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Just past the 15 game mark for most teams, ever
closer to the infamous 20 game plateau when most GMs take a hard look at
their teams. As a result, the trade rumor mill is in full swing. Here is the
latest:
Toronto…truly, Leaf fans are passionate
about their team – as this is pretty much the only explanation for the
growing number of broken ankles from Leaf fans jumping off the bandwagon. It
also is likely the only explanation for the bizarre trade rumors coming out
of Hogtown. The latest has been the Leafs trying to deal
Darcy Tucker, either with
Shayne Corson, or separately, for a scoring forward, or Tucker and young
defenceman
Carlo Colaiacovo to the Oilers for
Eric Brewer. Another interesting deal has the Flames inquiring about
Tucker and dangling disgruntled center
Marc Savard. The Avalanche are also said to be looking at Tucker, as
their bagel for home wins is not sitting very well with GM
Pierre Lacroix at all. And finally, there is the more likely scenario of
the Leafs inquiring with the Florida Panthers on re-acquiring
Dmitri Yushkevich. This deal seems most plausible, as the Leafs are said
to be offering
Alyn McCauley and
Karel Pilar for him. Clearly, the issue for the Leafs has been their
poor defensive play and much of that has been traced to: a) the new
obstruction rules, b) the absence of Yushkevich, c) the loss of
Cujo, and d) the poor play of the Leafs’ defencemen. Yushkevich was a
leader in the locker room and with the Leafs situation right now, the
division in the room appears to be significant.
Ed Belfour has been good, but he is not Cujo and makes the Leafs defence
look quite porous. The new rules on obstruction mean that neither
Jyrki Lumme nor
Bryan McCabe are able to do their infamous kayak paddle move (where they
skate parallel to the opposing player and then place their stick firmly into
the bread-basket of the player). Much depends on how “Stand”
Pat Quinn reacts to the growing pressure on the Leafs. At this juncture,
it’s a good thing they play in the Eastern Conference….
In Florida, the Panthers have advised that
Valeri Bure,
Viktor Kozlov,
Sandis Ozolinsh,
Dmitri Yushkevich or any of the other Panther veterans are available for the
right price. Many teams have inquired, particularly about Ozolinsh and/or
Yushkevich; but the price for either is said to be two blue chip prospects
that are ready to play next year. The Atlanta Thrashers and the Rangers have
joined the Leafs in pursuit of Yushkevich, while the Blues are said to
sniffing around with Ozolinsh on their mind….
In Edmonton, the Oilers lack-luster play
has seen the team part with the unmotivated
Jiri Dopita, and rumored further changes are destined, unless the team
turns their fortunes around.
Tommy Salo has been less than Salo-like and the Oilers defence has
looked woeful on more than a few occasions. More grit is needed, but the
rumored Tucker and Colaiacovo deal for
Eric Brewer is neither smart nor practical from the Oilers perspective.
They are seeking more production from the 2nd line, and
Mike York seems to have dropped off the RADAR.
Marty Reasoner is back in the line-up and might be worth a few weeks of
riding as a result. Money will be an issue in any deal that the Oilers make,
but making the playoffs is a must for GM Lowe and ownership….
On Long Island, GM
Mike Milbury is getting an itchy trigger finger as the Islanders have
come out of the gate, and fallen flat on their faces.
Alexei Yashin,
Adrian Aucoin and
Kenny Jonsson continue to log huge minutes, but their support from the
other players has been wanting.
Chris Osgood has not played well, and Milbury seems reluctant to promote
Rick Dipietro from the farm. Latest rumor has the Isles still interested
in
Valeri Bure from Florida, but they are also said to be inquiring what
the asking price is for the Flames
Marc Savard. The Isles have been playing
Roman Hamrlik in efforts to showcase him, and there are a number of
teams interested in the ‘Hammer’ – most notably the Leafs, Coyotes and
Thrashers….
And finally, in LA, the Kings are also
still shopping for a stop gap until
Jason Allison returns, and Florida’s
Viktor Kozlov, the Flames’
Marc Savard and the Sens’
Radek Bonk are on their wish list. The Kings have been struggling of
late with Allison out, and
Adam Deadmarsh and
Ziggy Palffy playing hurt. The ultra-competitive Western Conference may
force the hand of GM
Dave Taylor, who will act to secure his team a playmaking center before
the Kings slide into a playoff-missing tailspin. On the trading block are
rumored to be
Lubomir Visnovsky and
Bryan Smolinski.
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