NHL Rumor Update - July 6, 2012 - Who's Left?

Who's left?

With Parise and Suter now with the Wild, the focus will shift to the remaining free agents, the top non-free agent players available for trade.

Alex Semin - Chicago and New Jersey seem to be the frontrunners for Semin. New Jersey needs to make up in scoring for the loss of their captain. Detroit and Colorado are also seeking the winger, but it's really no surprise to me that he hasn't been signed yet. I just don't think teams are willing to pay up to $6m a year for a lazy player. It's said that Semin wants a long term contract as well, but I can't believe someone would give him that. The KHL's CSKA is still after him. Sergei Fedorov, CSKA's GM, has already signed Alex Radulov to four years. Carolina GM Jim Rutherford has said they could make a run at Semin as well.

Shane Doan - Who wouldn't want Shane Doan?! He's been the heart, soul and balls of the Coyotes since they were in Winnipeg in '96. He's not making a decision until he knows what Phoenix ownership is going to do on July 9th, or so. Pittsburg wants him bad. The Rangers want him bad. Carolina, L.A., Detroit, Boston, etc... etc... Wouldn't he look good in Caps Red?

Shea Weber - Josh Cooper of the Tennessean said the Preds would match any offer. You gotta think that teams will jack up the offers on purpose though. Every team wants him. He's the best defender in the game. He was taken aback that Suter didn't resign in Nashville, and without a solid plan, Weber might be as good as gone, too. GM David Poile has a lot of work to do.

Trade:

Rick Nash - San Jose looks to be in the best position to land Nash. They have the pieces, now it just needs to happen. Niemi and Pavelski are rumored to go the other way. Per Darren Dreger of TSN, Carolina was making a huge push for Nash, but they weren't on his list of teams, AND the price was way too high for Jeff Skinner to go the other way, and EVERY GM who has inquired is saying the same thing - THE PRICE IS TOO HIGH. This may drag out for another few months.

Bobby Ryan - The price might be too high for Philadelphia to make a trade. They won't want to lose their young core. Carolina might join in the mix since they are out of the Nash sweeps. I am wondering if Washington is making a major play for Ryan. They've been awfully quiet since they landed Ribeiro via trade from Dallas. The Rangers will also look to Ryan but not until they know more about what happens to Nash. Tampa Bay has been rumored to be interested as are the Maple leafs.

Roberto Luongo - The Panthers are still the rumored destination. Vancouver Province's Jason Spotchford reported if the Canucks do trade Lou to Florida would Jose Theodore come back to Vancouver? Theodore has a limited NTC which lists 10 teams he can be traded to without consent. Toronto may still be in the mix as well as Chicago - who almost signed Brodeur.

Keith Yandle - Carle is gone. Suter is gone. Weber would be astronomical. Yandle is the next best thing. St. Louis, Pittsburg and Detroit are said to be frontrunners.

Jay Bouwmeester - Same as Yandle, however SPORTSNET's Roger Million's said the Flames are not trying to trade Bouwmeester, but if the price is right, anything can happen. They would love a scoring winger.

Ryan Getzlaf - Eklund is reporting a rumor that Toronto has a major trade in the works and that it COULD be Getzlaf. This is pure speculation but damnit it's interesting.

More to come...