A Staal in Edmonton?

RUMOUR			2009/2010 NHL Statistics			2010 Cap Hit
To Edmonton	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Eric Staal	Forward	25	16	3	7	7	$8.25 million
Undetermined Draft Pick
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To Carolina	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Andrew Cogliano	Forward	22	25	3	8	1	$1.133 million
Denis Grebeshkov	Defenseman	26	19	3	10	1	$3.15 million

Well, how about this one? This is a doozy of a rumour, which could have been brewing up for some time now. It takes a couple of different ideas and combines them into one really awkward and hard-to-believe notion.

The Oilers have been anything but quiet about trying to get themselves a superstar, including Dany Heatley and Phil Kessel. The Hurricanes could very well be looking for a change in direction altogether after their disastrous start to the year. A trade for both teams seems likely. Is this really what the mill has in mind though?

The Hurricanes would be trading away a franchise player from their roster with a heavy salary cap hit for the next seven seasons after this one. You could argue that this could be more of a salary dump to help buy themselves a new superstar when the free agent marketplace opens in July 2010.

The Oilers would then be moving the two players that they have been reportedly trying to deal for some quality talent and would be willing to take on that excess of salary that Staal has already been signed to.

I can't honestly see this going down though. There just doesn't seem to be enough going to Carolina in this deal. The Oilers are getting a 100-point player (when healthy) and the Hurricanes are getting two impending free agents for next season. There has to be more to it. The Canes could be looking for some more draft picks to help ease their way in the rebuilding phase of their franchise. Maybe then it would make some sense, especially if it was a really high pick.

Still though... moving Eric Staal is mildly far-fetched. Between him and Cam Ward, those are the two players Carolina should be building around.

Hawks & Leafs in Cap Move?

RUMOUR			2009/2010 NHL Statistics			2010 Cap Hit
To Toronto	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Patrick Sharp	Forward	27	22	6	19	3	$3.9 million
Brent Sopel	Defenseman	32	21	1	3	2	$2.3 million
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To Chicago	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Matt Stajan	Forward	26	21	5	15	1	$1.75 million
Jiri Tlusty	Forward	21	3	0	0	1	$855,000
Garnet Exelby	Defenseman	28	11	0	0	1	$1.4 million

With the Blackhawks desperately seeking out ways to trim down their projected salary cap number for the 2011 season, in order to re-sign Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith to long-term deals, the Maple Leafs might be the team to help solve their problems, but its going to cost the Blackhawks dearly... or so we are to believe. Another rumour from the mill today saw Patrick Sharp and Brent Sopel heading North to Toronto for Matt Stajan, Jiri Tlusty and Garnet Exelby, which not only is a big player swap, there is plenty of cap room heading to Canada in return for two veteran players with large contracts extending past this season.

The surface of this deal is straight cap dump, but on a skill level, this is no real improvement to the Blackhawks, who are going after a championship this year, rather it's a big turn in the opposite direcetion. A feeling most people/fans would honestly believe. The real key to that argument would be Patrick Sharp, who has proven that he is far more valuable as a two-way player than his counterpart in the deal, Matt Stajan.

Despite clearing off $6.2 million of cap space off the books for the 2011 season, the Blackhawks likely won't want to sacrifice a season where they can actually win it all, unless they are somewhat confident that Stajan and Exelby can fill the void left behind by Sharp and Sopel. Exelby and Sopel are somewhat of a wash, skill & scoring-wise, so that isn't too bad. I really don't see Tlusty being the guy to bridge the gap between Stajan and Sharp, but the system in Chicago could be way more beneficial for both players... who is to say?

Sharp is just too valuable and it's the point that keeps coming back around to predict that this deal won't go down. Burke has been able to twist some arms off before, so you just never know for sure.

Horcoff For the Kostitsyns?

RUMOUR			2009/2010 NHL Statistics			2010 Cap Hit
To Montreal	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Shawn Horcoff	Forward	31	19	5	10	6	$5.5 million
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To Edmonton	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Andrei Kostitsyn	Forward	24	23	2	9	2	$3.25 million
Sergei Kostitsyn	Forward	22	0	0	0	1	$817,000

I saw this rumour in a tweet on Monday and thought I would have a look at it. Just to see how it might work out.

