It's that time of the year again!!!

[lmanchur.]

The trading deadline is just under two months away (March 13), but the rumors are absolutely flying around left, right, and center.

Blake AND Lindros AND Tkachuk to Toronto!?... NOT LIKELY... that's about $25 million American in salaries, and all the Leaf's income is in Canadian funds!

So what IS likely to happen? Here are my predictions:

Ron Tugnutt (G) from Columbus to Vancouver
Rob Blake (D) WILL be traded... my prediction is to either Pittsburgh or New Jersey... however, if he stays with LA for the playoffs, look for him to at least test out the free agent market.
Eventually, Eric Lindros (C) will be a Leaf... maybe not be until the offseason, though
Mike Peca (C) will sign with the Sabres before the playoffs
Teemu Selanne (RW) will be traded from Anaheim
Nikolia Khabibulin (G) will be moved as well... possibly to New York Rangers if Richter stops playing so good!
As always, a lot of "little" deals.


Let's keep this thread going as long as we can until the trade deadline!... bring up rumors or deals you think teams should make!

[Edited by SC-Lee on 01-20-2001 at 11:01 PM]

[Wedge231]

Awesome predictions! Nikolia Khabibulin to the Rangers! That is so cool. He is my favorite goalie in the league. I mean, just look at his name! How could you not like this guy. But it's true, Richter has been doing pretty good as of late.

[lmanchur.]

...well, EVERYONE needs a goalie, and Khabibulin is only 27 (Richter is late-30s) and VERY valuable, even though he may be a bit rusty from playing in the IHL for a while... I have heard from "good, reliable sources" that Tugnutt will be going to Vancouver because they need exaclty that.

...let's look at playoff contenders that really need a goalie: Rangers, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Chicago (not really contenders, but I could see Khabby there), Vancouver (can't afford Khabibulin, so Tugger will be OK for them), and Los Angeles.

Of those, only the Rangers could afford him... but there is a great possibility Khabby will just sign with Phoenix when Gretzky & company gets in there... if there is a trade, though, the only place I can see him going is New York.

HOWEVER, Sather (NYR GM) has never been one known to make big trades... so we'll see what happens...

...Wedge, u say you like his name?... just a test... type out how you would pronounce "Nikolia Khabibulin"!!!!!!!

[Wedge231]

Haviboolin. I dunno, that's about how they say it in NHL 98.

[lmanchur.]

nope -- Nikoli Habibulin

[Wedge231]

Ooops. Sorry.

[BTRoots]

Nikeleye Habeeboolin is just what the 'Nucks' need. Ron Tugnutt? Is he any better than the 'Cat'? Ooogh, I luv sports. Names, spelling, no obstackle (oops, wrong sport) obstacle. Eric Lindros? He wants to be a Leaf. Or nothing. Can someone lend the'Nucks' a couple/few/several million? We could do with Rob Blake, Mike Peca, Nikeleye, himself. Teemu Selanne? The old Jet? He's not only a player to be had, he even drops a signature at the hairdresser's, for a young kid he doesn't even know, free of charge. Not like another player I know. Interesting trades. Please send some trades out West. The NYR's have their star(s)(and $), the Leafs have their star, everyone has a star. The 'Nucks' have Naslund, and a few others, but they have to make their way yet. Potvin needs some encouragement, Essensa is doing fine (mostly). Mr. Burke has done a fine job for Vancouver (mostly), but, as much as I feel for our goalies, we need a starter. Tugnutt? From Columbus?

[ppsprotec]

We all know the undeserved power weilded by the sook Lindros.(He never played an NHL game,and dictated who he would or would not play for.He humilated the NHL draft when he would not put on the Quebec jersey,after being drafted first overall by Quebec.)Now he wants to dictate to the rest of the NHL,and Toronto,who he will only play for.From the few people I`ve talked to ,in and around the NHL,it seems Ken Dryden is too smart to spend 8 MIL.on a broken hockey player.After all would you pay todays list price, for a 1993 car,I think not,would Ken Dryden? Personaly I do not think anyone will pay 8 MIL. to see if Lindros can take a body check.If he dose play,I will only watch to see who will Knock him out next.The only team that will take Lindros,is a team trying to draw fans.PPS

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by CanFan
Nikeleye Habeeboolin is just what the 'Nucks' need. Ron Tugnutt? Is he any better than the 'Cat'?... Mr. Burke has done a fine job for Vancouver (mostly), but, as much as I feel for our goalies, we need a starter. Tugnutt? From Columbus?

