Leafs' D deadly at both ends of rink
The Maple Leafs’ group is not only helping to keep the puck out of the net, to the tune of 27 goals against in 14 games in 2012, but also is adept at contributing at the other end.
Leafs defencemen, led by captain Dion Phaneuf’s 30 points, have accounted for 119 points in 2011-12, third most in the National Hockey League behind the Ottawa Senators (127) and the Vancouver Canucks (123).
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Hockey Trade Rumors - Feb 6, 2012 - Mega Update
With the NHL trade deadline three weeks from Monday, the Carolina Hurricanes seem to be everyone's favorite partner.
Jets would like to add a scorer
Is Ales Hemsky worth the risk? How much should other NHL teams value him?
Blackhawks facing fourth net change in four years down stretch |
Joe Colborne or C Nazem Kadri for Ruutu?
This won’t go away: The talk is the Leafs are willing to offer up either C Joe Colborne or C Nazem Kadri to the Hurricanes for C Tuomu Ruutu. Carolina GM Jim Rutherford has been telling teams a deal is imminent. The Sharks are making a hard pitch as well, but GM Doug Wilson doesn’t want to pay the high asking price. Neither do the Senators.
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/02/04/contenders-line-up-for-smyth
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Bill Watters via Twitter - Could Carter go to Montreal?
In Toronto, its Burkes move
It took until last week, four-plus months into the season, but the Maple Leafs finally had their projected A-list roster on the ice last week when Colby Armstrong and John-Michael Liles made it into the lineup. Now we’ll see what GM Brian Burke can pick off prior to the deadline to avoid the franchise’s seventh straight DNQ. Keep in mind, he has added skilled forwards (Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul) and a Robocop defenseman (Dion Phaneuf). The missing piece is the power forward. Which probably makes Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan No. 1 on Burke’s checklist. And maybe Corey Perry No. 1A.
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REAL CHANCE THAT LEAFS MAKE NO SIGNIFICANT MOVES
Of course, things can change at a moment's notice but the Leafs' wish list is very specific, they want a top six forward with size who can score.
And there just aren't too many of them floating around right now.
James van Riemsdyk has a concussion, he's not a factor for the Leafs at this point.
Jeff Carter has a contract that Leaf GM Brian Burke would have difficulty taking on, especially when the Leaf GM has been so vocal against those long-term deals with the bogus years at the end.
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More Rumors - Feb 6, 2012
Red Wings looking to fill the hole in goal
Gomez drought turns one
Tampa Bay Lightning soon to face dilemma over glut of healthy defensemen
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HURRICANES EXPECTED TO GET TRADE ACTIVITY GOING
It's been eerily quiet on the NHL trade front, but the sense is it could be the Carolina Hurricanes that get things going this week with a trade or two.
The Hurricanes put forward Anthony Stewart on waivers Monday, but the move contending teams are waiting for is the team committing to dealing gritty forward Tuomo Ruutu. |
NHL Western Conference trade deadline outlook
The path to the Stanley Cup might be through Columbus or Edmonton. At least, you'd think that if you check out travel expenses submitted by pro scouts from NHL contenders over the last few weeks.
Anaheim Ducks: Although the Ducks have been mentioned in some of the wilder trade rumors, The most likely player to be traded is still Jason Blake. He and Nicklas Hagman are the team's potential unrestricted free agents. Teams will call and ask whether Teemu Selanne will waive his no-trade clause, but he has resisted in the past. One thing to consider: Lubomir Visnovsky is a skillful defenseman who will earn $3 million next season, but will have $5.25 million cap hit. He could be a nice fit for a team that doesn't go to the cap limit. |
Nash rumours becoming reality?
Sportsnet has been running the HOCKEY CENTRAL Trade Tracker for a few weeks now in anticipation of the Feb. 27 deadline. It comes as no surprise that some of the players discussed will not be moved. And I think we've been pretty honest in saying that. But one player who just might be in the mix is Columbus Blue Jackets winger Rick Nash, who continually plays down the fact he will never ask for a trade.
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