Kudos to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch who has been out scooping almost everyone this summer. Aaron is working amazingly hard and his efforts are starting to really pay off..He uncovered this gem.
Aaron's Blog can be found here....
http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2008/06/more_buggsy.shtml
In it he writes:
"It's all up to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Marian Hossa now. The Penguins have made Hossa a long-term contract offer -- believed to be seven years, $50 million -- and expect to hear back from him in a couple of days. If Hossa accepts the contract -- and the Penguins expect he will -- Ryan Malone's days in the Steel City are finished. At that point, it's believed the Blue Jackets will swoop in and trade for Malone's negotiating rights to get him signed before the July 1 free agency free-for-all. What will the Blue Jackets give up? I've heard Dan Fritsche, straight up, and I've heard a second- or third-round draft pick....This will all likely go down in the next 48 to 72 hours, after Hossa gets back to the Penguins."
I think this scenario is fascinating on many levels. First and foremost there are teams also trying to acquire Hossa's rights. Mainly Montreal and possibly Boston and/or the Rangers.
Whenever a rumour is out there like this one I ask myself what the motivation for the leak is. There is a reason these things get out.
Perhaps it is exactly as it appears. Very Possible.
However other scenarios need to be examined.
Perhaps the Penguins aren't getting enough in their mind for Hossa's rights due to the fact that many teams feel they can't sign Hossa. Now if it gets out that they can sign him, that changes the value.
Why would Hossa be waiting to accept or reject?
Whenever a timeframe is in a rumour it gets murky. It implies something else is happening...something bigger...
And how about all the recent Malkin talk? We have heard nothing but Malkin trade talk for three straight days from some really high up Pens writers.
It doesn't take much to tie Malkin's fate to Hossa as well.
Finally on Hossa...It is no secret that this deal to acquire Hossa was spearheaded by Mario Lemieux. He is definitely someone Mario really likes and wanted for this run. Shero made a great trade given a really limited window on deadline day...
Could this Malkin re-signing be a way to get Malkin in line to a degree. Malkin says he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, but will he be comfortable being a #2 guy for his entire career?
Stay tuned...
From earlier...
Dan Ellis has shown the Central Division what he can do, that's for sure...So it's not surprising that the Blues have interest...
Cammalleri has long been coveted by the Oilers and word is a Pitkanen for Cammalleri deal could be in the works...
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The Chicago Wolves are virtually an NHL franchise in the way they are run and they are developing players like one, too.
Two players in particular are already getting huge UFA interest and I am told will POSITIVELY be NHL players this season. Joel Kwiatkowski and Brian Fahey.
You may have heard of Joel but maybe not Brian. However, both are EXTREMELY capable defensemen, and it may actually be Brian that is more sought after right now.
Of Fahey a source told me today, "There simply are not many well-rounded, puck-moving defensemen around." And a team executive out West believes that he is almost certainly headed to a Western team in desperate need of help on the blue line.
Kwiatkowski may be re-signed by the Thrashers but not before at least two other teams express interest.
Be right back with more...
From last night.
According to a source who is among those attending the BOG this Week, At least one owner has told his GM and team people to give "whatever they need" to get the Penguins #2 Center......
The source told me that the deal would consist of one top three winger, one top six forward and two #1 picks....
UPDATED: The source just gave me some clues to follow up on. I believe the team to be an Eastern team, which does make this more complicated to say the least.
I am also told the owner cut short a family vacation to discuss this, so that is another big-time clue that I can follow.
Also Blake Wheeler will sign with the Bruins...
More if I get it....
Patrick Marleau- Possibility of getting moved: 30%...Teams interested Ottawa, Florida, Buffalo, Boston, NJ, and Columbus
Ray Emery-Possibility of getting moved 60%...Teams interested inlude...Washington, Chicago, LA, and Carolina.
Olli Jokinen- Possibiltiy of getting moved 25% (but on the rise) Teams interested: Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Columbus, and Toronto. Yes folks Toronto. One source said to me: "Remember Fletch made his mark on a BIG deal with Calgary...A ton of players involved...Gilmour being the center piece..Well Olli could be that Gilmour."
Hossa's Rights-Possibility of getting moved 70%...teams looking at this, Montreal, NY Rangers, and Boston.
The Senators are discussing a move with the Kings to get the #2 spot. The Kings would essentially get the first three rounds of picks from Ottawa to go with the copious amount of picks they already have. They may turn and try to give them all to Tampa to get the#1...It doesn't appear that Tampa will move that pick at all.
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