With the holiday trade freeze finally over, which was very evident after today's deal between Columbus and Washington, expect things to really pick up on both the trade front and the rumour mill.
For those who missed it, The Washington Capitals traded team captain Chris Clark and defenceman Milan Jurcina to the Columbus Blue Jackets for winger Jason Chimera. This helps Columbus' need for defense, while it gives Washington another option up front. I expect Washington to go out and get another defenseman before the deadline, and rumours are flying today that that player could come from Toronto. Ian White or Tomas Kaberle are the only two that would make sense. Either way, Washington now has almost $5 million in cap space, and they are going to use it.
While there are some rumours that seem so far-fetched I don't report them, a pretty strong source of mine texted me today saying "We know Dion and Calgary are growing apart, Caps love this kid, and Semin would look pretty good beside Iggy". Speculation? Rumour? I couldn't get clarification either way, but it's something to keep an eye on. Yes, Semin just re-upped, but one year deals are always curious, as they are often done to increase trade value.
How on earth do the Habs trade Halak? I'm still hearing St. Louis loves this kid and is trying really hard to get him. Gainey is in a tough spot right now. He'd love to hold onto him to the deadline, but his value will never be higher than it is right now. Can we really count out Carey Price being traded? I don't think so...
In Philly, the Flyers are playing better but Jeff Carter is still available. The asking price, however, will be high. Philly wants a top d-man and a pretty good prospect in return for Carter. Leafs still wish Kaberle would bring Carter and a 1st back, not happening. The Kings LOVE Carter and some have to wonder if Steve Bernier could be in play.
I apologize for the lack of updates lately, December was crazy busy for me, as well I was sick for a week plus took a week vacation to Las Vegas. Things should be back to normal soon.
Exciting news, we are starting work on a new website which we hope to have ready sometime around the trade deadline. Also, next Monday I start my intern position at the Hockey News, which can only lead to me more sources and thus lead you to more rumours. For the latest, make sure to check out
http://www.hockeyleaks.com
http://www.twitter.com/hockeyleaks
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Some Saturday Predictions
First off, what an effort by the Montreal Canadiens last night. The team had an awful week and things didn't look good heading into centennial night last night at the Bell Centre. The team came out, destroyed the Bruins, and made themselves look like a very good hockey club. The question now is, can the Habs keep this momentum up and turn it into something productive? The next few games are key for the Habs.
As for the Bruins, they head home to play a surging Toronto team tonight. As a Leaf fan, I am excited for this game, but I feel the Bruins will take it. The team will be looking to rebound tonight, Rask is playing the team that gave up on him, and the Bruins are playing Phil Kessel, a player their fans truly miss. While I think it will be a great game, I feel like Joey Mac's luck is going to run out eventually, and tonight seems like a fitting night for that to happen. As a Leaf fan, I hope I'm wrong. Either way, should be a great game in Boston tonight. Toronto's motivation for tonight? I win could put them as close as four points back of a playoff spot, with a game in hand. There's still a lot of hockey to be played this season.
Do the Western Conference standings scare anyone else? LA, Colorado, Nashville and Phoenix currently sit 4,5,6,7. Did anyone expect ANY of these teams to compete this season? With that said, Colorado seems to be coming back to earth, winning only three of their last ten. My prediction: Only one of those four make the playoffs when all is said and done.
The bottom half of the West is just as disturbing as the top. Detroit and Vancouver are both on the outside looking in, while Anaheim sits in dead last. Changes could come in all three of these cities if things don't turn around pretty soon, maybe save for Detroit, who has been crippled with injuries, though this team's weak goaltending is finally being exposed.
Nobody was surprised when Stevens was fired in Philly, but was Laviolette the right choice to replace him? I'm going to say no, I feel there were better options out there. Either way, there is no excuse for Philly being out of the playoffs, this team is stacked and should be a Stanley Cup favourite. The next move for this team is to move a centre, they're trying.
Afternoon action today has Vancouver and Carolina currently tied at one. That goaltending battle of Raycroft vs. Legace is going to make for a great game...
The puck is just about to drop on the Oilers/Dallas game, what a rivalry that used to be.
