Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Commissioner hopes No. 99 returns to NHL

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October 16

Toronto Sun

"Gary Bettman wants Wayne Gretzky back as part of the NHL family. But will Gretzky be back with the Phoenix Coyotes, if and when the team is sold? Will he be with the Los Angeles Kings, who have expressed having him in some capacity? Or elsewhere as a coach, something he is said to truly enjoy? That remains to be seen. "My hope is, either with the new ownership group or some other ownership form of the league or with another team, that Wayne will be back," Bettman said, adding that "I have always been and always will be a big Wayne Gretzky fan.""

Sharks deny Marleau report

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September 11

San Francisco Chronicle

"Sharks general manager Doug Wilson told The Chronicle that an ESPN.com report that San Jose has agreed to trade the team's all-time leading scorer, Patrick Marleau, and acquire Ottawa forward Dany Heatley is "complete bull." According to ESPN.com, the Sharks have reached an agreement to send Marleau, recently stripped of his title as team captain, to Los Angeles as part of a three-way deal that would bring Heatley to San Jose and send Alexander Frolov and Jarret Stoll to the Senators. Wilson, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi and Senators GM Bryan Murray issued denials to ESPN.com. Heatley, a two-time 50-goal scorer, has requested a trade, but, like Marleau, his contract has a no-trade ..."

McKenzie: No Truth To Reports That Heatley Has Been Traded

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September 11

TSN.ca

"Here we go again. Amid reports that the Ottawa Senators have traded Dany Heatley to the San Jose Sharks as part of a three-way deal with the Los Angeles Kings, sources tell TSN nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, sources tell TSN that not only is the report of a three-way deal being done not true, but the Senators are no closer to trading Heatley now than they have been for most of the summer."

Heatley interests Sharks

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September 10

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley is expected to arrive in Ottawa today, but he could eventually find his way to San Jose. Two league executives told Sun Media Wednesday they've heard talk the Senators, Sharks and Kings have discussed a three-way deal that would send Heatley to San Jose, centre Jarrett Stoll and winger Alexander Frolov to Ottawa and centre Patrick Marleau to the Kings. Sharks GM Doug Wilson has insisted he has "never" asked Marleau to waive his no-trade clause. The executive said Marleau, recently stripped of his captaincy by the Sharks, likely wouldn't remove the clause to move East, but might be enticed if he could stay in the West. While Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed he talked to ..."

Heatley "too risky" for Kings

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August 31

Ottawa Citizen

"Dany Heatley? The L.A. Kings are saying thanks, but no thanks. According to an L.A. Times report, fans in La La Land cheered at a fan festival this weekend when general manager Dean Lombardi said bringing the Senators' disgruntled sniper wouldn't be worth the risk: "Do I want to bring in a Dany Heatley with all that baggage? It might work. But I don't think we're in a position where we can afford that...maybe a change of environment and he grows up. But my point is, do we need to take that risk right now? It scares me.""

Kings rule out Heatley trade

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August 31

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley can scratch La-La Land off his list. Kings GM Dean Lombardi ruled out acquiring the disgruntled Senators winger during the club's fanfest Sunday in Los Angeles — where Terry Murray, the brother of Senators GM Bryan Murray, is coach. Lombardi made it abundantly clear he won't be in active pursuit of Heatley, who asked for a trade in June. As far as Lombardi is concerned, adding Heatley to the Kings' core of young stars doesn't make sense — and fans agree. When Lombardi told them his thoughts about the two-time 50-goal scorer, they applauded. "Do I want to bring in a Dany Heatley with all that baggage? It might work," Lombardi said in a report on the Los Angeles Times website ..."

A man who'd be a King

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July 5

Los Angeles Times

"Ryan Smyth didn't have to accept a trade to the Kings. The five-year, $31.25-million contract he signed with Colorado had a no-trade clause, and the Kings aren't close to Stanley Cup contention. But the 33-year-old left wing recognized a chance to lend his leadership to a team that needs it and on Friday agreed to come here for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and the Kings' fifth-round pick in 2010. "I first want to thank the Colorado organization," he said by phone Saturday. "They gave me a great opportunity. This is a new chapter in my book and my life, being with Los Angeles. I'm pretty excited about it." Coach Terry Murray was equally happy about the Kings' second significant ..."

