Post by Eklund on Jan 12, 2013 20:43:01 GMT -8
- Plenty of news out of San Jose. They just made a great deal with the Flames picking up solid D-man Dennis Wideman for pocket full of change. They've also sent an offer to my brother Oscar. Big OE is thinking it over, but is hoping to land a few more offers before deciding who to sign with. The Sharks are also seeking a solid defensive centerman for their struggling penelty kill. Could Handzus return to California? Talks with Buffalo suggest it's possible.
- With the UFA signing of Sasu Hovi, Michael Neuvirth became expendable. The Caps moved him with prospect Ryan Stoa to the Jets for Alex Ponikarovsky and Al Montoya. The deal helps with Washingtons depth right now, and gives the Jets some great youth to build from. A solid deal for both clubs.
- The struggling Bolts have made a major move this week. They hired Hall of Fame GM nucksforcups. The deal came as a bit of a shock, to the hockey community. There were rumours of the legend coming back to the game, but it was expected that he'd end up taking over the Panthers. Nobody really knows what happened there, but the fans of Tampa couldn't be happier. Players heard to be already on the block, are Captain Vincent Lecavalier, Sami Salo and Mattias Ohlund. Expect positive changes in the Lightning's very near future. 
- There are talks of a 3-way trade in the works between the Pens, Caps and Oilers. Players in the fold are goalies Khabibulin, Vokoun and Holtby, aswell as skaters Johansson, Musil, Potter and Tangradi. The details are being worked out, but it seems the Penguins GM is a little gun shy, and isn't sure if he wants to deal. Vokouns too good to be a backup, so if the Pens don't move him now, they could end up with some bad energy in the room, and get nothing back for him when his contract expires at the end of the season. A tough decision for sure.:phx: - Phoenix and Vancouver swapped 2nd line wingers last week. Underachieving power forward David Booth goes to the desert, while young stud James Van Riemsdyk heads to B.C. Neither player has done much with their new clubs so far, but expect them to be stars in the years to come on their new teams.
- Another team who hired a new GM this week. This guy kinda came out of nowhere, and not much is known about him yet. He quickly got the word out that a few highly paid veterans are otb, as they look to to make immediate changes. A young top line sniper is on the top of Philly's list of needs at this point. I expect to see a deal or two in the next 48 hours that could really change the look of the team.
- The Islanders made an extremely questionable trade last week moving blue liner Andrew MacDonald to Colorado for Tyler Ennis and a 2nd pick. MacDonald was having a career year, and was among the top 5 D in scoring this season at the time of the trade. The Islanders must have big plans for Ennis. Tyler can be a star in this league, and maybe John Tavares is what he needs, to reach his full potential.
- An injury last month to goaltender Devan Dubnyk looked disasterous at first for the Oilers, and it was expected that the Oil would quickly seek a tender to fit the spot. Instead the patient GM allowed veteran Nik Khabibulin to take the reigns, and did he ever deliver. He stood on his head and Edmonton won a pile of games, moving them from 13th to 9th in the West, just one point from a playoff spot. Rumours are still flying around that a new goalie is #1 on GM Kruze's want list, but Bulin's latest play could settle the urgency, for the time being. If Vokoun doesn't come to Edmonton, they will likely wait until the deadline or even the offseason to work on the issue, being that not many net minders are available right now.
- With all the injuries on the blue line, the Wings are shopping for a depth d-man. What's being offered is unknown, possibly a prospect or a 4th line winger? For now, Jordan Tootoo is being played on the 3rd line D pairing. In his first game, he had two points from the back end, so you never know, maybe this is where the fiesty eskimo is supposed to play? 
- They are piling up young defenceman, and hoarding them. What's the plan? Can a team ice 12 blue liners? Expect some more trades to come, as the team is clearly tanking to try and win the MacKinnon sweepstakes. If the draft was today, that's exactly what they'd get, but the season is far from over.
- The Hawks made a good trade picking up Grabner from the Avs for Nick Leddy and some picks. He should fit in well with the run and gun style the Hawks are aiming towards.
- The Canes and Flames have spent a ton of time on the phone of late. First they hammered out the deal that saw Glencross and depth forwards getting moved for Tlusty and draft picks. Then their 2nd deal, a trade that saw Eric Staal being dealt for Giordano and Stajan, got last minute axed by the Hurricanes boss, because of a recent injury to Jordan Staal. So what happened next? The two came together again, this time it was the injured Jordan Staal, being traded for Giordano, Bradley and Boyd Gordon. The canes got much deeper, but how will this effect captain Eric? His brother was here for 2 months, and already moved. Perhaps the whole Staal movement is over in Carolina, and Eric may be on the move next?
- Big time sellers, and the draft picks are piling up. They just moved Wideman to San Jose and Grabovski to Anahiem in youth movement deals. Iginla has been very openly shopped, aswell as Phaneuf and pretty much everyone else. I expect to see a lot more deals out of Calgary soon.
- The Ducks Snagged Grabovski from Calgary, for picks and highly touted prospect Peter Holland. This should help them now aswell as in the future. A very good deal for Anaheim.-Eklund
Fucker got it right for a change... lol 
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