Friday, June 26, 2009

Draft Day Rumors begin...Updates at top of page


BREAKING TRADE (7:41 pm):
Anaheim has traded defenseman Chris Pronger to the Flyers for forward Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa(D prospect), and 2 first round picks. Philly is really pushing it to make a cup run next year with this trade. Great addition by GM Holmgren, Pronger's nasty style of play will be welcomed with open arms in Filthadelphia. Ray Shero will not be too happy about this.

UPDATE (6:22 pm): There is a possibility that Tampa Bay forward Vinny Lecavalier will be dealt today. He is a franchise player and it would have to be a trade GM Brian Lawton can't resist to get him dealt. The Montreal Canadiens are very interested. Habs forward Chris Higgins would be involved.

UPDATE (6:14 pm):
The Phil Kessel deal to Toronto has been held off for now. Toronto believes Boston is asking too much and they want to keep the #7 pick.

UPDATE (5:30 pm): Anaheim defenseman Scott Niedermayer will be returning to the Ducks next season. A 2-year deal will be negotiated sometime next week. With Niedermayer in, it looks as though Chris Pronger is being shopped. The Flyers and Bruins are very interested.

UPDATE (5:18 pm): Garth Snow has kept it very secret as to who he will take as the #1 pick. Many believe it should be Tavares because he will bring people to the stands and get them a new stadium. But defenseman Victor Hedman would be a great shutdown type guy to match up against the Malkins, Crosby's, and Ovechkin's of the world.

UPDATE (5:03 pm): If Ottawa forward Dany Heatley isn't dealt by July 1st, they will have to pay him a $4 mil bonus. Imagine how GM Bryan Murray will feel about that? LA still remains in talks with Ottawa about Heatley. Murray has been seen talking to Kings GM Dean Lombardi at the draft tables in Montreal.



The Boston Bruins are offering forward Phil Kessel to Toronto in exchange for defenseman Tomas Kaberle and the #7 pick in this year's draft. This was apparently the significant offer that GM Burke had received last night and lead many to believe Kaberle was on the move. Which he still could be.

MY TAKE: Kessel is a franchise player who had a breakout season last year scoring 36 goals in his 3rd season in the NHL. Kessel is only 21 and he is the type of offensive threat that Toronto could use. On the other side Kaberle is another terrific defenseman that would go to a team with an already good core of defense. I'm not sure why the Bruins want Kaberle necessarily. They have Chara, Wideman, and youngster Matt Hunwick who all provide offensive depth from the blue line.

But I understand that they are near their cap and Kessel is a restricted free agent. On top of that, Kaberle is signed for more 2 more years at a very reasonable price of $4.25 mil. If GM Chiarelli believes they can't re-sign Kessel this deal makes sense. But, I don't see why a 7th pick has to be included in this deal, I think this is too steep of a price for Kessel. Kaberle for Kessel straight up would make more sense.


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