RUMOR MILL: EASTERN CONFERENCE TEAM TRADE RUMORS

Several reports list the Devils as the Islanders’ mystery trading partner.  I’m sticking with the Capitals.  The Devils may make a push for Anaheim’s Chris Pronger.

Contract talks continue between the Sabres and Tim Connolly, but rumors persist of a trade with the Blue Jackets.

Bruins might be interested in Leafs’ Tomas Kaberle, offering top prospect Joe Colborne, and a third rounder. In the event that the Devils land Pronger, the Bruins may counter by turning their attention toward Scott Niedermayer.

It’s been reported that Penguins C Jordan Staal could be the next core player to be moved, but maybe not until summer.

As the trade deadline nears, a flurry of activity is being seen and players are being placed on 24 hour waivers to make cap room for potential trades. The phones of general managers all over the league are ringing off the hook today as teams look to make deals that will give their teams a better shot at winning the Stanley cup. For some teams, trading an aging superstar is the path to take to be able to stockpile younger players who will enhance your team’s chance of winning in the future.

The first player to make headways was actually Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom. The Wild signed Backstrom to a 4 year $24 million extension. It’s a huge development for the Wild, who were faced with possibly losing Backstrom to free agency July 1 and were taking phone calls from other teams about him heading into Wednesday’s trade deadline.
Both sides spoke throughout the weekend but were still nowhere Monday morning. By Monday afternoon, things heated up, and by Monday night, they had a deal in place.
Backstrom is currently fourth in goals-against average (2.24) and fourth in save percentage (.925). The 31-year-old Finland native is among the busiest goaltenders in the NHL, ranking seventh in total ice time. He has a 28-18-4 record.
As the rest of the teams figure out what changes to make to their roster hockey, fans all around the country anxiously wait to see how their favorite teams have been upgraded for the playoff run, or seeing how their teams are positioning themselves to make a run in the very near future. Check back later for more details as information becomes available.