An agent dealing with some of the teams involved but not linked directly tells me that he believes the teams involved have been told something as to a timeline adding "All is not as quiet as it appears, and a major announcement WILL take place in the next 7-10 days that will define Sundin's future." He also added, "However I dont think the teams have the slightest idea what team he will pick."
From a team person:
"Sundin is playing this year in the NHL, however we have yet to see the scope of the bidding at this point. Since Sundin's statement in early July, many more teams are in the game. He is a high powered addition and certain teams do believe he is the missing piece."
And a former player who played with Sundin and Sakic added:
"Look out for Colorado with Mats. I am not convinced that Sakic and Sundin aren't talking or in on something together."
On Radulov.../b>
"It is a tough sell to let him back to the Preds if for some reason he does decide to return. The Preds fans and the people in Tennessee feel completely betrayed here. They will let him go for almost nothing based on principle. There is a reason Terrell Owens has never played for the Titans. That game wouldn't fly here."
On the Oilers/Habs trade talks...
Last night I finally threw out the rumour that I was holding onto for the past month invovling two young guns being possibly swapped between the Oilers and Canadiens simply because I knew there would be an uproar. Well as always, once I put it out there and "certain other insiders" know I am tapped into a situation new information often follows.
"Your are right on this one Ek," a source writes, "Two big time, arguably future all-star forwards are on the table, but there is more to it than that. Dig deeper and you will find another team is trying to snag the Montreal kid and may have a better package to offer."
Based on what I have been told on and off the record, that is pretty surprising if true. The Edmonton player is a guy I would hold on to, so I have spent a great deal of time on the phone today digging...
Burt winners and stories coming up.
stay tuned...
reposted from yesterday
Sorry for the late blog update today. Frankly really enjoying going through the many, many Gretzky stories and memories that you have sent to me. I was sitting on the beach and reading them on the iphone. Too damn awesome to get up and start blogging...Rare that we get these kinds of peaceful moments with family.
So now we are driving back from Margate NJ to reality on the back roads near Berlin NJ and there is a wicked thunderstorm on the horizon. Anyone know if a laptop is safe to be typing wireless in a thunderstorm?
The weather isn't bothering us... We are driving to an ice skating party for a friend of my daughters. It will be the first time I get the boy on skates.
From the beach to the rink. Honestly this is a good day.
And on top of that....the rumours have started and as we are now a month away from training camp it is safe to say that the fun is just beginning..
I really need more time to put together your many Gretzky moments, so that will either come soon. I also wanted to thank all of you that sent me an email to try and win one of the Burt tennis balls. Almost a thousand last count. I will draw at random tomorrow as well. More than your requests for one of the tennis balls (which is awesome that you want them) I am thankful for all of the great quick notes of how you enjoy the website. I started responding to many of them and will continue.
Anyway...to the rumours:
A source familiar to the Gaborik situation (who I met a while back) tells me that he now doesn't see Gaborik staying on the Wild this year and does indeed believe he will be moved. This is counter to some of the reports that Minnesota may indeed be offering up a major contract that would pay Gabs close to the league Max. Honestly I love this player, but through all the missed games and coming up pretty small in last year's playoffs, does it make ANY sense to make that kind of offer to Gaborik?
The source did suggest that he had heard there were some early discussions of a Bouwmeester for Gaborik deal. That is an interesting idea...would you do that?
I am also following a few rumours involving a possible deal that would swap "major young players" between Edmonton and Montreal. Nothing else yet, but stay tuned...
Cliff Fletcher: A source told me today that it looks less and less likely that Fletcher isn't the GM of the Leafs for a "a few more seasons."
The Source said, "There are some pretty confused people by many of Fletcher's moves. And yet it also is widely looked at that Cliff may actually be setting things up to stay in the GM role for a while."
That to me is staggering and while I hate to trigger panic in Toronto, coming from this source...this was disturbing to me. And I am NOT a Leafs fan.
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