It’s that time of year when the non-stop trade speculation and rumors are in full swing. While most are absolutely ridiculous there are always a few that might make some sense.
One name you are sure to hear is Blues veteran Keith Tkachuk who will likely receive considerable interest considering his first half performance.
Like I have written before, expect Tkachuk to take full advantage of his no-movement clause he negotiated in the summer of 2007. Why wouldn’t he? He’s put himself in position to dictate where he wants to play if he decides to waive his no-movement.
Tkachuk will look to place himself in the best possible position to win a Stanley Cup which is why we will not see a repeat of what took place in 2007 when the All-Star accepted a trade to Atlanta while probably knowing deep down the Thrashers were not going to win the Cup.
In reality Tkachuk did the Blues a huge favor and my sources with the Blues tell me they have not forgotten what he did for the club a few years ago. This is why I don’t expect the Blues to force a trade upon the shoulders of Keith Tkachuk.
The Blues will likely do the right thing and accept Tkachuk’s decision if he chooses to block or reject a trade.
Sources close to Tkachuk tell me there are currently six NHL clubs on his current wish list.
In no particular order….
1. Boston
2. Rangers
3. Capitals
4. Possibly Pittsburgh (depending on where they are in the standings)
5. Detroit
6. San Jose
This is a preliminary list that includes NHL teams who are likely to be in position to strongly compete for a Stanley Cup.
This list is certainly subject to change.
The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that could have an outside shot as well based on the talented roster, his familiarity with Head Coach Joel Quenneville, and the close proximity to St. Louis.
There is a process here of course and one of these above mentioned clubs must first show some interest in making a deal before we begin placing Tkachuk in a different uniform.
I am curious to see what teams offer up for Tkachuk considering the possibility of him re-signing with the Blues in the summer.
The Blues aren't hard pressed for picks and they should be asking for proven players if they can get one.
There has been a lot of speculation about whether this will be Tkachuk’s last NHL season, but sources close to the former 50 goal scorer tell me he will not retie after this year and has indicated he is open to signing elsewhere next July.
To a certain extent Tkachuk has probably even surprised himself with how well he’s played this season and realizes he can still play at a high level for a least another year or two.
Rink Rats!
There could be a scenario in which the Ducks are out of the playoff race come deadline time but still decide to keep Norris winner Chris Pronger. It appears Scotty Niedermayer is their guy in Anaheim, so with that being said if Scotty tells the organization he’s retiring after this year the club may not have a choice but to keep Pronger. If you look at Anaheim’s roster beyond this season the cupboard is basically bare in terms of D-men under contract after 2008-2009.
Ducks D-man Brett Hedican is expected to retire after this year.
If Niedermayer indicates he wants to return to play next season the club would almost certainly shop Pronger to free up the necessary funds to re-sign Niedermayer which will likely cost the club $7 million.
Trading Pronger could also give Anaheim some flexibility if they choose to trade for Panthers D-man Jay Bouwmeester who will command a hefty long-term extension. Bouwmeester already turned down $7 million a year to re-sign with Florida.
Don’t forget D-man Francois Beaucamin will be looking for $4-5 million this summer even though he’s coming off ACL surgery.
With all the turmoil taking place in Phoenix you would think the club would begin to initiate a new marketing strategy. The Coyotes have some of the best young talent in the league yet all the club promotes is Head Coach Wayne Gretzky.
One thing to keep in mind come deadline time is that some teams like the New York Islanders must still stay above the Salary cap floor. The club may not be able to be as active as they would like because of this.
As we sit today, it appears Islanders center Doug Weight does not want to be dealt at the deadline. He pretty much signed with the Islanders under the premise that he was not looking to hop around from one team to the next. This could obviously change.
Islanders GM Garth Snow will almost certainly try to move winger Bill Guerin who does have a no-movement clause.
Here’s a little food for thought…
Would a team with lots a cap space like a Toronto for example, who is rebuilding and looking to stockpile as many high end picks as possible take Dallas forward Sean Avery off of the Stars hands? Here’s an outside the box approach to how things could play out.
Toronto gets a very attractive package including Avery, a high pick and a prospect in exchange for virtually nothing, maybe a 7th round pick or a nobody who is buried in the minors. Toronto could choose to immediately buyout Avery’s contract but still have a first round pick plus a prospect or player to work with after giving up basically nothing.
The downfall would obviously be the fact that the club (in this case Toronto) would have Avery’s salary on the books for six seasons after the buyout.
A team could choose to keep Avery as well. One NHL executive recently told me “Don’t forget Avery can still play as long as his head is on straight.”
The positive here would be the fact that a club in rebuilding mode and in need of picks would receive some pieces to work with after giving up nothing in the process.
These are options the Dallas Stars, who are looking to do anything to get Avery’s salary off their hands, are exploring.
We’ve seen this before when New Jersey sent a first round pick and Vladimir Malakhov to San Jose a few years back.
It’s been reported The Islanders and Kings will play a pre-season game in K.C this September. I hope the NHL does the right thing and gives the Sprint Center in K.C. a Saturday date to work with. This would be a tough ticket to sell if the game falls on a weeknight. K.C. will be looking to use this opportunity to showcase their city as a future NHL city.
Both LA and NYI will be paid around $200,000 to play in the game as well as split the gate receipts.
There is some talk about an NHL pre-season game taking place in Iowa next fall as well.
Isn’t it a shame All Star weekend wasn’t televised on a more visible network in the States? NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly is continuing to improve the NHL television deal.
Blues Clues!
Doug Armstrong will be joining Jarmo Kekalainen in Europe to scout the upcoming Five Nations Tournament.
Congrats to Alex Pietrangelo as well as Phillip McRae on being named OHL All-Stars.
Andy McDonald has been ruled out for at least the next two games.
Eric Brewer will not return this season after undergoing back surgery.
The Blues should invite newly hired Rams Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo to drop the puck at an upcoming home game. Spagnuolo grew up playing hockey in Massachusetts and remains a fan of the game.
Expect Chris Mason to start Thursday night Vs. Ottawa.
The Blues game vs. Ottawa on Thursday will be featured on the NHL Network.
The NHL Network by the way is in the process of creating more shows and re-branding the network.
Tough guy D.J. King has increased his rehab after undergoing season ending shoulder surgery as he is now doing much more upper body exercises including lifting weights.
David Perron brought home a Alexander Ovechkin stick along with two Alexei Kovalev autographed jerseys from Montreal.
Perron, Patrik Berglund and Keith Tkachuk returned to St. Louis from Montreal at 2:00 am Monday morning.
Tkachuk was given Monday off, Perron and Beglund were not.
Please stop by Johnny Mac’s Sporting Goods on Watson Road this Wednesday night from 6-7 for a live broadcast of my radio Show Blues Buzz. My guest this week will be All-Star snub Brad Boyes. Blues Equipment Trainer Bert Godin will be on hand sharpening skates. The show can be heard on 1380 am or www.team1380.net
More to come,
Andy Strickland
[email protected] 
St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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