NHL Injury Updates

• Stars Captain Brendan Morrow has resumed skating and should be back in the lineup by mid next week
• Flyers youngster JVR has returned from a concussion, and got injured again last night. He broke his foot blocking a shot. Expect him to be out for 6-8 weeks
• Wild starting goalie Niklas Backstrom will be out for quite a while after getting injured last night. Injury still undisclosed. Don't expect him to be back anytime soon
• Penguins Kris Letang has gone back to Pittsburgh for some concussion tests. 
• He was out for 2 months with a concussion earlier this year. Stayed tuned for this one
• Red Wings Nick Lidstrom is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Expect him to be back on the ice early-mid next week
• Panthers Kris Versteeg is eager to get back on the ice and is eyeing to return Monday or Tuesday of next week
• Rangers captain Ryan Callahan will be back mid-late next week with a bruised foot
• Sharks Logan Couture will return late next week with a lower body injury
• Tampa Bay Lightning have a couple players out with injuries, all set to return early-late next week

Feel free to ask any question, and keep reading!

Major Rumor Update

Ladies and Gentlmen,  there are huge names flying around today. The Habs, Ducks, Leafs, Blue Jackets, Flyers, and Rangers are the main teams involved.

• I have received confirmation that the Canadiens, Leafs and Rangers are on the list of teams that Rick Nash would accept a trade to. The Habs are willing to give up Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher and they WILL include 2012's 1st round pick if they are able to unload Gomez's contract in the trade. 
• Darren Dreger reported yesterday that the Leafs have received an offer for Mikhail Grabovski. The offer is a 2nd round pick and a prospect. I can tell you that the Capitals like Grabovski and they could have been the team to make the offer. Brian Burke is awaiting an offer that includes a 1st rounder. 
• The Philadelphia Flyers are in DEEP talks with the Anaheim Ducks regarding Ryan Getzlaf. JVR and multiple 1st round picks are involved. 
• The Rangers are trying to do something sneaky and make a major move before the deadline. 
• The Sabres are the mystery team in the Bobby Ryan race.
• The Anaheim Ducks are NOT guaranteed to trade one of their big-3. They will only move someone if it is for the betterment of the future of their hockey club. 
• The Predators continue to actively shop D-man Ryan Suter because he is a UFA at the end of the year. Nashville cannot afford to let him hit the open market.
• Andrei Kostitsyn is looking for a 4 year contract worth 3.33 MM per season. If the Habs don't agree to that (they would be crazy), AK will be dealt this week.

Blog may not be updated a lot over the course of the next week as I am heading overseas tomorrow. Enjoy the deadline folks, should be an exciting one.

Cheers

@BallHock on Twitter

Pre-Weekend Rumblings

To start off, congratulations to Scott Gomez for bagging his first goal in 370 days last night. Ladies and gentlemen, miracles are possible. The greatest tweet from Gomez's goal last night was the following: " *ALERT* Scott Gomez has scored. Time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors."


- Scott Gomez gave an interview this week saying that Andrei Kostitsyn is the funniest and most liked player in the Canadiens locker room. Habs management continues to work towards an extension with him, however they are still exploring trade options as an extension is not imminent.
- The Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks are discussing Ryan Suter possibilities.
- The Dallas Stars who are only 2 points out of 8th place are talking with the Anaheim Ducks regarding one of their big-3.

• The Boston Bruins are trying to move some salary so that a run at Jeff Carter is possible. The cap space that the B's currently have is not enough to take on Carter's salary. 
• The Habs are 9 points out of a playoff spot and if they keep winning, everyone knows that nobody will ever give up in Montreal. They know that its not over 'till its over. 
• Habs still talking with Blue Jackets and Ducks.
• Leafs in big on Bobby Ryan and JVR for Schenn deal getting closer. 
• The Minnesota Wild have let teams know that Dany Heatly is available.
• I have received confirmation that James Van Riemsdyk will be dealt before deadline day unless something dramatic happens.

That's all for today. Follow me on twitter @BallHock

Rumor Update

Folks, we are exactly 3 weeks away from the deadline and the chatter around the NHL is heating up big time. Here are some of the rumblings from today:

• The LA Kings are desperately trying to re-unite the Carter/Richards connection in California. I am told that Dean Lombardi and his staff are preparing an offer that includes Jonathan Bernier, a 1st round pick and Jarret Stoll. This deal is already off its' feet and it could get done closer to the deadline.
• To accomodate the deal above, the Kings would need to move some salary cap and the Philadelphia Flyers have expressed strong interest in Jack Johnson. Los Angeles would likely ask for a 1st round pick and a prospect in return.
• I am still hearing noise about a Flyers/Leafs deal centered around Luke Schenn and James Van Riemsdyk. Brian Burke also wants Matt Read in return but it does not look like Paul Holmgren is going to go for that.
• The Nashville Predators are currently in discussions with the Canadiens regarding Andrei Kostitsyn. The Habs want a first round pick but would likely settle with Gabriel Bourque and Jordin Tootoo. I have been told that Kostitsyn met with a member of the Canadiens' management and Pierre Gauthier is prepared to make an offer to his agent this week. Gauthier is discussing a deal for 5 years and in between 18-20MM.
• I spoke with a scout from the Anaheim Ducks organization who said that Anaheim management is currently discussing two options.