Well, on the surface of this deal, you can acknowledge the fact that we are dealing with three underachieving players, especially for the money that is getting doled out between Horcoff and the older Kostitsyn.

Horcoff is a medium-to-small type of centre that can move the puck pretty well and skate with quick wingers, which is exactly the kind of team that the Canadiens are. Horcoff would sit as a number two centre behind Scott Gomez and there could be a little bit of balance given to the top two lines, putting Mike Cammalleri on one line and Brian Gionta to the other. There is a certain ring to it that seems rather appealing here.

The Kostitsyn brothers are very much offense first kind of players, that skate well and have a little bit of dangle to their game. Edmonton is filled with smallish forwards and two more just couldn't hurt the team more, right? Both brothers would be able to try out a number of centres that the team has to try and find some chemistry, plus they shouldn't be able to get into too much trouble in Edmonton.

I don't think that this is a terrible deal either way. Cap-wise, it will be pretty tight on both ends of the deal, but it does show some bits of relevance, enough so that it can't necessarily be shot down right away citing anything in particular.

The Habs should be looking to take on more salary in this cap era for moving these two players, that would be the easiest thing to do to facilitate a deal for kicking the Kostitsyns out of town. Maybe a low round pick would go with Horcoff, just to seal the deal, but that's just my own speculation.

I'd give this potential deal some legs... see what happens.

Giguere to Detroit?

RUMOUR			2009/2010 NHL Statistics			2010 Cap Hit
To Detroit	Position	Age	GP/MIN	Goals/Wins	Points	Years	Per Year
J-S Giguere	Goaltender	32	213	0	0	2	$6 million
Erik Christensen	Forward	25	7	0	0	1	$750,000
Luca Sbisa	Defenseman	19	9	0	0	2	$875,000
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To Anaheim	Position	Age	GP/MIN	Goals/Wins	Points	Years	Per Year
Brian Rafalski	Defenseman	36	15	1	8	3	$6 million
Jimmy Howard	Goaltender	25	322	2	4	2	$717,000

Well, I love crazy rumours and I love looking at them on a numbers basis. Today's rumour came from my Twitter feed, so I thought I would give it a link and see how it pans out.

This one sees the reportedly disgruntled J-S Giguere making his way out of Anaheim and heading to Detroit, who has been a part of many Giguere rumours, for a defenseman of equal cap value in Brian Rafalski and then some even out type players.

The element of this deal, which I find most interesting is the inclusion of Luca Sbisa, a prized young defenseman, who was sent back down to juniors again this season, as to think that the Ducks are so desperate to unload Gigure, that they would throw in a young player of this calibre. I would suggest that a high pick would go instead of Sbisa, just because the Ducks love their defensemen, which is shown by their desire to have Rafalski in return.

Erik Christensen and Jimmy Howard can make some sense, as Christensen is a healthy scratch all the time for the Ducks and Howard is a prepared back-up goalie for Jonas Hiller. I think that's a pretty suave move.

Cap-wise, this is a pretty straight-swap. Both teams were dealing with cap issues to start the season, but if all the books are equal here, then this deal could work in cap principle. Whether or not the Red Wings would be willing to move Rafalski, that would be the real question.

Giguere or Hiller?

It would be awfully silly to think that there wasn't a bit of a goaltending controversy at the beginning of the season in Anaheim, as both Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller were both vying for the number one job. The argument was somewhat one-sided towards Hiller, as he received all the ice-time in the playoffs and played exceptionally well in doing so. Saying that, the Ducks and their coaching staff did maintain that the job was left wide open in camp, for either one to take.

On Monday, there was an interview that surfaced from down in California that has some direct quotes from Giguere, which is seemingly giving the Ducks an ultimatum to either move him or move Hiller.

With Giguere returning to the line-up from a groin injury there are questions being surfaced, in regards to this article. The Ducks have reportedly refuted the article as being true or accurate, which does seem awfully defensive and doesn't mean a great deal now. The trade winds have been surrounding Giguere have been blowing since the playoffs, around the time when Hiller was taking that number one job by the throat.

