Category Archives: Hockey News

Lamoriello: Maple Leafs must figure out what they have in Sparks

You're up, Garret Sparks.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello addressed the media Saturday afternoon after trading James Reimer - his best goaltender - to the San Jose Sharks in a four-player deal that netted his club a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick.

Lamoriello talked about the return - mainly the draft pick that could, at best, turn into a third-round selection - since many Maple Leafs supporters aren't too happy with it.

With Reimer's contract expiring and Toronto playing out the stretch with a roster already resembling that of an AHL team, Lamoriello said it's time to look to the future in goal, specifically in Sparks and Antoine Bibeau.

"We needed to take a look at our minor-league goalies who are playing extremely well," he said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

Sparks played five games for Toronto this season, winning three, and recorded a shutout and .915 save percentage. Only 22, he has a .925 save percentage in 20 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season. Drafted 190th overall in the seventh round in 2011, Sparks could be the goalie of the future. Lamoriello wants to find out.

"We have to take a look at Sparks right now and see if how he performed earlier is the real thing," Lamoriello said, according to The Canadian Press' Jonas Siegel.

Bibeau will turn 22 in May and was a sixth-round pick, 172nd overall, in 2013. He has a .904 save percentage in 25 games with the Marlies this season, after posting a .913 save percentage in the AHL in 31 games last season. He's yet to see NHL action.

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Report: Oilers trade Purcell to Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers have traded forward Teddy Purcell to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a third-round pick, multiple sources reported Saturday.

Purcell is the second player acquired by the Panthers Saturday. Earlier in the day, Florida traded a pair of draft picks to the Calgary Flames for forward Jiri Hudler.

The trade comes hours after reports surfaced earlier Saturday that the Los Angeles Kings were "inching closer" to acquiring Purcell, as well as defenseman Justin Schultz, from Edmonton.

The deal was expected to include Nikolay Prokhorkin, a forward currently playing with Ufa Salavat Yulayev who has registered 20 goals and 38 points in 58 games this season.

The 30-year-old has scored 11 goals and 32 points in 61 games with the Oilers this season.

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Flames trade Jiri Hudler to Panthers for 2 draft picks

The Calgary Flames traded forward Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers on Saturday in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2016 and a 2018 fourth-round draft pick.

No salary was retained in the deal.

"We want to thank Jiri for his years of service with the Flames. He is tremendous player and teammate. We wish him the very best of luck with his new club," Flames general manager Brad Treliving said. "As we continue to build our team, these picks will be valuable assets to us and also valuable capital in the market place."

Hudler, who is a pending unrestricted free agent, is in the final season of a four-year, $16-million deal.

The 32-year-old has 10 goals and 25 assists in 53 games this season after recording a career-high 76 points last season.

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Report: Arbitrator’s decision on Wideman suspension not expected for at least a week

A final decision on Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman's 20-game suspension isn't expected for at least another week.

Neutral arbitrator James Oldham met with both parties for a two-day final appeal Thursday and Friday and has informed them that a decision won't be handed down until the week of March 7, sources told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Wideman was handed the suspension after checking linesman Don Henderson in a Jan. 27 game against the Nashville Predators.

An appeal was made to the league, but commissioner Gary Bettman upheld his initial ruling.

The 32-year-old will miss his 13th straight game when the Flames host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

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Report: Stars interested in Canucks’ Hamhuis

The Dallas Stars are reportedly looking to fix their biggest weakness.

The team is interested in Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis, according to Sportsnet's Dan Murphy.

Hamhuis has a no-trade clause, but, according to Murphy, the Stars are a club he'd be interested in joining.

An upgrade at defense would be imperative if the Stars want to make a deep playoff run. They've allowed the eighth-most goals in the league this season, giving up an average of 2.84 per game.

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Former NHLer Mike Commodore has advice for players likely to be traded

Former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore knows what it's like to be traded.

Dealt five times during his career, including three times in February and March, the now-retired blue-liner took to Twitter on Saturday to offer some sage advice for players who are uncertain about their futures ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

It's always better to be prepared. Thanks, Mr. Commodore.

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Maple Leafs trade James Reimer to Sharks in 4-player deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded goaltender James Reimer to the San Jose Sharks in a four-player deal, the clubs announced Saturday.

In return for Reimer and forward Jeremy Morin, the Maple Leafs received goaltender Alex Stalock, forward Ben Smith, and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2018.

No salary is being retained by either club in the trade, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Reimer shores up the goaltending situation in San Jose, where Martin Jones is the No. 1. Jones has a .916 save percentage and five shutouts in 51 games, winning 29.

Drafted by Toronto in the fourth round in 2006, Reimer heads west with an 11-12-7 record for the basement-dwelling Maple Leafs, with a .918 save percentage. He's struggled badly in February, with an .869 save percentage and 3.80 GAA in seven starts.

Reimer's earning $2 million this season, and carries a cap hit of $2.3 million. He'll be an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and will turn 28 on March 15.

Stalock, 28, has an .884 save percentage in 13 games and nine starts in 2015-16. He has a career .911 save percentage and four shutouts in 62 games and 46 starts, all with San Jose

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