Thrashers Trade Rumors

"In years past, Providence Bruins coach Scott Gordon wasn’t just patient in his quest to become an National Hockey League head coach, he was remarkably wise. He was in no hurry to make the jump...After leading the team to four consecutive winning seasons, with a good shot at the AHL Calder Cup championship this year, it may be time for some higher learning...Sources have speculated he’ll be considered by the Atlanta Thrashers, who hope to name their new coach before the NHL draft next month."

"You can put Bob Hartley's name on the list of candidates for the Senators' coaching job. It is expected within the next couple of weeks the Senators will ask permission of the Thrashers -- with whom Hartley is still under contract -- to speak to the Hawkesbury native, who won the Stanley Cup behind the bench of the Avalanche in 2001. Hartley was let go as coach by Thrashers GM Don Waddell after the club opened the season with six straight losses. "

"As another day ticked by Monday without a decision from Jacques Martin about his future, some NHL sources believed Martin was buying time while investigating the possibility of finding a coaching job outside Florida... It has been speculated that Waddell's first choice would be Peter Laviolette, if the Carolina coach is dismissed after failing to lead the Hurricanes to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons."

"Kovalchuk has two years left on his contract, and that might sound like a lot, but the Thrashers have given no indication that they're any closer to winning now than two years ago."

" Seven Thrashers are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, and general manager Don Waddell hasn't indicated he wants any of them back. Among the potential UFAs are goalie Johan Hedberg, 40-year-old Mark Recchi and captain Bobby Holik."

"After being told to stay home during the Thrashers' most recent road trip, veteran defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was scratched again against Washington... He said he hasn't gotten any indication from the team about his future. He's under contract for $3.5 million next season, but doesn't know if it'll be with the Thrashers."

"The Thrashers have eight potential unrestricted free agents on their roster including Mark Recchi, Johan Hedberg, Eric Boulton, Bobby Holik and Steve McCarthy. If nothing is done by July 1, all will become free agents, but Thrashers GM Don Waddell said on Sunday that there are currently no contract talks with any of them."

"Q. What has Don Waddell done during his nearly 10 years as general manager to justify his return? A. I can only speak for the three seasons I've worked with Don."

" A couple of men who were thought to be walking the plank at season's end might not have to update their resumes after all. New ownership in Tampa Bay probably will balk at paying coach John Tortorella his $1.3-million US contract next season to do nothing, while another employee in the Southeast Division, Atlanta Thrashers general manager, vice-president and coach Don Waddell, also appears to be safe. "

"Zhitnik's contract makes a trade unlikely, but the Thrashers could waive him. He'd be most appealing on re-entry waivers, where a team could split his salary with the Thrashers."

"At the end of this Thrashers season, Don Waddell likely will be subjected to some sort of performance review. We can’t know if owners will conduct separate reviews for each of Waddell’s jobs: executive vice president, general manager, temp coach. But given that he hasn’t helped create a significant hockey market in Atlanta, nor has excelled in player development, nor will coach his handpicked players to the playoffs this season, one failing grade should cover all three areas."

"With the Thrashers slipping out of the playoff race, general manager Don Waddell is in position to be one of the few sellers on NHL trade deadline day. He's got the best player on the market, Marian Hossa, and a group of veterans who would be nice pieces for a contender. These five Thrashers are candidates to be traded before 3 p.m. today: Marian Hossa, Bobby Holik, Mark Recchi, Johan Hedberg and Alexei Zhitnik."

"The Ottawa Senators remain in the thick of the bidding to receive Marian Hossa from the Atlanta Thrashers before the National Hockey League trade deadline at 3 p.m. today. It's believed the Senators' chief competition for Hossa will come from two Northeast Division rivals, the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins."

" Kings D Rob Blake could be dealt to the Avs, although he has refused to waive his no-trade clause ... There has been talk in NHL circles that the Senators may again ask D Wade Redden if he's interested in moving. Listening to Murray lately, that seems highly doubtful. Redden killed a deal to the Sharks for D Matt Carle and a draft pick earlier this month ... The Sabres have to make a decision on D Brian Campbell, who's also set to become an unrestricted free agent. "

"The big name the B’s were in on was Atlanta’s Marian Hossa but, according to one source, they backed out Thursday when they couldn’t get assurances the free agent-to-be would sign an extension."

"Chiarelli would not confirm that Hossa was his trade target, but he fits the profile of what the Bruins need most: a sure-handed scorer down the stretch. Had they been able to land Hossa, it would have meant surrendering second-year forward Phil Kessel, precisely one of the valuable young assets that GMs are becoming less inclined to deal."

"Heading toward the trade deadline at 3 p.m. today, the most talk is surrounding Atlanta winger Marian Hossa, who has rebuffed several attempts by the Thrashers to sign him to a new contract. The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators were listed as the frontrunners as the talk heated up yesterday."

