Toronto, more moves on the horizon

speaking with a few different sources from the Toronto side of things, it looks more like the 3rd rounder is the one involved with LA now, and Burke is also talking to Boston about re-acquiring it's 1st in this years draft from the Kessel deal, so is anyone else as confused as I am? haha.

I'll keep the updates coming more in the day tomorrow.

I am following a few different things right now including Ottawa talking with Montreal about Kovalev.

Beauchemin dealt to Ducks, Lupul to Toronto

Back to Anaheim

as I mentioned earlier in my morning blog, Brian Burke was fielding many calls on Francois Beauchemin, and Anaheim upped the ante with what looks like a pretty good return (more than I expected the Leafs to get) for Beauchemin.

Toronto will receive 27 year old forward Joffrey Lupul, Defenseman Prospect Jake Gardiner and a conditional 4th round pick in the 2013 entry draft.


Lupul gives Toronto a much needed boost at forward, a former #7th overall pick, Lupul has 5 goals and 8 assists this year w/Anaheim and will look for a boost heading to Toronto who could use it.

The 20 year old Jake Gardiner was the Ducks top defensive prospect and he currently has 30 points in 30 games for the University of Wisconsin (7 goals, 23 assists)

a new Leaf

Anaheim will be counting on Beauchemin to return to his old form to stabilize their blueline.

I think Brian Burke does very well here, I expected a 3rd rounder + possibly mid level prospect and Mr. Burke pulled out a scoring forward, top defensive prospect and conditional 4th rounder.

Very well done, that is the first domino to fall in the NHL deadline festivities, who's NEXT?

Wednesday NHL Rumors

Happy Hump Day everyone, here are some rumors floating around the NHL at the moment

Edmonton has been receiving a few offers for Ales Hemsky, nothing of note so far though, have heard the offers are not "earth shattering" so I expect the Oilers to hold out on a decent return.

Dustin Penner will likely be wearing a different jersey within the next 3 weeks, have been told Montreal, Toronto, Boston and Los Angeles are looking at him.

Speaking of Toronto, Brian Burke has been fielding several calls from teams about Beauchemin, and the list is growing of possible suitors, which will help Toronto in negotiating leverage, Burke has so far been trying to leverage a package deal out of teams in an effort to make a huge impact in one deal.

Word out of Montreal is that Hal Gill and a few others are not pleased with P.K. Subbans actions, most recently with Gill calling Subban "an a**hole" in front of reporters for Subban leaving his equipment scattered all over the dressing for the staff to pick up, P.K. has not made a very good impression on veterans in the league in his first year.

Crosby & Malkin both out due to injury

Sidney Crosby is still out with concussion symptoms, and the Penguins have to be VERY worried about their future star players, Malkin has both a torn MCL & ACL and requires surgery, and Sidney has recently been put on LTIR, Crosby was putting together one of those special seasons that only come around every decade and it's a shame it was cut down by another head hit.

More later on, ZIP IT IN AND ZIP IT OUT

NHL Team by Team Deadline Breakdown

The second half of the 2010-2011 NHL Schedule picks up tonight, and it's getting down to crunch time for NHL teams to make decisions on the future of their clubs, with that said, here is a list of what each team may be looking for/seeking in the coming weeks before the NHL Trade Deadline.

Anaheim Ducks - Defensive D-man - Anaheim is the only current Western Playoff team with a - rating on goals against, they will be looking to make gains in that area

Atlanta Thrashers - Much the same as Anaheim here, although Atlanta has made it known that Antropov is available for defensive help, it's important for the Thrashers to make the playoffs this season, they will make a push.

Boston Bruins - looking for a puck moving D-man, and a top 6 forward to make up for the injured Marc Savard

Buffalo Sabres - with new ownership now in place, Buffalo will be making a run I have no doubt, look for Buffalo to be a surprise team in making one of the larger deals at or before the deadline

Calgary Flames - being only 2 points out of the playoffs has changed the Flames mindset, they will make a run for it, but it will likely hurt them next year and years to come, I expect the Flames to be buyers

Carolina Hurricanes - just one point out of the playoffs, I expect Carolina will make a minor deal or two for depth, playoffs would be a boost for Canes fans this season following a fantastic All-Star weekend

Chicago Blackhawks - will be looking for depth heading into the deadline, I expect a few minor/mid level deals out of the Hawks

Colorado Avalanche - much the same here, minor deals as they are expected to add Peter Forsberg any time now which is a huge boost in itself

Columbus Blue Jackets - likely staying the course, much like Atlanta, Columbus needs a playoff push for it's fan base but won't trade it's future away for it

Dallas Stars - rumors are swirling about Brad Richards on his way out but it's hard to imagine that scenraio with Dallas in 3rd in the West, Brian Burke would have to come up with something huge for Dallas to move the looming UFA to Toronto which has been making the rounds

Detroit Redwings - I expect Detroit to acquire a goaltender before the deadline, whether it be Giguere or possibly a lower end backup to Jimmy Howard, they will make a move

Edmonton Oilers - aside from trying to unload the Sheldon Souray contract (which is what I have heard the Leafs rumored to be discussing in exchange for Toronto obtaining draft picks) Edmonton will be staying the course

Florida Panthers - talk continues that Bryan McCabe will be dealt to Montreal or the NYR, Florida is a tweener and reality suggests they won't make the playoffs, I expect them to sell veterans for younger players that can step in now

Los Angeles Kings - talks with the Leafs continue involving Kaberle/Brayden Schenn, LA needs a playoff drive this season and Schenn is not exactly expendable, but they ar enot dependant on him either, LA has lots of youth, adding a vet like Kaberle would prove genius in my opinion, Kaberle would be a lethal addition when not being relied on as the go to offensive d-man

