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The Top 5 are coming, but the news is hitting quickly...so consider this "a bonus blog!"
Kovalchuk heading to Toronto?
I had a long discussion with a person who has been around the NHL for 30 plus years. I asked him what he thought of this season's finest drama, "The Ilya Kovalchuk Story." This person, who convenes and communicates with maybe more scouts, players, coaches, GMs and owners than anyone I know, was very matter or fact. I love talking to tried-and-true-old-time hockey guys. They say it exactly as they see it.
"Burkie will get him," my source replied to my question. "With all that is going on in Toronto, with Burkie and Willy headed up team USA, and the pressure from the teachers, they will get him. It's also what Kovalchuk wants. The Spotlight. To be on the big stage."
"Is it?" I asked, "I thought Ilya was ok being out of the limelight to a degree."
"Oh No," my source replied, " Russians, and he in particular, they want to be 'the Guy.' They want the stage....and the Leafs have the money. They have been saving it for this. The Leafs don't have 'the guy' yet and they need one immediately. It is coming from above Burkie."
"What about Kessel, can't he be the guy?"
"Kessel is a great player, but he is an American...The Leafs have never done that and Kessel is good to great, but not enough. The Leafs do have a history of Europeans and Russians being big players for them..but it is different for Americans."
"Isn't there a great irony with Burkie being the GM of the Maple Leafs at such a critical time in Canadian Hockey, while also being GM of the Americans?"
"It would be a problem for 90% of GMs. But Burkie doesn't care. He adores that juxtaposition. Yet he knows that he must get Kovalchuk tied up long term. And what better way to soften the blow going into the Olympics...The fact that there are no Leafs on Team Canada, while there are two Leafs (Kessel and Komisarek) on Team USA, as well as Brian and Ron...Brian knows the Leafs need to make the splash going into these games.. They will get him. I would almost call it a given."
The Scouts are out tonight....
The Canucks GM, Gillis, is in Montreal along with most of his top scouting staff to take in the Canadiens and Blues Game.
The Flames GM, Sutter, is in NJ watching the Devils take on the Panthers. Much has been written about both the Panthers and Devils having serious interest in Dion Phaneuf...
from earlier...
#10 Jere Lehtinen:
It looks more and more like Lehtinen will be on the move and I really have to say that this is one valuable rental if you're looking to go deep in the playoffs. One scout told me that Lehtinen could be the "Sammy Pahlsson" of the Ducks a few years back. I have added NJ to the possible teams on
The NHL Trade Rumor Chart and I am currently hearing the Sabres are the new favorite. That makes sense to me.
#9 Andrew Cogliano
With the rise of Brule and the prospects coming, I have lowered the chances that Cogs stays and Oiler to 30% on
The NHL Trade Rumor Chart and also added another team to the mix based on discussions at last night's game. Columbus, the Rangers, Leafs, and Habs are also still the leaders.
#8. Tomas Plekanec
I know this name concerns Habs fans greatly and I am still 80% sure he is an Canadien for a long time...but based on conversations over the past few days I have added a fourth team that has interest should the Habs pull of a major deal. Atlanta.
#7. Olli Jokinen
The Flames have looked like the best team and the worst team in the NHL this season. Talent isn't the question, but two guys in the top ten show that Chemistry may be a factor. I am amazed at all the teams that do want a shot at Olli, and the Flames may be able to really set themselves up here.. .The Preds are the team most likely to make this move as visions of a long playoff run dance through their heads. I have added the Islanders as a possible suitor on
The NHL Trade Rumor Chart...that would be full circle for Olli.
#6 Ray Whitney
Valuable, and likely to go somewhere else and yet he probably will return to Carolina in the off-season. There are some doubters who recall his days in Detroit when he didn't exactly play at the level he has shown in Carolina. The Kings love him. But I have decreased the Kings odds a bit and raised the odds of the Canucks based on info coming in.
#5 Jeff Carter.
I have increased his likelihood of remaining a Flyer to 95%, but the Kovalchuk rumors are not going away so fast. The Flyers don't want to move Jeff, but they will do whatever they need to do to make the team better.
I will have another blog up later that adds players 1-4 and also gives you some more rumors for the other 50 some players on
The NHL Trade Rumor Chart
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