Rumor Mill

Some very interesting rumors most notable Turd boy going to LaLa land and the Oilers interested in Abei but have nothing of worth to offer unless the Avs are clearing cap space to try for Luongo. A guy can always dream right.



Rumor Mill




Team by Team
Atlanta Thrashers Updated:12/04/2005
The Boston Globe speculates the Thrashers might deal high-scoring C Marc Savard before the March trade deadline. Savard, scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, earns $2.28 million and will likely be unaffordable to Atlanta, which has nearly $16 million of its $39 million cap room taken up by Ilya Kovalchuk, Marian Hossa and Bobby Holik.

Boston Bruins Updated:12/05/2005
The Bruins are said to be heating up talks with Toronto about sending RW Glen Murray to the Maple Leafs. Boston would likely get Nik Antropov and Ken Klee
.
Calgary Flames Updated:12/04/2005
The Flames are interested in free agent RW Owen Nolan who is working out in California while recovering from an abdominal injury. Nolan has filed a grievance against Toronto for back pay the Leafs are holding back because they claim his injury is hockey-related. Calgary is apparently waiting for the issue to be resolved before signing the player.

Chicago Blackhawks Updated:12/05/2005
The Blackhawks are making C Tyler Arnason available, says the New York Post.

Edmonton Oilers Updated:12/04/2005
The Oilers could be interested in Avs goalie David Aebischer who is thought to be available these days. Edmonton has RW Jani Rita up for grabs according to rumors.

Los Angeles Kings Updated:12/05/2005
There are reports that the Kings are feverishly working to put a package together for Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi.

New York Islanders Updated:12/04/2005
Islanders GM Mike Milbury has made no secret of the fact he wants to shake up his team. He wants to move forward Oleg Kvasha and D Janne Niinimaa, but can't find any takers.

Philadelphia Flyers Updated:12/04/2005
The Flyers are thought to be dangling C Michal Handzus to Boston for LW Sergei Samsonov.

San Jose Sharks Updated:12/05/2005
The Sharks might get first crack at free agent Owen Nolan, who is working his way back from a knee injury.

Vancouver Canucks Updated:12/04/2005
There area whispers around the league that Vancouver is looking to move RW Todd Bertuzzi, who has been a bit of a disappointment this year.

Re: Rumor Mill

HockeyHead3377 wrote:

The Flames are interested in free agent RW Owen Nolan who is working out in California while recovering from an abdominal injury. Nolan has filed a grievance against Toronto for back pay the Leafs are holding back because they claim his injury is hockey-related. Calgary is apparently waiting for the issue to be resolved before signing the player.

Quote:

San Jose Sharks Updated:12/05/2005 The Sharks might get first crack at free agent Owen Nolan, who is working his way back from a knee injury.

well which is it? knee or abdomen or both?

Quote:

Edmonton Oilers Updated:12/04/2005 The Oilers could be interested in Avs goalie David Aebischer who is thought to be available these days. Edmonton has RW Jani Rita up for grabs according to rumors.

wow, that would suck. Aebi is one of the best things the Avs have going for them right now. He keeps them alive alot of the time, dispite their struggling in the northwest.

Re: Rumor Mill

CheckShootScore wrote:

HockeyHead3377 wrote: The Flames are interested in free agent RW Owen Nolan who is working out in California while recovering from an abdominal injury. Nolan has filed a grievance against Toronto for back pay the Leafs are holding back because they claim his injury is hockey-related. Calgary is apparently waiting for the issue to be resolved before signing the player. Quote: San Jose Sharks Updated:12/05/2005 The Sharks might get first crack at free agent Owen Nolan, who is working his way back from a knee injury. well which is it? knee or abdomen or both? Quote: Edmonton Oilers Updated:12/04/2005 The Oilers could be interested in Avs goalie David Aebischer who is thought to be available these days. Edmonton has RW Jani Rita up for grabs according to rumors. wow, that would suck. Aebi is one of the best things the Avs have going for them right now. He keeps them alive alot of the time, dispite their struggling in the northwest.

I was kind of wondering the same thing about Nolan.

As far as Abei keeping the Avs alive, not so much. He has done well in a few games this year AFTER being benched for a couple of games in favor of Budaj who has done much better. Abei's play is way too inconsistent and at times looks out of control and wanders when he shouldn't. The Avs aren't really struggling that much. Yes they have lost two in a row but they are only 5 points out of first place, four out of second and one out of third. The NW division IMHO is the best division in hockey right now and would expect 4 teams out of the five to make the playoffs. I'm hoping a trade for Luongo is in the cards for the Avs but only time will tell but something is going on because the Avs just called up Kolesnik which leaves them with 3 goalies on the roster Abei, Budaj, and Kolesnik.