Avs shed Smyth's hefty contract in Kings trade

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July 4

Denver Post

"Since finishing last in the West with a high payroll, there has been a mandate from Avalanche ownership: Get younger, get cheaper and rebuild. Part of that mandate was filled Friday night when the Avs traded left wing Ryan Smyth to the Los Angeles Kings for two young defensemen - Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing - and a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. The trade will not become official until the players pass a physical. It may come as a shock to some Avs fans that the team would trade the former all-star, but it has been a poorly guarded secret for a while now that the Avs were trying to trade him. When he signed a five-year, $31.25 million free-agent deal in 2007 that included a no-trade ..."

Wings' offer might not be enough for Marian Hossa

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July 1

Detroit News

"As NHL free agency moved toward Wednesday's noon start, it appeared Marian Hossa of the Red Wings was ready to shop around. Hossa and agent Ritch Winter turned down an offer from the Wings for at least eight years at $4 per season. On the free-agent market, Hossa is expected to get offers significantly higher -- perhaps worth $15 million to $20 million more over the life of the contract -- due to the Wings' salary cap restrictions."

Teams looking at Heatley

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June 24

Ottawa Citizen

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"The Edmonton Oilers are thought to be interested in Heatley. The Oilers have some young players the Senators would be interested in, such as defenceman Tom Gilbert and forward Patrick O'Sullivan. Centre Andrew Cogliano has also been mentioned, but the Oilers have let it be known that they won't trade him. There was some thought the Oilers would make a pitch for Florida defenceman Jay Bouwmeester, a native Edmontonian, but they've decided they'd like to score a few more goals, for a change. Broadway Dany? The New York Rangers are said to be one of the teams on Heatley's list and one of the teams that's actually interested in him. But the Rangers would first have to shed at least one of ..."

Heatley gives Sens wishlist

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million (all terms US) bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators GM Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wishlist of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents J.P. Barry and Stacey ..."

Where will Dany go?

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June 24

Ottawa Sun

"While some teams are kicking the tires on Dany Heatley, others want no part of the sharpshooter. League sources told Sun Media Senators GM Bryan Murray has asked teams to submit their offers as soon as possible if they're interested in Heatley, who recently said he did not want to play in Ottawa anymore. Murray, who says he won't deal Heatley if the club is forced to pay him a $4-million (all terms US) bonus due on July 1, would like to get a deal done -- maybe before the NHL draft begins Friday night. Heatley has submitted a wishlist of teams he'll accept a trade to -- a list that includes Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, San Jose, Vancouver and New York Rangers. A source confirmed ..."

Heatley gives Senators wish list of destinations

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June 23

Toronto Sun

"Dany Heatley has told the Ottawa Senators where he wants to go. But if the Senators can't trade him before a $4-million US bonus kicks in on July 1, they may tell him where to go. Senators general manager Bryan Murray expects talks will heat up this week at the NHL draft in Montreal as several league sources confirmed Heatley's agents have given the club a wish list of up to 10 teams. But there could be some flexibility -- he may agree to go somewhere not listed. Sources told Sun Media the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins were among the teams submitted to Murray by Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry ..."

Flyers centre Brière just doesn't do it for Canadiens

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June 16

Montreal Gazette

"The Canadiens are not interested in acquiring centre Daniel Brière and it has nothing to do with the fact he snubbed the team two years ago when he was an unrestricted free agent. Brière has a no-movement clause in the eight-year, $52-million contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007, but the franchise has hopes of creating some cap space. The folks in Philly have talked to the Canadiens and the Los Angeles Kings, but neither team was interested. There also is a report that they have talked to the Phoenix Coyotes, although you have to wonder whether anyone has the authority to talk on behalf of the team that may or may not be bankrupt and/or on the way to Hamilton. Montreal ..."

