NHL Trade Rumours- Kevin Gibson's Opinion Blog

A Belfour and Allison Update

2006-03-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

If the Montreal Canadiens both beat the Leafs and win their game in hand, the organization will have given up on the playoffs. If the Leafs are at a situation where they are to sell on deadline day, Belfour may not be so easy to move. Belfour wants someone to pick up his $4.5million option for next season or he won't waive his no trade contract- no one will do that. Interestingly, this is to the contrary of what Belfour was saying in the Star (had him saying he won't stay anywhere he's not wanted), but Belfour feels that if no teams want to pick up his option for next season, then he's not wanted." As for Allison. The source also expects Allison to be headed nowhere, because of his bonus package, you would essentially pay him over $1million for 20 games.

No truth to Bertuzzi-Ottawa Rumours

2006-03-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

There was some talk in the last few days that Ottawa Senators general manager John Muckler was trying to acquire Vancouver Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi, to make the teams chances of the Cup even stronger. However, according to a Toronto source, there is not a single bit of truth in it. Muckler is currently looking at Olli Jokinen, and possibly St. Louis' Dallas Drake.

CuJo to Edmonton; Lindros' Year is Over

2006-02-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

Big Rumour Report: Joseph to Edmonton All But Done
A reliable source in the Toronto area reports that the Edmonton Oilers have worked out a deal during the Olympic break to acquire Phoenix Coyotes' goaltender Curtis Joseph. He reports the deal as "all but done." Not a lot of word on what could be headed the other way.. but expect picks and/or young players/prospects. The source is also reporting that the Patrick Lalime-Ottawa Senators rumours are false.

Lindros's Year Over
A reliable Toronto source reports that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Eric Lindros' year is over. Which may mean we have seen the last of Eric Lindros donning the blue and white. What this does mean, is that the Leafs now have that cap room that Lindros' salary had been consuming to spend on deadline day. Rumours of interest in a defenseman, namely Brendan Witt.

The Latest with the Leafs

2006-02-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

We're three weeks away from the trade deadline and Toronto is one point out of a playoff spot, so at this time they are buyers. We'll find out in the next day or two how Eric Lindros is, as the Leafs will skate tomorrow. If he is still injured and can't play the rest of the year, then his salary is off the books and Toronto has a bit more cap room. Mats Sundin needs some one to play with- all experiments to replace Alexander Mogilny have failed, so maybe Mogilny comes back? I hear Jersey is begging somebody to take him, only hang up is Almo's salary for next season, his hit this year is not an issue since the season is almost over and NJ will have to pay half of it. Also, on the Toronto radar is a big D-Man, I have been watching a lot of Capitals games lately and Brendan Witt is as good as it gets that is available, he's a big tough guy that Toronto could use. Other rumours running around include Antropov going to Chicago for Tyler Arnason. Arnason is a bit more gifted up front than Antropov, and he also grew up in Winnipeg with Alex Steen. On the other hand, if Toronto drops 10 in a row after the break, then obviously they are sellers and you can say bye bye to Belfour and Allison.

By Kevin Gibson