NHL Trade Rumors

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Krejci improving, probable for today
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February 9
Boston Globe
 
"Good afternoon from HSBC Arena, where a handful of Bruins have concluded practice. David Krejci didn't skate, but was present for treatment on his injured right leg. Krejci said he felt much better today and that he's hopeful to play tomorrow against the Sabres."
Gainey to resign as Canadiens GM: report
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February 8
Montreal Gazette
 
"The Montreal Canadiens have called a 4 p.m. press conference at the Bell Centre. Team president Pierre Boivin will make an announcement regarding the Canadiens' "hockey management." Reports indicate that general manager Bob Gainey will step down. If that is the case, assistant general manager Pierre Gauthier will take over until the end of the season."
Mike Ribeiro would like to return Tuesday from 'freaky' injury
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February 8
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Mike Ribeiro doesn't like to sit out.Not even during a game.Ribeiro, who is known on the Stars for his long shifts, has been itching to get back into the lineup after suffering a severe throat injury Jan. 6 in New York. While the urgency of an emergency tracheotomy and an extended stay in New York caused Ribeiro to take pause, the desire to get back on the ice quickly took over.Ribeiro has played 76 or more games in each of the past five seasons, including all 82 games last season, so he's not used to this downtime thing."You hate that you cannot help the team win," Ribeiro said of missing 15 games so far. "Usually, with injuries, I like to play even if I'm hurt. If I can skate, I like to ..."
Thrashers' Waddell could be next one out the door
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February 7
Buffalo News
 columnist Bucky Gleason
"General Manager Don Waddell is certain to be slapped around publicly and dragged through town in the coming weeks, months — decades? — in an Atlanta-style thrashing if his team misses the playoffs and superstar winger Ilya Kovalchuk helps the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup. Kovalchuk's departure could very well lead to Waddell's, who has been running the show in Atlanta since hockey returned in 1999. The Thrashers can no longer be considered an expansion team, and people are taking a long, cold look at his resume and wondering if he's still qualified for the top job. Fair enough. Les Thrash made the playoffs only once, in 2006-07, and Waddell goofed that year by falling in love with ..."
Weiss sits after reaggravating injury
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February 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Stephen Weiss has been playing hurt for the past three weeks. Saturday, it was time for rest. The Panthers' No. 1 center did not play against the Thrashers after reaggravating an injury the night before against the Flames, coach Pete DeBoer said. Weiss tried to play with a lower-body injury Jan. 16 against the Lightning, but was pulled after less than six minutes of ice time. He sat out the next game, against the Thrashers, then played eight consecutive games before Saturday. General Manager Randy Sexton said he spoke with trainer Dave Zenobi and doesn't think Weiss will miss more than one game. "I really respect him for playing through the injury," Sexton said. Winger Nick Tarnasky ..."
Report says Meszaros on Hawks' radar
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February 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Stan Bowman hasn't been in the forefront of trade reports, and that's understandable. The Blackhawks' first-year general manager has had a solid team in place. His rivals, though, are starting to make some moves, with Calgary, Atlanta, Toronto and Anaheim making major roster revisions in the last week and the archrival Detroit Red Wings swinging a minor deal Saturday, sending winger Ville Leino to Philadelphia for defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen. That move was designed to clear a spot for the return of long-injured Johan Franzen this week, with Tollefsen probably headed to the minors if he clears waivers. Bowman figures to eventually fine-tune his roster, with the addition of an ..."
Kunitz may return for game against Capitals
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February 7
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Chris Kunitz remained unavailable in the Penguins' 5-3 loss at Montreal Saturday, but his return appears set for today. Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said following Saturday's game that Kunitz will likely play today in Washington. The winger hasn't played since Jan. 3 in Florida. He had surgery to fix an abdominal injury and has been practicing with the team for more than a week. There had been a school of thought that the Penguins would rest Kunitz until the Olympic break, giving him an additional three weeks to rest, but he stated Tuesday that he intended on playing at some point this weekend."
Smid, Staios nearly ready
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February 7
Edmonton Sun
 
