Gaborik Rumors

Source: www.spectorshockey.net

Marian Gaborik speaks out on the trade rumors swirling about his name, the salary cap could limit his potential destinations, and the latest on the rumored interest from the Canadiens.
PIONEER PRESS: John Shipley reports Minnesota Wild forward Marian Gaborik remains as much in the dark over his future as the fans, adding he doesn't know if there's any truth to the trade rumors because he doesn't know anything about them. Contract talks between Gaborik and the Wild remain at an impasse.

MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Jim Souhan reports the Wild could find it difficult to move Gaborik now as teams struggling with the salary cap are unlikely to offer up what Gaborik is worth. Souhan suggests moving Gaborik at the March 3rd trade deadline makes the most sense. "That presumes, though, that Gaborik will be healthy and productive enough before the March 3 trading deadline to incite a bidding war for an injury-prone player asking for big money in a league filled with teams pushing the salary cap" writes Souhan.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey reports "you can discount the rumours that Gaborik is headed this way (Montreal) for Christopher Higgins and Jaroslav Halak", citing the Habs lack of available cap space for Gaborik's salary, team chemistry "and the advisibility of giving away Halak, who's off to a strong start".
SPECTOR'S NOTE: Souhan and Hickey are merely pointing out what I've been saying for days now: Gaborik's salary and injury history will make him tough to move this early in the season. If the Habs are interested as rumored it'll cost a helluva lot more than Higgins and Halak, and quite frankly, the Wild have no reason to acquire Halak given they possess a strong goalie tandem in Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding.

NHL 08-09 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

EASTERN

RD 1

1.MTL - IN 7
8.BOS

2.WAS - IN 6
7.PIT

3.NYR - IN 7
6.NJ

4.OTT
5.PHI - IN 6

RD2

1.MTL - IN 6
5.PHI

2.WAS
3.NYR - IN 7

RD3

1.MTL - IN 7
2.NYR

WESTERN

RD1

1.DET - IN 5
8.PHX

2.DAL - IN 7
7.EDM

3.CAL - IN 6
6.CHI

4.ANA - IN 6
5.SJ

RD2

1.DET - IN 7
4.ANA

2.DAL - IN 7
3.CAL

RD3

1.DET - IN 7
2.DAL

STANLEY CUP FINAL

MONTREAL V/S DETROIT

DETROIT IN 6

NHL 08-09 Predictions: WESTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION
1.DET
6.CHICAGO
12.NAS
13.STL
14.CLB

PACIFIC DIVISION
2.DALLAS
4.ANAHEIM
5.SJ
8.PHX
15.LA

NW DIVISION
3.CAL
7.EDM
9.MIN
10.VAN
11.COL

NHL 08-09 Predictions - EASTERN CONFERENCE

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NE DIVISION
1.MON
4.OTT
8.BOS
12.BUF
13.TOR

ATL DIVISION
3.NYR
5.PHI
6.NJ
7.PIT
15.NYI

SE DIVISION
2.WAS
9.TB
10.FLO
11.CAR
14.ATL

First coaches to get fired

1. Therien (Pitt) When? In 1.5 months. Why? They have no defence (Gonchar and Whitney have long term injuries) Crosby will complain about wingers. Even if Malkin and Crosby play together, there are no lines after that. Who? Pat Quinn

2. Tom Renney (NYR), When? By Decemeber. Why? If the Rangers are only around .500 I could see Sather making a move here, just to shake things up. I can see him doing something that would get Shanahan back in the next few weeks, and wait, maybe.....MATS SUNDIN by December!!!???
Who? John Toreralla - he'll finally have his goalie! And a definite contender!

NHL 08-09 Season Kicks-off

Hello everyone,

I'm back after a long delay. I guess the passion was lost last year with another disappointing season with the leafs. 3 years of the same crap can take a toll on a diehard fan. But this year is different, or should I say, the next few years will be different. They (MLSE) finally realised that just making the playoffs is not good enough and that you have to build the core of a team from within - then go buy players.

I like like what Fletcher is doing, and I like coach Wilson style of play. The funny thing is, I think it is similar to what Maurice wanted to do, but for some reason the players got it wrong. Although it is just one game, but if the buds play with this kind of effort, their games will be more enjoyable to watch - win or lose.

The kids: Love Kulemin, Schenn looks like a smart player, Grabovski and Tlusty are looking good as well. Frogren looks like a tank out there.

The regulars: Antropov looks lost without Mats, Blake looks like he's done, Poni will be hitting a lot of posts this year! Kaberle and Kubina will be the teams horses on D. Steen and Stajan might just peak as 3rd liners - a little disappointing, but at least we will finally know where they belong.

Leafs Awards for the season:

Hart: Kubina
Art: Kaberle
Richard: Hagman
Norris: Kubina
Vezina: Toskala
Calder: Schenn, Kulemin TIE
Selke: Grabovski

Players who will likely be moved:

Blake
White
Antropov
Kubina or Kaberle