Tuesday, June 23
Heatley's destination wish list
Dany Heatley | Senators | Interested: Rangers? Kings? Oilers? Blackhawks? Sharks? Canucks? Wild? Blues?
Dany Heatley's list: the Kings, Rangers, Sharks, Red Wings, Blackhawks, Canucks and Bruins.
This is according to a Toronto Sun source, but the Wings and Bruins may not have the money. The other teams have inquired about the 28-year-old. However, Heatley may have to compromise, the Ottawa Citizen reports, because teams may not want to take on his contract, which goes for five more years at $7.5 million.
Also, the Sun's sources say the Blues, Wild, Oilers and Avalanche have also inquired about Heatley.
Heatley requested a trade two weeks ago, but Senators GM Bryan Murray told TSN that he expect trade talks to continue into the weekend.
MORE HEATLEY
Senators GM unhappy with Heatley's people (Calgary Herald)
Is it possible Heatley returns to Atlanta? (AJC)
Heatley still a "hot ticket" (The Citizen)
Heatley is out of shape (HockeyBuzz.com)
Senators | With Heatley gone, what holes will the Sens have? PLUGGING HOLES
Sundin still has gas left in the tank?
Mats Sundin | Canucks
Mats Sundin confirmed he wasn't playing in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, but he may be back in Vancouver anyway.
The unrestricted free agent told a Swedish newspaper (via The Province) that he wants to return to the Canucks.
However, at the end of last season, the 38-year-old sounded more like a man reminiscing at the end of a career than a man ready to play another season, when he said, "You realize at the end of your career -- you kind of know you're at the end."
Wild backup to be traded?
Josh Harding | Wild
It's well known that Wild GM Chuck Fletcher is ready to deal in the next week, and it looks like one player he's going to dangle out there is backup goalie Josh Harding.
Harding said he wants to be a No. 1 goalie, but he's stuck behind Niklas Backstrom. And Fletcher admitted that Harding's opportunity is blocked in Minnesota -- and he knows he has an asset to bargain with.
Fletcher told the Strib, "Certainly that's a situation we probably need to evaluate over the next little while and see if we can do something that makes sense for everybody."
Reading between the lines, it seems Fletcher will make a deal if he gets enough in return.
Habs blockbuster in the works?
Canadiens GM Bob Gainey isn't talking with any free agents yet because he said there could be a blockbuster trade over the weekend.
He's had some "preliminary discussions" with his free agents, but he told the Montreal Gazette that, "We're not going to make any moves until after the draft."
Seidenberg leaving Carolina?
Dennis Seidenberg | Hurricanes
It was a slip of the tongue.
Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford was talking about his defensemen with the News and Observer when he said, "With Seidenberg not coming back..."
Whoops -- it wasn't definite yet but, apparently, unrestricted free agent Dennis Seidenberg is leaving via free agency. Rutherford admitted that a contract with the defenseman seems unlikely.
Seidenberg was third of the team in average ice time (22:19) and recorded career highs in games (70), goals (5) and assists (25) this season.
Winter Classic sans Caps?
The Capitals were long rumored to be the visiting team for the Winter Classic, which is in Boston's Fenway Park this season.
But Caps GM George McPhee hasn't heard anything from the league -- no whispers or hints. So, as he told the Washington Times, the Caps are probably not going to play the Bruins on Jan. 1.
