Moves Around the NHL – Any Trades Coming for the St. Louis Blues?
The St. Louis Blues look like a team that is set in stone and not looking to make any moves, but that is just how GM Doug Armstrong likes it. He has a team that is piled full of talent and depth, but has a knack for finding players who are not being used and moving them for assets that can make a trade happen. The last couple seasons Armstrong has been stock piling draft picks and the speculation around him has always been that he would use them to improve the St. Louis Blues. Time will tell if St. Louis is looking at making any improvements, but as is Coach Ken Hitchcock believes that he Blues are in a great position at the moment.
Let’s take a moment and look around the league though at some of the biggest stories and actions taking place just a couple days into the agreement signed by the NHL and NHLPA (via MyNHLTradeRumors.com)
Igor Eronko via twitter: KHL president Alex Medvedev said he’ll be heading to North America in February to talk to the Devils about a contract buyout for Ilya Kovalchuk to bring him back to Russia.
Tom Gulitti via twitter: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said that Ilya Kovalchuk explained why he wanted to stay and play in the KHL all-star, and he understands why he wanted too. Dan Rosen via twitter: Lamoriello added: ”I’m very comfortable with the situation. No penalty involved. No disrespect involved. There will be no repurcussions.” He understands the situation, calling it, “extenuating circumstances.” Lamoriello said he is not in violation of his contract. Kovalchuk is expected to arrive on Tuesday, and will be at the Devils practice on Wednesday.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: The Hurricanes trade Brian Boucher and Mark Alt to the Flyers for Luke Pither.
NY Islanders via twitter: Ryan Strome and Griffin Reinhart have been recalled by the Islanders to attend training camp.
Arthur Staple via twitter: The Islanders made travel arrangements to have Lubomir Visnovsky flown in to New York for physicals on Sunday. Visnovsky didn’t get on it. It looks like this will have to be settled between the NHL and KHL. B.D. Gallof via twitter: Visnovsky is testing the KHL/NHL agreement. If the KHL says no, he’ll be back with the Islanders. If they say yes, he’ll remain in the KHL.
Katie Carrera via twitter: The Capitals have sent Tom Poti to Hershey on a conditioning assignment.
David Pagnotta via twitter: The Canadiens will be releasing Scott Gomez. He’ll be sent home for the season. The Canadiens will be buying his contract out this summer. Elliotte Friedman via twitter: Gomez will get a pro-rated $5.5 million this year and will buyout his $4.5 million in the summer for 2/3′s the amount.
Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Things could change quickly, but LeBrun is told that things aren’t close between the Canadiens and P.K. Subban.
Naoko Funayama via twitter: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli confirms that Tim Thomas won’t be playing this year, but says that Thomas wants to play next year.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: Islanders sign Radek Martinek to a 1 year, $600,ooo deal with bonuses up to another $150,000 for games played. Has a cap hit of $600,000.
“The Carolina Hurricanes have traded for forward Kevin Westgarth. The Kings will receive forward Anthony Stewart, a 2013 4th round pick and a 2014 6th round pick. “We were looking for a character, team guy who can play a gritty role for our team,” said Rutherford. “Kevin is a good addition to fill that spot.”
Damian Cristodero via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t expect to add to his roster before Saturday. Any openings at forward will be filled from within.
Bob McKenzie via twitter: Put on waivers yesterday: “ANA: J Hendry, P Maroom, N Guenin, M Smaby. BUF: J Finley, D Leggio, D Schliestel. CBJ: C Bass, A Joudrey. CBJ: R Russell, N Drazenovic. MTL: C Desjardins. Alain Berger on $125 waivers presumably for purposes of mutual contract termination. NSH: M Moore. WPG: Ben Maxwell. PIT: S McIntyre, J Zatkoff, B Thiessen.”
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: Jets center Nik Antropov has an upper-body injury and didn’t pass his physical.
Al Muir via twitter: Jarome Iginla, David Booth and Dan Hamhuis all have groin strains.
Nick Kypreos via twitter: Kypreos is hearing that the Stars made a Jamie Benn a multi-year offer worth as much as $5 million per season.
George Richards of Miami Herald: Panthers RFA defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is not at camp. GM Dale Tallon said on Thursday that he’s been talking with Kulikov’s agent daily.
Elliotte Friedman via twitter: The Hurricanes sign Dan Ellis to a 1 year, $650,000 deal.
That is all the news for now Blues fans. Stay tuned for more about your St. Louis Blues and the NHL today. As always, LET’S GO BLUES!