According to sources, management from LA and Atlanta were seen speaking tonight, further fuelling the rumours that Hockeyleaks.com confirmed last week that the Kings had considerable interest in acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk. Hockeyleaks.com has learned that early last week the Thrashers told the Kings that to get Kovalchuk they would require Jack Johnson, Wayne Simmonds, Colten Teubert, a 1st round pick, and one other pick/prosect. The Kings balked at the trade request, but the two sides continue to talk. As reported last week by THN.com, the Kings also have interest in Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier should be hit the market.
The New York Rangers announced before the game that Ales Kotalik would be scratched for tonights game. It would be the 8th time in 9 games the struggling forward would be scratched. However, local reporter Larry Brooks is reporting that Kotalik didn't even accompany the team to Colorado. He was with the team in Phoenix but did not join them for their flight to Colorado claiming the forward has been told he would be traded. The "would be" leaves it uncertain as to whether a deal is imminent or whether this is the beginning of the trade process but the fact that Kotalik didn't join the team on their way to Colorado suggests it could be close. Kotalik signed a 3 year, $9 million contract this summer and has 8 goals and 22 points with a -18 in 45 games with the Rangers this season.
With Jonas Hiller now locked up for four years and $4.5 million a season, the Ducks are set to be on the hook for a $10.5 million dollar cap hit in net next season. While the Ducks could buy out J.S. Giguere at the end of the season, it appears they will attempt to trade him prior to this year's deadline or at the latest, at the draft.
Teams who are said to have some interest in acquiring the veteran netminder include Dallas and Toronto. Both teams have veteran goalies on expiring contracts they could trade to Anaheim in order to make a deal work cap-wise.
Ken Campbell of The Hockey News is reporting that the Kings are showing significant interest in both Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk and Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier.
Hockeyleaks.com has learned that Wayne Simmonds is a main part of what Atlanta wants from LA, and the Kings are currently unwilling to part with Simmonds. The asking price for both superstars is apparently too high for the Kings at this point, but the Kings are hoping the price will drop between now and the March 3 trade deadline.
Sources also tell Hockeyleaks.com that both TB and Atlanta would prefer to move their star player prior to the Olympic freeze, and thus saving the money owed to the player during the several week roster freeze.
The Leafs and Stars are talking trade. What I am hearing is the discussions revolve around Ribeiro and a mid-level draft pick for Matt Stajan and a decent defensive prospect. Toronto may throw in an expiring salary to even out the numbers. Talks are on-going
- The Hurricanes are looking to start their fire sale soon, and Matt Cullen could be the first to go. Teams said to have early interest at the Flames, Senators and Thrashers.
- According to the Ottawa Sun, Bob Gainey asked for Jeff Carter as the return for Halak. The Flyers passed.
- The Stars have some interest in Halak, with Turco hitting the open market on July 1st.
- Ray Whitney to Vancouver is gaining a lot of steam
- The Oilers are shopping some of their younger players. The Leafs have apparently inquired about Cogliano, though no formal offer has been made.
Damien Cristodero, sports beat writer for the Times in Tampa reports that Lukas Krahicek's time in Tampa is over. When the team sent him down earlier this week there were no plans for re-entry waivers. He also states that there has been interest in Krajicek and there have been offers sent his way but it involved an asset coming back. The Lightning do not want an asset in return and are instead sent Krajicek to the minors. Brian Lawton is confident a deal can be completed soon after the trade freeze expires.
Not an exciting rumour/trade report, but with CJ's vacation and the trade freeze in place it's a decent hold-me-over for the time being.
This will be the last rumour until at least the 23rd, as I will on vacation in Las Vegas until then.
- The Ducks continue to sit in last place in the west and are talking about making changes. Scott Niedermayer is available and the Canucks are the team to watch here. They need that #1 defenseman in the worst way, and the two teams are talking. Never count out Nieds returning to New Jersey either.
- On a related note, the Ducks are no longer shopping Giguere for the time being.
- One source told me of an interesting rumour they heard involving Montreal: Halak and a 1st Rounder for Giroux.
- While the Kings are on top of the west, one player who hasn't worked out this season is Frolov. Sources tell Hockeyleaks.com that the team continues to shop him. One team who does have huge interest is Atlanta, who continues to try to a build a team good enough for Kovalchuk to stick around.
- Ottawa was struggling before and now with losing Spezza for up to eight weeks, this team could be in trouble. The team has cap issues, however, and will have to acquire a player who is currently on a bargain deal.
G: A. Ovechkin (42) A: J. Thornton (58) P: A/ Ovechkin (86) +/-: A. Ovechkin (41) PIMs: Z. Konopka (187) PP Goals: D. Heatley (14) SH Goals: A. Burrows, M. Hossa (4) GW Goals: D. Heatley (8)
W: J. Quick (34) GAA: R. Miller (2.16)* SV%: T. Vokoun, R. Miller (.931%)* SO: M. Brodeur, T. Vokoun (7)
*(Goalies require at least 30:00/team GP.)
Last Updated: Feb. 8 @ 1:07 AM (EST)
The Rookie Race
1. M. Duchene (39) 2. J. Tavares (33) 3. J. van Riemsdyk (31) 4. T. Myers (31) 5. N. Bergfors (28)
Last Updated: Feb. 8 @ 1:07 AM (EST)
NHL's Three Stars
1. Alexander Ovechkin (WAS) 2. Jean Sebastien Giguere (TOR) 3. Nicklas Backstrom (WAS)
