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Hockey News

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

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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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Hockey News

Report: Oilers trade Purcell to Panthers

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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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Hudler, News, NHL, Rumors, Trade Rumors

Flames Trade Jiri Hudler to the Panthers.

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Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Calgary Flames traded forward Jiri Hudler to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second round pick in 2016 and a fourth-round pick in 2018.   SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have reportedly sought a skilled forward to bolster their scoring lines for some time. While Hudler’s struggled this season and well […]
Hockey News

Flames trade Jiri Hudler to Panthers for 2 draft picks

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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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Hockey News

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

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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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Hockey News

Report: Stars interested in Canucks’ Hamhuis

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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.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.