Courtesy: Ryan O’Reilly’s Twitter Account
– The Calgary Flames made a stink last night making an offer to Colorado Avalanche holdout Ryan O’Reilly. O’Reilly signed the deal, but the Avalanche came back and matched the deal. O’Reilly was holding out for $5M a year but Colorado wasn’t budging, until now. Under the CBA, O’Reilly cannot be traded for a year by the Avalanche. Here’s hoping he’s worth it. O’Reilly led the Avs with 55 points last year
– Jarome Iginla is still, and will be for the end of days, coming up in trade talks. The Flames made a small splash acquire Brian McGrattan from Nashville which adds some toughness, but the Flames have 49 players under contract. Something has to give. If they are out of the playoff hunt by the deadline, Iginla has to think about waiving his no-trade-clause. The Bruins, Penguins and Flyers are said to be the front-runners in the event he does.
– With the Dallas Stars trading Michael Ryder for Erik Cole, the future of captain Brendan Morrow is in question. He’s been on the rumor block for a while, but with being a UFA at the end of the season, chances are he might be shipped out. Anyone would want a player like Morrow and I wonder if the Red Wings would make an offer. He would most likely go to an Eastern Conference team though.
– Daniel Alfredsson is another name that is coming up in rumors. The Sens are injury prone at the moment, but they are still holding strong. Like Iginla and the Flames, if they are out of the playoff hunt, look for teams to come calling. Most notably Boston and Pittsburgh.
– Danny Briere’s name is being linked to St. Louis. The Flyers need defense and they have their eye on Kevin Shattenkirk, but it would take a lot more than Briere for the Blues to move him. However, when you think about the Blues offense, Briere is the perfect fit and could spark an offense that needs a fire under their ass. Briere has a no-trade-clause and does not have any intention of waiving it, but at $6.5M a season, the Flyers might have to get on their knees and beg him. Boston is also interested.
– No one seems to want Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney. The Oilers have been trying to shop him, but because of injuries in the last few years, his stock has fallen. Someone could use him but the Oilers might have to think about waiving him if they can’t find a taker. They have a lot of young players to sign in the next few years and they need the cap space.
– The Washington Capitals have claimed Aaron Volpatti off of waivers from the Vancouver Canucks. He’s been in and out of the lineup in the last few years, but adds some toughness to the Caps 3rd or 4th line. They were in need of an enforcer type player as Matt Hendricks can’t possibly be asked to do it all when someone pisses of the team. Edmonton tried to grab him but the Caps were lower in the standings and got first dibs.
Courtesy: Getty Images
– Rick DiPietro said in an interview with @KMaherNews12 that when he was demoted by the Islanders he felt: “they ripped my heart out, stabbed it, set it fire and flushed it down the toilet.” He also said that because of “injuries, losing and fan hatred over the past 3 years” that he contemplated suicide. Islanders GM Garth Snow commented: “We are aware of Rick’s comments today and the severity of them. We will handle them internally as we do with all player matters. This is an opportunity for Rick to play lots of games in Bridgeport”. DiPietro came back and said that he “was kidding” about what he said and never thought about killing himself, but that he is “trying to bring light to the fact of how important my wife has been. It’s been a trying last couple years… There have been times I’ve been depressed and I don’t know where I’d be without my the support of my wife”. Here’s a little tip for you Rick: I don’t care how depressed you are and what a hard time it’s been collecting millions of dollars for riding the pine the last few years, but don’t “kid” about suicide. You just made yourself look like a complete ass. I hope your career rots in Bridgeport.
More to come…
