Monday, December 8, 2008
Hmmm..rumors...or..not.
Mats Sundin
According to some "insiders" Mats will be returning sooner than later. Here are some of the teams interested: Montreal, Vancouver, Rangers, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto.
Now lets make the assumption that Mats returns half-way through the season. We're currently a little over a quarter of the way through. Let's also assume that the contract offers range between 7 and 10 million per year. Pro rating that contract for half a season is about 3.5 - 5 million. Keep that in mind.
Here we go! Montreal and Vancouver both had offers on the table, so those are feasible. Even though the Habs will have to make some moves to get it done. Vancouver's problem is the travel, I doubt an old, cranky son of a bitch like Sundin would want to log so many hours on red-eyes over the next couple months.
The Rangers currently have 1.365 million in cap room, oh my, looks like that doesn't work with the 3.5 - 5 million range stated earlier. You can say 'Oh but we can trade someone to make room,' THE HELL THEY WILL. Who would take Gomez at 7.35, Drury at 7, Naslund at 4, Redden at 6, or Roszival at 5 (WTF?!? Who decided that contract was a good idea?), ABSOLUTELY EFFING NO ONE. They have one commodity, Zherdev, who's a RFA after this year, but that still doesn't free up enough money. They're boned and out of the Sundin race.
The Blackhawks currently have only 250,000 left in cap space, but they also have many more tradeable assets than the Rangers. Patrick Sharp at 4, Havlat at 6, Khabibulin at 6.75. Desperate teams for a goalie (Devils), desperate teams for scoring (Wild, Avalanche), and douche bag GMs (Thrashers) could all make a move for any number of those guys, but I think Sharp is the only attractive one of the bunch there, and he's the Hawks secondary scoring. They won't move their young guys; Kane, Toews, Byflugien, Seabrook, Keith, so don't ask. I still don't think they have a way to manuever the cap, there's a small chance, but I think they're out.
Philadelphia, don't think so. They talk a big talk, but they've so grossly overpaid for the likes of Hartnell, Briere and Timonen, that they've completely and utterly hamstrung themselves to make any moves. Hell they've already got close to 11 million on LTIR just so they don't count against the cap. Their only real trade bait is Mike Knuble, who at just under 3 million might get them into the show, but I'm not sure it's enough. Maybe add Lupul and they can do it. Overpaid (see above)? Can't move em. Flourishing talent (Carter, Richards)? Won't move em. So I see them as another cap casualty, however I think their chances are better than the Hawks and Rangers.
Now on to Ottawa. They've got 3.5 in cap space and a GM who's ready to blow up that team. They've been running that same bunch of guys out there for the past couple years and haven't won anything, when is it time to blow it up and start anew? I think Murray is close to making that happen. If they have their heart set on getting rid of some young talent for an old man, well they've got the pieces to do that. Vermette, Fisher, Volchenkov, maybe even Chris Kelly have cap hits that might make an attractive piece to a contending team. They won't have to move much and if they continue to fall back of Montreal and Boston, it wouldn't surprise me to see something happen. I think they have a shot at Sundin, but I definitely don't think it's in the best interest of the Sens on the whole.
Toronto. Pre-Brian Burke, this is not even a conversation and Sundin would be signing on the dotted line by now. But Post-Burke, I don't see a chance in hell. Sorry Mats, but you made the right decision selling your Toronto Mansion.
Reasons Why? They have the cap space, with close to 4 million available, and some guys they'd be willing to move, Svatos, Brett Clark, they can easily make this happen. They also just lost their veteran presence, Joe Sakic, to injury. Unlike a lot of these other teams that are just looking to plug Sundin into the lineup, even if they don't need him, the Avalanche could use a strong playmaking Center, not too mention what his leadership could bring.
Plus, if Eklund said all those other teams, then he's sure as hell going somewhere else.
EDIT:: God Dammit, effing Eklund said Colorado is now a big possibility. So pick someone else now.
I was going to write about Shanahan as well, but you can just take this shit to the bank: if the Ranger's don't get Sundin, that money/moves are made to make room for Shanahan.
Couple other Rumors/bullshit that I've heard lately....
- Canucks, Flamers, and Sabres all have inquired about Nate Horton in Florida. It'll take the 3 P's to get him outta Miami, Player + Prospect + Pick. Who's willing to do that? (Buffalo, you effing should be)
- Sens all about Jay Boumeester, so is every other team out there. That'll be something to see, I wonder how bad Florida can get fleeced for him.
- People are saying Max Afinogenov is eyeing the KHL (if it's still around) next year after his contract expires, if true, then he is worth absolutely nothing to the Sabres and won't have any leverage in trade talks.
- All of a sudden with Ryan Parent and Randy Jones coming back to the lineup in Philly, the Flyers have an abundance of depth on the blueline. Do they send Sbisa back to his junior team? Or does someone get the old heave ho? Jones? He hasn't played at all, with a new hefty contract, I doubt anything happens anytime soon.
- Jordan Staal is talking short term contract with the Pens. Can I ask why? An interesting move, he will undoubtably get an offer sheet this year, so if he actually is in the Pens long term plans then this only brings him 1 step closer to being a UFA. This is really too early to even comment on one way or the other.
That's all I got, I'm bored of this.
Oh, btw Sean, Elisha called, she wants her panties and sunglasses back.