"Ladislav Smid and Steve Staios are close to a return. The two Edmonton Oilers defencemen were put through their paces Friday at practice and could be in the lineup as early as tonight against the Colorado Avalanche. Both have been out with head injuries. "I felt good out there today and conditioning is the only thing we're waiting on now," Staios said Friday. "I feel comfortable enough with my conditioning now that I could get in and play and be effective. A couple of more days might help that a little bit, but I feel 100% comfortable that I can go in and play. "(Today) was a good test with that hard skate, especially at this altitude." Staios has been out of the lineup since Jan. 16, when ..."
Flames Bourque blindsided by hit, leaves game
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February 7
Calgary Sun
 
"No word on how badly Rene Bourque may be injured, how much time he'll miss or what, exactly, is bothering him. But plenty will be bothered by the hit that knocked the Calgary Flames forward out of action early in the first period of Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bolts defenceman Kurtis Foster hopped out of the penalty box and slammed into Bourque from behind, leaving the Flames' third-leading scorer dazed before heading to the locker-room. "One, he's an unsuspecting player. Two, it's from behind. Make your own conclusion," said Flames winger Jamal Mayers afterward. "It's gotta be a penalty. "Any time you come out of the box, you can do that." There was no call, ..."
Devils' Lemaire: Elias 'not ready'
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February 6
New York Post
 
"The good news is Patrik Elias is close. The bad news is he's not close enough. For the first time since being knocked unconscious by Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson on Jan. 16 in Denver, Elias was back on the ice with his Devils teammates yesterday, skating for about 30 minutes of the Devils' 45-minute practice. After missing the past nine games, he said his conditioning isn't exactly where he'd like it to be, but he feels better and won't rule out playing tonight against the Maple Leafs in Newark. Unfortunately, coach Jacques Lemaire thinks differently. "Not ready," Lemaire said of how Elias looked in practice. "There's a process you have to go through before a guy comes back, and he's ..."
Modano says players not worried about possible Stars ownership change
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February 6
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mike Modano has been through an ownership change before, and he said the team survived just fine. Modano was around when Tom Hicks bought the Stars from Norman Green in 1995 and watched as Hicks poured in money that Green couldn't at the time. The result was a long run of success for the Stars. "I really think we've had two great owners in Norm and Tom, but we needed Tom at that time, and it helped us become the team we became," Modano said. "I imagine whatever happens now, it will help us become a better team." Hicks Sports Group announced Thursday that it is studying the possibility of selling the Stars. The sale could be necessary to meet the demands of loans that were defaulted on in ..."
Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja feels good after two games with Griffins
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February 6
Michigan Live
 
"As far as Andreas Lilja is concerned, so far, so good. The Detroit Red Wings defenseman skated in just his second game in 11 months in the Grand Rapids Griffins' 6-3 win against the Toronto Marlies on Friday night at Van Andel Arena. Lilja said he's felt no complications from the concussion that sidelined him on Feb. 28, 2009. His first game back was the Griffins' 5-3 loss at Rockford on Wednesday night and he went scoreless with a minus-1 rating. Against Toronto, Lilja received a nice ovation from the crowd when he was announced during the starting lineups and saw plenty of time throughout the game, but finished with no shots and an even rating. Lilja has no idea if the Red Wings will ..."
Carolina Hurricanes close to trading Niclas Wallin, and San Jose could be destination
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February 5
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes told the Raleigh News Observer on Thursday that a deal was pending for veteran defenseman Niclas Wallin that should be announced within 24 hours. General manager Jim Rutherford did not identify the other team involved, but other reports have been saying that Wallin will be coming to the Sharks. Wallin, 34, was a healthy scratch Wednesday night when Carolina played in Calgary. That fueled speculation that a deal was imminent following earlier reports that he had been asked to waive his no-trade clause and approve a deal to San Jose. "There is nothing new on the trade front," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said Wednesday night when asked ..."
Report: Oilers' Souray would accept trade to Rangers
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February 5
New York Post
 
"Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray has the Rangers on a list of six teams he would accept a trade to, according to TSN.ca. Souray, who has a no-trade clause, also would be willing to go to the Capitals, Flyers, Kings, Ducks or Stars, Darren Dreger writes. Souray had surgery on a hand he injured fighting Flames captain Jarome Iginla on Saturday. He is expected to be ready to return in time for the playoffs."
Tom Hicks explores possible sale of Dallas Stars
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February 5
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tom Hicks has hired an investment group to study the sale of the Stars, Hicks Sports Group announced Thursday. "While a sale is not a certainty, it is a possibility, and Mr. Hicks has received numerous inquiries about the team," Stars president Jeff Cogen said. Hicks, who bought the team for $84 million in December 1995, has been battling financial problems and is addressing more than 40 lenders to whom Hicks Sports Group defaulted on $525 million in loans last March. Hicks Sports Group owns the Stars and the Rangers. Hicks is nearing the completion of the sale of the Rangers. He also owns half of Liverpool FC in the English Premiership. The financial problems this season caused the ..."
Boston investor Jeff Vinik secures purchase agreement to buy Tampa Bay Lightning
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February 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Lightning is on its way to having new ownership as Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik on Friday secured a purchase agreement to buy the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5½ acres around the building. The deal still has to close and Vinik needs approval from the NHL's Board of Governors for the transfer of ownership from OK Hockey. But because Vinik is paying cash and already has been vetted by the league, those are considered formalities and expected to be done in two to four weeks, when Vinik will officially take over the team. He will be a sole proprietor, meaning OK Hockey co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie and the six limited partners, will have no ownership stake. The ..."
Sherman prepared to stay the course
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February 5
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche has not been a player in any of the big NHL trades recently. Listening to general manager Greg Sherman on Thursday, it doesn't sound like anything big will happen by the March 3 deadline, either. At least not involving any of the Avs' young players. "The plan that's been in place has been working out very well. My intention is to stay within our plan," Sherman said. "We have a good thing going. We have a good situation with our balance, of veterans with our youth. Given that situation, we'll continue to kind of crank along and see how things play out." Thursday's loss to Nashville, however, was Colorado's fourth in the last five games, and it's no secret some Avs are probably ..."
No big deal, Sabres are in self-help mode
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February 5
Buffalo News
 
"At the start of the season, Darcy Regier said the Buffalo Sabres were a playoff-caliber team. Now, with 27 games left, they sit atop the Northeast Division. It leads their general manager to believe they can do something more than merely fill a playoff spot. "I view us as in the group of teams to contend," Regier said Thursday. "But we have a lot of work to do, too." Improvement is needed for the Sabres to make a run at the Stanley Cup. The defensive breakdowns and other problems that have hurt them during their 2-5-1 slump need to depart, with the next chance coming tonight when Carolina visits HSBC Arena. Regier said the improvements can come from within. Though several teams began ..."
Leaf dressing room becomes revitalized by trades
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February 5
Toronto Star
 
"The Leafs dressing room has changed, both figuratively and literally. Not only new faces, but new seating arrangements at their practice facility. Jean-Sebastien Giguere sits in one corner, where Vesa Toskala used to sit. Beside him is Jonas Gustavsson, his protege. Gustavsson previously had been at the other end of the room, away from loner Toskala. That necessitated a switch for Phil Kessel, who took over Jason Blake's centre stall beside rookie Christian Hanson. Dion Phaneuf is on defence-row, just a couple stalls from Luke Schenn."
Sale of Tampa Bay Lightning could be announced today
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February 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"It was not a done deal, at least by late Thursday, but there apparently is a tentative agreement in the proposed sale of the Lightning to Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik. The participants weren't talking, and neither was the team, but the process being played out in the NHL's New York offices is in its final stages, and an announcement could come today. Once a purchase agreement is signed, the transaction still has to close. With Vinik believed to be paying cash, the process should go smoothly. The league's Board of Governors also must approve the transfer of ownership from OK Hockey. But with commissioner Gary Bettman pushing the deal, and with the promise of financial stability for ..."
Hitchcock, Blue Jackets haven't cut ties after firing
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February 5
Columbus Dispatch
 
