swflyers25
7-31-05, 2:32 PM
31 JULY 2005.
THORNTON FOR JAGR?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Boston Bruins might end up shopping forward Joe Thornton to a team willing to sign him up long-term before he become a UFA next summer. Brooks expects the Rangers might see if the Bruins are interested in Jaromir Jagr, whose salary would only cost them $4.5 million as the rest of it is split with the Washington Capitals. Brooks also feels Eric Lindros may be an option for the Bruins.
Spector's Note: Anything's possible and the Bruins have been known to swing a surprise deal now and again. Still, I don't see the B's having that much interest in the moody Jagr. The Bruins, by the way, are trying to lock up Thornton long-term, but the problem is what they're offering isn't being seriously considered by "Jumbo Joe".
KHABIBULIN TO RETURN TO PHOENIX?
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: David Vest reports the unlikelihood of the Tampa Bay Lighting re-signing goalie Nikolai Khabibulin before he becomes eligible for UFA status on Monday is fuelling speculation he might return to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Spector's Note: My thanks to everyone who sent this in. The 'Yotes apparently aren't tendering a qualifying offer to goalie Brian Boucher so they'll clearly be in the market for a starter. Having freed up over $2 million by buying out Brian Savage, the 'Yotes still have enough cap space to bring in someone like Khabibulin...depending on his asking price.
THE LATEST ON CHRIS PRONGER.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Jeremy Rutherford reports it appears Blues defenceman Chris Pronger will entertain any free agent offers, which due to his restricted free agent status the Blues can match. GM Larry Pleau refused to comment on trade rumours regarding Pronger.
FLYERS TO PURSUE DEFENCEMEN.
CAMDEN COURIER-POST: Chuck Gormley reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Bob Clarke hopes to sign one or two UFA defencemen. Gormley claims Clarke has targeted Derian Hatcher, Adrian Aucoin, Mike Rathje and Adam Foote.
Spector's Note: I can certainly see Clarke pursuing Hatcher as the former Stars captain plays the type of hard-nosed game the Flyers GM values, plus he'll be affordable given he's a contract buyout. I'm not surprised Clarke may be interested in Foote.
BLACKHAWKS TO SEEK OFFENSIVE BLUELINER.
CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: Tim Sassone reports the Blackhawks will likely be in the market for one of the top UFA defencemen after they decided not to make a qualifying offer for Bryan Berard yesterday, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. The club also qualified goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, a move Sassone suspects takes them out of the bidding for Nikolai Khabibulin.
Spector's Note: Is Bryan Berard perhaps the most under-appreciated active defenceman in the NHL or what? Since making an inspiring return to hockey following what should've been a career ending eye injury, he's bounced from the Rangers to the Bruins to the Blackhawks and never seems to stick, despite being the best offensive defenceman for each of those clubs during his tenure with them, as well as a Masterton winner to boot. What does this guy have to do to stick with a team?
THE LATEST SHARKS NEWS.
SFGATE.COM: reports San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson has no comment on impending UFA defenceman Mike Rathje, although he's expected to return, nor would he comment on Paul Kariya and former Shark Mike Ricci.
Spector's Note: My thanks to "GoSharks". The Sharks are one club believed interested in Kariya's services, and would likely be an affordable signing for them or anyone else for that matter. I find the comment about Ricci to be a curious one, since he's not a free agent this year, having signed last summer with the Phoenix Coyotes.
THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM THE OTTAWA SUN.
Bruce Garrioch reports the following:
- The Ottawa Senators yesterday attempted to move backup goalie Martin Prusek but found no takers. The Montreal Canadiens were believed to have a "mild interest".
Spector's Note: The Senators may end up losing him for nothing to the UFA market.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins may bring back Alex Kovalev and apparently fomer Pen Martin Straka has committed to returning.
Spector's Note: I'm not sure if they can sign either or both, but it's becoming apparent the Penguins will be very active in this summer's UFA market.
- The Edmonton Oilers are interested in Jason Allison and Pavol Demitra and might even make an offer for Mark Messier.
Spector's Note: I'd rather see them go after Allison or Demitra than waste their time and money on Messier.
- The Buffalo Sabres have tried to move Miroslav Satan and his $4 million contract before he becomes eligible for UFA status on Monday but have found no takers.
Spector's Note: Unless the Sabres agree to pick up a healthy chunk of Satan's salary, I doubt they'll find anyone willing to pay that much.
- It appears likely that Dallas Stars captain Mike Modano may test the UFA market, possibly to a club that signs free agent blueliner Adrian Aucoin. The Minnesota Wild might also make an offer.
Spector's Note: Anything's possible, but given the mindset of Wild management toward building from within or signing UFAs they feel will fit into their system, I don't see them doing this.
THE LATEST FROM ESPN.COM.
Scott Burnside reports the following:
- Reports of Dany Heatley seeking a trade out of Atlanta are "greatly exaggerated. Burnside claims sources close to the situation claim those reports are false and Heatley is expected to re-sign a long term deal with the Thrashers.
Spector's Note: Thank you, Scott Burnside, for residing in the real world.
- Despite speculation that Vincent Lecavalier would like to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and join the Montreal Canadiens, sources claim the former Lightning captain is quite comfortable with his role in Tampa Bay and hopes to re-sign long term with the Bolts. Talks over the weekend between himself and GM Jay Feaster have been positive.
Spector's Note: All the talk of Lecavalier heading to Montreal next summer appear to be little more than wishful thinking by some of the more creative minded in the Quebec media.
