Gauthier and Islanders

This if from Alan Hahn's mailbag. I consider him to be a reasonable source. It is just speculation, but I thought you guys might like to see it.

p.s. (to FDW, Badger Bob, Lanny, Splatman, and all my other friends on the Calgary forum - happy holidays!)

Q: There have been rumors that the Isles are looking to shed payroll by possibly moving either Mark Parrish or Jason Wiemer to Calgary for Denis Gauthier. I don't see the reason why the Isles would want another defenseman when they have Mattias Timander in Bridgeport getting paid 1.2 million. Is there any truth to these rumors? Secondly, with injuries to a couple of big-time defensemen in Derian Hatcher of Detroit and Al Macinnis of St. Louis, do you think the Isles might look to move a defenseman to one of those teams to shed payroll and possibly pick up either draft picks or a prospect? >Nathan S. Kerr >Halesite, NY

A: Could be, Nathan. But I don't imagine Mike Milbury wants to move any of his top 4 defensemen right now unless he can get one of equal ability who makes less money. Gauthier is a reasonable possibility. He makes $1.3 million and is more of a rugged D- man, stay-at-homer and big-time hitter.. The Islanders could use that kind of dimension on the blue-line, but at what cost? Worth considering and monitoring.

The Flames are also looking to cut salary so unless the Flames unload salary somewhere else there is no way these two teams are going to deal.

Happy Thanksgiving to you also, Darth.

From the sound of it, talks between the Flames and Isles seem to have died down. Nothing's been reported in weeks. Apparently, some Flames interest was expressed in reaquiring Jason Weimer. Scratch that one, as he scored for the Wild last night night. Apart from Weimer, no other NYI player's name was specifically mentioned as a possibility. All talk surrounding Parrish & Scatchard potentially being moved to Calgary has been strictly board speculation.

From the Islanders perspective, it wouldn't seem that Denis Gauthier would be who they'd seek in return. If they're in cost-cutting mode, he wouldn't exactly fit the profile. Of the potential destinations for Gauthier, it's thought that Montreal and Toronto (with maybe one or two others) have put out feelers.

Maybe Mapletoft going to Calgary...or Cairns?

This if from Alan Hahn's mailbag. I consider him to be a reasonable source. It is just speculation, but I thought you guys might like to see it.

p.s. (to FDW, Badger Bob, Lanny, Splatman, and all my other friends on the Calgary forum - happy holidays!)

Q: There have been rumors that the Isles are looking to shed payroll by possibly moving either Mark Parrish or Jason Wiemer to Calgary for Denis Gauthier. I don't see the reason why the Isles would want another defenseman when they have Mattias Timander in Bridgeport getting paid 1.2 million. Is there any truth to these rumors? Secondly, with injuries to a couple of big-time defensemen in Derian Hatcher of Detroit and Al Macinnis of St. Louis, do you think the Isles might look to move a defenseman to one of those teams to shed payroll and possibly pick up either draft picks or a prospect? >Nathan S. Kerr >Halesite, NY

A: Could be, Nathan. But I don't imagine Mike Milbury wants to move any of his top 4 defensemen right now unless he can get one of equal ability who makes less money. Gauthier is a reasonable possibility. He makes $1.3 million and is more of a rugged D- man, stay-at-homer and big-time hitter.. The Islanders could use that kind of dimension on the blue-line, but at what cost? Worth considering and monitoring.
Right back at ya bud

I'd REALLY love to get Parrish, what would Sutter have to add with Gauthier to get him? Or maybe lighten the load and send Lydman? That is if defenseman is what the Isles want. Forwards, Conroy is fair game, Saprykin may be shopped as well.

Right back at ya bud

I'd REALLY love to get Parrish, what would Sutter have to add with Gauthier to get him? Or maybe lighten the load and send Lydman? That is if defenseman is what the Isles want. Forwards, Conroy is fair game, Saprykin may be shopped as well.

One problem with any potential deal here would be $. Parrish for Gauither would add over 1 million ot your payroll.

On a Flames msg board, someone from NY mentioned that a few Flames scouts have been heavily scouting the Isles for over a month now.

Salary could be the standstill. Maybe Sutter's trying to dump McLennan's salary or maybe shed some salary, who knows. One of which is the hot Gomez for Conroy that seems to go on forever, which BTW I'd be all over.

But the pairing of Warraner and Gautheir seems to be the most reliable, I can't see Sutter splitting up his most reliable tandom in favour of playing 3 rookies without a full season of experiance on the top 6.