We are nearly 24 hours away from the 2009 NHL Draft, and trade talks among teams have heated up like no other. Here are the latest updates:
-There are 3 teams that have narrowed the gap on Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester: Canucks, Maple Leafs, and Flyers. The Canucks are the most serious trade partner and a deal could get done as soon as tomorrow morning. Bouwmeester is scheduled to become a UFA on July 1st, so trading for him now just gets you a head start on the negotiating process.
The Canucks are offering their 1st round pick(22nd overall) as well as a position player. The Panthers are very interested in gritty forward Alex Burrows. I love watching that guy play but he just signed a new deal with the 'Nucks and is a fan favorite. Steve Bernier and Mayson Raymond are more likely players headed the other way, but Gillis wants to keep Raymond so we'll see. And any talk involving the Flyers/Panthers will go through forward Joffrey Lupul.
As for Toronto, Brian Burke loves J-Bo, but it might take Kaberle and some picks to get him.
- Dany Heatley trade talks are also heating up. As 3 teams have narrowed the gap on the 50 goal scorer: Edmonton, the New York Rangers, and LA. Now there have been rumors that Rozsival and his $6 mil/yr salary will be going the other way along with some others. But no one in the world would take Rozsival for that amount of money. On the other hand guys like Callahan, Drury/Gomez, Zherdev are being discussed going to Ottawa. Particularly Chris Drury who's underachieved since his arrival in NY and Coach Torterella isn't exactly thrilled with his game.
Edmonton has the 10th overall pick in the draft, and GM Tambellini will not be afraid to use it as trade bait to get Heatley. The Sens are asking for Andrew Cogliano but there's no way Edm. will deal him. For the Kings, Alexander Frolov is expected to be in any deal heading to Ottawa.
- The Penguins are one of four teams that inquired about forward Ryan Clowe of San Jose. The asking price is said to be Orpik which I don't see the Pens doing. We lack defensive physicality as it is. I love Ryan Clowe, he's a hard nosed player, plays the same game as Ryan Malone but he's got more grit and is younger. It would be great to see Clowe alongside Geno next year but we're going to give up some assets to get him. Maybe a Lovejoy/Dupuis type deal could be possible.
But the Leafs and Flyers also inquired about Clowe. Brian Burke loves those smash mouth hockey guys. He's similiar to Dustin Penner (when he was on the Ducks). The Flyers are also interested in Clowe, but GM Doug Wilson wants Claude Giroux or Scotty Hartnell, no way Flyers give up Giroux, Hartnell is doubtful as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment