UPDATE AT 12:22: A good source has informed me that Nylander is likely headed to play in Finland with Jokerit (e3)

A source has told me the NJ Devils and NY Islanders are both quietly discussing and working on deals in an attempt to land Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf has been a lightning rod for internal controversy these past few years. Coach Sutter was believed to have been brought in to straighten out the situation, but according to several sources close to the team, this has not yet occurred, and internal interventions have also gone nowhere fast. Before you say there is no way that Dion is moved, I am telling you there are ways. I too was skeptical, but based on all that I have heard, I am not anymore.

Meanwhile I am also hearing that the Flames internally are feeling that they may finally be deep enough to withstand the blow.

The NJ Devils have ALWAYS loved Phaneuf, probably because they see him as the long needed replacement for Scott Stevens on the blue-line. However with the kind of ship that Lamoriello runs, I do question if he would take the needed jump.

The Islanders are also VERY interested and this may be a better fit in some ways. First off, the Isles would have no issue absorbing the Cap hit. Can you imagine the Islanders with a star defenseman again?

It has been a while.

I am told that both teams are putting together packages that would include two #1s, a top 4 d-man, and a prospect. The fact that both teams appear to be working off the same kind of trade format does tell me that perhaps there is an "asking price" of sorts.

Lecavalier...

For now you can ignore any Vinny rumors I am told. I watched last night's game and I also think that all this talk of Vinny being "unhappy" is really over-blown if not completely misguided. Talking to players and folks around the Lightning, Vinny is plenty happy. The guy isn't maybe tearing it up by his own standards, but 25 points on a team with a whole lot more balanced scoring than it once had and in a new system with new linemates is nothing to sneeze at...

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