We’re just over 24 hours away from the NHL Entry Draft in St.Paul Minnesota, and if today is a glimpse of what is to come, all hell could break loose. We’re going to go over some more trade rumours.
Has Paul Holmgren gone mad?
Early afternoon, it was a calm then it because a complete fire storm. The Philadelphia Flyers pulled the trigger on a huge much rumoured deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The deal saw Jeff Carter to CBJ for Friday’s 8th overall selection, a 2011 3rd round pick plus Jakub Voracek. The original holdup for this trade was the Flyers insistence to get last years fourth pick overall Ryan Johansen. When it was all said and done, the Blue Jackets did not budge. If the Flyers insisted on the prized prospect, CBJ had a backup deal in place for Colorado’s Paul Stastny.
Not even 30 minutes later, the Flyers moved team captain Mike Richards to the L.A Kings for prospects Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a 2nd round draft pick. While some people seen Richards getting moved, other were absolutely stunned by the move. This is a win-win for both teams, we will not know for 7-9 who truly won this trade.
After moving their two young studs, the Flyers signed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a 9 year 51 million dollar deal. But the million dollar question is this, are they done? Some crazy talk has the Flyers preparing a massive package to acquire Steven Stamkos from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Could they be preparing a 1rst, 2nd & 3rd draft pick along with Schenn, Simmonds and Voracek for Stamkos deal? Either way Tampa has to look at the possible offer.
Many players in play on Friday
Stastny is one of the many players in play, and lord knows there are plenty of teams that need to take on more salary. The teams looking to a number one center are, the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders and possibly the Kings. The Avalanche are desperately seeking a goaltender and preferably a young one.
Other rumours were running rampant that the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators were talking trade and a big one. Would the Flames be seeking Jason Spezza? The only name going back to Ottawa that makes sense would be Jay Bouwmeester, but he has a no trade clause. Other talk is the Senators are hard after St.Louis Blues forward T.J Oshie, who is an RFA.
Kris Versteeg is likely in play at the draft as well. Chances are the Flyers have no hope of getting back nearly as much as they gave up. They originally traded a 1rst and 3rd 2011 to get him from the Leafs, they’re lucky if they can get a late first rounder or early second rounder for him. Florida again desperately needs salary (30 million needs to be added) so they could make a few surprising moves tomorrow. If they cannot make a hockey move that makes sense, look for them to take on some veterans who have one year left on their contracts, one name comes to mind, Montreal’s Scott Gomez.
What would Ales Hemsky fetch for the Oilers? Middle first rounder plus a late second rounder. Would Colorado entertain an offer from Winnipeg for Zach Bogosian, maybe for Stastny?
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