Smyth responds to rumors
Colorado LW Ryan Smyth has heard his name in recent trade rumors, but he tells The Denver Post he has no intention of waiving his no-movement clause.”It’s a little mind-boggling, obviously,” Smyth told The Post. “I’ve got three years left on my deal, and I really like it here. Obviously we’re not doing as well as we should be this year. We’ve lost a few key players who could really help us, but by no means are we out of this playoff race.”
The Ottawa Sun reported, however, that Avs GM Francois Giguere is shopping Smyth, and it cites league sources that say the Canadiens are studying whether to pursue Smyth.
Smyth, 33, is in the second year of a five-year, $31.25M contract.
“I’ve been blessed to have that part [a no-movement clause] of my deal, and I haven’t heard a thing (from Avs management), so I’m going to leave it at that,” Smyth told The Post.
Bruins make the list
D Tomas Kaberle has included the Bruins among the 10 teams he would agree to be traded to, according to The Boston Globe.Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, however, told The Globe he will trade Kaberle only if “someone blows me away” before the March 4 trade deadline.
“I like this guy. Bet on him staying,” Burke told the Toronto Star.
Kaberle has a no-trade clause, but The Globe and Mail reported that if the Leafs fail to make the playoffs they can trade him to any team between June 26 and Aug. 15.
“If I’m not a part of the future, I won’t mind to waive my no-trade clause,” Kaberle told the Star. “You don’t want to do anything (to stand in the way) if you’re not part of the team in the future.
“I want to play for the Leafs and win the Stanley Cup. If it’s not going to happen, then I have to move on.”
Kaberle, 30, will average $4.25M per season on the two years remaining on his contract, a bargain for a good puck-carrying defenseman.
Kaberle last season prevented a trade to the Flyers that involved F Jeff Carter, according to the Toronto Sun.
More fuel for Cole fire
Although Oilers LW Erik Cole remains linked to the Bruins, the Ottawa Sun reports the Penguins and Canadiens have jumped into the bidding.Cole recently had been telling friends he expects to join the Bruins soon, according to the Boston Herald.
The Herald said the speculation had F Vladimir Sobotka and D Matt Lashoff heading to Edmonton in the deal.
Oilers scout Dave Semenko had been making frequent visits to watch the Bruins earlier this month, so the Boston Globe suggested the two teams were working on a deal.
Edmonton is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, but the Oilers are willing to move Cole rather than end up with nothing if he walks as an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Bruins D Matt Hunwick’s name has also been mentioned in rumors involving Cole going to Boston, according to the Globe.
Kubina meets with GM
Maple Leafs D Pavel Kubina met Saturday with GM Brian Burke to discuss his future with the team, according to the Toronto Sun.”It went really well,” Kubina told the Sun. “Brian didn’t even ask me for a list of any teams I might be open to going to.
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I don’t want to leave this team just for a shot at the playoffs with someone else. That’s not who I am.”
Kubina had been expected to follow teammate Tomas Kaberle’s example and agree to provide the Leafs with a list of 10 teams to which he would agree to be traded.
Although Kubina and Kaberle have no-trade clauses, The Globe and Mail reported their deals have provisions allowing the Leafs to trade them between June 26 and Aug. 15 if they miss the playoffs.
Kubina recently told the Toronto Sun he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause.
“If Brian [Burke, the Leafs' GM] and the team did not want me here, why would I stick around?” Kubina previously told the Sun.
“Having said that, it’s an honour to play for the Leafs. I want to stay.”
Kubina, who signed a four-year, $20M deal with the Leafs before the 2006-07 season, was almost traded to the Sharks last season, but he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.
Twins help their cause
The agent for Fs Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin tells The Vancouver Province that he and the Canucks remain far apart on terms and money and still have to resolve the issue of a no-movement clause in contract negotiations.The Sedins, who can become unrestricted free agents July 1, could deserve around $6.5M per season over five years, but Canucks GM Mike Gillis is looking for a shorter contract and less money because of the uncertain economy, according to The Province.
The 29-year-olds have helped their cause lately with strong play and rank first and second in club scoring (Daniel has 59 points and Henrik has 57 points in 59 games).
Interest in Kovalev
The Blue Jackets are interested in Canadiens F Alexei Kovalev, according to the Ottawa Sun.The paper said the Penguins have not yet had any discussions with the Habs about Kovalev.
‘Walt’ waits
The Blues haven’t asked F Keith Tkachuk to waive his no-movement clause yet, but that will change soon, according to the Ottawa Sun.The paper said Tkachuk would like to go to the Bruins, but they might not have as much interest in him.
Tkachuk is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $4.5M this season.
Brodeur needs more practice
Devils G Martin Brodeur’s return is looking more like it’s going to be Saturday against the Panthers or Sunday against the Flyers, according to the New York Post.The paper said New Jersey coach Brent Sutter wants Brodeur to face more game simulations in practice.
Brodeur had surgery Nov. 6 to repair a torn biceps tendon.
Brodeur is seven victories behind Patrick Roy’s NHL record of 551.
Neil talks should lead to his exit
The Senators and RW Chris Neil are far apart in contract talks, leading to the likelihood he will be dealt before the trade deadline, according to the Ottawa Sun.Neil’s agent is seeking more than $2M per season and the Sens have offered around $1.5M per year, according to the Sun.
The paper said the Sharks and Wings are interested in Neil, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Ottawa would likely get a second-round pick in return, according to the Sun.
The Sun previously listed the Coyotes, Oilers, Ducks and Bruins as potential suitors.
More blue-line movement in Atlanta
The Thrashers are shopping Ds Ron Hainsey and Niclas Havelid, according to the Ottawa Sun.The paper said both are expected to be traded by the deadline.
Senators look for more deals
The Senators will trade D Christoph Schubert soon, according to the Ottawa Sun.The paper said the Oilers and Lightning might be interested.
Ottawa is interested in D Ladislav Smid, according to the Sun.
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