NEWS AND NOTES:
– The NHL will be expanding in a few years, but Las Vegas may not be on the top of the list. MGM is currently building a $375M, 20,000 seat arena. Their partner is Anschutz Entertainment Group, which is owned by L.A. Kings owner Philip Anschutz. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is still denying that Vegas would be a definite location for expansion, but you can’t help but wonder if he’s lying… again. Currently the most ideal spots for expansion include Quebec City, Seattle, and Markham, ONT (outside Toronto).
– The World Cup of Hockey is returning, and the NHL looks to be participating in the tournament. However, it has not been determined whether or not the KHL will let their players play. While the NHL houses a majority of the best Russian players in the world, but the KHL still has plenty of players that could complete the team, not to mention the other countries represented in the KHL. With the World Cup comes other problems as well, including the qualifying matches for the 2018 Olympic Games in South Korea and when those games would be played. The World Cup will be hosted by the city of Toronto in 2016.
RUMORS:
Courtesy: Reuters
– Mike Green’s name still won’t go away, and the main reason is because there have been no talks between he and the Caps regarding a new contract. He’s not going anywhere unless the Caps are in a bad position come playoff time. The Red Wings are watching.
– Chris Stewart will most likely be traded, even though the Buffalo Sabres wanted him as part of their rebuild. There are a lot of teams who are kicking the tires and inquiring about what it would take to get the rugged winger. Boston really wants him, and the Senators are rumored to be interested.
– Eric Staal’s name is in the rumor mill as the Carolina Hurricanes are at the beginnings of a rebuild, but GM Ron Francis might not go with the “scorched earth” method. Staal could still bring in a heavy return, but he would have to waive his NTC, and he would have his choice of where he wants to go, however, as of right now, he doesn’t want to go anywhere. His stock will never be as high as it is now.
– Tomas Vokoun could be signed by the Dallas Stars since backup goalie Anders Lindback is not doing as well as they’d hoped. Vokoun is healthy and looking for a place to play, and would provide some stability in a backup role. The Stars would need that if they want to compete in the West.
– Joe Thornton is still rumored to be traded even though the Sharks are doing well. Toronto keeps coming up as interested and Jake Gardiner is a name that the Sharks like. Thornton would have to accept a trade, and having the oppurtunity to play with Phil Kessel could be enticing.
– Keith Yandle is also someone that Toronto would like. The defenseman has been long rumored to be traded, and the Leafs have always wanted him. Nazem Kadri would most likely go back in that kind of deal.
– Antoine Vermette is also being looked at by Toronto – because they look at everyone – and he could be part of a Yandle deal.
– Tyler Myers might be the first of the Sabers to be let go this year, and the Dallas Stars are very intersted in bringing the towering defenseman over. The Sabres, however, are asking for Valeri Nichushkin and the Stars might not want to do that… yet. The Red Wings are also intersted but the Sabres are asking for Anthony Mantha or Dylan Larkin, who the Wings say are off limits – for now.
– The Philadelphia Flyrers are still quite a mess of a team, and now with three of their defenseman out, they may need to make a trade. Brayden Schenn keeps coming up and the Edmonton Oilers are very intersted. The Oilers are probably offering defenseman Jeff Petry.
– Jeff Petry is also being looked at by the Lightning.
More to come…
