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Sunday Rumors: Halak Winning Me Over ...Kaberle a Cap? ...Nieds to Van/NJ?

December 27, 2009, 1:09 PM ET [ Comments]
Eklund
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Ok, I admit that I have been on the fence about Jaroslav Halak for some time now.

Don't get me wrong, I always found him to be a solid goaltender, I just wasn't convinced he was an NHL starter. However, after watching his play as of late (including last night's gem) I do admit that he is really winning me over. Halak looks every bit to be a goalie that is coming into his own and ready to take a team on his back, which sure does give the Canadiens some serious power from which to deal.

I know that almost every hockey person out there believes that Price is the guy that the Habs will live or die with over the next several years. I am leaning that way as well, but if there is one thing that I have learned it is to expect change. As I have stated before, if Halak is able to be a really solid #1, I would not be completely shocked to see Price's name hit the rumor mill. There are some very good reasons that I keep that option open. I am not 100% sure
Price and Montreal are a solid marriage. There are issues. Not the facebook, gossipy issues mind you, but issues just the same.

Also....

There is a deal out there, at least one deal, that I have heard for Price that I would have to seriously look at were the Montreal Canadiens. It would bring back a goalie that I believe has all the potential of Price, is younger and could be developed, as well as a top 3 forward that would bring some real size and scoring punch (as well as some needed attitude) to the Canadiens.

As for the Leafs and Capitals, the question that remains very open today is: "Are the Leafs going to be sellers at the deadline?"

On the one hand, they are still in the playoff hunt, but on the other hand I don't see Burke continuing the trend that this organization has set of being a 7,8,9,10th place "Bubble Team" that would really have to catch lightning in a bottle to be any bit of a factor for the Cup.

Brian Burke is more along the lines of a GM that builds to win Cups, not make the playoffs. As much as MLSE would love the playoff gate money, they are one of the few teams that can afford to and forego 2 or 3 home playoff games to try and get 3 or 4 rounds of playoff money.

The Washington Capitals are known to be looking for one solid veteran defenseman to help run their power play. The Caps will be very active over the next month. This is their season to make a run at Lord Stanley.

Washington is rumored to be very much interested in Scott Niedermayer, but I am also hearing the name Thomas Kaberle being mentioned today. I am told that while Kaberle wants to remain a Leaf he would consider the Capitals in order to make 2 serious Cup runs. Kaberle still has a year to go on his contract and the Capitals are loaded with the type of prospects that Toronto would kill to get hold of. "Very Possible," a top source said.

The Canucks meanwhile are also in on the Scott Niedermayer talks and I fluctuate on who I would call the favorite. It is pretty much a dead heat between NJ and Vancouver in my opinion...with the Capitals and Blackhawks in the mix as well.

The Flyers also have interest in local kid Bobby Ryan I am told. This interest has always existed, but has definitely intensified..

more to come.
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