Thanks in large part to the Giguere injury, Hiller has played in 13 games for the Ducks, amassing a 6-5-1 record with a shutout, behind a team that has really yet to find their mid-season form. Hiller carries a 2.76 GAA and .919 save percentage, which are very respectable, especially for a goalie on a somewhat struggling team.

The other point of contention is that of the contract situation. Giguere is currently on the backend of a 4-year deal he signed in 2007, with another season after this with a cap hit of $6 million, while Hiller is in the final year of a 2-year contract extension, which has a cap hit of $1.3 million and will make him a UFA in the summer.

If this report and interview is actually accurate, the Ducks have a pickle on their hands. Giguere is the elder by five years and has experience of a Cup win, a Conn Smythe and another Cup Finals under his belt, but the younger Hiller doesn't have the experience, but is still earning the starts. With his pending free agency, the Ducks can mould the Swiss keeper under their projected cap number, which I believe is the tipping point for the Ducks. The interview (if true) should expedite the process of getting a trade done, but if he goes, he'll be going somewhere that needs a starting goalie, especially for the cost against the cap.

Hiller should continue to get the bulk of the starts, but if a trade doesn't happen in the next month, I would expect Giguere to get some showcase starts, trying to prove his value to teams that are interested.

Frolov for the Kostitsyns?

			2009/2010 NHL Statistics			2010 Cap Hit
To Montreal	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Alexander Frolov	Forward	27	8	1	5	1	$2.9 million
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To Los Angeles	Position	Age	GP	Goals	Points	Years	Per Year
Andrei Kostitsyn	Forward	24	8	1	3	2	$3.25 million
Sergei Kostitsyn	Forward	22	0	0	0	1	$817,000

Another one from the Eklund files came out this afternoon, seeing the disgruntled forward Sergei Kostitsyn and his NHL-playing older brother, Andrei, head to Los Angeles for often-rumoured forward Alexander Frolov.

On the forefront, the Habs would pick up a quality scoring forward that may be a bit bigger (at 6'2") then what their used to, but should bring enough skill to help spread out the offense through the line-up.

For the Kings, they would get a pair of Europeans that do come with some attitude issues, but they are young and they do have some flash. The question is, can a guy like Terry Murray rope in Sergei into the system?

Well, the Western Conference is a little more wide open for the Kings, especially in the Pacific Division. Something would have to happen, like a conditional pick coming the Kings way, if they are not able to reel in the two brothers and get them in working at 100%. To me, it isn't a terrible move, but its still a questionable one.

Plekanec For Hamhuis

			2009-2010 Statistics		2010
To Montreal	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Dan Hamhuis	D	26	6	1	1 year, $2 million
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			2009-2010 Statistics		2010
To Nashville	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Tomas Plekanec	F	27	6	6	1 year, $2.75 million

In another Eklund special, this deal may have a bit of legs to it. The Predators, who are deep in defensemen, would deal a future UFA in Dan Hamhuis to the Canadiens, who need a solid defender after the injury to Andrei Markov, for a forward in Tomas Plekanec, who is also set to become an unrestricted free agent. The move would certainly address issues for both teams, but the Habs have not started to score throughout their line-up, so this move may be a little premature.

Plekanec has certainly upped his value at the start of the season with a good start in the offense department, while Hamhuis continues to be a solid defender for the Preds. If anything to the effect of this were to go down, I would expect a pick or two to go either way, just to offset some of the excess cap cost.

Horton to Vancouver?

			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Vancouver	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Nathan Horton	F	24	67	45	4 years/$4 million
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			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Florida	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Defenseman
Top Prospect

Another interesting rumour floating around the boards and the tweets over the past 24 hours sees the Canucks going after Nathan Horton of the Panthers. There were no names suggested from Vancouver in the rumour, so what is listed above is how it looks.

From Florida's perspective, they are piecing together a defense corps that is getting somewhat respectable and would do well to add a little more stability to it. The Canucks, on the other hand, should be looking to shed more cap space than taking more on, especially the $4 million per season Horton will cost over the next four seasons.

