Rumour Blog

Post date: Nov 19, 2010 3:18:32 PM

Rumours Galore With Waiver Approaching Part 2

Author: Schutslund

(DISCLAIMER From first Rumour Blog still applies.)

Earlier this week we covered the top 6 teams. Now we switch gears to the bottom 6. These are the folks who for a few magical days suddenly have a reason to log into poolexpert again, without pondering suicide. Filled with the knowledge they may be able to acquire some draft picks for the few assets that remain from a botched draft or painful rebuild, these GM’s live for waiver drafts.

Again I have provided the S system being used to categorize rumours:

Please note these are merely rumours I am hearing, and some speculation does occur here. I may only know bits and pieces of a deal; my S system is as follows:

S1: I’m making this up based upon a logical potential move I might try if I were this GM.

S2: Jesse told me this info in an effort to stoke the rumour mill and drive up prices, or I have heard a piece of a deal and am speculating on the destination of the player.

S3: A bit of smoke to this fire, two sources may or may not have confirmed the rumour.

S4: Very likely this move will occur; multiple sources, including Jesse are talking about it.

S5: Money in the bank, multiple sources have confirmed, and Jesse has sworn on his Franchise’s existence that it will happen.

1.) Team Steve: GM Hallman surprised many this November, benching star players and announcing a rebuild despite being largely in the mix. This sent the message in no uncertain terms, along with GM Hallman’s message board announcement that many assets are for sale here. As a result it is no surprise that many rumours are attached to this team, a number of which were discussed in the previous blog. Today we’ll focus on a few that have yet to be mentioned.

· With his manageable cap hit and poor performance thus far, Travis Zajac is a strong buy low candidate amongst some GM’s. “Look for Team Nate on this one, though I anticipate the return to be a mid range pick” a source indicated earlier this week. S2

· GM Hallman has made it clear that his defense is for sale. But one name that has largely slid under the radar behind Letang and Kaberle is one John Michael Liles, off to a sizzling start thus far. While little has been said to this point, anticipate that Liles gets moved at some point. S4

2.) Team Neutron: While it is unclear at this point what side of the buy/sell fence GM Lavigne sits on, much of the press feels certain there will be a bit of selling that occurs at this waiver. However GM Lavigne turned a few heads last season when he began buying at waivers and this reporter would not be surprised to see the same. That being said a mixture of different rumours appear to be circulating around this team.

· GM Lavigne actively fielding offers on the anointed #1 goaltender in San Jose, Antero Nittymaki. Apparently the most intriguing offer has come in from Team Will. Sources indicate that details are sketchy, but Nitty looks to be a small component of a large trade here S1.

· James Neal has landed on the radar, and is another asset that GM Lavigne is considering moving. Rumours continue to persist that Team Schuts is hot in pursuit of the young Dallas player, with a 2nd and a 7^th going Team Neutron’s way. S2

· Is Craig Anderson also on the block? With his return in the not too distant future, and three legit starters on Team Neutron, the blogosphere is alight with rumours that one of these netminders is on the move. Team Pat is apparently interested in a contingency plan for the less than stable Marty Turco. There is some history here as well, one source suggesting “GM Cloutier hated trading Anderson last year, but felt it was a chip he had to move at the time.” S2

3.) Team Dave: The King has been quite vocal about his disgust at the current offers he is receiving, and made it public that he has no intent to begin selling so early in the season. Does that mean GM Evans is a buyer? “Certainly not,” stated on source, continuing “Evans anticipates he may have to get involved in the selling at some point, but he has faith in the roster he has. Don’t expect much more than a few waiver transactions at this point.” Of course, this has not stopped other GM’s from inquiring.

· Sweet Prince Patrice Bergeron has been a long time favorite of Team Schuts, and GM Schuts has been known for unwavering loyalty to his players in the past. So it is no surprise that this rumour has popped up. Sources suggest Schuts is offering up somewhere around a 5^th for Bergeron at this point. S1

· Valterri Fillpula is an intriguing piece of GM Evans team, and one that could be ripe for a move. Sources suggest that Team Daly has expressed some interest here, but has been unwilling to meet the asking price at this point. Sources from inside Team Dave say, “Fillpula could be had, but nothing below a 3^rd will land this kid.” S2

4.) Team Daly: This team began the season with high hopes, but injuries and subpar performance from some primary pieces has left it sitting near the bottom. GM Daly may be hesitant to give up on this squad just yet, as there is some talent here to work with. But other GM’s smell blood in the water, and are seeing what could be had. As a result GM Daly has been active in the trade market, but it still remains to be seen whether he pulls the trigger on some deals or not.

· GM Daly may not be actively shopping versatile blueliner Shea Weber, but sources have linked Weber to Team Josh at this point. Weber could be a decent buy-low candidate here, and the talk has been a 4^th Rd pick going the other way to Team Daly. S2

· Michael Frolik is another underachieving player on Team Daly that is making his way around the rumour mill. Sources suggest Team Schuts has shown the most interest thus far. Frolik could be one piece of a larger deal here. S3

· This rumour seems to have lost a bit of steam of late, however should Team Neutron end up a buyer, sources indicate that GM Lavigne is hard after Michael Cammalleri. A few different assets have been mentioned at this point such as Brayden Schenn, draft picks or James Neal. However this deal is most definitely a work in progress at best at this point. “A series of external factors will be driving the likelihood of this deal,” one source suggested.S2

5.) Team Jesse: No stranger to the trade market, and most definitely a friend to the rumour blogosphere like no other, GM Loader expects to be active once again this waiver. This team made no bones about this year being a rebuild, and has stuck to that plan to this point. However, I don’t believe anyone would be shocked if this team switched gears in the next 48 hours and became a buyer for reasons we cannot fathom. We focused heavily on the Ilya Kovalchuk asset in the previous blog, so we will focus on other assets that could be on the move here.

· Moderately priced forward Mikael Sameulsson is one name that keeps popping up when I make calls to my sources. Samuellson has been linked to both Team Pat and Team Josh at this point, with Team Pat likely in the lead on this one. S2

· Dustin Byfuglien is one of Loader’s more impressive assets to move. While he could indeed score 60 he has over-achieved somewhat and is a classic sell-high candidate. Sources indicate the Team Nate is quietly attempting to retain the defenseman’s services. The two sides are having a hard time completing this deal, but one source stated, “Team Nate’s need for help on the backend is too significant, and at some point Weckworth will have to bite the bullet here.” Somewhere between a 3^rd and 6^th rd draft pick is the negotiating window here. S1

· GM Loader is actively shopping forward Rene Bourque sources indicate. Thus far teams have been apprehensive to give into the asking price which is “around a 4^th” according to my sources. However, Team Will has shown some interest. The rumoured deal sees Brad Boyes and a pick going for Bourque and a pick. The draft picks are where the negotiations have stalled to this point. S1

6.) Team Chris: GM Chris Jaques is doing his best to work the market and achieve maximum value for his assets, as this season has been nothing short of a disaster to this point. There are certainly assets to be moved here, but can GM Jaques make things happen here. Many GM’s to this point are interested but have been turned off by high asking prices on the likes of Drew Doughty, Brian Rafalski and Ville Leino. Is Jaques simply trying to work the market to the last minute, or does he plan to stay firm and wait until January? Time will tell.

· Drew Doughty is most likely to be moved at some point this year. With his cap hit sure to rise in 2011, Jaques would do well to move him now and get what he can before he becomes just another $5million + defenseman. Team Josh is being most frequently mentioned as a possible destination at this point S2

· GM Jaques is actively trying to move a number of his high priced defense at this waiver. Brain Rafalski has been rumoured to be on the move to Team Daly at times over the past two weeks. The GM’s are trying to meet in the middle on asking price but to this point it appears the deal may be dead. S2

· Ville Leino is a nice low cost asset that Jaques is attempting to move. Sources indicate that Team Pat is in the mix here with a 4^th rd pick going back to Jaques. S3 However do not be shocked if a small scale bidding war does occur here. Sources indicate both Team Will and Team Nate have interest as well, and the bidding could drive this up to a 2^nd possibly. S2

Waiver drafts are always an exciting time, however it appears the anticipation for this November has been ramped up compared to years past. This almost feels like a January waiver at this point. Which makes one think, what will January look like?

Stay tuned….

More to come….