"One day after he was fired as Blue Jackets coach, Ken Hitchcock hinted that his days with the organization are probably not finished, that he's more than likely to assume a senior adviser role in the front office before next season. The last two times Hitchcock was fired -- by Dallas and Philadelphia -- he jumped at the first job he was offered. He said it'll take the "absolute right situation" to jump this time. And it's not because of coaching fatigue. Hitchcock, who has two years left on his contract with the Blue Jackets, confirmed to The Dispatch last night that he made promises to late majority owner John H. McConnell in the weeks leading up to his death two summers ago. Hitchcock ..."
Sharks GM Doug Wilson hits the road, but with trades in mind
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February 4
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Sharks general manager Doug Wilson and his team will be spending the next 10 days on the road, but not necessarily in the same cities. While the Sharks are on their tour of the frozen heartland — St. Louis, Nashville, Toronto, Columbus, Detroit and Buffalo — for six games before their Winter Olympics break, Wilson is checking out the marketplace for possible trades. In one sense, there are two trade deadlines this season. The first comes Feb. 12 as NHL teams must freeze their rosters for the two-week gap in the schedule when Olympic gold, not the Stanley Cup, is the talk of the hockey world. Teams will not be able to start trading again until March 1, but that leaves fewer than three days ..."
Tentative agreement reached in sale of Tampa Bay Lightning to Jeffrey Vinik
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February 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A tentative agreement apparently has been reached in the proposed sale of the Lightning to Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik. A bit more work has to be done and final signatures still are needed, but the process occurring at the NHL offices in New York clearly is in its final stages. The money still has not been revealed but it is believed it will be substantially less than the $170 million reported by the Hockey News. It is believed Vinik, 50, is self-financing the deal and will be a sole proprietor, meaning current co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, as well as six limited partners will not have a role. It also is believed that once a purchase agreement is signed, Vinik will take ..."
Trade-deadline decisions won't be easy for Dallas Stars
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February 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"Joe Nieuwendyk sounds pretty cautious to me. As the first-year Stars general manager prepares for his first NHL trade deadline, he has done a lot of work. He has visited with scouts, he has talked about needs and he has assessed the situation around the league. And yet he might do very little at the trade deadline. The reason? The Stars are still very much in the playoff race, and Nieuwendyk believes the team has every chance to make it. And that will be a big part of the team's thought process as it gets ready for the March 3 trade deadline. "You definitely want to give your team every chance to compete, and that is a huge part of how we will look at things," Nieuwendyk said. "I do ..."
Kovalchuk trade talk heats up
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February 4
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Almost since the season began, with star winger Ilya Kovalchuk skating in the final year of his contract with Atlanta, the rumors have run rampant.For weeks, the Flyers have been connected to the Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Those rumors heated up yesterday, as it appears Kovalchuk's time in Atlanta will be coming to an end at some point this week, long before Thrashers general manager Don Waddell is backed into a corner at the March 3 trade deadline.The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported yesterday that Kovalchuk was told he could expect to be moved within "hours or days," as talks for a contract extension have broken down.Kovalchuk, who reportedly has turned down an 8-year extension at $10 ..."
Deal would give hedge fund manager Vinik sole control of Tampa Bay Lightning
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February 4
St. Petersburg Times
 
"If Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik gets control of the Lightning, he will be a sole proprietor, meaning current co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie will not have a role with the team, nor will any of the six limited partners. Negotiations to complete the deal have been in high gear at the NHL offices in New York, and were kicked off with a marathon session Monday that lasted well into Tuesday morning. Koules, and representatives for Vinik, Barrie and former owner Palace Sports & Entertainment were present. The price for the team, the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5 1/2 acres around the arena is unclear but likely will be less than reports in the $170 million range and substantially ..."
Thrashers tell Kovalchuk he will be traded
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February 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Ilya Kovalchuk's days in Atlanta are numbered. Kovalchuk was informed by Thrashers general manager Don Waddell after practice Wednesday that he will be traded. Kovalchuk then phoned agent Jay Grossman, who later was told the same thing by Waddell. "It certainly appears to be the direction the club is moving in," Grossman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "Ilya's disappointed. But we appreciate the fact they've been honest about what their plans are." Waddell was not available for comment. Negotiations between the Thrashers and its captain and star player, who will become an unrestricted free agent following the season, have been ongoing for months without reaching agreement on either ..."
Kovalchuk trade talks heating up
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February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Trade talks between the Thrashers and several teams involving star Ilya Kovalchuk have heated up in the last few days, according to two people familiar with the situation. Thrashers general manager Don Waddell had no comment other than to say that the franchise and Kovalchuk's agent have not had any new talks in more than a week. Both sides currently have proposals on the table that differ in salary and length of contract. Kovalchuk, the franchise's all-time leader in games, points, goals and assists, becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Waddell was in Philadelphia last week scouting the Flyers and Islanders. It also has been reported recently that the Kings and Bruins are ..."
Another deal on the Flames' horizon?
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February 3
Calgary Sun
 