- Option 1: Hold on to core (Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan) and deal dead weight (Selanne, Koivu) for draft picks.
- Option 2: Do what the Flyers did during the offseason and deal Getzlaf+Ryan for draft picks and young players.

What option do you think Anaheim should choose going forward?

Follow me on twitter for live updates. @BallHock

2 Weeks Away From Spring Training

Here is a pre-spring training playoff prediction for the upcoming Major League season.


AL East: New York Yankees
AL Central: Detroit Tigers
AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
AL Wild Cards: Texas Rangers & Tampa Bay Rays


NL East: Washington Nationals
NL Central: Cincinnati Reds
NL West: San Francisco Giants
NL Wild Cards: Philadelphia Phillies & Arizona Diamondbacks


With the addition of Edwin Jackson, the Washington Nationals are now serious playoff contenders. The old and injury prone Phillies will still make the postseason, but they will squeeze in with a wild card berth. The Yankees are looking good with the additions of Kuroda and Pineda while the ever so young and talented Rays will give them a nice challenge for the division title. The Reds will overtake the Cardinals in the Central meaning that the defending World champions will not be playing ball come October. The Giants will regain control of the NL West with the additions of Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, and the return of phenom Buster Posey. The Angels and Tigers will make the postseason after the acquisitions of their respective first-base sluggers. Texas will return to the playoffs but will not go very far (especially with rumors of a Josh Hamilton relapse). 


Could anyone envision a Strasburg/Verlander Game 1 of the World Series? I'll end it off on that note!


Hope you enjoyed. Leave your thoughts below!

Trade Deadline Is Coming

Today is the first day of February which means that the trade deadline is under a month away! Many teams will start making moves and the phone lines are going to begin to heat up. Every General Manager is going to do everything he can to get his team into the playoffs while ensuring the franchise's future as well. 

Some rumblings today:

• Calgary Flames love Alex Semin and are apparently willing to meet the Capitals demands. Demands likely begin with a first rounder + Greg Nemisz + more.

• Montreal is not going to make the playoffs. Today the Habs called up Louis Leblanc. Louis will play with Plekanec and Bourque so that Pierre Gauthier can showcase him with the hopes of shipping him off to Anaheim with a package in exchange for Ryan Getzlaf.  

• The Leafs and Ducks look like perfect trade partners but if they run into a wall, the Flyers could jump in to help satisfy all 3 teams. Toronto wants JVR and Ryan. Philly wants Schenn. Anaheim wants to build up for the future. Does not help Brian Burke that Nazem Kadri was demoted to the AHL today.

• Travis Moen and Hal Gill are among the Canadiens drawing the most interest. Gill's former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins would love to acquire his services and may even offer a 2nd round pick if the Habs wait this out a little while. Blackhawks, Capitals, and Red Wings are looking at Moen.

• The Senators are always quiet but a very reliable source told me that they are going after Tuomo Ruutu hard. They may even turn their attention to Jeff Carter if they cannot land Ruutu within the next two weeks.

• As the deadline gets closer, the Habs will offer the Predators Andrei Kostitsyn + Yannick Weber + 2nd round pick in exchange for Ryan Suter and Jordin Tootoo. Gauthier may attempt to sign AK long-term first to maximize his trade value.

Follow me on twitter for live updates @BallHock

Post All-Star Update

- Toronto Maple Leafs are going hard after Bobby Ryan. They have not had discussions with Columbus at all regarding Nash or Carter. Flyers and Ducks look like the most likely trade partners of the Leafs. Brian Burke is going to get his man.


- Montreal has no hope of making the postseason, especially after tonight's loss to the Sabres. This will motivate GM Pierre Gauthier to start unloading veterans who are in demand. These players include: Travis Moen, Hal Gill, Andrei Kostitsyn, Chris Campoli, and Yannick Weber.


- Red Wings and Blackhawks are interested in Travis Moen. Asking price is 2nd rounder now. Could drop.


- Capitals want Andrei Kostitsyn and Yannick Weber. Habs want their 1st round pick from Colorado (acquired in Varlamov trade) in return. McPhee does not want to give that up just yet. However, he could get desperate as the deadline looms around.


Last note: I was told that two Anaheim Ducks scouts were in Pittsburgh for tonight's Pens/Leafs game. I just received this text from one of them:
"Birthday boy was flying tonight. Didn't see enough of 43. Schenn looked solid"
- Tonight was Mikhail Grabovski's birthday, and #43 refers to Kadri.


Have a good night friends