From Minny's blogger:

So, Eklund tweets that the re-signing of Harding could be a "trigger". A trigger for what? Naturally, I start thinking a sign and trade for Parise's negotiating rights and then I hear from a very good source that the Devils like Harding. I've been saying all along that NJ kept their 1st round draft pick to flip with a team like the Wild for Parise's negotiating rights. Could it be flipping of #1's plus Harding for Zach's negotiating rights? Stay tuned.
- Brad Ratgen

Interesting...

- Nucker101

It's a win/win. If he's off the market it increases Lu's value. If he is traded ,the team he is traded to, still needs a goalie to make the playoffs.

Dreger said Harding could be a sign and trade.
- VANTEL

I highly doubt it. He probably made sure he got a limited ntc, or else he would be stupid to sign for less than he could get, while giving up his ability to choose where he plays.

From Minny's blogger:





Interesting...
- Nucker101

I been saying for two months Parise /Sutter to Det Minny or NYR

What do we "know" so far?

Islanders interested in Ballard.

Various east coast teams have expressed interest in Raymond.

Lou to T.O looking more and more promising

Stall, Kane, Salvador, Pitkanen and Schultz have been connected to Vancouver.

If Gillis gets his stuff together this could be a very interesting off-season...
- Whiskey-Tango

Jordan Staal, Salvadaor and Pitknanen? This is the first I've read about this. Can you show me a link or 2? Thanks!


And the Kane stuff is just speculation, I don't think I've hard his name mentioned with the Canucks by an insider yet.

I been saying for two months Parise /Sutter to Det Minny or NYR
- VANTEL

I think both will consider offers from other teams, Suter could still stay in Nashville. Parise shot down NY the other day, so I think DET or MIN makes the most sense for him. Suter could also end up in CHI.

I think both will consider offers from other teams, Suter could still stay in Nashville. Parise shot down NY the other day, so I think DET or MIN makes the most sense for him. Suter could also end up in CHI.
- Nucker101

It is no crazier than Gardiner /Schultz.

I heard an insider say months ago he was told by Parises friends he wanted to go to one of the three mentioned. NY is off the list now.

Jordan Staal, Salvadaor and Pitknanen? This is the first I've read about this. Can you show me a link or 2? Thanks!


And the Kane stuff is just speculation, I don't think I've hard his name mentioned with the Canucks by an insider yet.
- Nucker101

It's hard for me to copy and paste on my phone but most of the info I got comes from Nhlbeat.blogspot.ca. Obviously it needs to be taken with a grain of salt but it is updated daily and somewhat seems to be believable as they merely report on who's on the trading block and the teams that could or would be interested.

https://twitter.com/latoy...15157376377032704/photo/1

With Lindback and now Harding off the market, I'm starting to think Luongo will actually bring back a solid return. Toronto isn't the only team out there that needs a goalie and I've heard that Bernier won't be dealt until Quick is locked up and CBJ really wants Bernier as well.
- Nucker101

Any GM that NEEDS a starting goalie now in an effort to make the playoffs won't be trading for Bernier. Bernier has proven nothing at the NHL level, if anything he's proven that he needs more time and work. I like him, but LA would want a lot to let him go and no GM is going to over-pay for a goalie who has literally proved nothing.

Lou will probably bring back an ok return...Van will definitely have to take salary back, there's no avoiding that, but you might get someone like Franson from Toronto along with Komisarek or someone like Lombardi or Armstrong.

I think it'll be the type of deal that makes you say "sucks to see Lou go, but at least we got xxxx who could turn out ok for us."

I don't think either side will steal the deal unless Luongo wins a cup for his destination team.

https://twitter.com/latoya12/status/215157376377032704/photo/1
- VANTEL

I'm beginning to believe less and less in the credibility of that twitter account.
Calling the twins "twinkies" was the turning point for me.

