Snap Shots: July 22, 2010

Alan Walsh , who represents about 40 players though the Los Angeles-based Octagon sports agency, told the Denver Post the market will open up after Kovalchuk is officially locked up.

The Detroit News

• Puckking: I don’t think we will see the flood doors open as soon as Kovalchuk gets resigned but the few teams interested will have to get their “plan B” ready. As more players head to arbitration and teams find out how much they have left to spend we will see the next tier of players finding a home.

The New York Islanders have shot down a rumour that goaltender Rick DiPietro suffered a broken shoulder and pelvis in a car accident, stating that the report was a complete fabrication.

TSN

• Puckking: At this point would anyone be surprised…(or care?)

The Blue Jackets and the agent for defenseman Anton Stralman will likely re-engage contract talks later this week, but there are no indications that a deal will be reached before Wednesday’s arbitration hearing.

Columbus Dispatch

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Rumor & Trades (Feb.28)

Brian Pothier

Ottawa, not done yet…

Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray isn’t finished tweaking his team for the playoffs just yet. After acquiring forward Matt Cullen from the Carolina Hurricanes it is believed that the Senators will try to add a defensemen on March 3rd. Marek Zidlicky and Ladislav Smid are two names floating around, yet the price to acquire either of those players may be more then Murray is willing to pay. Jan Hejda, Brian Pothier, John-Michael Liles, or Aaron Ward may be more likely scenarios.

Teemu Selanne

Will he stay or will he go?…

After the bronze medal game Teemu Selanne was asked if he thought this season would be the last of his NHL career “Yeah, I think so.” This isn’t much of a surprise, the 39 year old, has been considering retirement for the past few seasons yet the question that we’re left with is whether or not he will finish this year out with the Ducks and try to help push them to the playoffs or waive his NTC and go to a locked team.

Dan Hamhuis

Closing the deal on Hamhuis…
A source close to Nashville defensemen Dan Hamhuis has suggested that if the Predators can’t get a new deal done by the trade deadline the Predators may try to find a partner to trade with. Hamhuis is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

Joe Corvo

Bigger is better…

The Boston Bruins may be looking to add another piece to blueline with names like Pavel Kubina, Joe Corvo, and Dan Hamhuis as possible targets. Draft picks along with Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart may be available in return.

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Rumors & Trades (Feb.27)

Alex Auld

Another team on the resume…

The New York Ranges picked up Alex Auld on re – entry waivers today from the Dallas Stars. Auld posted a 9 – 6 – 3 record this season with a 3.00 GAA and .894SV% with the Stars. His career numbers are  83 – 81 – 26  win/loss 2.78 goals againsts average and a .904 save percentage so you know what your getting in this solid backup. Auld, age 29, has played on six different teams thus far with only a very small handful of playoff games. Picking up Auld will give current backup goaltender Chad Johnson some more time to develop in the minor.

The Whitney Sweepstakes…

Ray Whitney

It seems like Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford has a few choices on what to do with 37 year – old Ray Whitney (and others) receiving serious offers from some of the contenders looking to land the left – winger. Whitney is third in points on the Canes roster with 19 goals and 29 assists +/- 1. Other names who may move include defensemen  Joe Corvo and Aaron Ward. “We’re now getting to the point where we’re getting solid offers that we’re going to have to seriously consider, not only on [Whitney] but a couple of other players”

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Rumors & Trades (Feb. 26)

Vyacheslav Kozlov

Unhappy Kozlov?

Vyacheslav Kozlov has apparently requested a trade and too a contender. Kozlov is a bit flustered with his lack of playing time. The 37 year old has eight goals and sixteen assists in 52 games so far this season and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. I’m not sure which team would be willing to deal in order toget Kozlov. Apparently he wants more playing time but which contender out there will satisfy that, Nashville?

Dan Ellis

What about Ellis?

Wednesday the Nashville Predators announced that they resigned Pekka Rinne to a two – year 6.8 million dollar deal, what does this mean for Dan Ellis? The 29 year old net minder has a 13 – 11 – 1 record this year with a .913 save percentage and a 2. 59 goals against average.The Blackhawk were looking at Turco before Alex Auld was send down, with a cheap cap hit could we see Ellis packaged up and shipped off at the deadline?

Alexei Ponikarovsky

Bye – Bye Poni?

People are almost in unanimous agreement that Alexei Ponikarovsky will be moved come the trade deadline, heck even Ponikarovsky believes it will probably happen,“Whatever management decides, I have to respect their decision” was a part of a quote from the Toronto Star today. Ponikarovsky (along with Tomas Kaberle if he decides to waive his NTC) are believed to fetch a high return for the rebuilding Leafs.

Huet out?

Cristobal Huet

Cristobal Huet seems to be unshaken that the trade deadline is coming up and that  he may be shipped off the second place team in the Western Conference.”Yes, we have a good team. Yes, we [goalies] have given up some shots. But look at the games to see if we have helped the team win, and I think the answer is yes. Stats are stats. We both have a large number of wins compared to losses [Huet is 24-11-4 and Niemi is 17-4-1] and we’re pretty much getting the job done.” Coach Joel Quenneville doesn’t seem as confident in Huet “We’re close to where somebody is going to get the net and the opportunity to keep it, that was the chance, (Niemi) took it and he has it. He has won some games and I don’t like usually bucking that trend.”

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