"With Sundin staying his course in Toronto and Peter Forsberg signing with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday, Murray continues his search. Names like Marian Hossa (Atlanta Thrashers), Sergei Fedorov (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Martin Lapointe (Chicago Blackhawks) have been bandied about."

"The Red Wings are hoping to pick up a goal-scoring forward, and Atlanta's Marian Hossa and Tampa Bay's Vaclav Prospal are two top players expected to be moved today. The asking price will be steep, however. In a lesser deal, Detroit might pursue former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov if Columbus opts to move him... Brad Stuart of Los Angeles, Dan Boyle of Tampa Bay and Hal Gill of Toronto are some of the players rumored to be on the move who might interest the Red Wings."

"The Wings, in the midst of a 1-7-1 slump, need some scoring punch. They are reportedly interested in former Wing Sergei Fedorov, now with Columbus. Among other possibilities are Marian Hossa (Atlanta), Mike Comrie (N.Y. Islanders) and Ladislav Nagy (Los Angeles)."

"Those comments make acquiring Florida's Olli Jokinen seem unlikely. But perhaps Atlanta's Bobby Holik or Columbus' Sergei Fedorov or Michael Peca are possibilities. Belanger believes that once today's deadline passes, nervous Wild players will relax, which should improve their play."

"And while Hossa is the big catch, Waddell acknowledged there's been increased interest in all of the Thrashers potential free agents, including veterans Bobby Holik, Mark Recchi and Johan Hedberg. Right now, he's exploring all options."

"There are reports from Chicago that the Blackhawks might move highly paid ($6 million) and underperforming winger Martin Havlat (10-17-27 in 33 games)... In Tampa on Saturday, two well-placed NHL sources gave insight into the status of the two most prominent forwards: Hossa and Sundin. “Atlanta definitely is trading Hossa,” said one source, who guessed Montreal might be his destination. “They can’t sign him. They have to trade him.” Another source passed along word that the Detroit Red Wings offered Sundin a two-year contract extension if he would waive his no-trade agreement with the Maple Leafs. However, he refused to OK the deal."

"Because of the steep prices, Chiarelli may determine that landing a big-time forward before the deadline may be too costly. The going rate for a stud like Atlanta's Marian Hossa, who is expected to be moved tomorrow by Thrashers GM Don Waddell, is a young NHLer, a prospect, and a first-round pick, and Chiarelli said he will not trade Phil Kessel. So instead, Chiarelli could pull off a lesser deal for some depth on defense, or not dip into the trade market at all."

"Earlier lobbying for Richards by teams such as Columbus and Philadelphia might pay off (the Jackets could offer him a spot on a line with Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev), but expect stronger Cup contenders such as Anaheim to get involved by today. One or both of Ottawa and Montreal, which seemed set to face off over Hossa, could change gears and pursue Richards."

"If you believe the stories, Marian Hossa has already had a set of his hockey gloves, in Canadiens colours, delivered to Montreal's Bell Centre. He's also been spotted at the Montreal airport on his way to join the Habs."

"It seems there was a report suggesting that a pair of Hossa's hockey gloves had been spotted in the bleu-blanc-et-rouge colours of the Montreal Canadiens, an indication that he was on his way to la belle province."

"General manager Peter Chiarelli said yesterday the Bruins will not trade Phil Kessel. Since most trade speculation involving the B’s had assumed the 20-year-old could be part of a deal for Atlanta’s Marian Hossa, Chiarelli’s remark could mean the B’s are no longer in the Hossa sweepstakes."

"Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3-inch Carter could be a nice fit for the Bruins, both for his size and touch, but they don't have that Kaberle-like blue liner to offer in return... It's that kind of package that gives Chiarelli some legit clout with Atlanta GM Don Waddell when talking a swap for Marian Hossa, but it's too much to yield if Hossa, age 29, doesn't first agree to a long-term deal (sign-and-trade agreement)... A couple of other top offensive performers rumored to be available: Alex Tanguay (Calgary) and Martin Havlat (Chicago)."

"Marian Hossa. Brad Richards. Olli Jokinen. Alex Tanguay. Mats Sundin. Five forwards with spectacular star power, and all are being shopped. Rumors are running rampant, but it'll be interesting to see which players are moved by Tuesday's trade deadline."

"And as for trading Jaromir Jagr, don't hold your breath... So if they wanted to trade draft picks and minor leaguers/prospects for Marian Hossa, who makes $7 million against the cap, they technically could. Or if they want a boost on the blue line, the Rangers could trade for Bryan McCabe's big shot from the point and $5.75 million annual cap hit through the 2010-11 season."

"One week after Marian Hossa said the chances of signing with the Thrashers before the trade deadline were very slim, Don Waddell officially closed the door."