Minnesota Wild - another tweener, will be looking to add a top 6 forward for a playoff push, sitting just one point out

Montreal Canadiens - I expect Montreal to be fairly busy, they are only 3 points ahead of 9th place Carolina and are looking at many options, McCabe being one, look for Montreal to be a major player in the coming weeks

Nashville Predators - sitting 4th in the west, I expect Nashville to be busy as well, much like Atlanta & Columbus, this franchise needs to make the playoffs for interest from their fanbase

New Jersey - they will be major players as well, but for all the wrong reasons, after what seems like a never ending string of good/great NJ teams, they have finally fallen from the top, and hard! they will be looking for Draft Picks/Prospects and unloading veterans

NY Islanders - it's always hard to tell what Charles Wang/Garth Snow are going to do, but at this point, I don't think much, look for them to trade one or two assets (not major ones) for prospects

NY Rangers - the Rangers will be active, their name is out there on many of the rumors I hear, including McCabe, Iginla and more, NY will be looking to add a top 6 D-man, as well as a scoring forward

Ottawa Senators - much like the Devils, Ottawa has ended up near the bottom and it's time for change with the current core group of players, look for Fisher, Phillips & possibly Jason Spezza to be moved for top level prospects (in Spezza's case)

Philadelphia Flyers - the Flyers will be a buyer at the deadline, that much is certain, the question mark like every year, is in goal, will they finally add a top level goaltender or continue to bank on rookie/AHL goalies to get it done, time will tell, my bet is they add a veteran mid level goaltender

Phoenix Coyotes - the Yotes will be looking to add a top 6 forward, possibly two before the deadline, 3 points ahead of 9th in the west, they need to make a move to show their fan base they are serious

Pittsburgh Penguins - right now, praying Sidney Crosby is going to come back like Sidney Crosby, aside from that, look for Pittsburgh to acquire a two-way forward in the mold of a Mike Fisher type, and a defenseman for depth

San Jose Sharks - rumors were shot down about SJ talking with Toronto about Joe Thornton, they are talking with Toronto, just not about Big Joe, the Sharks will make moves, they have to, Doug Wilson is not happy with the production from his team this season, and changes will be made

St Louis Blues - I expect St Louis to be fairly calm heading into the deadline, they are a young team and aside from some minor tinkering, I don't expect much

Tampa Bay Lightning - the Lightning will be looking to add a couple defensive D-men in the coming weeks, they give up far too many goals for a playoff team and will need to address that

Toronto Maple Leafs - likely the busiest of all NHL teams, they are talking to everyone right now it seems, Brian Burke will be adding prospects in the 20-23 year old range that can step in now, lots of talk with Brayden Schenn, and also the Sheldon Souray contract relief for Edmonton, Toronto fans can expect MANY deals to talk about in the coming weeks

Vancouver Canucks - the Nucks will be fairly quiet, other than adding some depth in case of injuries, I expect a quiet deadline out of Vancouver

Washington Capitals - the Caps will be looking to add a defenseman and possibly a goaltender as the deadline approaches, also could surprise with a large move, as I have heard a couple rumors with Toronto have escalated into multi player deals in talks

feel free to add to the discussion about your team or any others!

NHL Guardian Project [Toronto Maple Leaf]

While watching the All-Star game yesterday, I was intrigued by the new Stan Lee "NHL Guardian Project" gimmick the NHL has going now, here is the "Maple Leaf"

and if you are looking to read a small story/origin on "The Maple Leaf" here is the link to the pdf file.

The Maple Leaf - Guardian Battle

Leafs close to deal / taking on salary

Burke close to acquiring 1st Rounder

I have heard Toronto is close to acquiring a "bad contract" from a western conference team, and in exchange will also obtain 2 draft picks, one of them a 1st rounder.

The contract Toronto would be receiving has 2 years left on it, I haven't got a name yet however, still digging.

Will report back more shortly.

Leafs ready to deal, Ottawa version of "Flip this House" about to begin.

The Toronto Maple Leafs brass met late last night and well into today as they schemed the rest of the season, and what their plan will be heading into the NHL Trade Deadline, it is widely expected that Toronto will move J.S. Giguere, Tomas Kaberle (I have heard he will waive his NMC this year), Fredrik Sjostrom and Francois Beauchemin, Burke is not heavily in favor of trading Beauchemin, but the Leafs need quality returns, and Beauchemin is replaceable.

Toronto is currently looking at a few options, including LA's Brayden Schenn, and Dallas forward Brad Richards.

Also, I have been hearing rumors out of Tampa that Stamkos and Yzerman are not seeing eye to eye on a renewal, Stamkos wants Crosby/Ovechkin money, and is being offered less (Tampa can't afford to pay him at that level).

Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs, if Stamkos and Yzerman can not agree by seasons end, I can almost guarantee Brian Burke will tender a max contract offer sheet to Steven Stamkos that Tampa could not match.

Ottawa is in the midst of working on deals that would send Chris Phillips(Phoenix, Boston), Mike Fisher (Los Angeles) & Alexei Kovalev (they are praying someone takes him) I believe someone will, look for the Rangers to make a pitch.

Monday Evening NHL Rumors

I have been hearing that Los Angeles is in discussions with Ottawa involving Mike Fisher, the Kings believe that Fisher will add a veteran presence to their lineup and some grit as they try to move towards a playoff push, talks also continue with Toronto involving Brayden Schenn.

Staying with Ottawa, Owner Eugene Melnyk gave a vote of confidence at least for the rest of this season for GM Bryan Murray and Head Coach Corey Clouston.

Calgary's recent win streak has changed some minds about a full retool heading into the trade deadline, a few more wins and they may decide to run with what they have until next season.

More to come later