Heatley still a hot ticket, NHL exec says

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June 15

Ottawa Citizen

"At least one National Hockey League executive says Ottawa Senators left-winger Dany Heatley remains an extremely marketable commodity, believing the two-time 50-goal scorer can turn the trick a third time. "He still had some pretty good numbers last season (39 goals and 34 assists), and he played pretty well," said the executive, who agreed Sunday to discuss the options facing Senators general manager Bryan Murray on condition of anonymity. "Logic would tell you that he can perform better if he's happy. If he was unhappy in Ottawa, he might do a lot better somewhere else. He's a major asset. Of course there's the uncertainty of the salary cap going forward (the current team limit of $56.7 ..."

Heatley camp calls its shot

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June 15

Ottawa Citizen

"Ordinarily, it would be an easy matter to trade a superstar sniper like Dany Heatley. Slap a "For Sale" sign on him, wait for the bids to roll in, and take the highest offer. It doesn't appear, however, as if Senators general manager Bryan Murray is going to have it this easy. The growing suspicion among league executives and agents contacted by the Citizen is that Heatley's agents have not only given Murray a list of preferred teams, they've also named one or two as their top choices. While there's colossal gall in this -- demanding a trade and then demanding where to go takes a lot of nerve -- there's also obvious self-interest. Who, after all, would want to be sent to the gulag known as ..."

GM denies Pronger trade

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June 12

The Globe and Mail

"There is some compelling logic behind the possible move – of the Anaheim Ducks' Chris Pronger moving to the Los Angeles Kings for Jack Johnson plus a No. 1 draft choice, speculation that was making the rounds Friday prior to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final. After all, the Ducks may ultimately need to trade Pronger to get to the $46-million (U.S.) budget that they'll operate with next year. If they can coax Scott Niedermayer back to play again and can't trade J.S. Giguere's contract, it may be an option they have to look at. But for now, the official word from Ducks' GM Bob Murray, in a short but pointed e-mail note, is that it did not happen. In fact, Murray texted back a NO ..."

Rumours fly following Heatley's alleged trade request

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June 10

Ottawa Citizen

"Ottawa Senators fans are about to enter the rumour mill after Tuesday's news that star winger Dany Heatley wants a trade out of the capital. The list of who, potentially, could replace him in Ottawa is a long one. Defenceman Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr and soon to be unrestricted free agent forward Mike Cammalleri from the Calgary Flames? How about forwards Dustin Penner or Patrick O'Sullivan of the Edmonton Oilers? Centre Mason Raymond and pending unrestricted free agent defenceman Mattias Ohlund of the Vancouver Canucks? Let's discuss the possibilities of Los Angeles Kings left winger Alexander Frolov coming to town, along with the fifth overall selection, at the draft in two weeks. While ..."

Vinny talk heats up

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June 3

Toronto Sun

"No matter what's on the agenda, when all 30 NHL GMs gather in the same place, talk always turns to trades. With less than four weeks to the draft in Montreal, the GMs gathered before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final last night at Mellon Arena to talk about league issues and set the tone for making potential rule changes this summer. After that, let the smorgasbord of rumours begin ... No matter what the Lightning says, Vincent Lecavalier is available. The talk among NHL executives is that Tampa's ownership group has told GM Brian Lawton to deal Lecavalier and his massive contract, which is $10-million US next season. While all the talk regarding a deal involving the star centre was ..."

Kane seems able

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June 3

Los Angeles Times

"The top five prospects for the June entry draft were invited to Mellon Arena on Tuesday to observe the morning skates and visit the locker rooms of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings as the teams prepared for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals. The group was led by John Tavares of the London Knights, the top-ranked North American skater, and defenseman Victor Hedman of Sweden, the top-ranked European skater. The Kings, who draft fifth in what is considered a relatively deep pool of talent, have talked several times with Evander Kane of the Western Hockey League's Vancouver Giants. Kane a 6-foot-1 center, had 48 goals and 96 points in 61 games last season and has won raves for his ..."

