2011 Trade Deadline Rumors

The latest rumors from around the league, let’s start in Montreal. After only winning 4 of their last 10 that Habs are searching for some more offense. They have already lost Andrei Markov and Josh Gorges for the remainder of the season. The Canadiens have repatriated Paul Mara to assist them, but they are interested in possibly acquiring Bryan McCabe from the Florida Panthers, Chris Phillips from the Sens and forwards Ales Hemskey and Dusting Penner from the Oilers. The latest has the Habs dangling Jerred Tinordi and a 1st round pick for Penner and Hemskey. In the alternative, the Habs are dangling their 1st round pick to the Panthers for McCabe. In order for McCabe to move he’d have to waive his no trade clause, but there is little doubt that McCabe would be able to help the Habs right away. The price being dangled for Penner and Hemskey, whom are both under contract into next year, seems a bit light, but both Hemskey and Penner would give the Canadiens some offense right away. The issue for the Habs would be creating the cap space to make the deal.

The other suitors kicking the tires around on Hemskey and/or Penner have been the LA Kings and the Nashville Predators. The Kings have been talking Thomas Hickey for either of the Oilers veterans but to date Hickey has not been able to continue his junior success into the minors and thus position himself as a likely prospect for an NHL roster. Of stronger interest for the Oilers would be Colten Teubert, also a defensive prospect for the Kings, but the Kings are reluctant to part with him. From the Predators, the Oilers would love to ply either Ryan Ellis or Jonathan Blum from the defense heavy prospects list of the Predators. Another defensive prospect that may be more acquirable would be Charles-Olivier Roussel. The Oilers are desperate for solid defencemen prospects or center prospects for both Hemskey and Penner.

In Ottawa the Senators are rumored to be dangling Alex Kovalev and Chris Phillips to the highest bidder. Both Kovalev and Phillips are UFAs this summer but the asking price for both has been significant to date. GM Murray is looking for at least a 1st round dp for each of those guys. The rumored landing place for Phillips has been Montreal. For Kovalev the Penguins have been kicking the tires on his availability. The Sens have wanted Eric Tangradi in exchange but the Pens are loathe to part with that high of a prospect for the enigmatic Kovalev.