Forsberg/Naslund Package Deal...Allison wants to play for Leafs

As reported on www.sportsnet.ca

Naslund/Forsberg Combo
It could be the greatest 1-2 sale ever in the NHL.The Vancouver Sun spoke with Canucks captain Markus Naslund and he confirmed that he and Peter Forsberg are considering packaging their rights together."Who wouldn't want to play with Peter?" Naslund told the Sun. "We'll see if that could work out or not. I mean, I think you can ask pretty much any winger in the league and they wouldn't mind playing with him."

Leafs trading up; look to land Allison
July 27 @ 9:15 AMThe Leafs, who are believed to be interested in selecting top goaltending prospect Carey Price, have reportedly been in talks with Columbus, Chicago and Atlanta -- the six through eight picks -- about a possible trade, reports the National Post. "I've heard grumblings of them trying to move up [in the draft]," Mark Seidel, chief scout for the International Scouting Service, told the Post. "Some teams have their eyes on certain guys, and I think they're one of them."In other Leafs news, former Kings sniper Jason Allison isn't hiding the fact he would like to play for the Blue and White, reports the Toronto Star."To me, it makes a lot of sense," Allison said. "I grew up here and I've been dreaming since I was 2 to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the past I might not have been interested and part of the reason for that is that I kind of like my privacy."

Iginla recruiting Niedermayer
July 27 @ 9:15 AMThe latest Niedermayer rumour making the rounds has Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla putting the hard sell on the Devils blueliner to play in Calgary, reports the Vancouver Province.Niedermayer has made it known he would like to play closer to his Cranbrook home and Calgary as well as Vancouver would fit that bill. Also, through his agent Kevin Epp, he has made it known that there are a few teams he would be willing to play for at a discounted rate, but Epp would not divulge which teams those are.

The Detroit Red Wings are waiting on Brendan Shanahan.
According to the Detroit News, the Wings are waiting for the 36-year old power forward to exercise his $2.4 million player option to return to the club.
Red Wings general manger Ken Holland is concerned that the team has still not received a decision from Shanahan.
"I've been at it long enough to know that (if) nothing's happened by now, there's a possibility that he's maybe entertaining thoughts of not exercising it," Holland told the paper.
Shanahan's agent Rick Curran said that the forward has been focused on NHL responsibilities recently and they will inform the Red Wings of the decision by the Thursday 5pm et deadline.
If Shanahan doesn't exercise the option, he will become an unrestricted free-agent.
Holland told the Detroit News that he hopes Shanahan will stay.
"I'd like to have Brendan back. Obviously, he's in the driver's seat. He can do a lot of things. He's a veteran, he's a leader, he can score goals, but at the same time, he's got to want to be here."

Report: Coyotes keeping Morris, Mara
The Phoenix Coyotes have made qualifying offers to two of their key defensemen.
According to the Arizona Republic, the club is bringing back restricted free-agents Derek Morris and Paul Mara.
The 26-year old Morris registered four assists in 14 games after joining Phoenix in March of 2004. He received a $2.66 million offer.
Mara set career highs with 42 points and 36 assists in 2003-04. The 25-year old tallied 23 points on the power-play and received a $1.14 million offer
In other Coyotes news, the newspaper also reports that the team also tendered a qualifying offer to forward Krys Kolanos, and exercised club options on forwards Mike Rupp and Boyd Devereaux.