For all of the talk and rumours going around about big name trades this off-season, there really hasn’t been that much. Sure Nathan Horton, Jaroslav Halak, and Jason Arnott were traded, but after that there hasn’t really been all that much to be honest. I think that in the coming days this will change. The key figure holding everything up right now is Ilya Kovalchuk. The Kings and Devils are actively pursuing him, with rumblings of the Islanders, Flyers, and Rangers having interest. After he gets signed, I think that a number of dominoes will start falling and some potentially big names will be on the move.
Let’s have a look at the big names that are in all of the rumours…
Tomas Kaberle: The Maple Leaf D-man who seems to always have his name in the trade headlines. Since he is going into the last year of his contract, and I doubt that he really fits into the Leafs long-term plans, I don’t see him sticking around. They need to trade him now because his no trade clause kicks back in on August 15th. I think that a lot of teams are interested in a solid puck moving defensemen with Columbus, Boston, and Philly being the favoruites I think.
Status: DEAL– If I were to bet, I would have him going to Columbus, or maybe even Chicago. There were rumours of a Kaberle/Grabovshki for Campbell/Sharpe deal a few weeks back which could be interesting. 
Simon Gange: There have been rumblings that he will waive his no trade clause, but then there are equal rumblings that he won’t. After the Flyers signed Zherdev, and still don’t have a goalie, it seems like they need to free up some cap space. I’m not certain who would trade for him, but I’d like to see Montreal get in the hunt, just so they can have a top-flight French Canadian player that they always seem to want. Also, a lot of talk of him going to LA if they can’t land Kovy.
Status: NO DEAL — I just don’t see this one happening. Simon would need to approve of any trades, and if I were him I’d stay put. He’s got a damn good team around him, I don’t see him wanting to give that up, especially for the hometown pressure that would go with him being in Montreal.
Jeff Carter: The other Flyer forward that may prove to be excessive. The Flyers do not want to part with him, but they may not have much choice. Their other big name forwards either have No Trade Clauses (Gagne, Briere, Richards), low contracts that they don’t want to dump (Giroux, Van Riemsdyk). And this team needs to dump someone up front. If Gagne won’t allow himself to be traded, Carter maybe the next best option. I know that a lot of teams would line up for this guy and be willing to trade a premium of prospects and/or picks to get this guy. The Flyers have a very deep far system, and it could get a lot deeper.
Status: DEAL. It may break Flyer Fans hearts, but I see it happening. If LA doesn’t get Kovy, I think they’ll go after him. I don’t see the Flyers trading him to an Eastern Conference, so look for him to go somewhere in the Leftmost Conference. If not LA then perhaps Anaheim or Columbus.
Jason Spezza: After being booed several times this year, apparently he wants out. This has been much quieter than the Heatley situation last year, but I still think that it’s very likely going to happen. I don’t know who will make the offer, but I feel it coming. Edmonton was linked, but I just don’t see them needing another centre, especially a veteran one. Again, I think that LA could go for him if they don’t get Kovy, and there is always the Rangers or Jackets who want a top line guy to feed Gaborik or Nash.
Status: DEAL. I don’t know who will land him, but I think it’ll happen. He may be a third option for some teams after Kovalchuk and the Flyers forwards.
Vincent LeCavalier: Ah the annual rumours about Vinny going to Montreal and/or LA. They don’t seem to be dying down, especially with a new GM in Tampa. Obviously the Habs feel that he “belongs” in Montreal, and have for a very, very long time. But there are two very obvious obstacles to this deal, a No Trade Clause and Money. Believe it or not, Vinny was the highest paid NHLer last season, despite slipping down to second line duty behind Stamkos. Would the Habs, Kings, or anyone else want to take on a huge contract with the hope that he can bounce back?
Status: NO DEAL. It’s just not going to happen, at least not yet. I know that Yzerman would love to get rid of him but he’d have to take a pretty big contract back, and he may not want to. Also, Vinny seems to like living and playing in Tampa. He’s got a Cup, he’s got a nice life for himself, I think that he’ll stick it out longer.
Marc Savard: After Boston drafted Tyler Seguin, it seemed like they have one too many people down the middle. While the foursome of Krecji, Seguin, Savard, and Bergeron seems great, there are only so many minutes in the game. Savard seems like the odd man out, but with his huge, long-term contract and his uncertain health, will anyone take him? There were rumours that he would waive his NTC to Toronto or Ottawa for his family, but do they want him? Do they have anything that they can offer him? I really don’t know.
Status: DEAL. I think that he’ll end up in Toronto, even if he’s not a “Brian Burke Type Player”. But then again, Kessel really isn’t either. I think that they’ll try to get him to reunite the two so that they can repeat their success from the other year. And I think that the Bruins are going to get desperate to sell in order to free up some cap room. I don’t know who the Leafs can give him, but I think that it’ll happen.
Bobby Ryan: The Ducks and their young forward are in the middle of a good old fashion contract dispute that doesn’t seem to be resolving itself. There have been rumours that the man picked after Crosby could be on the move. A lot of teams are not-surprisingly interested.
Status: NO DEAL. He means too much to the Ducks to go anywhere.
Evgeni Malkin: The Pens are short on wingers and high on centres. With three world class men down the middle, it seems like one of them will need to go. Obviously the entire league would be interested.
Status: NO F’N WAY THAT HE WILL BE DEALT. I mean, seriously internet, you come up with the craziest things someday.
That just about does it, let’s see if I’m right or not…
Until next time,
G
Tags: 17 posts, Hockey, Laying it on the line, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, predictions, Stanley Cup