Hey -- I didn't make that up! -- that's just what I heard!

But as for "is Tugnutt better than that Cat?", I would say most definitely yes.

What has Potvin done in the past three-five years? That question can be summed up with the next few blanks lines:




Tugnutt, along with Damian Rhodes, led the Senators to their first ever playoff series and, eventually, their first every playoff series victory.... Don't forget Tugnutt's brilliant performance last year, going to Pittsburgh at the deadline and beating the 2nd (or 3rd?) placed-team in the Eastern Conference (Washington) in the first round of the playoffs.

Tugnutt is definitely better than Potvin. If this rumor is true, the Canucks should definitely pull them off. With Tugger, the Cancucks, I think, would definitely have a shot at playing in the Western Finals.

Potvin needs to re-prove himself as a starter... really, what has he done since '93 or '94?

[Wedge231]

Bryan Berard for Potvin.... Haha, tells you a little about Islander management the last few years.

[lmanchur.]

Yeah... the Islanders are REALLY screwed up... what is Milbury thinking, and is there anyone ranked higher than him in management!? -- obviously no one that knows anything about hockey, or else he would've/should've been fired a LONG time ago.... they had possibly the best two young goalies in the NHL -- Roberto Loungo (did you see him play at the '99 juniors!... just tells you Canadians can still produce talent!), and... well... I forget the other one's name.

So they traded away both of them -- Loungo to Florida... and before that they traded what could have been the center of their team -- Felix Potvin.

Now they have Beezer who's old and washed-out... and don't forget that "amazing" Rick DiPietro who they drafted who publically said he'd shutout Canada at the 2001 World Juniors this January in the semi-finals... Canada beat the USA 2-1.... later DiPietro was so upset he wouldn't speak to the media after the game.

They do have SOME good players -- Tim Connolly makes the highlite reels every once in a while... ummm.... ummm... yeah -- probably a few more but that's about it... OH: Brad Isbister. That's about all I can squeeze out from that team.... they suck.

[BTRoots]

Hey PPS, couldn't agree with you more. Didn't like the guy from the outset. He did have his good points back when, and who knows, he may again. If he wants to go to the big T, then he should be able to go. Let them figure it out. Why hang on to someone who wants to leave? Yashin? The Sens made their point, but the guy still wants to leave. We in Nuck's land still need a goalie and a star or couple/few. Tugnutt is definitely better than Potvin according to one source on this board. I don't pretend to know. Right about now, even Eric the Soft looks good. This is not to take away from Mr. Naslund and the whole company. Teemu would look good wearing an Orca, but not only couldn't we afford him, the city wouldn't allow him to store all those vehicles on his own property! We must keep the city and its people healthy, clean and bored.

[BTRoots]

SC Lee;

I know you didn't make it up. I read myself that our own Mr. Burke is interested in Tugnutt. Don't know much about him so can't make any inteligent comments here. I trust your opinion. Still wish we could have Teemu though. Posted my thoughts on that to PPS. Any suggestions as to any 'star' who might be available to the 'Nucks? Realize that the advent of the'Moose' was an aberration (of his choosing) and should be forgotten. Vancouver is a beautiful place, though getting more boring by the minute, with all that we are losing. But, we can always look out the window and see the snow covered mountains, and if you're lucky, the ocean, all in one vista. Someone's got to like it here.

[lmanchur.]

...I've been on the outskirts of Vancouver (going through to get to the fairy (is that how they spell it... the fairy boat?) to goto Victoria and yeah, it's nice... the DRIVE there from Manitoba is amazing!!!... but I don't think that has a lot to do with anything at the trading deadline... *maybe* if the player were a free agent, but not at the trading deadline....

...I doubt the Finnish Flash will be heading to Vancouver... the Cancuks couldn't afford him, methinks.

I really can't see any "superstar" or "star" level player joining Vancouver, but they do have some realy good talent.. I think I said it -- they are EXCELLENT contenders to make it to the third round of the playoffs this year.

