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Source, "San Jose has the lead for Nash" + Leafs Trade Update, Semin... |
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We have heard all sorts "lists" in the Rick Nash sweeps. Who's on it? Who isn't?
All that aside, there are three teams who are really and truthfully leading the pack...as of now. Those teams are San Jose, Detroit and the New York Rangers...and according to my sources that's pretty much the order...
Earlier today, Darren Dreger reported the Canes were out of the Nash sweeps because the asking price was too high and the Jackets wanted Skinner. The Canes have now the dubious distinction of being the first team to (at least officially) drop out of the Parise Sweeps, the Suter Sweeps, and now...Nash.
This is somewhat surprising, but not entirely. With Suter, as Lou Lamoriello pointed out, the player had made it known he wouldn't play in the East, and while the "list" for Nash is a secret, Carolina wasn't believed to have been on it.
Also it is interesting to note there may be no better GM in hockey when it comes to straight hockey trades. Rutherford has always been a master at getting value and trading player for player..However, until this year I can't remember him being so verbal in the press about it...and generally teams don't let it be known they are "out" of something unless there is a reason to get it out there.
So this is where San Jose fits. Pavelski and Niemi are two pieces I had heard mentioned and those are two VERY good pieces compared to anything rumored so far from NY or Detroit.
On Alex Semin...
This is shaping up to be an interesting race, but one team very eager to get Semin under contract appears to be the NJ Devils...The Devils do need to add scoring in the wake of losing their captain.
On the Leafs trade...
I have been tracking this possible trade and while info is sketchy I know this is NOT for Luongo or Nash (note: Luongo is very much being discussed with Toronto and Nash isn't....as of now) I am hearing this trade is for a top line center with size. A few have theorized the player may be Getzlaf...but no one has confirmed that name as of this time...
More to come..