According to some "insiders" Mats will be returning sooner than later. Here are some of the teams interested: Montreal, Vancouver, Rangers, Chicago, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto.
Now lets make the assumption that Mats returns half-way through the season. We're currently a little over a quarter of the way through. Let's also assume that the contract offers range between 7 and 10 million per year. Pro rating that contract for half a season is about 3.5 - 5 million. Keep that in mind.
Here we go! Montreal and Vancouver both had offers on the table, so those are feasible. Even though the Habs will have to make some moves to get it done. Vancouver's problem is the travel, I doubt an old, cranky son of a bitch like Sundin would want to log so many hours on red-eyes over the next couple months.
The Rangers currently have 1.365 million in cap room, oh my, looks like that doesn't work with the 3.5 - 5 million range stated earlier. You can say 'Oh but we can trade someone to make room,' THE HELL THEY WILL. Who would take Gomez at 7.35, Drury at 7, Naslund at 4, Redden at 6, or Roszival at 5 (WTF?!? Who decided that contract was a good idea?), ABSOLUTELY EFFING NO ONE. They have one commodity, Zherdev, who's a RFA after this year, but that still doesn't free up enough money. They're boned and out of the Sundin race.
The Blackhawks currently have only 250,000 left in cap space, but they also have many more tradeable assets than the Rangers. Patrick Sharp at 4, Havlat at 6, Khabibulin at 6.75. Desperate teams for a goalie (Devils), desperate teams for scoring (Wild, Avalanche), and douche bag GMs (Thrashers) could all make a move for any number of those guys, but I think Sharp is the only attractive one of the bunch there, and he's the Hawks secondary scoring. They won't move their young guys; Kane, Toews, Byflugien, Seabrook, Keith, so don't ask. I still don't think they have a way to manuever the cap, there's a small chance, but I think they're out.
Philadelphia, don't think so. They talk a big talk, but they've so grossly overpaid for the likes of Hartnell, Briere and Timonen, that they've completely and utterly hamstrung themselves to make any moves. Hell they've already got close to 11 million on LTIR just so they don't count against the cap. Their only real trade bait is Mike Knuble, who at just under 3 million might get them into the show, but I'm not sure it's enough. Maybe add Lupul and they can do it. Overpaid (see above)? Can't move em. Flourishing talent (Carter, Richards)? Won't move em. So I see them as another cap casualty, however I think their chances are better than the Hawks and Rangers.
Now on to Ottawa. They've got 3.5 in cap space and a GM who's ready to blow up that team. They've been running that same bunch of guys out there for the past couple years and haven't won anything, when is it time to blow it up and start anew? I think Murray is close to making that happen. If they have their heart set on getting rid of some young talent for an old man, well they've got the pieces to do that. Vermette, Fisher, Volchenkov, maybe even Chris Kelly have cap hits that might make an attractive piece to a contending team. They won't have to move much and if they continue to fall back of Montreal and Boston, it wouldn't surprise me to see something happen. I think they have a shot at Sundin, but I definitely don't think it's in the best interest of the Sens on the whole.
Toronto. Pre-Brian Burke, this is not even a conversation and Sundin would be signing on the dotted line by now. But Post-Burke, I don't see a chance in hell. Sorry Mats, but you made the right decision selling your Toronto Mansion.
VERDICT
Reasons Why? They have the cap space, with close to 4 million available, and some guys they'd be willing to move, Svatos, Brett Clark, they can easily make this happen. They also just lost their veteran presence, Joe Sakic, to injury. Unlike a lot of these other teams that are just looking to plug Sundin into the lineup, even if they don't need him, the Avalanche could use a strong playmaking Center, not too mention what his leadership could bring.
Plus, if Eklund said all those other teams, then he's sure as hell going somewhere else.
EDIT:: God Dammit, effing Eklund said Colorado is now a big possibility. So pick someone else now.
I was going to write about Shanahan as well, but you can just take this shit to the bank: if the Ranger's don't get Sundin, that money/moves are made to make room for Shanahan.
Couple other Rumors/bullshit that I've heard lately....
- Canucks, Flamers, and Sabres all have inquired about Nate Horton in Florida. It'll take the 3 P's to get him outta Miami, Player + Prospect + Pick. Who's willing to do that? (Buffalo, you effing should be)
- Sens all about Jay Boumeester, so is every other team out there. That'll be something to see, I wonder how bad Florida can get fleeced for him.
- People are saying Max Afinogenov is eyeing the KHL (if it's still around) next year after his contract expires, if true, then he is worth absolutely nothing to the Sabres and won't have any leverage in trade talks.
- All of a sudden with Ryan Parent and Randy Jones coming back to the lineup in Philly, the Flyers have an abundance of depth on the blueline. Do they send Sbisa back to his junior team? Or does someone get the old heave ho? Jones? He hasn't played at all, with a new hefty contract, I doubt anything happens anytime soon.
- Jordan Staal is talking short term contract with the Pens. Can I ask why? An interesting move, he will undoubtably get an offer sheet this year, so if he actually is in the Pens long term plans then this only brings him 1 step closer to being a UFA. This is really too early to even comment on one way or the other.
That's all I got, I'm bored of this.
Oh, btw Sean, Elisha called, she wants her panties and sunglasses back.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment