Well I guess I should have put my blog out about Mark Bell yesterday, eh? No I did not see this move coming, but I was hearing more and more that Bell would be moved...

Last night's trade that landed Havlat in Chicago and Bell in San Jose is "just the beginning of a major restructuring" according to a Canadian source I was out with last night when the deal went down. As I've been saying for some time now this offseason will be a thrill a minute ride around here. This is the first chance for GMs to re-shape their teams after seeing how certain players perform in the new NHL. The 69 players going to arbitration is part of that of course.

This week we will see many teams try to sign some of those in perjury, while teams who can't get all the arbitrated under their number will need to start wheeling and dealing.

One team to look for is the much depleted Edmonton Oilers, who I am hearing are talking to the NJ Devils. The Oilers have picks from the Pronger move and the Devils need to dump cap...Watch for that.

I will be meeting this morning with some other sources so look for more trade rumors this afternoon...we have a fun few weeks to say the least ahead because after the arbitrator rule, we'll have even more deals as teams scramble to hit their numbers. What I am looking at now is who filled their needs and who didn't to date.

And who has luxuries. Like Martin Biron in Buffalo who will be moved in the next few weeks I am told (e3).

As for the other UFA's...

We are reaching the point where guys who will be signed and the teams that will sign them aren't so sure if either they are getting enough or giving too little. There are still quite a few guys out there, and these next two weeks I will dub, "One Year Dealville" (sounds like a suburb of Montreal)...by signing a one year deal players can prove their values and teams can give them a shot. The result can be as varied as a guy who will be released a month into the season or this could be your diamond in the rough. LAst year this brought us Anson Carter (will again this year although Vancouver is likely) and Teemu Selanne..

This week we will also see Peca land, and it looks more and more like that landing place will Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal...

Montreal is a team that will make at least "one major move in the next two weeks.."

Keep it here...more later and a chat at 4pm.

Ek





As

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Last Night of Picks. Playoff Prevews and UFA Previews start tomorrow

» Wednesday's Picks

» Picks For Tonight's Games New Projected Final Standings. What Will Happen?

» Don Granato Out in Buffalo

» Final Spots in the East Wide Open. Matchups Pending...Mon's Buzzcast