– The NHL Board of Governors are meeting in Pebble Beach, CA to discuss a few things, one of those is bringing the Heritage Classic (that’s the underappreciated outdoor game in Canada) to Winnipeg. The Jets would host the game at the CFL Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium. Another topic on the menu is the idea to bring an NHL Outdoor Series to… Phoenix. The NHL really has no boundaries when it comes to the sanctity or sanity of the game. The big test will be the LA Kings/Anaheim Ducks outdoor game at Dodger Stadium this season, and hopefully the weather will permit an actual outdoor feel of a hockey game in SoCal. Nothing has been talked about, but Phoenix is a possibility. The NHL has not confirmed that they will even go forth with ANY outdoor games other than the New Year’s Day Winter Classic in the future.
Courtesy: Fox News
– James Neal was given a 5 game suspension for kneeing Bruins forward Brad Marchand in the head while Marchand was laying on the ice. 5 games seems suitable as Marchand wasn’t injured. In the same game, however, Bruins forward Shawn Thornton broke his own code and went after Pens d-man Brooks Orpik, ripped him from a pile of players and beat him unconscious while Orpik lay defenseless on the ice. I hate the Penguins, but that was overboard on Thornton’s part. He’s never had a prior history of suspension, but it will be interesting to see how Shanahan handles Thornton’s in-person hearing. I’m guessing 10-15 games.
– The Islanders lost their 10th (yes 10) straight as they fell to the Ducks. They have already waived forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and that seems to be the tip of a very large iceberg. Look for the Isles to fire head coach Jack Capuano and hire Peter Laviolette, and then watch for the firesale of all but John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. They are also rumored to be hunting for a goaltender, but I seriously doubt Ryan Miller will jump from the Lusitania to the Titantic.
– The salary cap is going up – a lot. Commissioner Gary Bettman told the BOG that the cap would rise from $64.5M to approximately $71M for next season – which is great news for cap-strapped teams who are just barely under. The cap is based on league revenues which topped $3.3B this season – I guess that lockout sure worked in the owners favor. The lower limit for next year will be about $52M.
– Flyers goalie Steve Mason is looking for a long term deal with Philadelphia, and he could fetch about $4M. He’s had a comeback season this year after being stuck in Columbus. His agent thinks Mason could fetch Carey Price money – which is rediculous. I doubt there will be a long negotiation. Mason should just be happy that he’s doing well enough to have a contract at this point.
Rumors
– Pierre-Marc Bouchard could be picked up by anyone looking for added offense. The Isles waived him in order to start cleaning house. He only makes $2M, so I can’t imagine someone passing him by unless constricted by the cap. The Isles will probably look to trade Vanek soon as they have lost 10 straight and probably won’t make the playoffs.
– The Islanders also need a goalie – like really, really badly need a goalie – and they could look at the Senators for Craig Anderson. Anderson has struggled this year and has one season left in his contract.
– The Maple Leafs are rumored to be offering up just about anyone not named Kessel or Lupul. Jake Gardiner’s name is still floating around, but it doesn’t seem like any offer has been good enough for GM Nonis. If they aren’t actually shopping him, or other players, it may be because they are looking to move head coach Randy Carlyle out, but that wouldn’t happen unless the relationship between he and the players was broken – which isn’t something that has been mentioned.
– With Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin out, the Pens might be in the market for a defenseman. Even though they’re ‘rivals’, I wonder if they would inquire about Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
– Orlov has made his contractually obligated ’30 days on an NHL roster’, so now he can’t bolt to the KHL, even if he wanted to. That could be the reason why he hasn’t been moved yet. He’s been playing the last few games, but it doesn’t seem like he’s gotten any closer to being out of Oates’ ‘doghouse’ – even though he never was able to prove himself. He’s a great talent and the Caps could still package he and Erat.
Courtesy: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images
– The Caps are rumored to be all over Vancouver’s Alex Edler. Edler makes $5M and would fit perfectly under the cap next year, but if the Caps want him, they would have to offer up a nice package for Vancouver to think about trading him. Edler has struggled a little this under new coach John Tortarella, and he could want a change of scenery – who wouldn’t? The Caps probably offered Erat and Orlov straight up, which would have been a good trade as the Canucks need offensive help, but either the Canucks didn’t want Erat or Erat didn’t want to be in Vancouver.
– Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has been linked to almost every team, but the fact that he may bolt to the KHL after this season is hindering the Panther’s ability to trade him. If they can either re-sign him OR he can commit to next year, then they may have a shot at trading him – and lots of teams would want him. I can see the Penguins looking into it, among others.
– Sean Couturier might be in play. The Flyers have been hungry for a defenseman and the Oilers might have a piece they need.
– Michael Del Zotto might not be going anywhere if Marc Staal’s injury is going to keep him out for a long period of time. MDZ has been in the rumor mill for a while now, and has been a healthy scratch, but he’s playing again with Staal out of the line up.
– Brad Richard’s might also be the victim of the Rangers’ 2nd available compliance buyout come seasons end. It would free up a lot of money to sign key players, especially after Lundqvist’s monster deal.
– The Predators need offense and could be interested in Buffalo’s Matt Moulson, who they acquired in the Vanek trade. Moulson is a UFA at the of the season and could be a rent-a-player for just about anyone.
– The NHL Holiday Trade Freeze goes into effect December 19th at 11:59pm.
More to come…