I agree 100% that the NW is the strongest division in the west, which is why Colorado, and the other teams for that matter, have such a hard time. They constantly play divisional games against tough opponents, whereas oh, I dunno, lets say Detroit, gets to play teams like Chicago, Columbus, and (suprisingly terrible this year) St. Louis all the time to stack up the points.

From what I have seen of Budaj, he seems pretty good. Would still rather see Aebischer pick up his game than see him leave, but Colorado needs to do something soon to pull ahead of the rest.

No doubt, I'm not an Abei hater or anything and would hope he can get back on track but if there is even a remote chance of getting Luongo I would be all for it.

I don't know what it is with people thinking the Wings are so good because you are right their division is WEAK and points aren't hard to come by in that division for them. Half their points this year are going to come against division rivals, easily.

If they were in the NW or the Pac, I think they would still be doing well, but not have a significant lead like they do.

WTF? Denver Medias ASSclowns

Speaking of Divisions, I was watching the Avs game last night on Colorado's Altitude Network. After the game the network has some show called "The Summit" or something like that, it's basically a panel of four media guys from the Denver area who sit around and talk sports. That show could use a little female touch if you asked me, but no one has asked me so on with my complaint. Well, they were talking about the fact that the Avs will be playing (and have been playing) teams from the Eastern Conference. And two of the assholes on there were saying something to the effect of, "And who would have thought the Eastern Conference would be so hard"? "No one thought that those teams would be as strong as they are". And I was like, WTF!!! Are you friggin' kidding me?? Eastern Conference not strong? Anyone who knows anything about the NHL knows that the Eastern Conference teams are strong? Right? Or is that only my opinion?

Anyone?

Have to agree with you there Calais. In fact, I think the Eastern Conference is the stronger of the two and the Stanley Cup winner will come out of the East. Either Ottawa or Philly. Detroit record is decieving since they play in the weakest division. Without Forsberg, Colorado isn't as good as last year. Stars, Canucks and Kings are good, but not as good as Ottawa or Philly. The best chance the West has would be Calgary. In the East, you got the top two, plus Tampa Bay, Carolina, even the Rangers are playing pretty good now, and you can't count out Montreal yet either. From top top bottom, the East is the better conference, in my opinion.

Ottawa

I'm with you Wrencher!!

I'll say it right here, right now............

OTTAWA will be hoisting Lord Stanley next Spring!

What does everyone else think??

IMHO if Philly can stay healthy and most important keep Forsberg healthey will be the one's hoisting the Cup.

The EC is the stronger of the two but the NorthWest is still the toughest division.

Flyers penalty kill is way to weak. I have to say the Sens will be hoisting the Cup giving Canada their first champion in many a year. Think they'll be playing against Calgary.

Calais - as I see it NOW --

Your beloved Avs will make the playoffs, but it will be a struggle. Dallas & LA will fight all season long for the Pacific Division crown. Vancouver wins the NW after a VERY tough battle with Calgary. Detroit wins the Central with the Preds nipping at their heels. West Finals - Dallas over Vancouver in 7 VERY tough, physical games.

In the East, Ottawa runs away and hides with the NE Division and wins the President's Trophy. Philly and the NY Rangers will fight all season long for the Atlantic Division. The Rangers will take the Division with Philly a few points back. The same type of scuffle will take place in the SE Division with Carolina winning the division and TB taking second. The East Finals will pit Philadelphia against Ottawa. Flyers in 6.

Cup finals -- Call me a homer but in this scenario, Dallas takes out Philly in 6 games. Turco takes the MVP of the playoffs.

Hey it's all in fun and everyone has their own views. Let's have some other prognostications!

One KNOWS the Eastern Conference is stronger than the Western Conference more specifically the Northeast Division where no less than 4 teams will make the playoffs!!! One hopes that one's Bruins will get up off the mat ta make a run!!! Not FREAKIN' likely at this point but one does hope!!!

As for the Avs 'tender situation, what about the "Kazakhstan Kid" Vitaly Kolesnik??? He looked good against Boston and NJ!!!

Owen Nolan is past it!!! His best days are gone!!!

Now Marc Savard MAY BE worth lookin' at!!!

Detroit and Nashville may be sluggin it out for the Central this year.

As for the Cup Winner, give me the bracket and who'll face each other where.

www.nhl.com/standings