense is still among the weakest in the league, especially after this past weekend.

The Islanders are another team desperatly seeking some blueline help. Ted Nolan apparently will speak to Bryan McCabe sometime soon in hopes of convincing him to waive his NMC. The Islanders want this guy back bad.

Ray Emery will sign somewhere, the biggest question is where. LA is an obvious destination, though I'm hearing he's likely to stay in the East. Washington and Montreal are very possible I've been told, while San Jose and Detroit are apparently kicking tires at the situation.

Carolina is still working hard to get some defensive help, and all signs point to them dealing with Vancouver for Bieksa. They spent the weekend laying the groundwork for such a deal, but I promise you this, Vancouver will be a much different team by the start of the season. Gillis is planning to really shake things up.

The Panthers are quietly shopping Jay Bouwmeister. Apparently the two sides are having a tough time working out a deal. Martin may just wait for someone to sign him to an offer sheet, as the compensation picks are probably more than he'd get for him in a trade. Phoenix and Carolina are the two obvious teams to watch here.

The longer this Jeff Carter deal takes, the more dangerous it is for the Flyers. If Jeff Carter is an RFA by July 1st, the chances of him coming back to the Flyers are very thin. They can't afford to lose Jeff after dealing RJ Umberger for the 19th overall pick in this weekends draft ( Luca Sbisa). I can't believe RJ came so cheap...and don't even get me started on the Olli Jokinen deal...are you telling me that not one other team in the NHL could top that trade? If your the Leafs, you have to think your 2nd round pick, Strahlman and Kubina get that deal done...The Panthers should have gotten a 1st, a 2nd and a top prospect for Jokinen, instead they got a 2nd, a good defenseman and a past-his-prime defenseman.

I'm off to the Queens Plate in Toronto for my horse racing fix, enjoy your Sunday, it's going to be a crazy next 10-15 days :)

Emery On Waivers

Just heard from a good source that the Sens have placed Emery on waivers. If he clears, he will be bought out.

For those who are just waking up, Chris Mason was traded to St. Louis for NYR's 4th round pick. The Blues have no plans on moving Legace.

St. Louis may not be done, I'm hearing they could possibly move that 4th overall pick.

Check the Trade Deadline Chat thread in the forums for all the latest rumours

Leafs Aquire Mayers

The Leafs have traded a third round pick to the St. Louis Blues for forward Jamal Mayers. To me, this means Tucker is on his way out of Toronto, as they are very similar players. The Leafs have had interest in Mayers since before deadline of 07, it's interesting that Fletcher made a deal JFJ came close to making several times.

Bryan McCabe is not likely to waive his NTC, and according to his agent there is no deal that Bryan would accept. This is a ploy to get McCabe bought out, something the team has no intentions of doing. At this point, Kubina to the Sharks seems very likely.

Unfortunatly I have to work my real job tomorrow night, and will not be around to cover the draft. Hockeyleaks' own Colin Lim will be at the draft, so hopefully sometime next week he will be able to give a report on what it was like to be there. I will set up a "Draft Chat" in the forum, for all of you to discuss the happenings. I will be posting rumours and any deals that happen tomorrow before 3 pm EST.

Here is the blog I wrote earlier today that wasn't posted due to Blogger being down..

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Talking to sources today, it is my greatest opinion that there could be earthquakes in Ottawa this weekend. I've never heard so many big names (and I mean BIG) being mentioned.

Ottawa is looking to move Jason Spezza. They have offered him in a package with emery and their own pick to the Kings for the second overall pick, and a roster player (some believe its Cammy). They have also offered Spezza to the Thrashers in exchange for their third overall pick. There is more to that deal but I dont have details. Ottawa has lost Chara and Redden now, and want one of the premier defensemen in this draft to help replace that void.

The Pens are also shopping Malkin, as they are expected to re-sign Hossa. The Kings are the team in the spotlight, with the 2nd overall pick and Cammy going the other way. Malkin would fit great in LA with frolov, brown and a group of great young defensemen.

The Panthers WILL trade Jokinen I've been told. The Flames are the team to watch, in a deal that could involve Tanguay. The Canucks are also offering their 10th overall pick + for him.

I am still hearing McCabe could go this weekend. All the media outlets are saying he won't be moved until later in the summer, but Fletcher has to move of McCabe or Kubina, and this has to be done before July 1st so the team knows exactly how much money they have to spend. Kubina will be moved if needed, but his stellar play late last season means whoever wants him may have to take Raycroft as well.

The Red Wings are very interested in getting the rights to Sundin, though that doesnt have to happen this weekend.

More Later...

The Draft Is Near

Here is all the latest, enjoy:

How the Leafs are not being accused of tampering yet is beyond me. They have hired Al Coates as their player personnel directer. Coates has spent the last six seasons in ANAHEIM.

Blake Wheeler will only play in the East I've been told. Toronto, Buffalo and Carolina are the three teams Im hearing. A lot of teams want him signed before this Friday's draft.

Getting the rest of Leafs news out of the way, buying out Darcy Tucker makes no sense to me. A million a year over the next six to get rid of him? At least let him play one more year at $3 million and see how that goes. A lot of reports suggest the Leafs will move up if they have a shot at filatov. I could see a 7th overall + McCabe trade to the Islanders for their 5th overall pick.

I'm hearing that St. Louis may pick up Schenn with their first round pick (fourth overall). Most mock drafts have schenn going somewhere between 5th - 8th.