No free rides these days

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May 25

Vancouver Province

"The NHL free agent meat market that opens its doors on July 1 is still five weeks away, but it's already clear that Vancouver Canucks duo of Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be amongst the prize offerings should they make it that far. The pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) are finishing up a contract that paid them $3.575 million annually. They've been close to or at a point-a-game producers the last four seasons and, at 28, are in the prime of their careers. The Sedins have stated they want to continue to play together and they would like to remain in Vancouver. Discussions were put on hold in March, but the twins' agent, J.P. Barry of Calgary's CAA Sports, said he expects talks to get ..."

Deadline sellers unlikely to see big returns

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March 4

Toronto Star

"More and more, today's trade deadline appears to be a prelude to that which lies ahead. To a significant degree, much of what we'll see today – or don't see today – is the direct result of 30 clubs trying to forecast the future in terms of where the industry is heading and, in particular, where the salary cap may be headed. In fact, there were moves yesterday that were indicators of what teams are thinking. Nicklas Backstrom signed a new contract to be the starting goaltender with the Minnesota Wild, and the salary was significant, an average of $6 million per season."

GMs go down to the wire

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March 4

Toronto Star

"Coffee brewed, scouting charts laid out, and lists of wants and needs neatly organized, the general managers of the NHL's 30 teams will meet in boardrooms across North America this morning prior to the trade deadline. Around them will be their confidantes, assistants and scouting directors ready to dial phones, buzz the BlackBerrys, text the messages and e the mail. Reputations will be carved, saviours will be anointed, nerves will be frayed, and regrets – there'll be a few. If things begin as normal, the morning will go slowly from a public perspective: Perhaps a few fourth liners, or fifth defender for some low-round picks as selling GMs try to talk up the price to the buyers. Behind ..."

NHL general managers gear up for Wednesday's trading deadline

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March 4

Los Angeles Times

"NHL general managers began trying to clear salary cap space today for possible trades, as several teams placed prominent players on waivers and others held tradable players out of the final games before Wednesday's trade deadline of noon Pacific time. The Ducks waived disappointing center Brendan Morrison, eager to shed his $2.75-million salary and gain financial flexibility. But it appears unlikely they will deal defenseman Chris Pronger, barring the emergence of a last-minute trading partner willing to give up a young, front-line player and assume Pronger's $6.25-million salary next season. With the Ducks still competing for a playoff spot, a more likely scenario would be that they will ..."

Trade winds are swirling

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March 3

Toronto Star

"An interesting note from the NHL trade deadline front: exactly 25 deals were completed in each of the last three deadline days. That number is expected to be surpassed tomorrow, when this season's deadline arrives. With Leafs GM Brian Burke leading the way, several NHL GMs have been frank about their trade prospects. Several players– Bill Guerin, Derek Morris, Nik Antropov and others – are on the trade block. There are also teams such as Ottawa, in the midst of a disappointing season, which will have to purge certain players in order to help with next season's budget. Here's a look at what's brewing around the NHL leading up to tomorrow's 3 p.m. (EST) deadline:"

Scott Niedermayer, Sean O'Donnell won't be traded

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March 3

Los Angeles Times

"While NHL teams hunted for bargains before Wednesday's noon PST trading deadline, two notable defensemen were pulled off the market. Ducks General Manager Bob Murray said Monday he will keep Scott Niedermayer, captain of the 2007 Stanley Cup championship team, and Kings GM Dean Lombardi said he will keep veteran Sean O'Donnell while trying to re-sign him. Murray also indicated he might not deal prized defenseman Chris Pronger. "Teams have interest but there has to be something to it that makes sense to us," Murray said. "He's playing very well and he and Scotty and [Ryan] Whitney give us a pretty good start on our defense right now. "You'd listen to anything, but nothing has been thrown ..."

