Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
1. There are rumblings out of Tampa Vinny will be moved before July 1st when his no-movement clause kicks in. Tampa is rumoured to be in serious financial peril. At 11 years and 7.7 million cap hit and salary cap rumoured to be going down in future years this is a major contract to move. Tampa is trying to make a hockey deal and LA Kings not only has the cap room to make such a trade and hockey personal Brian Lawton is looking for also. Jack Johnson and the 5th overall pick are rumoured coming back the other way. There will be other parts going in both directions also. This will be biggest trade in NHL in quite a while. Tampa ideally would like to trade Vinny, draft a franchise center with the 2nd overall pick to build around and also address their defense in this trade. If NYI take Hedman first overall could have impact on this trade.
2. The main thing paving the way of Vinny rumours are speculation there are many sun belt teams in financial peril, some almost to the extent of the Phoenix Coyotes. Much deeper financial peril than we have been led to believe. Tampa being very close to Phoenix financial wise. Atlanta is another team rumored to be losing more money than we hear. Florida also and even Dallas. But not to the extent of Phoenix or Tampa. Which really is staggering, as Phoenix has lost 76 million plus 40 million over last 4 years. Tampa two owners are not talking, they talk thru a third party, and defaulted on most everything recently which the NHL has picked up the tab for. Florida was selling tickets for $9 with free parking and free hotdogs, so doesn't sound like they are are in great condition. Hicks has Dallas for sale and already mentioned bankruptcy.
3. Sedins could be in Toronto next season. If Vancouver cannnot get the twins signed before July 1st, look for Brian Burke to make a big push for the Swedish pair. Burke is trying to win now and has the cap space to make such a move, there's also a good connection with the Sedins from his Canuck years. However, the rumours of Anaheim's Gigeure coming to Toronto are far fetched and shot down by my T.O. sources.
4. Ideally Philly would like to move the Briere contract and Montreal be most likely destintation. The main problem here is Briere has a no-trade clause and has final say if he will go or not. Bob Gainey tried hard and came very close to signing Breire when he was an UFA back in summer of '07. So there is definitely an interest there from Montreal's end. Philly on the other hand would like to dump the large contract with the emergence of Richards, Carter and Giroux. Flyers would like to add a top defenseman this off season or/and a front end goalie with the cap space created by moving Briere. Montreal could have interest in Carle and Philly could have interest in Halak or early rights to Komisarek.
5. Insiders say Montreal team was never really for sale. Speculation persist Gillett did put the team on the block but his real intention was to establish a price on the team that he could take to the bank. Montreal is making a ton a money per year and Gillett does not want to part with them.
6. Minnesota new GM Chuck Fletcher is trying hard to re-sign Marion Gaborik. The problem here is Gaborik has no use for Tom Lynn, who Fletcher just signed to new contract extension. Gaborik hates Tom Lynn, insiders say it is slim Gaborik is in Minny next season. MG will be a big name on this summer's UFA market has his hip operation correct his groin problems which have plaqued him over last few seasons.
7. Atlanta's Kovalchuk met with Don Waddell on Thursday and reports have new contract talks went well. With Zach B. and Little Waddell is trying to sign Kovalchuk to an extentsion this summer to have a core group to build around. If it did not look like he would re-sign Atlanta could possibly have move Kov this summer.
Not saying Florida doesn't have some financial issues, but a lot of pro sport teams do. The economy is awful right now...
...but, they've had seats at or around $9 for the last 10 years. I'm not sure how that translates into financial problems. They've also had more butts in the seats late in the season than I've seen in a couple years.
__________________ Gudbranson fanboy and defender for liiiiiife!
Not saying Florida doesn't have some financial issues, but a lot of pro sport teams do. The economy is awful right now...
...but, they've had seats at or around $9 for the last 10 years. I'm not sure how that translates into financial problems. They've also had more butts in the seats late in the season than I've seen in a couple years.
Yep, also our attendance went up last season from the season before. Like you keep saying Laus, if the Panthers ice a competitive team, the fans will come. There is no bigger bandwagon market than South Florida, and there is a strong core base of diehard fans in S.F. Some people might doubt that, but there is. There are a ton of Panthers fans down here. A lot of them just don't want to pay to go see a losing team.
It sounds like the merger between Sunrise Sports & Entertainment(current Panthers' ownership) and Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. is going to help SSE with the finances a little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TML Rebuild
Is Stamkos no longer considered a "franchise talent" by Tampa anymore?
Wouldn't hurt to have both Stamkos AND Tavares. Sakic-Forsberg, Datsyuk-Zetterburg, etc.
Yep, also our attendance went up last season from the season before. Like you keep saying Laus, if the Panthers ice a competitive team, the fans will come. There is no bigger bandwagon market than South Florida, and there is a strong core base of diehard fans in S.F. Some people might doubt that, but there is. There are a ton of Panthers fans down here. A lot of them just don't want to pay to go see a losing team.
It sounds like the merger between Sunrise Sports & Entertainment(current Panthers' ownership) and Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. is going to help SSE with the finances a little.
Wouldn't hurt to have both Stamkos AND Tavares. Sakic-Forsberg, Datsyuk-Zetterburg, etc.
Lecavalier-Stamkos..
Trading Lecavalier, makes no real sense to me. Honestly if I'm TB management, I just draft Hedman. A core of Lecavalier, St.Louis, Stamkos, Hedman is ridiculous along with Malone, Ranger, Meszaros, Smith, Prospal..these guys have an awesome core to build from..
This is an amazing roster to build around. A fewsavvy FA aquisitions, some competent coaching and the maturation of many of the young players and I'd say you have the makings of at least a playoff contender (8-10 team at least).
Trading Lecavalier, makes no real sense to me. Honestly if I'm TB management, I just draft Hedman. A core of Lecavalier, St.Louis, Stamkos, Hedman is ridiculous along with Malone, Ranger, Meszaros, Smith, Prospal..these guys have an awesome core to build from..
This is an amazing roster to build around. A fewsavvy FA aquisitions, some competent coaching and the maturation of many of the young players and I'd say you have the makings of at least a playoff contender (8-10 team at least).
Quote:
Originally Posted by bassassin
What about Lecavalier-Stamkos??
Obviously if the Bolts trade Lecavalier it's because of financial decisions.