Any GM that NEEDS a starting goalie now in an effort to make the playoffs won't be trading for Bernier. Bernier has proven nothing at the NHL level, if anything he's proven that he needs more time and work. I like him, but LA would want a lot to let him go and no GM is going to over-pay for a goalie who has literally proved nothing.

Lou will probably bring back an ok return...Van will definitely have to take salary back, there's no avoiding that, but you might get someone like Franson from Toronto along with Komisarek or someone like Lombardi or Armstrong.

I think it'll be the type of deal that makes you say "sucks to see Lou go, but at least we got xxxx who could turn out ok for us."

I don't think either side will steal the deal unless Luongo wins a cup for his destination team.
- Juice

The Leafs no longer have the leverage. Burke has put himself in a situation where Luongo is now his only option.

Any GM that NEEDS a starting goalie now in an effort to make the playoffs won't be trading for Bernier. Bernier has proven nothing at the NHL level, if anything he's proven that he needs more time and work. I like him, but LA would want a lot to let him go and no GM is going to over-pay for a goalie who has literally proved nothing.

Lou will probably bring back an ok return...Van will definitely have to take salary back, there's no avoiding that, but you might get someone like Franson from Toronto along with Komisarek or someone like Lombardi or Armstrong.

I think it'll be the type of deal that makes you say "sucks to see Lou go, but at least we got xxxx who could turn out ok for us."

I don't think either side will steal the deal unless Luongo wins a cup for his destination team.
- Juice

That deal looks terrible for Vancouver. Also, if Toronto made the playoffs, they would be bragging about that as the trade of the millenium. It's been 2 years without any playoffs and Leaf fans are still amped that they got Neon Dion for spare parts.

It looks like we will agree to disagree.
Is this the part where we start calling each other names, Poo Head?
- Marwood

Ummmmm, ok?

I'm beginning to believe less and less in the credibility of that twitter account.
Calling the twins "twinkies" was the turning point for me.
- Whiskey-Tango

Biggest mystery of the summer.

Any GM that NEEDS a starting goalie now in an effort to make the playoffs won't be trading for Bernier. Bernier has proven nothing at the NHL level, if anything he's proven that he needs more time and work. I like him, but LA would want a lot to let him go and no GM is going to over-pay for a goalie who has literally proved nothing.

Lou will probably bring back an ok return...Van will definitely have to take salary back, there's no avoiding that, but you might get someone like Franson from Toronto along with Komisarek or someone like Lombardi or Armstrong.

I think it'll be the type of deal that makes you say "sucks to see Lou go, but at least we got xxxx who could turn out ok for us."

I don't think either side will steal the deal unless Luongo wins a cup for his destination team.
- Juice

Gillis is a subborn GM and he likes LU.I don't think he cares if he has a two goalie tandem playing this year.

If he was going to accept KOmi he would have done it earlier.

The Leafs no longer have the leverage. Burke has put himself in a situation where Luongo is now his only option.
- hertzman

Both teams have zero leverage.

Burke needs a starting goalie or a strong veteran to split with Reimer.

Gillis needs to trade Lou as he's wasting cap space and wasting starts that Schneider could use...not to mention Lou has indirectly asked for a trade (not going to get into the he said she said part about that).

Both teams needs and wants are a wash...so yes Burke has lost his leverage but Gillis didn't have leverage to begin with. It will be a deal that sees similar $$ moved in the deal and maybe a second player from both sides swapped ala Franson and Raymond (I hope not).

If Luongo had 4 years left...then I would say he's almost the only option, but the 10 years remaining kills that because the other option is to avoid the contract altogether and make another move to get a starting goalie next season.

I'd be perfectly happy with Burke signing Clemmenson to backup/split with Reimer and hope for the best.