Deadline provides good theatre

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March 2

Globe and Mail

columnist Eric Duhatschek

"This is how the sands can shift in the ridiculously close NHL standings, with the trading deadline less than 72 hours away: At the all-star break, during the final week of January, it looked as though the only bona fide seller in the Western Conference would be the 15th-place St. Louis Blues, a team undermined for much of the season by injuries, limited scoring and so-so goaltending. The Blues featured at least one tradable commodity - left winger/centre Keith Tkachuk - who would be of some interest to a contender. Every week, a new version of the Tkachuk to the Boston Bruins rumour made the rounds. In the meantime, the Blues quietly chipped away at the gap between them and eighth place. ..."

Pronger likely on the move...and other trade chatter

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March 2

Ottawa Sun

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"The Blues are going to make a serious pitch for Ducks D Chris Pronger and could be offering up LW David Perron as part of a package in return. The Ducks are almost sure to deal Pronger, who has one year and $6.25 million left on his contract. He probably wouldn't mind returning to St. Louis, where he played for seven seasons. The Bruins have shown mild interest in Pronger as have the Capitals, Leafs and Flyers ... The Kings have been fielding calls for D Sean O'Donnell, but there's a strong belief he'll be re-signed. Los Angeles D Tom Preissing returned from injury yesterday against the Blackhawks and the Kings hope to move him ahead of O'Donnell ... The Sharks, Oilers and Bolts are ..."

Leafs-Sens rivalry fizzles

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February 28

Globe and Mail

"It's the type of occasion to be circled in red ink on the hockey calendar, but as the fortunes of the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs have sagged, so has much of the resentment characterizing the Battle of Ontario. As the two teams renew hostilities for the fourth time this season Saturday night at Scotiabank Place, they will do so in the knowledge neither is likely to be in the playoffs - the first time since the Senators' rebirth 17 years ago that at least one of them hasn't qualified for postseason play. Quite simply, the hatred and bitterness seem to have drained out amid the dwindling stakes. Sure, the players will still insist beating their rival is a point of pride, but with ..."

D-Day looms

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February 28

Edmonton Journal

"Trade deadline day, in the words of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, is a mixed bag -- "an awful day, an exciting day, a day full of magic, also a day full of very poor decision making." While we've basically had a league-wide roster freeze for the last five months because of salary cap issues with teams, the trade deadline is the one day where GMs actually try to appease (a) braying fans, (b) players who are looking for a jolt, and (c) coaches who can't transplant hands on Shean Donovan or get a heart that beats for Tyler Arnason. You always get some strange trade ideas on Internet sites -- like Edmonton Oilers unrestricted free agent Erik Cole and a fourth-round draft to ..."

NHL teams have stars in their eyes

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February 26

Buffalo News

"The NHL trade deadline is next Wednesday, and nobody is quite sure what to expect in the days ahead. Six teams were within nine points of fourth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference heading into Wednesday night. Eight points separated fifth-place Vancouver and 13th-place St. Louis in the West. Buy, sell or flip a coin? So many teams, so many players, so many possibilities. Several superstars are almost certain to change addresses, and several more are capable of pushing teams into contention. Here are a few items worth watching leading into Wednesday while pondering trade rumors du jour. STAR GAZING Jay Bouwmeester, D, Florida. General Manager Jacques Martin didn't rule out trading ..."

All or nothing

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February 22

Toronto Sun

"Will the desperate Habs finally sever ties with Kovalev? Will the Panthers send big Bouwmeester packing to beef up their forward ranks? And what about Pronger, Havlat, Gaborik, Tkachuk... With the NHL trade deadline only 10 days away, Sun Media's Bruce Garrioch breaks down what each club needs -- and who's up for grabs as teams look to play let's make a deal. --- FLORIDA PANTHERS Needs: The Panthers have to decide what they're going to do with D Jay Bouwmeester, who won't be back next season. The club needs scoring up front and there's no question it would be able to fetch that in a trade. GM Jacques Martin could be the biggest player at the deadline. Who's available: D Jay Bouwmeester, D ..."