Spector's (http://spectorshockey.net/)
THORNTON FOR JAGR?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Boston Bruins might end up shopping forward Joe Thornton to a team willing to sign him up long-term before he become a UFA next summer. Brooks expects the Rangers might see if the Bruins are interested in Jaromir Jagr, whose salary would only cost them $4.5 million as the rest of it is split with the Washington Capitals. Brooks also feels Eric Lindros may be an option for the Bruins.
Spector's Note: Anything's possible and the Bruins have been known to swing a surprise deal now and again. Still, I don't see the B's having that much interest in the moody Jagr. The Bruins, by the way, are trying to lock up Thornton long-term, but the problem is what they're offering isn't being seriously considered by "Jumbo Joe".
KHABIBULIN TO RETURN TO PHOENIX?
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: David Vest reports the unlikelihood of the Tampa Bay Lighting re-signing goalie Nikolai Khabibulin before he becomes eligible for UFA status on Monday is fuelling speculation he might return to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Spector's Note: My thanks to everyone who sent this in. The 'Yotes apparently aren't tendering a qualifying offer to goalie Brian Boucher so they'll clearly be in the market for a starter. Having freed up over $2 million by buying out Brian Savage, the 'Yotes still have enough cap space to bring in someone like Khabibulin...depending on his asking price.
THE LATEST ON CHRIS PRONGER.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: Jeremy Rutherford reports it appears Blues defenceman Chris Pronger will entertain any free agent offers, which due to his restricted free agent status the Blues can match. GM Larry Pleau refused to comment on trade rumours regarding Pronger.
FLYERS TO PURSUE DEFENCEMEN.
CAMDEN COURIER-POST: Chuck Gormley reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Bob Clarke hopes to sign one or two UFA defencemen. Gormley claims Clarke has targeted Derian Hatcher, Adrian Aucoin, Mike Rathje and Adam Foote.
Spector's Note: I can certainly see Clarke pursuing Hatcher as the former Stars captain plays the type of hard-nosed game the Flyers GM values, plus he'll be affordable given he's a contract buyout. I'm not surprised Clarke may be interested in Foote.
BLACKHAWKS TO SEEK OFFENSIVE BLUELINER.
CHICAGO DAILY HERALD: Tim Sassone reports the Blackhawks will likely be in the market for one of the top UFA defencemen after they decided not to make a qualifying offer for Bryan Berard yesterday, officially making him an unrestricted free agent. The club also qualified goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, a move Sassone suspects takes them out of the bidding for Nikolai Khabibulin.
Spector's Note: Is Bryan Berard perhaps the most under-appreciated active defenceman in the NHL or what? Since making an inspiring return to hockey following what should've been a career ending eye injury, he's bounced from the Rangers to the Bruins to the Blackhawks and never seems to stick, despite being the best offensive defenceman for each of those clubs during his tenure with them, as well as a Masterton winner to boot. What does this guy have to do to stick with a team?
THE LATEST SHARKS NEWS.
SFGATE.COM: reports San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson has no comment on impending UFA defenceman Mike Rathje, although he's expected to return, nor would he comment on Paul Kariya and former Shark Mike Ricci.
Spector's Note: My thanks to "GoSharks". The Sharks are one club believed interested in Kariya's services, and would likely be an affordable signing for them or anyone else for that matter. I find the comment about Ricci to be a curious one, since he's not a free agent this year, having signed last summer with the Phoenix Coyotes.
THE LATEST RUMOURS FROM THE OTTAWA SUN.
Bruce Garrioch reports the following:
- The Ottawa Senators yesterday attempted to move backup goalie Martin Prusek but found no takers. The Montreal Canadiens were believed to have a "mild interest".
Spector's Note: The Senators may end up losing him for nothing to the UFA market.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins may bring back Alex Kovalev and apparently fomer Pen Martin Straka has committed to returning.
Spector's Note: I'm not sure if they can sign either or both, but it's becoming apparent the Penguins will be very active in this summer's UFA market.
- The Edmonton Oilers are interested in Jason Allison and Pavol Demitra and might even make an offer for Mark Messier.
Spector's Note: I'd rather see them go after Allison or Demitra than waste their time and money on Messier.
- The Buffalo Sabres have tried to move Miroslav Satan and his $4 million contract before he becomes eligible for UFA status on Monday but have found no takers.
Spector's Note: Unless the Sabres agree to pick up a healthy chunk of Satan's salary, I doubt they'll find anyone willing to pay that much.
- It appears likely that Dallas Stars captain Mike Modano may test the UFA market, possibly to a club that signs free agent blueliner Adrian Aucoin. The Minnesota Wild might also make an offer.
Spector's Note: Anything's possible, but given the mindset of Wild management toward building from within or signing UFAs they feel will fit into their system, I don't see them doing this.
THE LATEST FROM ESPN.COM.
Scott Burnside reports the following:
- Reports of Dany Heatley seeking a trade out of Atlanta are "greatly exaggerated. Burnside claims sources close to the situation claim those reports are false and Heatley is expected to re-sign a long term deal with the Thrashers.
Spector's Note: Thank you, Scott Burnside, for residing in the real world.
- Despite speculation that Vincent Lecavalier would like to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and join the Montreal Canadiens, sources claim the former Lightning captain is quite comfortable with his role in Tampa Bay and hopes to re-sign long term with the Bolts. Talks over the weekend between himself and GM Jay Feaster have been positive.
Spector's Note: All the talk of Lecavalier heading to Montreal next summer appear to be little more than wishful thinking by some of the more creative minded in the Quebec media.
Spector's (http://spectorshockey.net/)