[dutch74]

Sorry guys, got a late start this week... thankfully there wasn't much activity yesterday.

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Latest on Foppa (though some of you have heard this already):

Ed Snider has expressed interest in keeping Foppa and signing him to a new contract (possibly 2 years is the rumor). Peter is apparently pretty pleased with this news and they are going to meet soon to talk.

Well, I'll eat crow if Foppa stays... but there are pluses and minuses to this move. Peter will still be here but we could miss a chance to pick up some young talent. I'm 50/50 on this now... we'll see what happens

There are also reports that Foppa has NOT waived his NTC afterall. This would confirm Snider's comments.

Anyone know any good recipes for crow?

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The Carolina Hurricanes are apparently interested in Kyle Calder, and could offer up a defenseman (Andrew Hutchinson or David Tanabe) in return.

Book on Hutchinson:
OB: Mar 24, 1980
Age: 26
Place of Birth: Evanston, IL, USA
HT: 6-2 WT: 204
Shoots: R
NHL Seasons: 2
Assets: Has exciting offensive potential and intriguing size. Plays a cerebral game from the back end.
Flaws: Needs to add more strength in order to better handle the rigors of the NHL game. Must work harder on his play in the defensive zone.
Career potential: Power play quarterback.

Book on Tanabe:
DOB: Jul 19, 1980
Age: 26
Place of Birth: White Bear Lake, MN, USA (my hometown)
HT: 6-1 WT: 212
Shoots: R
NHL Seasons: 6
Assets: Has good size and tremendous skating speed. Owns plenty of untapped potential in all areas of the game.
Flaws: Needs to refine his defensive game. Must show more consistency in all aspects of the game. Should produce better numbers, but doesn't.
Career potential: Top six defenseman.

Both would be good pickups for the Flyers but, with the chemistry that's developed between Carter and Calder, I don't expect that he'll be moved.

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that's all for now, folks!

[Hextall_Fan88]

yeah, I heard about that potential move of Carolina moving Tanabe or Hutchison on nhl.com I think, yesterday. Would be an interesting move if they traded Calder now, as he's shown what he's capable of the past few weeks now. It would be nice to have some defensive help, especially a QB like Hutchison on the PP.

I'm tied up with Foppa now. I love the guy, but who can say no if were offered up some great prospects or high picks? Perhaps a Dough Weight or Recchi type deal could spawn out of this, but I highly doubt that would happen.

Sorry man, we don't eat crow up here in the Great White North!

[sekkes85]

I'd do that trade, whats the status on their contracts though?

[Blindside]

Calder's been playing some great hockey over the past 10-15 games, maybe he's cured his early season ailments. Great chemistry with Carter and could be had for less than his current price tag for next year at least. I don't know if I'd trade him for a 26 year old d-man that is still unsure of being a star or a bust.

Foppa should be traded, period. There's no ifs ands or buts about it. Issue A) He wants to play here... Solution: Handshake deal to bring him back as a UFA, after we've brought in a couple of building blocks for the future via trade... Foppa comes back to a stronger team next season. Issue B) He wants to help the team... Solution: As stated already, facilitating a trade allows us to bring in (most likely) 1-2 solid prospects and a 1st rounder. All of these assets help us improve the team for next year and for years to come.
It's a win-win for everybody involved.

Here's another scenario... Shane Doan is still without a long-term deal in Phoenix after this season. If he remains that way after the Cup finals, move Umberger, Ruzicka and a 1st for Doaner... then bring back Foppa. Hell of a top 6 forwards there.
Gagne-Forsberg-Knuble
Calder-Carter-Doan

[Hextall_Fan88]

I would enjoy having Doan here instead of those Buffalo bastards, Briere and Drury. Perhaps signing Timonen over the offseason, and a top 4 stay at home, that is, if we get rid of Hatch and we would be pretty solid I think.

[dutch74]

Pretty good article that breaks down potential trade options...

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/s...eRequested=all

[Hextall_Fan88]

lol, dutchie your all about the rumours, aren't ya?
as am i, as am i

[dutch74]

dude, I can't get enough... plus, it keeps me busy when we suck so bad

[MikeyB99]

No way would I trade a 1st or 2nd overall pick for Doan.... and then give them Umberger and Ruzicka.. No Thanks. I'd Trade Umberger and Ruzicka, and then something else.. If the Coyotes got that 1st pick too... Gretzky would be laughing for some time.

[Hextall_Fan88]

I'd give them a 2nd, nothing more.. were pretty loaded on picks mikey, a guy like Doan would add some badly needed grit and seconday scoring for next season, and who knows, maybe we can sign him long term

[dutch74]

Add another name to the Foppa to Carolina rumor... the recently demoted dman, Anton Babchuk, has requested a trade rather than be demoted. The rumor was that Tanabe or Hutchinson would be possibilities in a trade, but now it appears that Babchuk is the more likely tradebait. Here's the book on him:

Anton Babchuk D
DOB: May 6, 1984
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Kiev, USSR (now Ukraine)
HT: 6-5 WT: 202
Shoots: R
NHL Seasons: 2
Drafted by Chicago in 2002 (1/21).

Scouting Report
Assets: Displays untapped offensive potential and a big shot from the point. Owns enough physical ability to dominate the back line.
Flaws: Needs to round out his game, especially in the defensive zone, since he's still very raw. Must be more disciplined on and off the ice.
Career potential: Top four defenseman.

While he almost looks like the pick-of-the-litter among the three d-men (no offensive to my hometown boy Tanabe), I am getting the nasty suspicion that Foppa may stay put. I would prefer if he was traded and, besides, this kid's a monster.

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Sanderson hasn't been getting a lot of playing time lately and rumors are starting to swirl that a deal may be in the making. Holmgren says he's already received a few calls.

Sandy's played hard for us this season (other than that injury). I'd like to see him get another chance to make a run at the cup. Just as long as we get something decent in return.

Also, the Leafs are rumored to be looking at either Ladislav Nagy or Sanderson, with the latter being a good possibility because he's cheaper and older (things the Leafs like for some reason).

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Esche's injury could ruin any chance of the team moving him by the trade deadline. If this is the case, I expect that the Flyers will let him walk at the end of the season.

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Back to Foppa... the next ten days will determine whether Peter stays with the team or gets traded. If Snider and he cannot work something out, expect the rumor mill to heat up to white hot.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

[Hextall_Fan88]

good read

[dutch74]

another good article on potential moves and which teams will be buyers and sellers at the deadline...

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...61114c1&k=6135

[dutch74]

some rumors from around the Net today, Feb 9th...

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Scouts the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers were all in attendance for Thursday night's game with the Pens. The Canadiens and the Canucks both expressed interest in getting Foppa while Florida and Atlante are more interested in either Sanderson or York (thanks!).

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While talk is still swirling about a Foppa trade, more and more the line coming from Snider and the Flyers is that they want to keep him around for at least another 2 year contract (per Eklund). At best, he'll be an handshake rental... which I think is the best deal for the Flyers to pick up some talent then bring Peter back in the off-season.

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Just a note, I search the internet to compile rumors. I am not generating these on my own. Whenever a specific source needs to be sited, I will make every effort to do so. Generally, I attempt to quote trusted sources and prefer to have two or three different sources confirming the same rumor (unless it's just funny or mind-blowing... then I might just post it for the shock value).

Just want to make sure everything's on the up-and-up.

[Hextall_Fan88]

Some interesting stuff from Cullen this week..

http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/colum...len/?ID=195536