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Most Wanted Top 6 Forwards, The Zach Parise Rumors Lunacy & Souray waived |
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Waiver wire: Edmonton has placed defenseman Sheldon Souray on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final year of his contract per Bob McKenzie.
Signings...
* Alberts in Vancouver. 2years. $1.2 Cap Hit ---Outstanding Value.
* Dwayne Roloson in Tampa 1 year. $3M--- Had to do this...but again..don't they have to save some space for ???
* Tomas Kopecky 4 years, $3M Cap Hit---Huge Tallon fan, so I will have to give him the benefit of the doubt. but I think this is WAY over payment.
Rights...
Ehrhoff, this year's Hamhuis...has had his rights traded again...now to the Sabres...I don't see him signing anywhere until after July 1.
Talbot.. Well apparently his rights were traded to EVERYONE. but the time has passed and no one has signed him...(this system is working so well!)
OK...onto Rumors...
So tell me, What is a "Top 6 Forward." I talked to many people today about this question, because the only thing I can tell for certain that defines a "top Six Forward" is "What everyone wants."
Some say a top six forward is a game changer.
Some say a top six forward is a 20 goal guy.
Some say a top six forward is a power play player.
Some say a top six forward is a character guy.
Some say a top six forward is a guy who you can put out with confidence in any game situation.
Some say a top six forward is dependent on the team you are talking about..
Ok, I like that last definition, because a top six forward on a team with multiple 20 goal scorers is very different than a top six forward on the Islanders, Coyotes, or Jets.
So, when the Canucks say they are looking for another top 6 forward, that means someone who is better than Higgins...and on the Coyotes someone better than Lee Stempniak?
Well...here goes my opinion of the players left who I consider
"Top Six Forwards and the Teams That Love Them..."
#1 Brad Richards.
Teams Interested: NY Rangers ,Toronto, Colorado, Buffalo, LA, Philadelphia.
What more can be said...I want to focus this blog on the other guys. Richards is a major impact player.
#2 Ville Leino.
Teams interested. Philly, LA, Vancouver, Montreal, Buffalo, Nashville, Winnipeg, San Jose.
The Flyers are considering an offer sheet to Stamkos. Will it happen? I think it will. Will the Lighnting match I think they will. Should the Lightning match and return to the days when they were a one line team? Well...that's tomorrow's blog.. But has the Stamkos stuff distracted the Flyers from getting Leino, a player Ed Snider has said MUST be signed, inked.
It is my feeling the Flyers are on the verge of making an enormous mistake and not re-signing Ville Leino. This player has been clutch, at times dominant, can change a game, possesses the rare skill of being able to slow down the game, and he has shown up time an time again with season changing plays at clutch moments. And don't forget. Leino has only played in 149 NHL games and put up 73 points. However, over the last two season he has put up 26 pointa in 30 playoff games.
What is even more crazy is Leino, while I am calling him a top 6, has played on the Red Wings and Flyers where he hasn't been a top 6 all the time and has gotten very little power play time. Prior to this last season Leino had a total of 1 NHL power play goal in the regular season. This season he netted 5 of his career high 19 on the power play. In the playoffs Leino has 1 power play goal in his NHL career..but I remember it. It came last year against the Sabres in round one and was the first power play goal the team had after a ton of missed opportunities. In last year's playoffs Leino put up 21 points in 19 games for the Flyers. He had two game winning goals...but ZERO power play goals.
Leino has been buried off the power play because of depth in Detroit and Philly. It reminds me alot of Patrick Sharp's time as a Flyer, and I feel losing Leino would, in the end, rival losing Sharp.
#3. Scottie Upshall
Teams Interested: Vancouver, Nashville, NY Islander, Maple Leafs, Jets, Sens, Sabres
Though hampered by injuries, in the last 3 seaosn, in 150 NHL Games, Scottie Upshall has netted 48 goals. That equates to 26 goal seasons. And he did that essentially BY HIMSELF in Phoenix and a few games in Columbus. How can I say he has done this alone?
Well besides the fact the that he was Phoenix's top scorer for much of last year....check this out. When Scottie played in Nashville and Philly I remember wanting him to shoot more and pass less...look at these stats...
Nash/Phil 197GP...38 goals-55 assists
Phx/CBJ 150GP....48 goals-31Assists
Scottie is a buzzsaw. I cant tell you how many people in Nashville I have gotten emails from who want him back. He never stops moving and is constantly living up to his Tasmanian Devil nickname.
UPDATED:
Zach Parise saga.
There are rumors out there tonight that the Canucks are trying to trade for Zach Parise.
The rumors were what stopped me cold while updating this blog and then I went to look into Vancouver and found nothing...BUT I then got a text that an "eastern Canadian team", not Vancouver, is pursuing a trade fro Zach Parise this evening and would like to wrap up the deal in 36 hours, prior to the Start of UFA Day.
My souce was not at liberty to disclose the exact team in the east, but I started by asking around about Toronto...since they have been connected to rumors (by me) before when it came to Zach Parise...
As I was talking to all my Leaf sources I was told that Colorado and indeed Vancouver had heard about the Leafs trying to get Parise....and they themselves were working on a proposal for NJ...Then I was told Chicago...who has been very quiet after freeing up money with the Campbell trade, was suddenly part of not only the Parise rumor, but possibly was putting an offer sheet together for Stamkos.
Then my Leaf source called me back and while they wouldn't deny Parise, they also wouldn't deny Stamkos or Richards...
Tonight, as I write this I do believe Richards will end up in Toronto...that is my gut.
Then came a text from a completely separate source stating the Rangers were interested in Parise as well, and may be offering the Devils the most return yet, and of course its much easier to get Parise to play for the Rangers because he wouldn't have to move into a new house.
But could the Devils seriously trade their star to the Rangers?
"Yes if the Rangers are really offering as much as they are offering." I was told...
We have an interesting few days ahead of us!!!
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