Another hot rumor this morning!

OTTAWA — If often-criticized defenceman Bryan McCabe is a potential victim of the imminent Maple Leafs housecleaning as is expected, it likely will not come via the buyout route.

That was the word yesterday from Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher, who is aware that McCabe’s average salary of $5.75 million US translates to a hefty cap hit (almost $3-million per season for six years) in the event the Leafs attempted to buy him out.

The more logical way to go is to trade the veteran defenceman, the belief being that McCabe might waive the no-movement clause in his contract in order to go to a preferable destination such as the New York Islanders. The McCabes spend their off-seasons on Long Island, where Bryan’s wife, Roberta, grew up.

One theory making the rounds here leading up to tomorrow’s 2008 entry draft was that the Leafs might attempt to include McCabe and their No. 7 overall pick to the Islanders for a package that includes the No. 5 selection. By moving up two spots, the Leafs likely would land either Niagara defenceman Alex Pietrangelo or Russian forward Nikita Filatov, two players they covet.

But rather than make a knee-jerk reaction deal, the Leafs are thinking that it might be more prudent to wait until August when McCabe’s value on the market could swell slighty. With only two blue-chip free-agent blue liners — Brian Campbell and Wade Redden — available in free agency, McCabe, who has struggled the past couple of seasons, might fetch more interest by teams desperate to augment their back end.

Toronto Sun Article

Not sure I like this as it goes against two statements from Garth. Why lose the fifth overall and absorb cap space and age?

The only way I like this deal is if we get McCabe, the #7 pick, and one of Kyle Wellwood or Alexei Ponikarovsky. We get a top pairing d-man, retain a great first round pick and get a young veteran to retain the “youth movement” feeling.

From the Ottawa Sun, it’s Bruce Garrioch so take that for what its worth!

Olli Jokinen has packed his bags.

League sources told Sun Media yesterday that the Panthers centre has told GM Jacques Martin he wants out and the club will try to grant his wish during this weekend’s NHL draft in Ottawa.

While Jokinen’s agent, Mark Gandler, wouldn’t confirm the trade demand, indications are the relationship between Jokinen and Martin is so strained that incoming coach Peter DeBoer won’t be able to help soothe things over.

“The player’s job is to play. The manager’s job is to manage,” said Gandler.

It’s believed the Flames have made a pitch for Jokinen, who played for current Calgary coach Mike Keenan in Florida.

The Panthers, however, are going to want more than forward Alex Tanguay from the Flames if they’re going to make a deal.

The Flames aren’t alone in their pursuit of Jokinen. Sources say the Coyotes, Blues, Canucks, Wild and Islanders have all shown an interest in Jokinen.

Ottawa Sun Article on Jokinen

This is one rumor that makes my eyebrow raise a bit. Jokinen is a guy who has been rumored on the move for quite some time. He is a true first line center, a player the Islanders sorely lack and he is at the ripe old age of 29. He fits into the mold of a rebuild and like I mentioned legitimizes the Islanders first line ten-fold.

What would go back the other way? Picks and prospects I imagine - Comeau, Tambellini?

Interesting though that this way the first rumor I heard this morning of what would be a “reunion” of Islanders alumni. Would Snow try to tempt fate and reverse all the ill-dealings of the Milbury era?

Interesting.

Poor poor MAB, regulated to secondary minutes some games and flat out benched for a majority of his time with the Ducks - Marc-Andre Bergeron has been traded again, this time to the Minnesota Wild for a third round draft pick. Seems the only thing consistent with MAB is his NHL trade value - a third round draft pick.

Per Michael Russo’s blog at the Star Tribune in Minnesota:

The Wild has traded a third-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron, a hard-shooting, strong-skating player who scored 15 goals in 2005-06 for the Oilers and a career-high 46 points in 2006-07 for the Islanders and Oilers (He was traded to the Isles for Denis Grebeshkov, whom the Oilers are extremely high on).

His 38 goals the past three years rank ninth among NHL defensemen.

Bergeron was dealt to the Ducks from the Islanders in February after scoring nine goals and 18 points in 46 games for the Isles. Bergeron didn’t get in any playoff games for the deep blue-line Ducks.

Bergeron is considered mid-range defenseman. According to a writer in Edmonton, “he can shoot like hell and skate, but he’s very unsure of himself, doesn’t have a lot of self-esteem, gets down on himself. He also struggles at times in his own end. He’s serviceable. He’s can play some reasonable minutes, but he’s prone to mistakes the more minutes he gets.”

What I know of him is he’s one of the hardest-shooting defensemen in the NHL. He’s got a bullet, like a left-shot Kurtis Foster, only much smaller. He also tends to have blinders in his own zone as far as picking up guys that are closing in on him. But this is a depth move as the Wild looks to replace guys like Sean Hill, Petteri Nummelin, Keith Carney and potentially Foster at the start of the season.

Oh well, maybe MAB can find his place on the Wild and under his 4th coach in 3 seasons. Hey, it’s bound to happen sooner or later - right? Being traded this many times does not do anything for someone with on going confidence issues, that’s for sure.

Howdy ya’ll! You know it’s funny sometimes, I was just talking with Tom Liodice on AIM on how tonight was going to be a night off from posting - yet here I am feverishly typing away. I will make this one quick though because it’s got my brain working overtime (while trying to relax).

