Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Sharks in the Water...More than a Dozen New Rumors To Discuss.

July 13, 2010, 5:57 PM ET [ Comments]
Eklund
RSSArchiveCONTACT
Get up-to-the-second mini updates between blogs follow me on Twitter by clicking HERE
GET THE FREE HOCKEYBUZZ iPHONE APP HERE


* More and more people are saying the Kings and Kovalchuk are dead. I have been around long enough to know to stay as "far away as humanly possible" from that conclusion at this point. It is intriguing to note the owners are feeling the pressure to make this happen more than Lombardi.

* With an increase in Season Tickets to justify...will the Kings go after Vinny Lecavalier? People who generally deny such things are notably silent. Gagne is also an option, as well as Marc Savard. I am of the belief Gagne will be a King either way.

* All this comes into play as a third team has entered the Kovalchuk Sweeps (or as one source has termed it as of today, "The Clusterchuk Sweeps"...The San Jose Sharks. They would have to move Thornton to make this happen...likely to a team out East who could afford him for one year and would benefit from his scoring and one year deal...

* Speaking of the Toronto Maple Leafs...I am hearing mixed reports regarding Kaberle..some saying Setoguchi, the other...Ryan Clowe. Pavelski is definitely not being moved right now. That is all that appears certain.

* The Canadiens meanwhile have looked into acquiring Nikita Filatov from the Blue Jackets. One source went so far as to say it was "down to the Habs, Penguins, and Canucks for Filatov...with Montreal having the best offer on the table..Other Hab possibles are Arron Asham, Marek Svatos and Willie Mitchell. Asham is a much better and far more veratile player most than people realize.

* The NY Islanders are also in on Asham, as well as showing interest in a pair of Hawks: Patrick Sharp, and Antti Niemi...

* The Buffalo Sabres are in on a potential big deal as well with the LA Kings or NJ Devils...They may play a big part in teams clearing space. I also could see them getting in on Filatov as well.

* Conspiracy Theory of the Day! The Sharks also may make a move for Niemi, especially if the Hawks are forced to walk away from an arbitration ruling...because the Hawks are out of money after matching the Sharks offer sheet...(hmmm..well played Mr. Wilson, well played indeed!)

*Obviously, the Sharks can only make one move, but it does appear that Doug Wilson (who is always great with contingency plans, had several ready to go and react to the situation)

* The Flames continue to kick tires with Savard in Boston and Semin in Washington. A source I talked to today added, "Kovalchuk has been discussed as well, but only if the Kovalchuk camp were to opt for "their plan B." I of course inquired about "plan B" and was told it would be the 3 year/$31M or 2 year/22M plan. This option would open up "if the Kings, Devils and (now Sharks) are unable to get a deal done. Although it is somewhat uncertain if the Sharks are more of a "plan B" team as well. Other Plan B teams include: The Rangers, Islanders, Capitals, Leafs, Canucks, Avalanche, and Wild...

* The Wild are one team who are rumored to be considering an offer sheet to Bobby Ryan. While the Ducks have made it clear they will not trade Ryan, as the Canadiens reportedly have looked into, rumors of offer sheets and trades abound...

* Wondering what Russian the Flyers may bring in to help with Zherdev?...I am told Slava Kozlov is a possibility.

* The Devils, my favorites to land Kovalchuk as of this hour, are also in on Kaberle, as well as Wild D-man Brent Burns.

Tonight I do a complete Rumor Chart Refresh...adding some trade players as well

Your 2010 UFA/RFA Rumor Chart Update
Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment
More from Eklund
» Best Night of Hockey Yet..With Drama, Comebacks, Upsets!..Picks;Wed's Buzz
» 12 HUGE GAMES. THE BUZZTRON TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN...
» Buzztron 7-3 last night. New Tie in Projected President Cup; Mon's Buzz
» The Buzztron Wins another Night Calling Leafs and Rangers Wins. Tonight?
» Caps Get Two Huge Points. Pass Flyers on Projected. 11 Game Picks Today