"Flames GM Darryl Sutter has made a couple of trades which make it appear another deal is soon coming. He'd better be. Six new faces via trade, and a seventh if you count Mikael Backlund being summoned from the minors just over a week ago, has added up to big changes on the roster, but it's not enough to seriously call this club a Stanley Cup contender. Actually, an argument can be made it's not even a playoff team. Not when the Flames sit ninth in the Western Conference. Not when the Flames can lay claim to just one victory in it's last 11 games — which came at the expense of the lowly Edmonton Oilers — and just two wins in 14 outings."
Komisarek will visit with doctors today
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February 3
Toronto Star
 
"With the arrival of Dion Phaneuf and J.S. Giguere, the Leafs got a shot in the arm and renewed interest from their fans. But for Mike Komisarek, there is still some anxiety. The big defenceman visits with doctors Wednesday and the resulting assessment of his injured shoulder should determine whether or not he can play with the Leafs on Friday and get his preparations for the Olympics under way."
Sale of Tampa Bay Lightning to Jeff Vinik moves a step closer
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February 3
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A marathon meeting in the NHL's New York offices that went into early Tuesday morning apparently moved Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik a big step closer to his expected purchase of the Lightning. It is unclear how much work remains. But co-owner Oren Koules was at the meeting that continued throughout the day, as were lawyers for Palace Sports & Entertainment, Barrie and Vinik. It is not known to what degree Koules or Barrie will be involved, if at all, if a deal is completed, though the scuttlebutt is Vinik is not bringing in outside investors. The deal also will include the St. Pete Times Forum lease and 5½ acres around the arena. None involved were available for comment. The Hockey ..."
Lightning sale still being worked out
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February 3
Tampa Tribune
 
"The proposed sale of the Lightning to Boston-based financier Jeffrey Vinik continues to move forward, although details for a purchase agreement remain to be worked out. Meetings between all involved parties, including representatives for current co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie, Vinik and former owner Palace Sports and Entertainment, were held at the league's offices starting Monday. Negotiations continued Tuesday, and although nothing appears imminent, a deal to sell the team, the lease on the St. Pete Times Forum and 5 1/2 acres of surrounding land could be announced this week. There also remains a slim chance the deal could fall apart, although the process is far enough along that ..."
Finger points Chara toward surgery
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February 3
Boston Globe
 
"After last night's 4-1 loss to the Capitals, Zdeno Chara removed the tape that bound his left pinkie to the ring finger. Chara raised his hand and tried to bend the pinkie, but it jutted in toward the rest of his fingers. A dislocation has left Chara unable to bend the pinkie and close his hand. "It's all crooked,'' said Chara. "I can't bend it. I can't straighten it.''"
No guessing Sutter's next move
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February 2
Calgary Sun
 
"Attempting to guess what Darryl Sutter's plans are should come with a warning label: Predicting the Flames GM's moves could be hazardous to your sanity. One week he's declaring he has no intention of trading Dion Phaneuf, the next he's sending the cornerstone defenceman to the Toronto Maple Leafs and adding four new players to his own lineup. Sutter followed up the Phaneuf blockbuster with a deal that sends forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to New York to join the Rangers for Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins, a move that was finalized following Monday's 3-0 loss to the Flyers. And now, the other shoe is expected to drop any minute. Don't put it past the realm of possibility a big name ..."
Jackets' Torres likely on trading block
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February 2
Columbus Dispatch
 
"One month and one day from the NHL trade deadline, all signs point to Blue Jackets left winger Raffi Torres being traded to a playoff contender in exchange for draft picks or prospects. As of yesterday, the Blue Jackets and Torres' agent, Eustace King, had not discussed, even preliminarily, a contract extension that would prevent Torres from becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. When asked whether he was frustrated by the lack of progress toward a new deal, Torres said: "I want to stay here and play hockey here. I'm very happy here in Columbus. "To be honest, I have to stop thinking about (a contract extension) and just worry about what's happening on the ice. I don't feel like I've ..."
Players on full alert
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February 2
Edmonton Journal
 
