3 More Days Until the Draft
Rumors are heating up around the league.
– Ilya Bryzgalov will be bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers. Bryzgalov signed a nine-year, $51 contract with the Flyers two years ago. The buyout will cost the Flyers $23 million over 14 years, $1.643 million per year.
So where does that leave the Flyers? Rumor has it that the Flyers are targeting Roberto Luongo, but chances are they are waiting to see if he is bought out by the Canucks. GM Paul Holmgren has denied Phildelphia’s interest, but that could just be a smoke screen.
If the Flyers are not pursuing Luongo, because let’s face it that contract is brutal, they could target Ryan Miller and offer up somone like Sean Couturier. Tim Thomas could even be on the radar if he decides to come back from his walkabout, and even Jonas Hiller, which could be part of a big package deal involving Bobby Ryan. It’s fun to speculate, isn’t it?
It was reported that the Flyers had offered up forward Matt Read for Jonathan Bernier, so he’s definitely in play if the Flyers want to go a trade route for a goaltender.
– The Calgary Flames might make a serious bid for Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller and Forward Thomas Vanek. Flames GM Jay Feaster will be making some moves on draft day and in the UFA market and he could try very hard to get at least one of these two.
The other team interested in either or both players is the Phoenix Coyotes. We should learn what happens with the fate of the Coyotes soon, and if they are moving forward with the season or relocating. They could make a statement signing or trade and Miller and/or Vanek could do the trick.
– Kris Letang was a shoe in for a new contract in Pittsburgh, however he could be the proverbial fall guy like Jordan Staal. If the Penguins decide to let go of Letang, they could get a kings ransom from a ton of teams, including Montreal, who has been waiting for Letang to become available for a long time. The Sharks would also be interested.
The Penguins still have to sign Pascal DuPuis and Matt Cooke along with Letang. Douglas Murray, who the Pens acquired at the trade deadline, probably won’t be back, but the Buffalo Sabres are said to be looking hard at the shut down defenseman. Letang is one of the best puck moving defenseman in the league and to replace him would be very difficult unless of course they persuade him to take a home town discount, then this whole paragraph is pretty much worthless.
The Penguins GM Ray Shero, who for some reason GM of the Year, said they will not be parting ways with goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
– Cal Clutterbuck not only has the best name and ‘stache in the league, but he’s also an RFA and the Oilers are apparently after him. The Wild could easily re-sign him, but that depends on what direction the team will take. They already re-signed goalie Niklas Backstrom and put an end to that debate.
– The Washington Capitals are still rather quiet leading up to the draft, but GMGM has said they are not interested in trading goalie Michal Neuvirth. There is still no word on Mike Ribeiro’s situation and whether or not he’ll be around next season or have his rights traded or just walk. I still think the Caps should make a pitch to Danny Briere and let Ribeiro go. Briere might even take less money considering he does have a history of injury and his career is winding down. He’s still a great player though and is amazing in the playoffs.
GMGM has also said that he will match any offer made to RFA’s Karl Alzner and Marcus Johansson. That’s reassuring, however with extrememly limited cap space, let’s hope no one like Columbus or the Islanders come swooping in and make an offer that the Caps can’t match. Matt Hendricks also needs to be re-signed, which probably won’t happen, or at the very least replaced by someone with the same sass.
– The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be calling everyone in their rolodex. GM Dave Nonis has already brought in goalie Jonathan Bernier and now it looks like they want to upgrade at center. Paul Stastny’s name has been mentioned, but his contract is pretty hefty at $6M for a guy who hasn’t played well. They will probably target Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula and Panther’s Stephen Weiss. Sam Gagner’s name was linked, but it looks like he will be re-signing with the Oilers.
The Leafs will buy out defenseman Mike Komisarek with compliance. Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur are ones to watch. I don’t think Nonis would trade Nazem Kadri.
Courtesy: Associated Press
– The Rangers have not announced what they will do with Brad Richards. GM Glen Sather says he has already decided, but won’t reveal whether or not they will buy Richards out under compliance, which begins Wednesday, or wait another year especially with new head coach Alain Vigneult.
Ryan Clowe has also been cleared to play after he suffered a concussion in the playoffs. He could be traded as well or sign elsewhere as he is a UFA come the 5th.
– Sergei Bobrovsky has received an enormous offer from the KHL and the Columbus Blue Jackets are still in the process of signing him here. Bobrovsky’s agent could just be using the KHL offer as leverage as Bob would most likely prefer staying in the NHL. The Jackets are also, reportedly, asking permission to talk to Miikka Kiprusoff to sway him out of retirement. Interesting to say the least.
– Ottawa Senators vet Daniel Alfredsson will give an answer on Friday on his plans to play or retire. GM Bryan Murray thinks he’ll play one more year.
Lots more to come…
