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Quick Hits...
The Red Wings are completely denying that they are close to a deal with Hossa and it may be sometime before they would admit such a thing. The general consensus among my sources both here in Pittsburgh and elsewhere is that the Wings and Hossa have had something in place for quite some time but of course can't announce it and put themselves in a position of weakness by having to work deals to move players with other teams who know that they have to clear cap space. As one source put it...
"It'll probably be announced the week between the draft and the UFA starting (July 1). My bet is that the Wings will be in on draft dealings more than we have ever seen previously. Think about it. They have some extremely valuable signed players that they could move for a top pick. Win/Win for Ken Holland."
*QUICK HIT RUMORS AS UPDATED ON THE RUMOR CHART
On Vincent Lecavalier.
The talk yesterday definitley hit the mainstream here in Pittsburgh, but anyone who believes that the Bolts weren't very interested and even pretty close at one point to moving Vinny last year wasn't really paying attention. While the plan may have been to move him if the right set of circumstances presented themselves at the draft, don't think for a second that they weren't willing to start the process a little early.
There were some funny lines yesterday when Lightning owner Oren Koules was approached by reporters who were asking him if he and Brian Burke discussed anything... Oren said, "He was sitting right next to me the entire and day and never said a word."
A reporter joked back, "Burke was quiet all day."
To which Koules joked, "Oh no he had plenty to say in the meetings, just not to me."
Koules went on to talk about how the Lightning were flying the 3 top prospects down to Tampa today to show them around (Our own Jon Jordan will get to sit down with them and will be reporting on the meeting here later on)
I really like Oren Koules. He is an unassuming honest type who is thrilled to be owning an NHL team and has every intention of making his team a model franchise. He gets wrongfully attacked quite often by many in the mainstream hockey media, mostly because they don't know the guy and many hadn't met him until yesterday. I felt like I was watching an interesting transformation as Koules held court and exchanged cards with the best writers in the game. Maybe people will at least call the Lightning now when a whacky rumor is floated out there in the hockey world. I have always found Koules to be real and fair and extremely approachable.
Komisarek. Word has it that the Devils are making a big push.
Lehtinen. Again NJ, but also Chicago
Havlat. The Sabres are coming up more and more although Havlat does want to stay in Chicago
Scott Niedermeyer. Not a given that he is Duck next year
Moen. Very much looking like he comes back south but to LA.
Cammalleri. The Sens are the team to beat.
Gustafsson. According to Brian Burke yesterday, The goalie from Sweden will be visiting at least 3 teams in two weeks after his mother's funeral. San Jose, Dallas, and Toronto. There may be more. Burke compared Gustafsson to Hiller in style and abilty. "A B-Plus goalie, meaning he plays the butterfly but can also make saves. Meaning that most butterfly goalies let the puck hit them more than make saves."
I am updating the rumour chart now and then putting up a story about the best new sports technologies .
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