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Leaf Rumours

When other teams know you're in serious salary cap trouble, and especially when you 're one of the league's better teams, then you're in a very weak negotiating position. Nobody's going to be lining up to do them any favours, and nobody's going to give up quality players/draft picks for their salary dumps, because they know that when push comes to shove, Chicago HAS to make a deal, unless they want to put Huet and Sopel in the minors and eat their salaries. I also don't think teams will be lining up to take Kris Versteeg or Dave Bolland without sending any salary back Chicago's way---as much as they're both servicable players, they're both WAY overpaid at $3M+.

Just look at when New Jersey was over the cap going into the season a few years back. They had to give up their 1st round pick in order to dump the necessary salary to get them under the cap. So Chicago's likely either going to have to do something similar (package a high draft pick/good prospect with a player like Bolland or Versteeg), or salary dump a better player like Sharp.
 
That's not particularly true.......their negotiation leverage will be dictated by the players they decide to move, and how much interest other teams have in said players. The fact they won the cup, and are in cap trouble likely really only comes into play if they've just got one or two teams interested.
 
Metalleaf said:
watch Burke get Sharp for peanuts while taking on an extra salary or something.
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That's something the Leafs have as a big edge over Columbus. The Jackets have financial problems and can't afford to go to the cap max, let alone taking on salary just to get Sharp.
 
Sharp is a very interesting case.

In some ways, he's a solid player, signed to a fairly reasonable deal. He makes a great support player on a top line, or can be the focal point of a second line on any team around.

But Chicago's in tough shape, and it's not like he's cheap. It really depends what they want. My guess is they could get either a solid prospect, or a first and an average prospect. I think there will be enough teams that miss out on the top few FA that will want a player like him, even if they have to give talent for him.
 
Metalleaf said:
do you really think Columbus would give up Voracek though?
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Apparently they're desperate to get into the playoffs next year, and the single biggest piece that they need to do it is an elite puck carrying defender/PP QB.

They're always cost conscious so an option like Campbell probably isn't as appealing to them as it would be to other teams in a similar roster situation, and their top 6 forward group is pretty decent, especially if Filatov comes across.

They can "afford" to part with Voracek, and desperately require blueline help if they're going to do anything next year.

All the stars are lined up properly for them to make that type of short sighted move, and we're in an excellent position to capitalize on it if they're willing to pull the trigger on it.

If they can get Kaberle to ink an extension at reasonable money (~5.5), I think there is a deal there, especially considering the fact that they're one of the teams rumoured to have been in contact with an offer.
 
link

- Rumours suggest that the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to move Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg prior to July 1st. The Leafs, Blue Jackets and Canadiens are the three teams I've heard interested in Sharp while the Oilers, Blues, Devils and Islanders have kicked the tires at Versteeg. The Blackhawks are in serious cap trouble and will be looking to fix that as soon as possible.

- Jeff Carter's name is also back in the rumour mill, and once again he is linked to a trio of Canadian teams: Toronto, Montreal and Calgary. The Flyers would be interested in Kaberle from Toronto, Price/Halak from Montreal and Backlund and a d-man from Calgary.
 
I can't see this trade happening. But IF it does, it would work out in NJ's favour. Broduer is geting up their in age, isnt the goalie he used to be, and maybe has 2 seasons left in him, better to get something for him then lose him for nothing. Semin is a 40 goal winger, who's only 24, and his best years are ahead of him, NJ would be getting a legit sniper for many years to come.
 
heh.

NJ is not trading Brodeur. No way.

And the way the 2 goalies played in the last playoff, Brodeur would be a downgrade from Varlamov.
 
The Devils aren't trading away Brodeur. That would be akin to the Wings trading Yzerman or the Nords/Avs trading Sakic. It's not going to happen.
 
I wouldn't put anything past Lou. He can fire a coach at any time and he can trade a player at any time. He's unpredictable.

Not saying what Eklund is posting is true though...
 
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