If I was to wager a guess on this one, I would have to say it would be Kevin Bieksa and his $3.75 million being the defenseman going to Florida, along with a player like Michal Grabner or Jannik Hansen to complete the deal. There still isn't enough cap space moved out by the Canucks, but that is the only reasonable thought out of this supposed rumour.

An addition of Horton to the Canucks would give a lot more size to the middle of the ice and it would lessen the responsibility of Cody Hodgson's rookie season.

The Panthers would get a lot more grit for their blueline, if Bieksa was to go the other way. That would be something that they would need playing against some of the Southeast Division superstars in Alex Ovechkin, Vincent Lecavalier and Eric Staal.

Personally, I think if this deal goes down, the Canucks would have to pony up a little more and get a prospect back themselves to make things a bit more comfortable.

Frolov to Chicago?

			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Chicago	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Alexander Frolov	F	27	77	59	1 year/$2.9 million
Unknown Defenseman Prospect
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			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Los Angeles	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Kris Versteeg	F	23	78	53	3 years/$3.1 million
Cam Barker	D	23	68	40	3 years/$3.1 million

In another Eklund special, we find that Alexander Frolov is in yet another speculation or rumour. Frolov and what would likely be a rookie prospect defender being traded to the Blackhawks for both Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker.

According to the article, the defensive prospect is holding up the deal, but even still, that does seem to be a bit of a stretch. The Blackhawks are still in some cap trouble, but if there is a prospect coming back, there isn't a great deal of help being done here, just $3.3 million. This doesn't make a great deal of sense.

Predators In the Mix For Kessel?

			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Nashville	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Phil Kessel	F	22	70	60	RFA
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			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Boston	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Alexander Radulov	F	23	0	0	RFA
2010 1st Round Pick
Top Defensive Prospect

The rumour mill kept on churning some interesting thoughts on Thursday, as the Predators have been dropped as a big suitor in the Phil Kessel sweepstakes. I would have to think, looking at the rumoured deal above, that there would have to be a conditional pick added if Alexander Radulov wasn't going to sign with the Bruins, but otherwise, this does look like a reasonable proposal. This might have a little bit more appeal to the Bruins, as the Predators are so incredibly deep in defensive prospects.

Kessel For Picks?

			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Toronto	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
Phil Kessel	F	22	70	60	RFA
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			2008-2009 Statistics		2010
To Boston	Pos	Age	GP/MIN	Points	Cap Hit
2010 1st Round Pick
2011 1st Round Pick
2010 2nd Round Pick

With Phil Kessel still sitting on the shelf with a shoulder injury until November/December and without a contract, his situation does seem to be fairly cut and dry. Why pay the guy if he's not gonna play, right?

Well, even if the Bruins were to try and sign Kessel, there would be all sorts of cap issues, because today they sit in training camp with 19 players signed at an approximate cap cost of $53.8 million, leaving very little room to sign on the remaining players they would need for their 23-man roster, let alone a sniper like Kessel.

This is where the Leafs come in. They have 21 signed at a cap hit of $48.7 million, leaving plenty of room for a guy like Kessel. Even if they sign Kessel long-term, his cap hit will be lowered a bit right away because of the Long Term Injured Reserve. So, they are one of the teams that have plenty of room for him.

The deal above is now floating around the rumour mills online, suggesting that this one is on the table from the Leafs.

I've never been a big fan of Kessel, nor has Brian Burke, but he has proved that he is a goal scorer in the NHL and that you have to give him credit for. He did score 36 goals last season and that's pretty tough to do when you consider only 13 players scored 36 or better. That's the kind of player that the Leafs would do well with having in their line-up, but is the cost of three top end picks worth it?

If you consider the Maple Leafs' drafting history, they would do well with just throwing picks away for established talent. It may not help their youth system, but it would be an easier way to try and win right now, which is the goal for the new Leafs regime.

The Bruins would be wise to take this deal, as they actually do have a good scouting staff and no room on their current roster to put any sort of players that they may receive in exchange.