As is the case in every hockey season, the end of February brings with it a ton of trade rumors and speculation. Which teams are going to be buying? Which are going to be selling? Which GMs are going to push all of their chips to the center of the table to bring that one missing piece to their team? You know…the piece that will get them that first round exit that we all know is on the horizon.

Sure the trade rumors are a blast, but I will be the first to admit that I am getting a bit down on the whole thing this year. There have been a number of insane trades floating around that have kept my phone blowing up and my inbox full. Don’t get me wrong…I love hearing from you guys, but it is tiring having to convince everyone that Evgeni Malkin is safe and sound or that Kris Letang might actually have been scratched because he was a combined – 5 in his last two games.

Anyway, all of the trade talk got me thinking…why not bring all of the speculation about hockey bloggers moving at the deadline together in one place…how many of them might actually be on the move come March 4th. Make no mistake, there is plenty of talk out there about the outlets that cover hockey. Those entities are gearing up for the stretch drive just like the teams that they cover.

Here is a taste of what I am hearing out there in the trenches about which amongst the alternative hockey media might be on the move…

Let’s start with the biggest fish in the pond…the guys who will bring maximum value to their new entities and bring with them page views aplenty!

These are listed in perceived value around the league during this year’s trading deadline. (ALSO WRITTEN WITH TONGUE PLANTED FIRMLY IN CHEEK!)

1. “The Doctor” James Mirtle – From The Rink


Mirtle’s credentials speak for themselves. He is a thriving member of the Canadian hockey media and calls The Globe and Mail home. Having previously run his own hockey blog, he has moved on to being the manager of the NHL blogs at SB Nation. His work is always thorough and accurate. He brings a great point of view and has been a tireless supporter of hockey blogger. It is thought that several entities have made inquiries about Mr. Mirtle, however he has not been approached about waiving his no movement clause. Something that he might be reluctant to do having just started with “From the Rink” this season. Internet sources have said that it would take three established bloggers, a new server and season credential for a West Coast team to make any deal a reality. I say talk of Mirtle moving is false…

2. Greg Wyshynski – PUCK DADDY - Puck Daddy


What can we say about Mr. Wyshynski? He is a trailblazer and an inspiration to many hockey bloggers, as he rose like a phoenix to his mantle at Yahoo.com. The first hockey blogger to break into the mainstream if you will. He was also the first hockey blogger to be named to the Hockey News’s list of people of power in the National Hockey League…impressive, most impressive. Rumblings abound that the big boys…ESPN, TSN, NBC, CBS, ABC etc are mired in a horrible bidding war for the services of Puck Daddy. I mean, I read it on a message board last night…it has to be true… Wyshynski was unavailable for comment, but he did text message a wink to several sources. I don’t want to be the one who reads into that, but it is hard… The could be something to this…

3. 3. Eklund – the Anonymous Hockey Blogger - Hockey Buzz


Let me be the first to say…I don’t always agree with Eklund’s rumors, but he is fun to work with. I equate him to Ryan Whitney at this deadline. He is an under-appreciated asset that seemingly would have a ton more value to a contender than the team he is currently on. He is a page views machine and what site doesn’t need that kind of scorer? Page views get you on the map and the E man is a machine. The Fourth Period, Hockey’s Future and another unnamed entity are in the running for Ek at this deadline. I personally don’t think that they have the assets to close a deal. I mean, Hockey Buzz is asking for four established bloggers, one legit journalist from Moose Jaw, a couple of servers, and a syndication deal for “Julie Loves Hockey.” Very expensive to say the least…some think that any deal would also require the interested party to pick up Garth’s salary in the deal…

4. Seth Rorabaugh – Empty Netters Post Gazette - Empty Netters


I will start this off by saying that Seth is the man…we spend most Penguins home games in conversation and I would hate to see him go. However, he is definitely a rising star in the blogging world and has even been featured in a Fox Sports Podcast for his Jersey Foul Bill of Rights blog late last year. The bottom line is that the guy is funny, loves and knows the game…that combined make him great. Papers in Detroit, Tampa Bay and Winnipeg are thought to be interested. However, Seth told me in confidence that he is trying to broker a deal to New York. We will see what happens…watch out Big Apple, Empty Netters just might be taking over Ranger Central.