"Change is coming, it's just a matter of when -- and it is the "when" that has the Edmonton Oilers pondering, particularly on the heels of Sunday's blockbuster deal. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who like the Oilers have taken up residence in the bottom of their respective conference, were restructured in the three-team trade. "I guess it puts away the notion that you can't get anything done," said Oilers veteran Shawn Horcoff. "That was a big trade with a lot of players involved. Pretty significant shakeups." The Leafs sent Matt Stajan, Ian White, Jamal Mayers and Niklas Hagman to Calgary for Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie plus they picked up goaltender J.S. Giguere from the ..."
Red Wings face decisions with Tomas Holmstrom, Johan Franzen and maybe Andreas Lilja returning
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February 2
Michigan Live
 
"After experiencing the most unusual rash of injuries in recent memory this season, the Detroit Red Wings soon will be feeling the uncomfortable effects of a salary-cap crunch and roster pinch. Tomas Holmstrom will return to the lineup Tuesday in San Jose. No problem fitting him in. That is why rookie Justin Abdelkader was assigned to Grand Rapids (AHL) on Friday. The first difficult decision comes before Johan Franzen's projected return Feb. 9, when the club must trim one player to meet the 23-man roster limit and shed roughly $700,000 to get under the $56.8 million cap. One or more cuts will follow if Andreas Lilja is successful in his comeback from a concussion. He will begin a ..."
Bolts' Lawton: Despite sale reports, no plans to trade Vinny
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February 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"With all kinds of reports circulating in regards to a potential sale of the Lightning, including one suggesting moving captain Vinny Lecavalier as part of any sale to prospective owner Jeffrey Vinik, Tampa Bay general manager Brian Lawton on Sunday squelched some of what has been reported. Late last week, The Hockey News broke a story about the team being sold to Vinik, who is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox, but under the mandate to shed payroll with Lecavalier at the top of the list of players to be moved. "We have no plans on doing anything," Lawton said before Sunday's game. "I have no plans and I haven't approached him. Vinny is playing very well after a slow start and he needs ..."
Jokinen dealt to Rangers?
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February 1
Calgary Sun
 
"Hours after completing a blockbuster seven-player swap with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Flames GM Darryl Sutter was back in the rumour mill — and allegedly back in the office swinging a second deal. According to a TSN report late Sunday night, the Flames and New York Rangers were getting ready to announce a four-player swap that would take forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to Manhattan in exchange for Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. One of the Flames players involved said he hadn't heard anything other than the TSN broadcast. A team spokesman said he hadn't heard anything official, either. Another source suggested it hasn't officially gone through but could be completed as early as this ..."
Rangers discussing trade scenarios with Flames
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February 1
Bergen Record
 
"The Rangers feverishly worked on a deal Sunday to trade underused right wing Ales Kotalik and his three-year, $9 million salary. Multiple outlets reported late in the day a deal had been struck with the Flames that would send Kotalik and left wing Christopher Higgins to the Flames for center Olli Jokinen and forward Brandon Prust. However, the Rangers announced only that a potential deal had hit some "complications" and general manager Glen Sather did not address the media. Jokinen has 11 goals and 24 assists in 55 games with the Flames this season after being acquired from the Coyotes at last season's trade deadline. Jokinen is in the last year of his contract, which carries a salary-cap ..."
Souray may need surgery on broken hand
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February 1
Edmonton Sun
 
"They've lost 13 in a row and Sheldon Souray might need surgery for his broken hand. What, you were expecting good news? No such thing as far as the Edmonton Oilers are concerned. "We knew there would be challenges, but we never anticipated some of the ones that we've faced, obviously," said head coach Pat Quinn, who doesn't know when Souray is coming back, only that it's no time soon. "It was bad news; it always is when athletes get injured." Souray refused to comment on the break, sustained in his third period fight with Calgary's Jarome Iginla, but a few of his teammates were there to do the lamenting for him. "It doesn't look very good," said Ethan Moreau. "Just when you think it ..."
Bobby Ryan will more than likely stay in Anaheim
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February 1
Los Angeles Times
 (scroll down)
"Murray also deflated persistent rumors that speculate he will trade winger Bobby Ryan, who is eligible for restricted free agency after this season. "Unequivocally I have not talked to anybody about trading him," Murray said. "Anybody I talk to I gave a list of people I'm not going to trade, and he's one of them.""
Johan Franzen to return Feb. 9 against St. Louis
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February 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Update from Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh: Mike Babcock said following the Red Wings-Penguins game that power forward Johan Franzen will play Feb. 9 at St. Louis. Franzen has been sidelined since the third game of the season, when he tore his left ACL. "He'll be back against St. Louis," Babcock said. "The doctors (say he's ready).""
Jokinen bound for Big Apple, say reports
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February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"Olli Jokinen is reported to be Broadway bound. After negotiating a seven-player swap, speculation is rampant that Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter hasn't finished re-tooling his struggling hockey team. TSN.ca is reporting that the underachieving Jokinen will be officially dealt to the New York Rangers today along with Brandon Prust in exchange for wingers Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins. Between them, the players rumoured to be heading here have compiled 36 points in 103 games and are a combined minus-27. Kotalik signed a three-year deal with the Rangers last off-season and is owed $3 million over each of the last two years of the deal. A sizable hit for a habitually erratic return. ..."
Leafs get Phaneuf, Giguere in multi-team blockbuster
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January 31
Toronto Star
 
