June 11, 2012 - NHL Trade Rumor
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
With the trade today of Brad Stuart to San Jose from the Detroit Red Wings, other rumors are starting to heat up around the league leading up to the NHL Entry Draft next week:
Ryan Suter - If Nashville fails to to sign Suter expect the Red Wings to make a huge push for the defenseman. With the retirement of Nick Lidstrom and the Stuart trade, there is a huge hole on defense.
Matthew Carle - The defenseman wants to remain a Flyer, but if Suter signs with Nashville, or gets traded early, expect Carle's value to skyrocket. Rumors are pointing to Pittsburg, Detroit, and Boston.
Brad Boyes - The Boyes' Experiment in Buffalo has most likely come to an end. Washington will make a push to land the Right Wing, who can play Center if need be. Colorado and the Rangers are also interested.
Alexander Radulov - Despite his must anticipated return to the NHL - Nashville wants thim gone. Not surprising. The Rangers are expected to make an offer for Radulov. Good Luck with that. He also may return to the KHL.
Alex Semin - Detroit has been very interested in Semin for a while, and after his play with fellow countryman, Pavol Datsyuk, in the World's, his stock went up. However, there are rumors that he might take an offer from CSKA Moskow in the KHL, who's GM is noneotherthan former Cap Sergei Fedorov.
Rick Nash - the Holy Grail, again, in this years rumors. He's not going to be in a Columbus uniform, that much is sure thanks to GM Scott Howson's awful press conference this past spring. The Rangers, Toronto, and San Jose are the rumored front runners, but there are plenty of other teams looking for his scoring touch.
Roberto Luongo - His time in Vancouver is most likely over thanks to Corey Schneider's stellar play. Luongo can still be a top goalie in the league, but someone is going to have to dish out an attractive offer and take on Luongo's $5.3M salary thru 2021. The Lightning, Blue Jackets, and Blackhawks have been linked. Toronto would be a long shot.
Jordan Staal - Staal's contract is up. So is Crosby's. Unfortunately, the Penguins can't afford both, especially with Crosby rumored to be getting a ten year, $90M deal this week. Staal is one of the best two-way centers in the game, and he will be coveted. Buffalo, St. Louis and Phoenix have been linked along with Carolina, where his brother Eric is captain.
Jiri Hudler - Detroit wants to keep him, but his name has been tossed around for a while now. Washington is one destination that keeps popping up, but Dallas, Chicago and Toronto are looking at him as well.
Andrei Kostitsyn - Nashville needs to shed some salary to afford Weber and Suter and try to keep a core together in TN. Washington will make a huge push to get Kostitsyn which is surprising, but he is a solid two-way player and could bring some much needed leadership to the 'identity-crisis' that are the Capitals. The Islanders and Blue Jackets might be in, too.
Dennis Wideman - The Caps want to keep him, but he could be good trade bait. San Jose and Carolina and rumored to be interested and Detroit has to be with the loss of Lidstrom and Stuart. There are rumors swirling that his rights could be traded prior to the draft.
Zach Parise - There are possibly two games left in the season and then the Parise sweepstakes will take hold of the rumor mill. He's been linked to Minnesota, his home state, the Rangers, Toronto, Detroit - pretty much everywhere! He will be highly coveted especially after this years run. Look for NJ to find a way to re-sign him.
More to come...