[BTRoots]

SC Lee: No, no Finnish Flash, no super star, or star, for Vancouver. Too poor. It would be nice though. No, mountains and oceans don't cut it when one is after the best $, be it trading deadline or free agency. Not in Canada anyway. Yes, we have talent here. Not to take away from the Canucks. Not my intention. We'll get back up there. Faith in my team.

Fairy boat? Sure, if you want. Ever seen a baby Orca at Grand Beach? Or a pod in the lagoons? I was born and raised in Manitoba, and yes, the drive is awsome. It, however, doesn't alleviate my anger and frustration with the NHL and its powers that be. I'm participating, trying to vent some of same, but not finding it much help. Fun though.

[icas]

I heard that the Flyers and Leafs have continued talks and that Lindros could be gone by Monday or Tuesday... interesting turn around from Clarke's comments

[lmanchur.]

Yes... I heard this also. The only Canadian sports networks, and therefore, the ONLY sports networks I get, are all based in Toronto, and they're all over this story!

...as of now, though, it's not done yet.

[BTRoots]

Love or hate the guy, I sincerely hope TO gets him. It seems to be the place he wants to be, and they could surely use him. He does belong somewhere. Players should have a say in where they go. We'll have to wait to see how this cookie crumbles ...:)

[Jersey Devil]

I have been a Flyer's fan all my life, and Eric used to be my favorite Flyer until the injuries started to pile up. IF he can recover, and not suffer another concussion, he'll be one of the best players in the league. That may a big if though, and that's why the Flyers HAVE to get rid of this guy, especially with his large contract being up this year. If they let him go for nothing, I'll be extremely ticked off.

The deal on the table has the Leafs sending two players, Nik Antropov and Danny Markov, to the Flyers for Lindros (who would then sign something like a 5 year, $45 million contract). The Flyers would also get a draft pick, most likely first-rounder.

There are many things holding up the deal that make it interesting. If that package is dealt, the Flyers may or may not ship these players off to Pheonix for Keith Tkachuk. Also, the Flyers are trying to pry away defenseman Tomas Kaberle from the Leafs, since he has more potential and isn't bothered by an injury right now. They may then send Kaberle out to the Kings for Blake.

I'm suprised that the Flyers are getting this much for someone out of hockey with injuries to the extent which Lindros has. I'm just hoping they get smart and accept one of these deals ASAP. Good luck to Lindros in the future, but good riddens to him now. The Flyers have been doing fine without him the last couple years.

[lmanchur.]

Pat Quinn (Leaf Head Coach/General Manager) head a news conference today saying they met nearly everything the Flyers wanted for Lindros, but they just wouldn't do it.

Stupid.

I think it is OK for the Leafs, anyway. They can do fine without him. They have enough grit, which is what they were missing last year, no doubt about that. Sure, they've been sliding lately, but now that Lindros is out of the way, they can focus and play like they did back in October and November. They can still go for home ice advantage or, at the very least, 5th spot in the east.

Personally, I don't think the deal would have been good for Toronto. Sure, if they get a 100% healty Lindros, it's fine, but I would have bet that he would've gone down within the first two months, and they would have given all of their younger players up (and a lot of cash!) for nothing!

[BTRoots]

Now this is just my opinion :), but I think Lindros might have been good for TO. He is still a player of much note, TO is where he wanted to be, and who knows? He may have stayed healthy, by choice. Clarke is playing his own game, VERY pleased with himself for denying Lindros his wish, and driving up his price (to Philly's delight). Say what you will, this player still has tons to give to the game and someone, somewhere, wants him. Clarke is having fun with his powers, the ability to squash another's hopes. The likes of Lindros do not refuse to play the game, or be denied the right to play the game, for no reason. Even Messier left his beloved NYR. He also returned when the time was right. Perhaps Clarke will lose his job and Lindros will be able to gladly return to Philly to Fly. Who are we to pretend to be able to read another's mind?

Mario (am I actually typing this name?) came back. Give Lindros a chance. :D

[lmanchur.]

Right now, if I were an NHL GM, I would NOT sign Eric Lindros... it's just too risky to give up a lot of youth and players for a player that could be down in two weeks or a few months.

Lemieux was different... it wasn't concussions... it was nearly a different situation EVERY TIME he left.