Vancouver is heavily shopping their first round pick (#10 overall). Gillis doesn't like his teams scouting, and feels the pick would be better traded for an already established NHLer. Many believe he may change the face of the team by packaging it with a sedin or two. Ohlund or Salo could also be on the move.

Columbus is shopping their first round pick (#6 overall), and would love to get a centre to play with Rick Nash. Patrick Marleau's name won't go away in this rumour.

John Torterella is looking to become the head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers, while Barry Melrose still looks to be the guy in Tampa.

Ray Emery will be bought out by Ottawa. Because of his age, he will only cost the Sens 1/3 of his salary, instead of the usual 2/3. Ottawa is very interested in moving up in the draft, likely to a top five pick. That would be very costly, however, and I don't know if the Sens will be prepared to pay the price.

The Oilers and Blue Jackets both have serious interest in Ryan Malone.

Montreal likely will be the leader in the Hossa race on July 1st.

Yashin back to the Islanders is laughable, but the fact that it's leaked publically means more teams will now be contacting him, and he could still very well land back in the NHL before July 1st.

More to come, the draft is too close!

Bergeron To The Wild

Marc Andre Bergeron has been dealt to Minnesota, still waiting on whats going back the other way...

Torterella Likely going to LA to replace Crawford. Crawford to Atlanta rumours are hot right now

Check hockeyleaks.com for all the latest

2008 Hockeyleaks Mock Draft

It is now up and available, check out http://www.hockeyleaks.com for that. Make sure to go to the forums and submit your thoughts and opinions on what should be a great draft this year.

Ron Wilson will be named the next coach of the Leafs for sure. Tuesday is when that announcement should go down.

Hartley To Be Next Sens Coach?

Just got off the phone with a very good source that has told me that Bob Hartley will be named the next coach of the Ottawa Senators. I'm not going to guarentee it, but this source is very rarely wrong. He also said Kitcheners Peter DeBoer has been offered a spot as an assistant coach, time will tell if he takes it.

As for Ron Wilson to the Leafs, a report today says that Wilson's offer would not make him one of the highest paid coaches in the game, something he apparently has a problem with. He has until Monday to decide on the offer...I still think this gets done.

CBC To Drop HNIC Anthem!

This article is from Slam Sports..


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Swan song for HNIC theme

CBC to ditch 'Canada's second national anthem'?
By IRENE THOMAIDIS -- Sun Media





The Hockey Night in Canada theme song will be shut out next season, according to the composer of the song.

The agreement between the CBC and the composer, Dolores Claman, expired last night when the last game of the 2007-'08 season was played, according to the website, hockeytheme.com.

According to the site, the CBC has advised Claman that the contract will not be renewed and the broadcaster has chosen to move in a new direction - which means we won't be hearing the familiar dunt-da-DUNT-da-dunt at the beginning of each CBC-aired game next season.

Listen to the full version of the song here

The CBC was paying about $500 for each game broadcast using the anthem. The renewal offer was "virtually identical," according to the site.

"I am saddened by the decision of the CBC to drop the Hockey Night in Canada Theme after our lengthy history together," Claman said. "I nevertheless respect its right to move in a new direction."

The composition was written by Claman in 1968 and has become one of the longest running theme songs in broadcasting history, sometimes refered to as "Canada's second national anthem."


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This is terrible news for Canadian hockey fans, as this anthem is such a huge part of our Saturday nights! I am asking all of you to show your support and email CBC asking this decision to be overturned! The CBC doesn't need a new direction, the current one is working just fine. Please go here and fill out their contact form, and lets see if we can't keep a piece of Canadian tradition alive!

http://www.cbc.ca/contact/

Fantasy Site Back Up...

http://hlfantasy.conforums.com/index.cgi

we have about 15 of the 30 spots filled, so please get your spot ASAP to make sure you have a chance to play one of the most exciting fantasy games to ever hit the NHL world!

Can't wait for tonight's game, should be a great atmosphere in Pittsburgh to say the least. If the Pens force game seven, this series could go down as one of the best ever. Tonight is a can't miss game folks, so make sure to tune in and watch it. 8 pm on CBC and NBC.

TORTORELLA FIRED

John Tortorella has been fired as the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Very likely that Barry Melrose replaces him behind the bench in the not too distant future.

Ottawa will be interviewing Kitchener Rangers coach Peter DeBoer very soon. Pat Burns still the favourite there.

Paul Maurice is gaining a lot of momentum right now in Florida.

Fantasy site for the 08/09 game is still down, hopefully conforums gets their stuff together shortly. Please contact me at cjohnson202@hockeyleaks.com if your interested in joining and I will reserve you a spot.

More later, check the site for a full update. New articles, rumours and news are up. Mock Draft should be up in the next few days as well, so that is something to look forward to. Hockeyleaks.com for the latest

Leafs To Hire Ron Wilson

Hearing from a very good source that the Leafs have hired Ron Wilson as their new coach. Should be announced in the next 24 hours. Looks like Fletcher is going to GM for this season, though they are still after Burke, possibly Regier. They've been rejected again to speak to both men this week, but both want the job, and both are free agents July 09.

A lot of people are asking for details for the fantasy league. The server is down right now for that, I will let you know when it's back up.

Check the site later tonight for new articles by Jeff Small and TJ Hurst