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Allan Muir, of Sports Illustrateds’ Inside the NHL blog, has some interesting notes in a piece posted online this weekend (click here). Among them, he lists nine teams interested in Sergei Zubov and he also explains why the talented defenseman has yet to be signed.
Muir also notes that the San Jose Sharks would love to move winger Jonathan Cheechoo, and he says the former 56-goal scorer could be a nice reclamation project for certain teams. Additional notes focus on winger Alex Tanguay, St. Louis Blues prospects, the goaltending situation in Dallas and a few other topics. A nice, quick read.
The off-season remains in a lull. Here are a few recent rumor stories circulating among reporters:
- Brendan Shanahan looks like he’s going to sign with either the New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers. Read about it by clicking here.
- According to the Dallas Morning News, defenseman Sergei Zubov isn’t likely to return to the Dallas Stars.
- Alex Tanguay’s agent confirms that the Florida Panthers are one of about six teams looking to sign the UFA winger. Read the Florida Sun Sentinel article by clicking here. According to the article, other teams that could be in the mix include the Coyotes, Oilers, Islanders, Senators and Stars.
Here are some of the best rumor headlines from this morning:
- The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Heika has some notes about Sergei Zubov and Brad Richards.
- Fire & Ice looks into possible interest in Zubov by the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers. The blog also says there’s nothing new to report about Brendan Shanahan.
- Red Wings beat writer Ansar Khan says the team has unanticipated spending money due to the departures of players like Marian Hossa, Jiri Hudler, Mikael Samuelsson and Tomas Kopecky. He says the team should spend the money to get better players in the lineup. He breaks down some of the available UFA options. It’s a good read.
- Tim Sassone, of the Daily Herald, says the Toronto Maple Leafs, with some extra d-men, and the Chicago Blackhawks, with an abundance of forwards, could match up on a trade. He says there are whispers that the team’s GMs have been having discussions.
I typically just report rumors on Hockey Watercooler, but some big signings and news took place today, and I’ve been sharing details of these situations. Hence, here’s some closure for regular readers:
- The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Swedish free agent Jonas Gustavsson to a one-year contract. The goalie also had been pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado.
- Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic will be retiring after an outstanding 20-year NHL career.
- Defenseman Chris Pronger has agree to a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, who paid quite a bounty for Pronger during the NHL draft about 10 days ago. No terms were discussed, but NHL.com reports it may be a seven-year deal worth $35 million.
Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson still hasn’t made a decision. The teams in the mix continue to be Toronto, Dallas, San Jose and Colorado, though the Avalanche may be out after signing two NHL-calibar goaltenders earlier this week. Here are a couple stories related to Gustavsson:
- Sun Media spoke to the Swede, who expects to make a decision in the next couple of days and who noted that Toronto is high on his list.
- Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk doesn’t have any news to share.
Jonas Gustavsson met with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke in Stockholm, but no decision has been made by the Swedish goalie. According to the article linked here, the earliest Gustavsson will decide is July 4, but the situation may take up to a week.
Of the four teams pursuing the man nicknamed “Monster,” Colorado is likely out after getting two goaltenders under contract this week. That just leaves Toronto, plus the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars as suitors.
The Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs all are awaiting a decision by Swedish goalie Jonas Gustavsson. The Dallas Morning News notes that whle the Stars await the decision, three goalies the team had been interested in (Craig Anderson, Ty Conklin and Scott Clemmensen) have already signed with other teams.
Winger Jere Lehtinen has re-signed with the Dallas Stars. I thought he could have been a nice, affordable depth pick up for many teams. The terms, according to the article linked here, are $1.5 million, plus $1 million in incentives.
Lots’ of news about Dany Heatley today.
Sun Media reports that the Ottawa Senators are asking for two players plus a draft pick (likely a first-rounder) in exchange for Heatley. The team would also like to make the deal before July 1, when Heatley is due a $4 million signing bonus. The article notes that the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars are leading the Heatley sweepstakes, though the St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers also are interested.
Another Sun Media report looks at some of the players who could be involved in discussions, ranging from Kings winger Alexander Frolov and defenceman Jack Johnson to Wild center James Sheppard, defenseman Tyler Cuma and winger Cal Clutterbuck.
And an Ottawa Citizen article notes the close relationship between Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray and Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher. Such a deal between the two teams, the article says, could include prospects James Sheppard Tyler Cuma plus a draft pick. The author, Allen Panzeri, also questions the interest by the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, though he does list some pieces that could be exchanged if a deal were to go down.
A few interesting stories from today and late last night:
- The Dallas Morning News looks at the tasks ahead for new GM Joe Nieuwendyk
- The Star-Tribune looks at how Phil Kessel could be a fit for the Minnesota Wild
- Similarly, the Pioneer Press says the Wild would like to make a deal prior to the draft
- The Gazette says that Canadians captain Saku Koivu’s future with the team is in limbo
- The Sharks have various matters at hand that need addressing.