It's Brown's Kings now

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January 25

L.A. Daily News

"Dustin Brown couldn't let it go. Thirty minutes after the final horn, after all his teammates had left the locker room, Brown sat slumped at his stall, skates still laced, and stared blankly at the far wall. His Kings had just suffered a humiliating defeat. Not the Kings, but his Kings. Brown, at age 24, is the Kings' captain, and today in Montreal, he will represent them in the NHL All-Star Game for the first time in his career. It's an honor, and a huge step in Brown's development as a player and leader. "There are a lot of guys who could have represented the team, and they're all qualified to do so," Brown said. "To be picked out of all of them and to be named an All-Star, it's really ..."

Kings trade Jason LaBarbera to Vancouver

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December 31

Los Angeles Times

"The Kings traded goaltender Jason LaBarbera to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday for a seventh-round pick in the June entry draft, clearing the way for impressive rookie Jonathan Quick to stay with the team and share time with Erik Ersberg. "We think Quick is at the level where he can be able to do at least the backup role," General Manager Dean Lombardi said. "We thought this would take a little longer for him, but we think we can accelerate things." The move also allows prime prospect Jonathan Bernier to play most of the games for Manchester of the American Hockey League instead of splitting them with Quick. Another prospect, Jeff Zatkoff, will back up Bernier. "It would have been hard to ..."

Trading for a goalie is unlikely for Kings

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December 27

Los Angeles Times

"The NHL's holiday trade freeze ends at midnight local time tonight, but General Manager Dean Lombardi said Friday he's not planning to look for a goaltender -- for now. About a month ago the Kings were discussing a multi-team deal that would have brought Nikolai Khabibulin from Chicago, but the trade fell apart when one team tried to switch a player in the mix. There isn't much out there, anyway, Lombardi said. "You hear of any goalies available that I'm not hearing of?" he asked, joking. Goaltending remains a key issue for the Kings. They've generally been limiting opponents' shots, but their team save percentage has been under 90. The Boston Bruins lead the league at 93% and top teams ..."

B.C. town makes pitch to lure Baby Flames

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December 14

Calgary Herald

"There's nothing like a hot rumour to heat up a chilly winter day. So try this one on for size: The Calgary Flames are moving their American Hockey League farm club to Abbotsford, B. C. "I'm sure they would like to have that but there's no deal," said Flames president and CEO King King, who admitted the city of Abbotsford had contacted the NHL club about that very possibility. "We have a good arrangement with the ownership in Quad City and as long as they are willing to continue, we will fulfil our obligations. "But if our partners in Quad Cities didn't want to continue, then we'd certainly have to have a look at Abbotsford because I think it would be a real good market." The Quad City ..."

No deal just for deal's sake

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December 1

Ottawa Citizen

"So far, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray hasn't liked what he has been offered in potential trades. However, after Saturday's 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, it appears only a matter of time before he makes a move or two. Rumours continue to link the Senators to the Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings, with the names of defencemen Cory Murphy and Tom Preissing figuring prominently. "There are trades to be made, but sometimes it's not about what you give up, it's about what you get back," Murray said. "Right now, I don't feel that what we've been offered (is a big enough upgrade) and makes sense financially." Yet, the shabby play of the defence against the Islanders ..."

Gaborik's stock plummets

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November 30

Toronto Sun

"The stock of Minnesota Wild winger Marian Gaborik has fallen sharply. He turned down a seven-year, $56-million deal before the start of the season, which made it clear he didn't want to remain in Minnesota. While Wild GM Doug Risebrough offered Gaborik around the NHL for a player who can help right away, prospect and No. 1 pick, nobody is going to dare to touch Gaborik, who is sidelined indefinitely with a groin injury. He has suited up for only two games this season and isn't even skating. Gaborik would like to sign with the Los Angeles Kings next season ... The struggling Edmonton Oilers are looking to make a move. Ideally, Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini would like to deal goalie Dwayne ..."

