|
Draft Rumors Beginning to Surface. 5 Teams Who Will Make a Splash... |
|
|
|
|
|
Over the past few years the NHL draft has become almost on par with the NHL trade deadline day when it comes to trade rumors and big deals going down. This year will be no exception.
Teams to watch...
#1 Toronto. They may not have their own first rounder, but Brian Burke has assembled quite a few extra picks and he wil be trying to work his way up the ladder. I keep hearing the Leafs love Mark McNeil, a center from the P.A. Raiders. Great hands and a your definitive power forward. There are rumors the Leafs could use their picks to move up and grab McNeil.
Also, there are strong rumors the Leafs may make a HUGE splash at the draft by acquiring "a pending RFA star to be the face of the franchise. There are two players out there they want, and both aren't getting any progress when it comes to signing long-term deals. One is Zach Parise and the other is (off limits for me to put into a rumor since he is still competing for a Stanley Cup)"
The Leafs I am told will NOT trade for Richards' negotiation rights...but will get into the UFA game if they don't land Parise or --------.
Also I have heard it's not out of the question that Burke looks a Bryzgalov.
#2 LA Kings.
They Kings also like Parise, but I keep hearing they are more interested in trying to pull of a major trade with the NY Rangers. Also, the Kings may attempt to trade for the negotiating rights to Brad Richards. I was told they have already discussed this with Dallas.
#3 Montreal.
The Habs are still very serious about landing Jagr to play with Pleks, but they also have their eye in trading for the rights to a defenseman out West....who is also still playing. The Habs will get into the Laich sweeps, but won't likely trade for his rights.
#4 Philadelphia.
The Flyers signing today of the Finnish goalie Hovinen is more for down the line. Were I a betting man, the draft is where the Flyers will pull off a trade to get a solid veteran #1 goalie. Whether that will mean trading for the rights to Bryzgalov or Vokoun, or it means a player trade for Kiprusoff, I would be totally shocked if by the end if draft weekend we didn't see the Flyers make a major move, possibly two.
If you remember, last season, coming of off their Cup Final run, the Flyers traded for the rights to Nabokov and Hamhuis at the draft.....and came one last minute decision away from a trade that would have brought Tim Thomas to Phillly.
#5. Buffalo
The Sabres also have their eye firmly on a few players, and this will be Pegula's first chance to show the locals he is all about improving the team. He could trade for Parise or possibly make a move with the Flyers for a power forward... (Flyers will have to move someone significant to make room for whatever goalie they decide to go with.)
I will be back later with a look at tonight's game and (possibly some more rumor updates) and coming very soon...THE UFA RUMOR CHART 2011.
Join the Discussion:
»