More NHL Rumors Concerning The Canadiens–NHL Eyes Yankee Stadium For Winter Classic.

The Canadiens seem to be making the most noise before the NHL draft, which takes place at the Bell Center in Montreal.  The rumors are now Vincent Lecavalier and Jay Bouwmeester coming in via trade and/or free agency.  Tampa Bay is looking to shed their payroll and trading Lecavalier would save them something like 50 million dollars.  He is definitely a franchise type player, someone you can build your team around.  Lecavalier would love to come and play for the Canadiens, he grew up just outside of Montreal.  Earlier in the season the Habs thought that they had a deal with the Lightning but things didn’t work out, maybe this time around it will.  Bouwmeester becomes a free agent on July 1, but Canadiens GM Bob Gainey may be interested in trading for the Panther and trying to sign him before he hits the markets.  If the deal happens, it will probably be prior to or during the NHL Draft on Friday.  New Canadiens head coach Jacques Martin and former Panthers GM also wants Bouwmeester to anchor the Montreal Defense.  As for Captain Saku Koivu, he has still not received an offer for next year.  He has maintained that if he does not get a deal done by July 1st then he would test the free agent market.

I’m hearing that former Detroit Red Wing defenseman Chris Chelios may be offered a contract by his former club the Chicago Blackhawks.  It’s been 10 years since he played in Chicago, but Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon might bring him back.  Chelios only played in 28 games this year but feels that he can contribute somewhere for one more year.  I think he would be a great addition to a young team like Chicago.  His experience in the playoffs would be invaluable.

The NHL is eying Yankee Stadium as a venue for the 2011 Winter Classic.  The game would feature the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals.  Leave it to the Steinbrenner’s to figure out a way to make revenue off the stadium in the winter.  That’s capitalism at it’s best.

Dany Heatley should have his own sub-section when it comes to rumors concerning where he will play next year.  Now the Los Angeles Kings are the favorites to land Heatley.  Word is that Heatley will be swapped for Alex Frolov, the No. 5 pick in the draft and another player.  Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray is trying to trade Heatley by July 1 to avoid paying his $4 million bonus. If he doesn’t pull off a trade, he may just keep Heatley for the season.