Sunday, June 01, 2008

Spezza, Jokinen, Marleau on the move?

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, three elite centres could be on the trading block this summer:

Ottawa Senators forward Jason Spezza, whose $8 million a year contract extension kicks in this summer.

Florida Panthers forward Olli Jokinen, with the Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks interested.

San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau, whose no trade clause becomes effective July 1. Garrioch speculates that the Boston Bruins may give up Glen Murray as part of a package deal. Brochu's take: Spezza's not going anywhere, but Jokinen may have used up his nine lives in Florida. GM Jacques Martin will do everything in his power to trade him. As for Marleau, no one wants Murray and his $4 million contract, so Garrioch can keep on speculating.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Blake Wheeler turned down Phoenix's entry-level deal and will now become an unrestricted free agent. The deal was the maximum offered under the old CBA. Wheeler is free to sign with any team, however he still has to comply with entry-level rules. There are rumors that his home state team, the Minnesota Wild, are interested.

The New York Islanders will not be re-signing impending UFAs Wade Dubielewicz, Miroslav Satan, Josef Vasicek and Ruslan Fedotenko. The three forwards were not offered any contracts while Dubielewicz rejected a "significant offer". The Islanders are also close to re-signing Tim Jackman to a two-way contract. Source

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Tim Kennedy to a two-year, ~$1.7 million contract. They have also signed Swedish goaltender Jhonas Enroth to three-year, entry-level contract. Brochu's take: The Sabres actually got some of their players under contract! Source

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