5. Sean Leahy – Going Five Hole/Puck Daddy Contributor - Going Five Hole


Leahy recently pulled a Chappelle and is taking a break from Going Five Hole, but he is still available over at Puck Daddy. Those who know his work will tell you that he has become a daily read. He covers the Pittsburgh Penguins, but also spends a good bit of time on NHL content. Leahy is the guy who most looks like the scoring winger that is lacking on Crosby’s line. He has done a great job of finishing for Wyshynski and the two have combined to become one the most formidable forces in the blogosphere. However, just as no expect the Penguins to swoop in and acquire Marian Hossa last year, entities are working to get Leahy. Sources at Puck Daddy have denied the rumors, but that could just be pillow talk. There could be a couple groups involved and we may see Puck Daddy himself packaged with Leahy and shopped.

6. Angela Carducci – Inside Hockey – Inside Hockey


Angela has been with Inside Hockey for a while now, but also spent some time writing columns at the official Fox Sports website. Kevin Greenstein, editor and chief over at Inside Hockey, has been called a shrewd negotiator and he will not part with Carducci easily. He has been heard asking for servers, credentials, established writers and a membership to the Jellys of the Month club. Though Carducci is a great writer, I can’t see any team paying that cost right now…especially knowing that she just might hit the open market this summer. Why sell the farm for an unrestricted free agent. Talk of a Rorabaugh for Carducci circulated but is complete rubbish. No truth to it whatsoever.


7. Tony Ferrante – The Confluence/Kuklas Korner - The Confluence


Tony is the guy I would love to have on my team, though he isn’t in full time Pittsburgh. He brings intangibles to the table like no other person on this list. He, like many of us, clawed his way up from modest blogging beginnings and now has a voice on one of the most popular hockey sites on the web. He draws upon many years in the Navy and has been a big supporter of his blogging peers. Ferrante recently brought his popular “The Confluence” blog to Kuklas Korner, so I am not sure he would be willing to waive his no movement clause. Though for the right opportunity, he might consider it. I am not comfortable divulging the teams that are in play here, but keep an eye on it as Tony is probably a huge domino…

8. Brian Metzer – Hockey Buzz and XM Radio – Hockey Buzz


I didn’t feel comfortable touting my own accomplishments here, but I will say that I have been in the game since 2004 and started officially covering the team back three seasons ago. I can be found doing pre and post game commentary for XM Home Ice 204, writing my daily blog on www.hockeybuzz.com and co-hosting the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast on Monday evenings. I know as much about my destination as you guys. I did hear some rumors swirling last night, but you never know until your phone rings with the news. I don’t think I am going anywhere, but a scout mentioned that Tampa Bay ownership has noticed me and are trying to broker deal. I figure it is because I am one of the only folks who have set foot in Mellon Arena over the last year that they haven’t made a play for.
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Hope you guys didn’t mind the above, it was a chance to share some friends links and also a way to vent the frustration that has been building up over the past week regarding this trade deadline. As I said, I love trade rumors as much as the next guy, but I have never…ever….evaaaa evaaaa, had to diffuse as many bogus reports as I have this year. I have approached contacts that I normally wouldn’t bother just to validate my own thinking and have been uncomfortable with the whole thing. So I figured it would be fun to fabricate a bunch of rumors regarding some bloggers who follow this great game! Feedback would be great!

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Funny note from Marc Andre Fleury last night…keep in mind that he did his best to lose to points for his team, yet they found a way to win. (Enough with the “the were horrible in front of him” talk…he was bad last night…admit it)

In the midst of talking to him, Angela Carducci from above got this quote…I missed it because I was in the Orpik scrum…

“I guess I made it interesting, yeah,” he said as he smiled that big grin and laughed.

I love that he could be so down to earth and sort of pick on himself after that performance…it is right up there with him waving to the crowd after the mock cheer last night. He is such a down to earth and happy guy that those things do not bring him down.

It was great to see the team earn two points for him, as he has been on the other end of that a bunch of time…standing on his head only to lose or win a 1-0 or 2-1 game.

Fleury will be just fine…

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Let me be the first to tell you that anyone who says Dan Bylsma is very similar to Michel Therrien has never met either man. Last night’s press conference was quite a departure from what we had grown accustomed to with Iron Mike. Bylsma remains at the podium for an extended period and takes numerous questions. He thinks about the questions and gives insightful answers. You can tell that he is just eating this all up and living the dream. He even made an unsolicited joke last night that cracked the gather masses up to end the presser…here it is:

Bylsma was asked about the game puck that Matt Cooke made sure to deliver commemorating his first National Hockey League win.

“Matt Cooke got me the puck,” Bylsma said. “I told him he’s 10 favors for the coach away from getting in front of the net on the power play.”

More later…

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