Fins to the Left

Hampus Lindholm remains unsigned and the Sharks (not San Jose) are circling. Yesterday Ek posted on a couple of rumored destinations the defenseman might head to. I really can't see him going to Winnipeg for Jacob Trouba. It would be out of character for GM Bob Murray to trade one headache for another, especially within the conference.

Toronto, the Ducks new favorite trading partner is interested in adding Lindholm to their blue line mix. In return the Leafs could send back a few high quality forward prospects. If Murray decides to move Lindholm instead of signing him, the Islanders (provided they can open some cap space) also have the assets in their system to make a trade possible. Boston is another option.

Simon Depress was placed on long term injured reserve. The transaction opened about $3.4M in cap space. If Nate Thompson were to go on LTIR as well, there would be close to $5M available. That is not enough available space to sign Lindholm. Murray would still be 500K to $1.5M short. A trade will happen soon, it has to because the current status quo is becoming intolerable for both sides. Either a) Lindholm gets traded, or b) someone with enough of a cap hit does which will open the necessary cap space to get a contract done. My money, at this point is on the latter.

Fins to the Right

Their home opening win over Vancouver Sunday night brings the Ducks win streak to two games. Not bad after their horrid 0-3-1 start to the season. Tonight's opponents at the SAP Center are the reigning Western Conference Champions, San Jose . When these two teams play each other, the physicality ramps up quickly. Throw in the Michael Haley thug factor, and the contest may not be for the faint of heart. Fists will be flyin' as they say.

Goalie 1B, Jonathan Bernier defends the Anaheim goal tonight. Otherwise, coach Randy Carlyle sticks with the same lineup he won with this weekend.

Forwards
Ritchie-Getzlaf-Perry
Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg
Garbutt-Vermette-Wagner
Cramarossa-Sgarbossa-Boll

Defensemen
Fowler-Manson
Theodore-Bieksa
Stoner-Vatanen

Goalies
Bernier
Gibson

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