Hell yes! They already turned down Vatanen, Rackel, and the 10th pick in this years draft for him. Besides, they can just sign Jonas Hiller and keep Kesler.
- duxcup07

So if that is what they turned down at the deadline, can we expect that he will be dealt at next years draft for just the 1st?

They absolutely do, but I recall Mario wanting to get back to his "3 big time center" style that won him the last cup since the years since have been lacking.
- Guile

Staal had 14 more points then Sutter last season

So if that is what they turned down at the deadline, can we expect that he will be dealt at next years draft for just the 1st?
- PuckAndSticks

He's a Free Agent next year. At this year's draft they might get a good pick for him like they did with Schneider. At next year's deadline they'll get a bunch of busted prospects like they got for Luango.

Kesler wants out. Unless they have learned nothing from Gillis's follies they will trade him at the draft while he still has some value.
- noffsin6

Supply and demand.
Who is in the Market for a top 6 Center?

Islanders, Oilers, Flames, Capitals, Ducks, Nashville, Panthers,The Peg, Toronto, Phoenix,St.Louis.

Which of these teams lack the depth to offer the assets and be an improved club?

Islanders, Oilers, Flames, Nashville, Toronto, Florida and Phoenix.

So basically that leaves Washington, the Ducks, Winnipeg and St.Louis.

So far we have heard Spezza, Kessler, Thornton and even Malkin as potential teams with Centers for sale.

I can see the opposite of a bidding war, with the sellers competing with each other with the best low price offer.

Or, realistically, nobody really goes anywhere until next years trade deadline.

Ryan Miller went to Colorado for a wedding last summer and has a lot of friends there soooo he has been barking this same rumour since then.

Now thats journalism
- DDM-Coga

Um do you understand the business side of hockey? Really? You don't? OK hows this:

If you bring Miller in, who is better that Varlomov, you can trade Varlomov. And after the year he has had, his stock is up. You add a draft pick on top of a player the Avalanche neeed. Maybe a top 4 defensemen.

You don't get it yet?

Every team must look at their own roster and explore every player available and see how it can impact their team.

Like MAF to SJ. your telling me youd rather have Niemi in net than MAF? Both have won a Stanely Cup, but Niemi's numbers that post season were just ok. MAF had great numbers the year he won the cup. Yeah he had 2 not so great playoffs but this year he stepped up. It was not on his shoulders that the Penguins lost.

I love how people trash talk Ecklund because he reports what teams are looking at. And everyone balks because they think he doesn't have a clue? Good one. The go find another hockey related website and leave this one.

Thanks for the updates Ecklund!!

The only part that makes sense is pens wanting miller and also wanting to move MAF , rest of it is EK doing his thing making up drama.
- Bradlee3

Just like your captain

He's a Free Agent next year. At this year's draft they might get a good pick for him like they did with Schneider. At next year's deadline they'll get a bunch of busted prospects like they got for Luango.
- noffsin6

He is under contract for two more years.

Kesler won't be traded. The Canucks will buy out Booth, trade Edler & bou ce back with Torts gone & make the playoffs in the 5 tbrough 7 slot in the western conference.

As for Ek's rumors. They are what they are. Mostly someones fantasy. Trades that don't make sense rarely happen. I could see Pittsburgh & SJ considering other options if they can find homes for their current starters but failing that they stand pat.

Miller is a slightly above average goalie. StL. would have been better served to have stayed the course with Halak for this last playoff run. Giving up those assets for what I percieved as a down grade was stupid.

I could see Hiller signing in Van to allow more development time for Lack. Say 3 years at about 4 to4.5 million per. Although if Halak doesn't sign with the Islanders I could see the Canucks going after him 1st at or near 5 mil per.

ru·mor
[roo-mer]
noun
1.
a story or statement in general circulation without confirmation or certainty as to facts: a rumor of war.
2.
gossip; hearsay: Don't listen to rumor.
3.
Archaic. a continuous, confused noise; clamor; din.

Um do you understand the business side of hockey? Really? You don't? OK hows this:

- BernieKorch

if everything was done on paper or in ea sports world this would work

there is 0 chance a gm gambles on an ageing miller for someone entering their prime just to upgrade a pick, or bring in another player who they do not know will fit into their system

Nemi maybe if they feel MAF is the better option

They absolutely do, but I recall Mario wanting to get back to his "3 big time center" style that won him the last cup since the years since have been lacking.
- Guile

Sorry this was the Ray Shero model not Mario's

Kesler won't be traded. The Canucks will buy out Booth, trade Edler & bou ce back with Torts gone & make the playoffs in the 5 tbrough 7 slot in the western conference.
- striker777

Booth has one year left, he finished the year strong. I'd rather they didn't buy him out.

Kesler will be traded for a kings ransom to penguins or ducks.

It's not like COL already has a Vezina candi..... Oh wait, nvm

SJ needs a proven playoff winner they should def look at Marc Andr..... Oh wait, nvm

NJ doesn't have a young up and commer like a Cory Schneider, so they should trade for Jona.... Oh wait, nvm

CARRY ON FOLKS,
- MrBeanTown

LOL this should have been the article.