For all the latest, please check Hockeyleaks.com, our forums, and of coarse our twitter, which has broken many stories this week including the Montreal/Anaheim trade, Tlusty's threats of going to the KHL and John Stevens being fired. Check that out here
http://www.hockeyleaks.com.
http://www.hockeyleaks.com/forum2
http://twitter.com/hockeyleaks
As for the Bruins, they head home to play a surging Toronto team tonight. As a Leaf fan, I am excited for this game, but I feel the Bruins will take it. The team will be looking to rebound tonight, Rask is playing the team that gave up on him, and the Bruins are playing Phil Kessel, a player their fans truly miss. While I think it will be a great game, I feel like Joey Mac's luck is going to run out eventually, and tonight seems like a fitting night for that to happen. As a Leaf fan, I hope I'm wrong. Either way, should be a great game in Boston tonight. Toronto's motivation for tonight? I win could put them as close as four points back of a playoff spot, with a game in hand. There's still a lot of hockey to be played this season.
Do the Western Conference standings scare anyone else? LA, Colorado, Nashville and Phoenix currently sit 4,5,6,7. Did anyone expect ANY of these teams to compete this season? With that said, Colorado seems to be coming back to earth, winning only three of their last ten. My prediction: Only one of those four make the playoffs when all is said and done.
The bottom half of the West is just as disturbing as the top. Detroit and Vancouver are both on the outside looking in, while Anaheim sits in dead last. Changes could come in all three of these cities if things don't turn around pretty soon, maybe save for Detroit, who has been crippled with injuries, though this team's weak goaltending is finally being exposed.
Nobody was surprised when Stevens was fired in Philly, but was Laviolette the right choice to replace him? I'm going to say no, I feel there were better options out there. Either way, there is no excuse for Philly being out of the playoffs, this team is stacked and should be a Stanley Cup favourite. The next move for this team is to move a centre, they're trying.
Afternoon action today has Vancouver and Carolina currently tied at one. That goaltending battle of Raycroft vs. Legace is going to make for a great game...
The puck is just about to drop on the Oilers/Dallas game, what a rivalry that used to be.
For all the latest, please check Hockeyleaks.com, our forums, and of coarse our twitter, which has broken many stories this week including the Montreal/Anaheim trade, Tlusty's threats of going to the KHL and John Stevens being fired. Check that out here
http://www.hockeyleaks.com.
http://www.hockeyleaks.com/forum2
http://twitter.com/hockeyleaks
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Things are starting to happen
Finally we see some player movement in the NHL. It started last week with Latendresse being traded for Pouliot. Then last night, I got word that Chipchura was on the move (we broke the deal 12 hours before anyone else via twitter, so make sure to follow @Hockeyleaks). Now today, another interesting move: Christensen claimed on waivers by the Rangers, who then put Stephen Valiquette on waivers. Interesting move by the Rangers, who are now without a backup with any NHL experience. Onto today's rumours:
- The Habs don't appear to be done. The team is lacking a bonafide finisher, and that has been clear all season long. I still think Halak gets moved to bring in some offense.
- The Leafs are looking for another goalie, and if they claim Valiquette I wouldn't be at all surprised. Don't expect them to go after a big contract like Giguere, but more so someone that's not as good as The Monster but better than Macdonald. Maybe a Roloson or Biron from NYI? Personally, I'm a fan of the Leafs claiming Valiquette.
- The Blue Jackets and Senators are working on a deal that would swap an Ottawa d-man for a Columbus winger. No specifics yet, but Campoli was a healthy scratch for Ottawa. With that said, it sounds like Columbus is looking for more of a defensive d-man. Hearing Brian Lee could be an option. Columbus is shopping Torres.
- Carolina is shopping Aaron Ward and Matt Cullen. The team would love to call up some youth but cap restraints won't allow much to happen. Expect Carolina to make a move before the holiday roster freeze.
- The Habs don't appear to be done. The team is lacking a bonafide finisher, and that has been clear all season long. I still think Halak gets moved to bring in some offense.
- The Leafs are looking for another goalie, and if they claim Valiquette I wouldn't be at all surprised. Don't expect them to go after a big contract like Giguere, but more so someone that's not as good as The Monster but better than Macdonald. Maybe a Roloson or Biron from NYI? Personally, I'm a fan of the Leafs claiming Valiquette.
- The Blue Jackets and Senators are working on a deal that would swap an Ottawa d-man for a Columbus winger. No specifics yet, but Campoli was a healthy scratch for Ottawa. With that said, it sounds like Columbus is looking for more of a defensive d-man. Hearing Brian Lee could be an option. Columbus is shopping Torres.
- Carolina is shopping Aaron Ward and Matt Cullen. The team would love to call up some youth but cap restraints won't allow much to happen. Expect Carolina to make a move before the holiday roster freeze.
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