09-27-2006, 12:53 PM
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#1
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Draft Pick
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CPHL Rumor Mill
Hello CPHLers.
Long time no talk; I was busy taking in some of your training camps. Let us start there. - The players in Nashville are not sure what to think, they are all wondering who will be shipped out for a goalie and when. This nervousness may be a reason for the poor preseason showing.
- The revolving door in Florida seems to be in constant motion, expect that trend to continue. Even Kovalchuk’s stay will be short lived.
- Things are upbeat in Toronto, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Calgary. All teams seem very optimistic about this season.
- Veterans in New Jersey are not sure what to think. Many are not happy about being stuck as temporary players in a rebuilding market.
- There is some worry on the Island; fans are starting to wonder if Ward is the solution to the playoff drought.
- After talking to players in both Philly and Dallas it seems the attitude in management is anything less then the playoffs is a failure. It will be interesting to see if the players can respond, as both these teams will be on the bubble.
On to the trade rumors:
·Look for the Flames to keep up their quest for defense. GM Axel seems content on trying to win with a defense first approach. Names that pop up are Janne Niinima (e3), Steve Staios (e1), and Mathieu Dandenault (e1)
·Look for the Oilers to try to move Nikolai Zherdev (e2) for a more experienced winger if there are no further progressions with his NHL contract talks.
·The Caps are in the market for another top 6 forward. Martin St. Louis (e1), Ilya Kovalchuk (e2), and Shawn Horcoff (e2) are the names that are floating around.
·Ales Hemsky is not fitting in as well as planned, after an 8 goal outburst by the wild in which Hemsky failed to record a point GM Farhall made it known that the winger is available.
·The Preds are hunting hard for a goalie. Jose Theodore (e3), Nikolai Khabibulan (e4) and Martin Biron (e2) are some known targets they are after.
·There will be some moves out of Quebec, but your guesses are as good as mine on what they will be. Nobody including the players know what way this franchise is going.
·Look for the Jets to rebuild if things don’t start off good in the regular season. GM Mike Walsh will not have the patience to watch his team lose without trying to make it better for next season.
·If Kari Lehtonen struggles look for the Sens to move Geoff Sanderson (e3), Slava Kozlov (e3), Shean Donovan (e2) and Cory Stillman (e1) for younger players.
Well that is your Wednesday dose of rumors CPHL. Hope you enjoy!
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