Tuesday, February 17, 2009

NHL and Hockey Rumors for Feb 18, 2009

According to Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Maple Leafs were close to a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins last weekend, but the firing of Michel Therrien could have scuttled those talks. Rumors were that the Leafs would send Nik Antropov to the Pens for Ryan Whitney, or a package of a 1st rounder and defenseman Alex Goligoski. There also was belief that if the Penguins acquired Antropov, he may have been used as part of a package for a trade to the Atlanta Thrashers for scoring whiz Ilya Kovalchuk and Colby Armstrong. Brochu's take: First, that would be a huge overpayment for Antropov, who is definitely not worth a Whitney or even a Goligoski. Antropov is being shopped, but his value is not that high. As for Kovalchuk rumor, he's not moving this year and certainly not in a package involving Antropov. Source

Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey has sent Alex Kovalev home for the next two road games. Gainey told Kovalev to rest his body and get his mind straightened out. When asked if he would trade Kovalev, Gainey responded, "It is trading season." Brochu's take: Not exactly a confidence boost, is it? And Gainey didn't deny that he was shopping Kovalev. Source

TSN is reporting that there has been an offer to buy the Phoenix Coyotes. The party is unnamed at this point. Brochu's take: Perhaps Jim Balsillie?

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