Todd Bertuzzi predicts that he will sign with a U.S.-based Eastern Conference team. Haven’t seen many rumors for the big winger. Where do you think he’ll end up? Similarly, what’s his worth now, as a 34-year-old who now can be counted on mainly for supplimental scoring?
There’s more news on a possible Dany Heatley-to-San Jose trade, courtesy of Sun Media’s Bruce Garrioch (see article here). The article suggests that a third team may have to get involved because Ottawa doesn’t like the offers being made by the Sharks. Garrioch says the third team could end up being the Montreal Canadiens. He also writes that the Senators don’t want winger Jonathan Cheechoo, who has allegedly been offered along with defenseman Christian Erhoff and a first-round selection for Heatley. The name of center Patrick Marleau, Garrioch notes, has not been included in the discussions.
On a related note, the Edmonton Oilers have officially bowed out of the Heatley sweepstakes. Read about it here.
Really starting to heat up. Any thoughts on this potential deal?
The excellent From the Rink blog has a pretty interesting piece that discusses rumors that NHL GMs are conspiring together to not sign remaining free agents in an effort to drive salaries down. Here’s the story. What do you think? Smell a conspiracy?
It’s been a slow summer, but I just think too many of the teams who would sign some of the guys left are too close to the salary cap.
Sun Media’s Bruch Garrioch says Dany Heatley’s Ottawa Senators teammates want to have all the trade rumors resolved, and soon. Meanwhile, Garrioch says the San Jose Sharks could still make a deal for the high-scoring winger, but the team has yet to make a serious offer. Check out the article by clicking here.
Anybody care to share a link to a legitimate “Heatley-to-San Jose” rumor article, preferably by a beat writer or big-name hockey expert? I keep seeing just little mentions like this one, but nothing substantive.
The San Jose Mercury News has a couple interesting notes about the San Jose Sharks. In this story, it’s noted that goalie Evgeni Nabokov and forward Patrick Marleau have not been asked to waive their no-trade clauses in their contracts, but Nabokov said he would if GM Doug Wilson asked him to. In addition, Marleau has talked to the GM about whether he should remain the team’s captain.
And this story notes that GM Wilson has cut ties with eight players, but he hasn’t made any “blockbuster moves” to back up his promise to retool the roster. Wilson, in the story, stresses patience.
Sharks fans out there: How patient are you? And what type of moves would you like to see Wilson make to shake up the team?
The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul DuPont looks at the Phil Kessel contract talks, noting that no progress has been made to date. DuPont also looks at Kessel’s options, which include:
- Signing a one-year deal for a slight raise and then hoping to cash in on arbitration next summer.
- Signing a deal for about three years and $11.25 million, then hitting the UFA market in 2012.
- Forcing his way out of Boston, either by requesting a trade or refusing to sign.
- Waiting for a RFA offer sheet to come in.
What do you think the best option is for Kessel?
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.
Kind of a slow couple of days on the NHL rumor front. Not the most exciting of news, but here are a couple items worth sharing:
- Puck-rakers suggests that left winger Jason Chimera could be on the trading block. The writer says Chimera was offered by the Columbus Blue Jackets to San Jose for defenseman Christian Ehrhoff earlier this off-season.
- Canes Now reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are in discussions about re-signing UFA defenseman Dennis Seidenberg.
Have I missed anything? Shoot me an e-mail or respond here if you’ve seen anything from a legitimate news source.
Mixed signals are coming out of Ottawa in regards to Dany Heatley’s future. In this case, the general manager is saying one thing and the owner another.
The Edmonton Journal’s Dan Barnes says the Edmonton Oilers haven’t given up on landing Ottawa Senator Dany Heatley via trade. However, Barnes notes that Heatley likely won’t waive his to-trade clause until he is presented with at least two additional potential trade destinations from which to pick. Ottawa GM Bryan Murray says there are two other teams with serious interest, but no other details are available. Check out the article by clicking here.
However, in a Sun Media report the Senators’ owner says the deal to send Heatley to the Oilers is still on the table, “but only for so long and after that his only option is to report to training camp.” Click here to read more.
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