The NHL’s Rumor Mill Is Spinning And Picking Up Speed.
At this time of year all NHL hockey fans can do is wonder how their favorite team is going to be improved for next year. Minnesota Wilds’ new General Manager Chuck Fletcher is looking to put his mark on the team; he says he wants to bring in a new foundation, which may mean a complete overhaul by next week. He has talked with all 29 other teams concerning personnel and who might be a good fit within the organization. As the trade approaches, Fletcher may pull several deals. He has also been in talks to acquire disgruntled Ottawa Senator Dany Heatley, who recently requested a trade. Minnesota is one of the teams that actually can absorb Heatley’s contract, even better it seems like Fletcher really wants Heatley. It could end up being a match made in heaven.
Although the St. Louis Blues say Chris Mason is the goalie of the present, it is clear, at 33 years of age, he isn’t the goalie of the future. Blues General Manager John Davidson is looking to pry away a goalie from another team via trade. Mason carried the Blues to their first playoff appearance in recent years and gave the city hope that maybe their team can actually be a contender in the near future.
Apparently Boston Bruins forward Phil Kessel is demanding a contact with an annual salary of 5 million dollars. He says it’s not true but where there’s smoke there’s fire. Teammate David Krejci just received a 3.75 million dollar a year contract but it seems that the Bruins are content not to offer Kessel even that much, they seem to not be interested in the former gopher anymore. Kessel is one of Boston’s better players so I can’t see why they would want to move him unless the rumor is true. Kessel is coming off surgery to repair a torn labrum and the Bruins may not be convinced that Kessel will return as the dominant player he was before the surgery. Kessel said that his first priority is to remain with the Bruins rather than play elsewhere, although he will become a restricted free agent in a little less than two weeks (July 1) if no agreement is struck with Boston before then.
Jun 23rd, 2009 at 7:37 am
This is the time of the year that teams can mold their coming season with free agent picks. Hopefully their picks who don’t come cheap show that the money paid to them has been well spent. The general manager’s position has been at stake at this time of the year. Does he sign a free agent player coming off of a great season only to drop off in his production or does he sign a hard working player who makes a believer out of himself, that given the right opportunity the gears click into place. It’s called,make or break time. So many to choose from yet so easy to be let astray .