It's Friday.......and time for another edition of Rimer's Ramblings!!
1. The Ryan Miller rumors are once again going strong. As I said in this space a month ago, Miller really wants to go to a team closer to Los Angeles where his wife, Actress Noureen DeWulf lives and where Ryan lives in the offseason. Too bad the Kings, Ducks, Sharks, Coyotes, and Canucks (clears throat) all have #1 goalies that basically leave those 5 teams out. While it was reported the Oilers are on Ryan Miller's no trade list, I've been told that he might have a change of heart, and would be willing to go to Edmonton. The Oilers are pushing hard for Miller, so it's def. not out of the question that he ends up there.
2. The Oilers fall back plan if they don't get Ryan Miller, is Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov was on a tryout contract with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL up until this past week when they decided they're moving on. The Wranglers were really impressed with how hard Bryz was working and they wanted to keep him, however Bryz is focused on playing in the NHL this season. There were scouts in Las Vegas watching Bryz, and I've been able to confirm that one of those scouts is indeed from the Edmonton Oilers.
3. Back to Buffalo, Thomas Vanek's name keeps coming up in trade talks as well. Teams interested in him are the Flyers, Oilers, NY Islanders, and Minnesota Wild. Vanek will be playing for the Wild next year, you can take that to the bank. However, Minnesota will not give up the assets for him the Sabres would want in return. The way the Wild see it, they'll wait till the off-season to sign him as an unrestricted FA. Vanek's wife is from Minnesota, and Vanek has also told people in Minny in the offseason that he'd love to play for the Wild. Not to mention his best friend Jason Pominville plays there too. So where does Vanek go, I honestly believe he goes nowhere right now, because he won't sign an extension with the team that trades for him.
4. You'll notice in #1 when I mentioned the Canucks, I put (Clears throat) afterwards. The reason I said that was not because I don't think Roberto Luongo is a #1 goalie. He is, however I don't think he'll be there too much longer. This past week I spoke with a source out in Vancouver, and I asked him is the Canucks/Luongo situation going to get bad again. They told me Yes, they believe it will. When Luongo was asked 6 days ago about the weird goal that he let in when Hamhuis was skating with the puck behind the net he replied, "I didn't give it up so I don't know what happened?" Sounds to me that things will get rocky again soon.
5. Speaking of the Canucks, Negotiations have not been going well with the Sedin's and Mike Gillis. A little birdy told me that Gillis has been receiving phone calls from other NHL GM's about the Sedin's services, and that Gillis is entertaining the thought of moving them. One Team I've heard mentioned, The Philadelphia Flyers. After firing their coach last week, and still not getting the results they want, Paul Holmgren is looking to make a splash. Things just got interesting.
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