That deal looks terrible for Vancouver. Also, if Toronto made the playoffs, they would be bragging about that as the trade of the millenium. It's been 2 years without any playoffs and Leaf fans are still amped that they got Neon Dion for spare parts.
- micah555

2 Years!

They haven't been in the playoffs since the lock out

That deal looks terrible for Vancouver. Also, if Toronto made the playoffs, they would be bragging about that as the trade of the millenium. It's been 2 years without any playoffs and Leaf fans are still amped that they got Neon Dion for spare parts.
- micah555

How is it terrible? In a salary cap world, contracts like Lou's kill his value. Getting Franson in the deal would be as fair as it gets. There's no way any 1st round picks or decent prospects outside of Jerry D'amigo get sent to Van for Lou.

As for the Dion trade....dude, of course they're going to still chirp about the Dion deal...regardless of how Dion has or hasn't turned out...it's still simply amazing that for his potential alone that the leafs were able to trade piles of garbage (except White) for him.

Gillis is a subborn GM and he likes LU.I don't think he cares if he has a two goalie tandem playing this year.

If he was going to accept KOmi he would have done it earlier.
- VANTEL

Don't mistaken me for a guy who's trying to say he's getting traded to Toronto...I'm just debating the fact that he won't get a strong return. He'll fetch a return that garners a "meh" reaction on both sides.

Gillis is a subborn GM and he likes LU.I don't think he cares if he has a two goalie tandem playing this year.

If he was going to accept KOmi he would have done it earlier.
- VANTEL

Vantel - this is the most accurate statement you have ever made - dead on.....

Both teams have zero leverage.

Burke needs a starting goalie or a strong veteran to split with Reimer.

Gillis needs to trade Lou as he's wasting cap space and wasting starts that Schneider could use...not to mention Lou has indirectly asked for a trade (not going to get into the he said she said part about that).

Both teams needs and wants are a wash...so yes Burke has lost his leverage but Gillis didn't have leverage to begin with. It will be a deal that sees similar $$ moved in the deal and maybe a second player from both sides swapped ala Franson and Raymond (I hope not).

If Luongo had 4 years left...then I would say he's almost the only option, but the 10 years remaining kills that because the other option is to avoid the contract altogether and make another move to get a starting goalie next season.

I'd be perfectly happy with Burke signing Clemmenson to backup/split with Reimer and hope for the best.
- Juice

The safe move, but we all know Burke's ego wouldnt allow him to be satisfied with that. He likes to make a splash and likes the big name players - great for marketing.....he will acquire Luo......now, if both sides can agree on a wash we can end this charade....

Both teams have zero leverage.

Burke needs a starting goalie or a strong veteran to split with Reimer.

Gillis needs to trade Lou as he's wasting cap space and wasting starts that Schneider could use...not to mention Lou has indirectly asked for a trade (not going to get into the he said she said part about that).

Both teams needs and wants are a wash...so yes Burke has lost his leverage but Gillis didn't have leverage to begin with. It will be a deal that sees similar $$ moved in the deal and maybe a second player from both sides swapped ala Franson and Raymond (I hope not).

If Luongo had 4 years left...then I would say he's almost the only option, but the 10 years remaining kills that because the other option is to avoid the contract altogether and make another move to get a starting goalie next season.

I'd be perfectly happy with Burke signing Clemmenson to backup/split with Reimer and hope for the best.
- Juice

The Canucks are the team with 2 all star caliber goaltenders....they have more leverage than you think.

How is it terrible? In a salary cap world, contracts like Lou's kill his value. Getting Franson in the deal would be as fair as it gets. There's no way any 1st round picks or decent prospects outside of Jerry D'amigo get sent to Van for Lou.

As for the Dion trade....dude, of course they're going to still chirp about the Dion deal...regardless of how Dion has or hasn't turned out...it's still simply amazing that for his potential alone that the leafs were able to trade piles of garbage (except White) for him.
- Juice

Oh, i am pretty sure the deal includes a Franson and a prospect like D'Amigo, but Vancouver will also send back a prospect of its own.....Gillis will not let his hand be forced....

I'd be very disappointed if MG does make a deal with Toronto and doesn't get more back than Franson, Komi and a 2nd/mid level prospect. I'd rather not take back the Komisarek deal unless we get back more value with him or instead replace Komisarek's contract with a better one in return.