Ok so the Pen's don't have a GM, the head coach is hanging by a thread and the rest of the hockey staff could be replaced.

Where are the Fleury rumors coming from and why should we believe any of them?

Not sure how Pgh would be interested in anyone with no GM. Pretty sure thats the focus right now.

Um do you understand the business side of hockey? Really? You don't? OK hows this:

If you bring Miller in, who is better that Varlomov, you can trade Varlomov. And after the year he has had, his stock is up. You add a draft pick on top of a player the Avalanche neeed. Maybe a top 4 defensemen.

You don't get it yet?
- BernieKorch

why would the team that needs a goalie not just sign Miller and not have to give up the assets to get Varlomov?? ...... or did that logic blow your mind????

why would the team that needs a goalie not just sign Miller and not have to give up the assets to get Varlomov?? ...... or did that logic blow your mind????
- GadesnSens

you clearly do not understand the business nor the management side of the game!

Supply and demand.
Who is in the Market for a top 6 Center?

Islanders, Oilers, Flames, Capitals, Ducks, Nashville, Panthers,The Peg, Toronto, Phoenix,St.Louis.

Which of these teams lack the depth to offer the assets and be an improved club?

Islanders, Oilers, Flames, Nashville, Toronto, Florida and Phoenix.

So basically that leaves Washington, the Ducks, Winnipeg and St.Louis.

So far we have heard Spezza, Kessler, Thornton and even Malkin as potential teams with Centers for sale.

I can see the opposite of a bidding war, with the sellers competing with each other with the best low price offer.

Or, realistically, nobody really goes anywhere until next years trade deadline.
- Jeropotato

I'm not sure they have much of anything to offer anymore. They definitely need someone to help their top 6, but who do they offer in return? Their picks got gutted, they only have 8 forwards signed, and none of their prospects scream out at me as being worth any of those players. I think the Blues will just have to find a UFA. Since they're going with Allen and Elliot though they should have some money to throw at a scorer.

Bring back Cory Schneider to Vancity for the 6th overall pick

It's funny how nobody ever mentions Vancouver in these rumors when they basically don't have a starting goalie. Unless you really think a guy who has played less than 50 NHL games and is barely .500 in the AHL + NHL is the answer.

Don't be surprised if Miller or Hiller ends up there for family reasons (closer to LA than somewhere on the east coast).
- noffsin6

My $$ is on Hiller

That's the worst made up trade I've ever seen.
FleURY IS CRAP, WHY WOULD THE Canucks WANT HIM. and Kesler is worth way more.
- Scooby_Doo

depends on how healthy he is. how many games has he played in the 2-3 years?

EK, have you ever thought maybe your sources were messing with you? Why on earth would NJ want Hiller... They already have Schneider!

Also, c'mon Varlamov is the guy in COL and I doubt SJ moves Neimi.
- riceroni

Paranormal Ektivity 4

I don't like harping on EK, and I don't, but I sometimes wish he would give more context, or his own thoughts as to why a rumor is floating around, you know?

EK, I know it's your job to give us this information as you hear it, but context!? Please, anything lol.
- Flyers_V88

I agree, I try not to. But in this case he offered a tidbit of his opinion by saying "Also, I was told once again the NJ Devils are seriously targeting Jonas Hiller, which I believe makes a ton of sense." Which leads to 2 logical questions? How in the (frank) does acquiring an expensive UFA goaltender make sense when the Devils have one of the top young goaltenders in hockey they just acquired last season for a top 10 draft pick? Or, if they really are targeting Hiller, what exactly are the Devils planning with Schneider, who granted only has 1 year remaining on his deal with a $4M cap hit but are they really being that shortsighted to acquire Schneider for 2 years? Like you said, Ek should offer something of some direction if he is going to make a statement AND say it makes sense yet to any logical person his statement doesn't make sense

Um do you understand the business side of hockey? Really? You don't? OK hows this:

If you bring Miller in, who is better that Varlomov, you can trade Varlomov. And after the year he has had, his stock is up. You add a draft pick on top of a player the Avalanche neeed. Maybe a top 4 defensemen.

You don't get it yet?

Every team must look at their own roster and explore every player available and see how it can impact their team.

Like MAF to SJ. your telling me youd rather have Niemi in net than MAF? Both have won a Stanely Cup, but Niemi's numbers that post season were just ok. MAF had great numbers the year he won the cup. Yeah he had 2 not so great playoffs but this year he stepped up. It was not on his shoulders that the Penguins lost.

I love how people trash talk Ecklund because he reports what teams are looking at. And everyone balks because they think he doesn't have a clue? Good one. The go find another hockey related website and leave this one.

Thanks for the updates Ecklund!!
- BernieKorch

Yet the one rumor Ek clearly stating as "making sense" (Hiller to NJ) makes the least sense of them all. The other ones I could surely see scenarios where they could happen. But NJ just traded for Schneider last offseason, and he's one of the best young tenders in the game today.