Wild looking to trade Gaborik

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October 21

Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Marian Gaborik, the only original Wild player on the roster and its career leading scorer with 207 goals and 415 points in 487 games, might not be long for Minnesota. According to an NHL team executive, Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough has been actively shopping Gaborik around the league and over the weekend offered Gaborik to his team in a trade. The executive said he was not interested. Gaborik, 26, who can become an unrestricted free agent next summer, has rejected multiple contract extension offers from the Wild, and the team has come to the realization that it's doubtful it will be able to sign him, sources say. Negotiations have stalled, and the two sides haven't spoken in two ..."

Ducks trade Sean O'Donnell to Kings

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October 4

Los Angeles Times

"In a deal that solves most of the Ducks' salary cap woes and gives the Kings the veteran they sought to anchor their young defense, the Ducks traded Sean O'Donnell to the Kings on Tuesday for a conditional 2009 draft pick. O'Donnell, 36, won't have to move far. While playing for the Ducks the last 2 1/2 seasons, he commuted to Anaheim from the South Bay home he bought during his first tour of duty with the Kings, from 1994-95 through 1999-2000. The pick is a third-round selection that will be transferred only if the Kings trade O'Donnell elsewhere later this season. If the Kings keep him, the Ducks would not get the pick. O'Donnell, who will earn $1.25 million this season, was not at ..."

Atlanta burning for Schneider?

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September 25

Ottawa Sun

"Ducks defenceman Mathieu Schneider could finally be on the move. League sources say several teams are trying to coax cash-strapped Anaheim GM Brian Burke into making a trade. While Los Angeles and Vancouver have been said to been potential landing spots for the 16-year NHL veteran, league sources say New Jersey, Atlanta and St. Louis are in the thick of things, too. Of the three new players in the Schneider sweepstakes, only Atlanta has the cap room to add him without making other roster moves. "(GM) Don Waddell needs to do something in Atlanta," a league executive said yesterday. "The Thrashers aren't a very good team and a guy like Schneider (could) help that defence." Already over the ..."

O'Sullivan update

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September 23

Los Angeles Times

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"The Patrick O'Sullivan saga continues, with the Kings and the restricted free-agent forward still far apart on the financial aspects of a new contract. However, the Kings did have contact with O'Sullivan's agent, Pat Morris , after several days of silence. "We talked today and will talk again tomorrow," Jeff Solomon , the Kings' director of hockey operations and legal affairs, said Monday night. "Any dialogue is progress.""

Schneider a remote possibility for Sens

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September 17

Ottawa Citizen

"Yesterday morning, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray acknowledged frustration at not being able to acquire a star, skilled defenceman to run the power play. The words were barely out of his mouth when the Anaheim Ducks placed veteran Mathieu Schneider on waivers in an attempt to unload his hefty $5.625-million U.S. salary. Schneider, 39, has 212 goals and 490 assists in 1,197 career games, and would be an obvious answer to the apparent vacancy on the Senators' blue-line. The issue, of course, is money, but if Murray was interested in picking up Schneider, he didn't have to look far yesterday to find team owner Eugene Melnyk to talk about adding the salary. Melnyk was in Ottawa ..."

Ducks' Schneider would look good as a King

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September 7

Orange County Register

columnist Randy Youngman

"The New York Post reported last week the Ducks might be interested in veteran free agent winger Brendan Shanahan, 39, but the Ducks don't even have the salary cap room yet to bring back Teemu Selanne, their own veteran free agent winger. Ducks GM Brian Burke says there's no truth to that report. And Shanahan is expected to return for his third season with the New York Rangers. It's no secret Burke has been shopping veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider ($5.6 million salary) so the team can re-sign Selanne, a future Hall of Famer, before training camp opens in mid-September. I have a solution. The Kings, who are well under the salary-cap floor of $40.7 million for 2008-09, should acquire ..."

Kings Trade Rumors