"GM Brian Burke has shaken up his struggling squad in a blockbuster multi-team trade with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. From the Flames, the Leafs ended up star Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf, as well as forward Fredrik Sjostrom and defenceman Keith Aulie. They gave up forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers, and defenceman Ian White. Burke called Phaneuf "an elite player.""
Calgary Flames trade Dion Phaneuf to Toronto Maple Leafs
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January 31
Calgary Herald
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs have aquired Dion Phaneuf in a trade with the Calgary Flames according to a reports. The 24-year-old defenceman has 22 points this season and is earning US$6.5 million. Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said he would be making an annoucement today that would make changes to his current roster."
Report: J.S. Giguere traded to Leafs
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January 31
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"The Leafs were also on the verge of acquiring veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere from the Anaheim Ducks, pending his waiving a no-trade clause, a source told ESPN.com. Goalie Vesa Toskala would be headed from Toronto to Anaheim as part of the deal and there may be other parts to this trade as well, the source said."
Burke announces press conference regarding trade
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January 31
Calgary Herald
 
"Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke announced he will be hosting a press conference at 11:30 this morning. Details were not given on specifics, but TSN reported that 'major changes' were coming for the team via trade. The Leafs lost for the sixth straight time on Saturday night to the Vancouver Canucks. Toronto jumped out to an early lead, scoring three goals, before surrendering five unanswered Canuck tallies."
Trade talks slow, but will heat up
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January 31
Camden Courier-Post
 columnist Chuck Gormley
"Have NHL general managers fallen asleep at the wheel this season? Has the salary cap taken all the fun out of hockey? So far this season, only 16 NHL players have switched uniforms and one of them -- Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton -- was claimed off waivers. With the NHL Olympic break just two weeks away, trade talks have heated up, but many believe the wheeling and dealing will need to wait until the March 3 trade deadline. "I would say the conversations have picked up recently, but I really don't know," Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney said last week while scouting a game. "Generally speaking, the last hour before the deadline things get done. I think we'd all like to do ..."
Thrashers still have options with Kovalchuk
Comment
January 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Four months into the season and the Ilya Kovalchuk contract situation has yet to be resolved. While both the Thrashers and Kovalchuk's representatives continue to negotiate, the same options remain today that were present this summer. • Kovalchuk signs a long-term deal. • The Thrashers trade Kovalchuk. • No move is made before the end of the season. What will happen to the Thrashers' franchise player? Here is a closer look at the situation and the options: Sign Both sides have offers on the table. However, in the words of Thrashers general manager Don Waddell, they differ regarding the value of the player. The length of the contract likely is in the 10-to-12 year range."
Kennedy, Goligoski could return for today's game
Comment
January 31
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Winger Tyler Kennedy and defenseman Alex Goligoski could return from injury today when the Penguins host Detroit at Mellon Arena, but forward Max Talbot could be back on the shelf. "They're looking better," coach Dan Bylsma said of his injured players after practice Saturday at Southpointe. "There's a chance we could see a couple of guys [today]." Kennedy has missed one game, Goligoski the past two. Each has an undisclosed injury. They practiced, with Kennedy taking more of a regular shift than Goligoski, who at times filled in as a winger. Both said having a few days off helped. Talbot, who did not practice, presumably is still bothered by a groin injury that kept him out of three games ..."