There was a bunch of discussion yesterday after the deadline about a deal that almost happened. Speculation ran rampant on who this player was. Garth Snow spoke of this deal in an interview on the Islanders Website. When asked the following question - The biggest story for some is that you didn’t make what would be classified as big moves. Did you come close? Garth answered:

Yes. To be honest, there was one pretty big deal that was close but just didn’t get done on either side. Things happen and don’t happen for a reason. It’s always something we can look into again down the road.

Greg Logan had tried to squeeze Snow for whatever he could on this non-move, what he did manage to get was interesting and he posted it in today’s story in Newsday:

Snow said he considered trading for an impact player who was not part of any other deal yesterday but decided against it because it would have required him to break up this team for the playoff run. The GM added that he never asked Satan to waive his no-trade clause.

For anyone wondering how the relationship between blogger and mainstream media is - I can tell you that it is good. Greg Logan has been one of the most welcoming voices around and he isn’t afraid to share or give his opinion to us. Just last night we happened to be speaking of this very subject. I pressed Greg for anything he had and he seemed to believe that the team involved was in the Western Conference. I spent the better part of today thinking about WHO this player could be because of the statement from Garth that it could happen again “down the road”.

Thinking back to yesterday’s moves - we dealt primarily with Western Conference teams - Anaheim, San Jose and a mid-western team in Minnesota. I don’t really see Anaheim dealing any impact players as they are pretty much a lock for the post season but they could move Doug Weight. Would they move Getzlav though? Minnesota I don’t know all that much about - but I sincerely doubt that they move Gaborik or Demitra. Do the Wild have any other impact players? This brings us to the Sharks - right off the bat everyone would say names like Roenick, Marleau and Grier. One name that jumps off the page at me is Jonathan Cheechoo.

Cheechoo is a player who has been holding his own for some time; he plays hard, hits hard and is a gritty player. One would say that he is a “Ted Nolan” type player - coincidentally he is the quintessential Nolan type player. Cheechoo was influenced by Ted Nolan growing up and Ted Nolan has helped Cheechoo throughout his career. Cheechoo and Nolan are both members of different First Nations’ tribes - Nolan has been a calming voice, father figure and role model for numerous players throughout the years, including the recently traded Chris Simon.

We may never find out who this deal was originally for, or we may find out if it ever does wind up happening it could go either way. Something that does gives this “almost move” merit is the fact that Garth had been working the phones and obviously dealt with San Jose during the day. Did discussions with the Sharks continue down to the zero hour of the deadline? The only thing that doesn’t change is Cheechoo’s connection and respect for Ted Nolan and this could lead to Jonathan finding himself in an Islanders sweater someday soon.

I think it’s time for another poll!!!

Let’s Vote!

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I intended to post this right after the Garth Snow press conference, but my website obviously had other ideas for me. While we were waiting for Garth to come in and address the media, we saw one of the equipment managers bring in Davison’s jersey - which sent us all into a flurry asking if he would be playing in tonights game.

Rob Davison will be wearing number 3, but only if his flight makes it here from Columbus on time. This is all per Chris Botta - so we consider this fact.

Here is a picture of Garth Snow from the press conference:

Tambellini is also on his way up from the Bridgeport Sound tigers - and like I said earlier, he will likely find his way into the lineup permanently. There are some who feel that Tambellini will suffer the wrath of an angry Ted Nolan now that Chris Simon has been traded. Ted was clearly unhappy that Simon was moved, but I felt that this was more of a positive than a negative. The Islanders showcased Simon earlier in the week - and only managed two penalties (not exactly spectacular).

It is unclear if Pittsburgh will have enough time to make the necessary callups or if their new players will make the game in time. Should be an interesting game to watch though.

The Islanders proved that they were more builders than sellers.

You can also catch a video that Jim Baumbach had taken of Tom, BD and myself on Newsday’s site, check it out!

The Islanders have now shipped out Marc-Andre Bergeron to the Ducks for a 3rd round pick.

My reaction, well…..I know for a fact that there will be a reaction in defensive gaffes for the Islanders. Berard should see steady ice time and power play time - when he has been given consistent time, he has been a powerhouse and I think he will excel with the chance. Brendan Witt is also set to return for the game this Saturday - which is a pretty big development in and of itself.

Per the Islanders website:

“We appreciate all the good things that Chris and Marc-Andre have done for the organization, but these trades allow us to play our younger kids especially Jeff Tambellini,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “Jeff is going to have an opportunity to play here and for us to reunite the ‘Kid Line’.”

Tambellini has played in 16 games with the Islanders this season and has scored one goal while splitting his time with Bridgeport. In 46 games with the Sound Tigers this season, Tambellini leads the AHL with 29 goals and is fifth in the league in scoring with 58 points. He was acquired by the Islanders at the trade deadline in March of 2006 along with Denis Grebeshkov for Mark Parrish and Brent Sopel. In 64 career NHL games, Tambellini has scored four goals with ten assists for 14 points.

Bergeron, who was in his second season with the Islanders, has scored nine goals with nine assists for 18 points in 46 games. He was acquired by the Islanders last season with a third round draft selection for Grebeshkov. In 69 games with the Islanders over the two seasons, Bergeron scored 15 goals with 24 assists for 39 points.

Here is the take of TSN:

The Anaheim Ducks added some blueline depth on Tuesday, acquiring Marc-Andre Bergeron from the New York Islanders for a third round draft pick.

Bergeron, who has nine goals and 18 points in 46 games this season, has spent part of the last two seasons with the Islanders after being acquired in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers.

In 258 games over four-plus seasons, he has 48 goals and 127 points.

Au Revoir Marc-Andre, thanks for the memories!