Does Clearing Jokinen Mean Kovalchuk?
With the departure of Olli Jokinen for essentially spare parts, Flames fans believe another deal will be made. After all, GM Darryl Sutter did effectively clear 500K off his cap after the supposed salary dump. So is Sutter now looking to Atlanta and and acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk?
Categories: Around the League, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, NHLHS Features, Northwest, Pacific, Southeast, Trade Rumors, Western Conference Tags: Ales Kotalik, Christopher Higgins, Don Waddell, Dustin Boyd, Greg Nemisz, Ilya Kovalchuk, Jarome Iginla, Keith Aulie, Leland Irving, Matt Stajan, Mikael Backlund, Niklas Hagman, Olli Jokinen, Tim Erixon, Tuukka Rask
The Value of: Ilya Kovalchuk
NHL Hot Stove presents it’s “The Value Of” series which will look at some of the names discussed around the NHL who likely will be moved at the March 3rd trade deadline.
Categories: Atlanta Thrashers, Atlantic, Boston Bruins, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Deadline Speculation, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, Northeast, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, Trade Rumors, Value Of:, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Akim Aliu, Alexander Semin, Andrei Loktionov, Andrew Ladd, Anton Gustafsson, Bill Sweatt, Blake Wheeler, Braydon Schenn, Bryan Little, Claude Giroux, Dany Heatley, Dave Bolland, Don Waddell, Dustin Byfuglien, Eric Fehr, Evander Kane, George McPhee, James van Riemsdyk, Jeff Carter, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Kris Versteeg, Kyle Beach, Marian Hossa, Mathieu Perreault, Matt Greene, Nicklas Backstrom, Olli Jokinen, Oscar Moeller, Oskar Osala, Scott Parse, Thomas Hickey, Tobias Enstrom, Tomas Fleischmann, Trevor Lewis, Troy Brouwer, Tuukka Rask, Vladamir Sobotka, Wayne Simmonds, Zach Bogosian
Injuries in Ottawa Force a Trade?
The latest from Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun discusses the injury to Daniel Alfredsson as well as the need to replace his production in the lineup. After sustaining a hit from Craig Adams on Wednesday, the Senators captain expects to miss a few weeks with a bum shoulder. The 37-year-old joins pivot Jason Spezza and wing Nick Foligno in the press box as they continue to recover from their own ailments while Chris Neil, Shean Donovan and Pascal Leclaire all returned to the lineup a mere three days ago.
Although center Josh Hennessy initially gets a call up, the rookie definitely is not and will not be the solution. If this team is to stay within the playoff picture they must make a move quickly and patch the gaping hole in their top six.
Garrioch may be onto something for once with his article. The controversial reporter discusses the merits of trading for Christopher Higgins or Alexander Frolov, both impending free agents after the season.
Categories: Atlantic, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Northeast, Ottawa Senators, Pacific, Trade Rumors, Western Conference Tags: Ales Kotalik, Alexander Frolov, Chris Neil, Christopher Higgins, Craig Adams, Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, Josh Hennessy, Nick Foligno, Nikolai Zherdev, Ottawa Senators, Pascal Leclaire, Shean Donovan
Final Destination: Scott Niedermayer
Some players around the League find themselves at a career crossroad. A crossroad with tough decisions to make regarding ongoing speculation of their final season. Speculation whether to stay on a sinking ship and finish at the bottom of the sea or leaving one’s comfort zone in an attempt to stay on top. Certainly no easy decision for any player
While Scott Niedermayer ponders his future in hockey he continues another solid year in his famed career. The same cannot be said for the Anaheim Ducks, who sit 13th in the Western Conference despite coming off a come from behind victory against the Colorado Avalanche. The team finds themselves as of this writing a mere five points behind the eighth seed.
The asking price for the captain should be reasonable, as he would strictly be a playoff rental. However, GM Brian Murray can acquire a potential piece or pieces to build for a brighter future in sunny Anaheim.
A quick look around the league shows there are a few teams in need of Niedermayer’s services. At 37, he still is one of the best defensemen in the game and a huge piece for a few teams looking for that extra push into serious cup contention.
Lets take a closer look at which teams could trade for Niedermayer in order to bring home Lord Stanley’s Cup. Even though he already carries four Stanley Cup rings to his credit, every player in this league starts the season with one goal in mind.
Categories: Anaheim Ducks, Atlantic, Central, Chicago Blackhawks, Eastern Conference, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, Pacific, Philadelphia Flyers, Southeast, Trade Rumors, Washington Capitals, Western Conference Tags: Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Anaheim Ducks, Andry Greene, Brian Murray, Bryce Salvador, Chicago Blackhawks, Chris Pronger, George McPhee, Johnny Oduya, Los Angeles Kings, Lou Lamoriello, Martin Brodeur, Mike Green, Mike Knuble, New Jersey Devils, Niklas Backstrom, Paul Holmgren, Paul Martin, Philadelphia Flyers, Ray Emery, Rob Niedermayer, Scott Niedermayer, Stan Bowman, Tom Poti, Tomas Fleischmann, Washington Capitals, Wayne Gretzky
Minor Signings Around the NHL
With the National Hockey League roster freeze upon us, we can see some teams trying to find some solutions and bringing in players to their roster. Meanwhile, other teams choose to add to an already bright future.
What do I mean you ask? Let me answer that for you.
Today the Phoenix Coyotes were able to solidify a spot on their blue line by signing free agent veteran blue liner Anders Eriksson to finish out the rest of the year (barring injury) with the big club.
In order to fit Eriksson in to the mix, the Coyotes subsequently assigned David Schlemko to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage.
Eriksson scored a goal and chipped in two assists in his eight games with San Antonio. Previous to this year, he has appeared in 552 NHL games with six teams, compiling 22 goals and 149 assists over parts of 11 seasons.
With the Coyotes excellent start to the season, it seems to me that they feel the playoffs are a reality. By signing Eriksson, the team adds another veteran to the blue line, one which already accommodates Ed Jovanovski, Adrian Aucoin and James Vandermeer.
Categories: Los Angeles Kings, Pacific, Phoenix Coyotes, Trade Rumors, Western Conference Tags: Adrian Aucoin, Alec Martinez, Anders Eriksson, Colten Teubert, Dave Tippett, David Schlemko, Davis Drewiske, Drew Doughty, Ed Jovonavski, Jack Johnson, Jacob Muzzin, James Vandermeer, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, Randy Jones, Thomas Hickey, Vyacheslav Voynov
