Category Archives: Hockey News

Blackhawks’ Bowman ‘most likely’ done making trades

The rest of the NHL may get their turn now, as the Chicago Blackhawks appear to be done wheeling and dealing.

The Blackhawks have presumably gotten ahead of the madness that should ensue on Monday's deadline with multiple deals over the last 48 hours and, according to Chris Hine of the Chicago Tribune, Stan Bowman said they're "most likely" done making deals.

Related: Blackhawks' Bowman remains the NHL's best general manager

The Blackhawks have primed themselves for another deep playoff run, acquiring big fish Andrew Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets along with depth players Christian Ehrhoff, Dale Weise, and Tomas Fleischmann.

"I really like the way this team looks right now," Bowman said, according to Eric Lear of the Blackhawks' official website.

And rightfully so. Though the team has lost two straight, they sit just a point behind the Dallas Stars for top spot in the Western Conference with a significantly deeper roster.

While the Blackhawks appear to be finished, further deals could still happen. According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, if the team can find a way to deal forward Bryan Bickell, who currently yields a $4-million cap hit, it will have some cap space to make further deals.

Whether that's the case or not, Bowman has constructed yet another squad that rivals any in the league.

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Report: Kings ‘inching closer’ to deal with Oilers for Schultz, Purcell

The Los Angeles Kings are nearing a deal that will land them forward Teddy Purcell and defenseman Justin Schultz from the Edmonton Oilers, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

If an agreement is finalized with the Kings, it isn't expected that the Oilers will receive a roster player in return.

Purcell, a pending unrestricted free agent, is in the final season of a three-year, $13.5 million contract. The 30-year-old has 11 goals and 21 assists in 61 games this season.

Schultz carries a $3.9-million cap hit and will be a restricted free agent at season's end. The 25-year-old has struggled with just 10 points and a minus-22 rating in 45 games.

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Report: Maple Leafs to try and trade Cowen before Monday’s deadline

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jared Cowen cleared waivers Saturday, as expected.

Acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Dion Phaneuf trade, Cowen is unlikely to suit up in a single game in the blue and white.

On Friday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston wrote about Cowen's unusual contract:

... a player who clears waivers can be assigned to the American Hockey League for a period of 30 days, which makes Cowen an even greater asset to a team interested in him acquiring for the purpose of gaining a $650,000 salary cap credit next season by buying out his contract.

Cowen carries a cap hit of $3.1 million this season. He's scheduled to become a restricted free agent after next season, but as Johnston writes, it's more likely he's bought out by the club that trades for him by Monday's deadline - if that happens.

Only 25, Cowen has four assists in 37 games this season. He's been rehabbing a hip injury in the hopes of suiting up for Toronto.

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Capitals place veteran Laich on waivers

The Washington Capitals placed forward Brooks Laich on waivers Saturday.

The 32-year-old is in the midst of a nightmare season, with only a goal and six assists in 59 games for the Eastern Conference leaders.

Earning $4 million, Laich's under contract for another season at the same salary, but carries a cap hit of $4.5 million.

All but one of Laich's 742 regular-season games have been played in a Capitals uniform. He had four straight 40-plus point seasons from 2008-09 through 2011-12, but injuries have kept him from playing a full campaign since. He's averaging a career-low 10:34 of ice time.

If that's not the case, and Laich reports to the AHL, he'll still be paid $4 million, according to CSN's Chuck Gormley, and will be eligible for Washington's playoff roster.

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Coyotes claim Sekac off waivers from Blackhawks

Jiri Sekac is headed to his fourth team in just over a year.

The Arizona Coyotes claimed Sekac off waivers Saturday from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sekac only played in six games for Chicago after being acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Ryan Garbutt earlier in the season.

The 23-year-old forward has struggled in 2015-16, recording just one goal and three assists in 28 games. He has 27 points in 97 games over his two seasons in the NHL.

He'll have his first opportunity to join the Coyotes roster on Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Report: Panthers interested in Flyers’ Raffl as rental player

The first-place Florida Panthers are interested in adding Philadelphia Flyers forward Michael Raffl as a rental player, reports the Miami Herald's George Richards.

Raffl, 27, has eight goals and nine assists in 60 games, averaging 14:17 of ice time. He's an unrestricted free agent at season's end, earning $1.2 million and carrying a salary cap hit of $1.1 million.

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Wild GM maintains team can win regardless of trade deadline activity

The Minnesota Wild have lost three straight and have fallen four points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but general manager Chuck Fletcher is keeping his head up.

"I still maintain our team is talented enough to make the playoffs, whether we add a player or not," Fletcher said, according to Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press.

While the team's intentions ahead of this year's deadline remain uncertain, the Wild have been no strangers to deadline deals, making trades in each of the last three seasons.

Unfortunately, none of the deals have given the club any success in the playoffs. The Wild have lost in the conference semifinals the past two seasons and in the quarterfinals in 2013, all at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.

However, those deals haven't made Fletcher any more hesitant to make a move, as he claims his main reason for his passive position is a weak market.

"Not necessarily. I just don't think it’s a particularly strong rental market," said Fletcher.

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Report: Flames’ Russell likely to be traded; Penguins, Bruins frontrunners

Kris Russell's time with the Calgary Flames appears to be nearing its end.

Russell was informed Friday that he is likely to be traded by the Flames, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Dreger adds that there's a very strong market for Russell, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins emerging as front runners ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

The 28-year-old defenseman - a pending unrestricted free agent - carries a $2.6-million cap hit this season.

He has four goals and 11 assists in 51 games on the campaign, and has played in 198 games over three seasons in Calgary.

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Majority of NHL teams have reportedly shown interest in Drouin

Jonathan Drouin is a hot commodity.

The young Tampa Bay Lightning forward is awaiting a trade, and as Monday's deadline nears, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that "15 to 20 teams have shown varying degrees of interest at varying times."

That's not exactly surprising, considering Drouin's pedigree and the fact he's turning 21 on March 27.

McKenzie's colleague, Darren Dreger, adds that he was "told (Lightning general manager Steve) Yzerman was asking for a right shot (defenseman) as part of any Drouin deal."

McKenzie adds that some teams have shown repeated interest in the young forward, as opposed to other teams that have simply checked in. He believes the Lightning have "a handful of legit offers to consider."

The Lightning have won five in a row and are only three points back of the Florida Panthers for first place in the Eastern Conference. Tampa Bay's focus is undoubtedly the playoffs.

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