"Dany Heatley would have no problem with the Senators bringing back Thrashers winger Marian Hossa for a run to the Stanley Cup final."

"The two big trades Chiarelli alluded to almost certainly involve Atlanta’s Marian Hossa and Toronto’s Mats Sundin (with Buffalo’s Brian Campbell close behind). If the Bruins, as believed, are bidding for Hossa, it’s likely to take a costly package built around Phil Kessel (who scored his 15th goal Thursday)."

"Buffalo's Brian Campbell and Colorado's John-Michael Liles, who would fill the Devils' need for a power-play point man, are available, as is Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa. Getting Toronto's Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade to come to New Jersey is a long shot, but a deal for Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina, who also would have to waive no-trades, might be doable."

"But the Wild should pay close attention to this Marian Hossa situation in Atlanta and learn from it. Marian Gaborik could be the Hossa of next year if the Wild doesn't take care of business this summer."

"Back to balancing his duties as both coach and general manager, Don Waddell said he now has a clear idea of which teams are serious about trading for Hossa."

"Rumors abound that the Atlanta Thrashers will deal star Marian Hossa before the trade deadline Tuesday and that the Bruins are one of the teams hot in pursuit of the 29-year-old right winger, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season."

"Lamoriello was back from the GM meetings in Florida in time to watch his Devils win a 20th home game for the eighth straight season, beating the Sharks 3-2 in Newark for a three-game winning streak. He intends to be a trade-deadline buyer, if he can find suitable sellers... Upcoming unrestricteds who could interest the Devils include Marian Hossa, Ladislav Nagy or Mats Sundin up front and Rob Blake, John Liles, Dan Boyle or Brian Campbell on defense."

"Calgary Flames forward Alex Tanguay's name has popped back up on the market with five days left before the trade deadline. Tanguay would have to waive his no-trade clause, but there's talk he could be sent to the Habs for Montreal winger Michael Ryder. It's believed the Panthers have also talked to the Flames about Tanguay... The Atlanta Thrashers would like a player and No. 1 pick for right winger Marian Hossa. The players being offered by numerous teams have been well publicized, but some wondered yesterday if Ottawa GM Bryan Murray might be willing to move defenceman Andrej Meszaros."

"Will Mats Sundin stay or will he go? That's what NHL general managers want to know with the clock ticking fast toward the Feb. 26 NHL trade deadline... Sources say Atlanta Thrashers GM/coach Don Waddell, who left Tuesday because he had to be behind the bench last night, went home to take one more run at signing Hossa, but has told teams interested if Hossa doesn't sign, then he "definitely" will be dealt."

"Marian Hossa's pending free agency gathers most of the attention, but he's not the only Thrashers veteran whose contract expires after this season. Dupuis signed a one-year deal last summer, and is set to be a free agent on July 1. So are other major contributors, like captain Bobby Holik, goalie Johan Hedberg and forward Mark Recchi."

"If Lidstrom is out only for the short term, Holland will keep his focus leading up to Tuesday's trade deadline on adding a top-six forward (the Wings are interested in Atlanta's Marian Hossa) and a veteran defenseman."

"But that could change if the Ducks, as many have speculated, continue their pursuit of such targets as Kings defenseman Rob Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin or Atlanta Thrashers winger Marian Hossa if they become available."

"The talk is Wilson has stepped up attempts to acquire Marian Hossa by offering Patrick Marleau as part of a package... Fletcher and Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi, who are holding the biggest fire sales here, had lunch with Montreal GM Bob Gainey -- fuelling the Mats Sundin-to-the-Habs speculation."

"There's a belief the New York Islanders have held talks with the Leafs to bring back Bryan McCabe, who would have to waive his no-trade clause ... While the Montreal has been linked to Mats Sundin, sources say they're a bigger player for Marian Hossa or Flames' Alex Tanguay."

"In Marian Hossa, Waddell holds the bargaining chip that could turn a Stanley Cup contender into the favorite. Hossa is the most sought after player on the trade market, but he's also the player who could lead the Thrashers into the playoffs."

"Five places Marian Hossa could end up if he is traded by the Thrashers: 1. Detroit: Waddell is close with Detroit GM Ken Holland and the Red Wings have the depth to pull it off. And the pressure to do so."

"The Bruins, however, probably would not be able to put together a package to swing a deal for Hossa, and even if they could, his arrival likely would not make them a Stanley Cup contender."

" There appears to be truth to the report that the Devils and Thrashers talked in preseason about a trade of John Madden for Bobby Holik. The discussion is believed to have fallen apart for good because of the significant deferred payments due Madden, which would have traveled to the Thrashers. ... The drumbeat increased on the possibilities of New Jersey obtaining either Robert Lang or Martin Havlat from Chicago, neither a rental. "