[Hextall_Fan88]

I know we've already beat this rumour to death, but I just read about these rumours and more around the league on this article on tsn.ca:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=155267&hubname=

and.. for those who don't want to click on the link, these are the two rumours that are mentioned about Philly.. Odd. No mention of Philly being interested in Jokinen.

According to the Edmonton Journal, the Bruins and Flyers could be the most ardent pursuers of Blues LW Keith Tkachuk, who has a no-trade clause, but could waive it for what he deems the right team. Though Tkachuk's deal is pricy this year, at $7.6-million, he's due a much more cap-friendly $3.8-million next season, which means the Blues should be able to get some quality young talent in return, if Tkachuk would agree to the deal.

Penguins RW Mark Recchi tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he doesn't want to go anywhere, though there has been talk that Philadelphia is interested.

[tmcc]

I also heard some shoutouts on other boards that Parrish from NYI or Dallas Drake are rumored to end up in Philly.

[Chris]

I wouldn't doubt another big move before the deadline, Clarkie's been active this year.

[Andy]

Alot of people are going to want Gerber.

[dutch74]

to be honest, I really don't know what to expect... though I know it's going to be an interesting couple weeks before the deadline... hopefully Clarke can put something good together

(by the way, there are new roster updates for NHL06 available on the EA website... they have the olympic hockey teams included)

[tmcc]

Nice dutch, on the roster updates that is.

[Hextall_Fan88]

How about NHL depot.net? Do you guys use that for rosters at all? Some new one came out that I downloaded and it has all the Olympic Teams as well.


About GERBER, he plays a very incosistent came. He can win a whole game single handendly like against Canada, but he can let in some soft goals. I'd rather have Nitti anyday.

[Andy]

C'mon guys.

Let's keep it on topic. Please?

[Ryan20]

Originally posted by Andy
C'mon guys.

Let's keep it on topic. Please?

Where'd this one go off-topic? Dutch just mentioned the rosters for anyone who may not know, and it got right back on topic.

Andy must be bored

[Andy]

Eh.

I was trying to keep a little bit of order in here.

[dutch74]

I'm sorry for having thrown a monkey wrench in the works... damn those people at EA!!!

[dutch74]

here's a little tidbit from spectorshockey, where he breaks down every team's trading position coming up on the deadline:

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

$39 million+ (Buyer)

The Flyers have had goaltending troubles in the playoffs. While rookie Antero Niittymaki has been good, a veteran backup would alleviate some of the doubt about backup Robert Esche. They could benefit from dumping one of D Mike Rathje ($3.5M) or Eric Desjardins (2.28M).

[Spector:] Desjardin's injury history might dampen interest from rival clubs, as could Rathje's contract. Rivals will try to pry one of their promising young players away.


Usually I think this guy is spot-on with his analysis but he really misses it this time. Rathje has been an anchor for our D and Desjardins (thank God!) has come back playing well. I can't see Clarke making any moves with our D at this point. I think the usual suspects (Stevenson, Brashear and King Bundy) are more likely candidates to be moved (or rather, should be, in my opinion). I think we definitely need some more scoring and consistency upfront. Prims is close to hanging it up for the year (see philly.com, flyers section) so Clarke will have to move to fill his spot. I expect a shake up soon.

[tmcc]

Besides all that, why would any GM dump a Dman that he signed the begining of the year? And of all positions, why would WE dump a DMAN?? Hello, that's the last person we should think about dealing with all our crazy defence,am injuries this year. If anyone it should be a young dman like Jones. But I don't know, I don't see any Dman being dealt.

[Hextall_Fan88]

Me neither, Rathje and Desjardins (when he hasn't been hurt) have been very consistent for us this season. Although the 3.5 million a year for both Rathje and Hatcher are a bit hefty. Desjardins salary is affordable, and he should stay on for the rest of his career with the Flyers.

I agree with TMCC in that if any d-man goes, it will be a young guy like Jones or a useless pylon like Therien. But once again are youth are mentioned and I once again want to say that Carter and Richards should actually stay, meanwhile Umberger and a 1st round pick are more realistic for some offensive prowess..

[dutch74]

here's some interesting stuff:

{THE LATEST SENATORS NEWS.

OTTAWA SUN: Erin Nicks recently reported Senators GM John Muckler may have to decide between trading for a goaltender if Dominik Hasek's leg injury is worse than originally suspected or landing a centre like Florida's Olli Jokinen. Nicks noted available goalies could include San Jose's Vesa Toskala and Dwayne Roloson, but also suggested Sharks centre Patrick Marleau might be available.

TSN.CA: reported yesterday Hasek is unsure when he'll be returning to action for the Senators.

BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently wrote it would be ironic if Muckler were forced to contact the St. Louis Blues to swing a deal for former Senators goalie Patrick Lalime.

Spector's Note: Hat tip to regular contributor "Go Sharks" for the Ottawa Sun link and Nathan Wiltse for the Globe link. Muckler could well wait until the deadline itself before making a move for a goalie if he feels there's a need. The longer Hasek's sidelined, the more rumours we'll hear about Muckler shopping for a goaltender, but I doubt very much he'll revisit the Lalime experience. }

Sounds like panic mode in Ottawa


{SHOULD THE COYOTES REBUILD AGAIN?

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: John Gambadoro suggested yesterday the Coyotes should be aggressive at this year's trade deadline and build for the future. He believes the Coyotes should shop veterans like goaltender Curtis Joseph, defenceman Sean O'Donnell and forwards Mike Ricci and Geoff Sanderson. He also suggests the Coyotes should entertain offers for younger players like Mike Comrie, Paul Mara, Derek Morris, Mike Johnson, and Dennis Gauthier.

"There are several teams like Vancouver, Philadelphia, Carolina, Boston, Los Angeles and the New York Rangers in need of defensive help and blue line depth and could be willing to move young talent for a Morris, Mara or Gauthier.

Calgary, New Jersey and Los Angeles appear to be the most in need of scoring help and could make a play for Sanderson, Comrie or Johnson."

" Phoenix would be interested in Mark Bell from Chicago and Ryan Kesler from Vancouver if those players were available via trade. They will also be major players in free agency and will likely try to land Brad Richards from Tampa Bay and Zedeno Chara from Ottawa in the off-season."

Spector's Note: Joseph and Ricci would probably attract interest, less so Sanderson and O'Donnell. As for those younger players, especially Mara and Morris, it would have to be a very good offer to tempt the 'Yotes into trading them, and good luck landing Bell and Keslar at the trade deadline or Richards and Chara in the off-season. }


Where is this idea that we are in dire need of a d-man???? Am I living in an alternate reality or something???

[Jlg-28]

if our d-men can stay healthy we should be ok on the backline , we need another solid forward that can contribute , that way all the pressure dosen;t go on forsberg or gagne as the go to guys , hopefully the break helped the players that needed the rest the most and get ready for the stretch run.

[Hextall_Fan88]

I agree, our defense will be set when everyone comes back after the break.. I really don't see why so many rumours have spawned about blueline help.

If we do make a tr