Draft Eve Grumblings…
June 19th, 2008 by Jason ChenAs the draft creeps closer and closer more names have been tossed into the rumour mill, with the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, and Mike Cammalleri’s name tossed into the mix. Along with the big names, teams are beginning to find it difficult to retain their RFAs and UFAs-to-be. The big name that will attract the most attention is Brian Campbell, who has not signed with the Sharks yet, and seems intent on testing the UFA waters first. However, it has been reported that Ottawa will not be one of the destinations for the all-star defenseman, despite Bryan Murray’s on-going search for a puck-moving defenseman.
The other rumour that has been flying high is a possible swap between the Kings and the Penguins, in which Malkin will be shipped to Hollywood for Cammalleri and the second overall pick. I’ve made my stance on trading Malkin clear - he shouldn’t. If the trade is made primarily to clear future cap room for Marian Hossa’s reported 7-year, $50 million contract, then I don’t think this is a good trade, despite the fact that with the second pick the Pens will be drafting a sure-fire future all-star defenseman. For one, I think Malkin is clearly a better player than Hossa, and if I were to invest $7m a year on a complimentary player I would much rather commit an extra $1m for the second franchise player. I think at more than $7m a season, Malkin is a much better investment than the 29-year old Hossa. Dean Lombardi would be crazy not to accept that deal, as a potential Malkin-Anze Kopitar punch down the middle is very, very intriguing. Considering that the asking price for Olli Jokinen is an up-and-coming roster player and a high draft pick, the asking price for Malkin seems to be quite minimal.
Along with the Sedins, Kevin Bieksa is another Vancouver player who’s name has been tossed around. Mike Gillis said that although the twins were not on the block, teams have inquired about their availability. At the trade deadline it was rumoured that there was going to be a Sedins-Jokinen swap with Florida, but fell apart because then-GM Dave Nonis (who will be at the Anaheim table tomorrow, fueling rumours that Brian Burke is leaving for Toronto next year), felt the price was too steep. Those rumours have apparently flared up again, especially since Jokinen has voiced his displeasure about the Panthers organization and its lack of direction, and Gillis’ promise that the Canucks will be heading in a new direction. A lot of teams are in the market for a defenseman, which is not a huge surprise that Bieksa’s (maybe perhaps in the future Sami Salo) name has been mentioned. A team that is in the market for a defenseman is Carolina, who have targeted Joni Pitkanen for some time, but may have to settle for a Bieksa-level player. The Canucks have been looking for offense for years now, and now with Jeff Carter off the market perhaps Gillis could make a move for Justin Williams, who is a natural right winger and apparently on the market.
EDIT: Bob McKenzie also thinks the Malkin to LA trade rumours are a bit of a stretch, although didn’t rule out the possibility of him being traded a couple years down the road. After giving this trade more thought, however, I wonder if by acquiring Malkin the Kings will run into the same problems as the Pens? Malkin and Kopitar will be looking for big money, and Jack Johnson will be asking for some big money someday too.
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2 Responses to “Draft Eve Grumblings…”
By Troy on Jun 20, 2008
You see, the rumours of Malkin to LA have been where Pitt got Kopitar, Brown, and a pair of 1st rounders in return. By making the deal I see in the post, Malkin, Kopitar, Brown, Johnson. You can’t keep them together, although the cap is starting to allow more flexibility, I hope. Cap projected at 53-56 mil next year
Also, I’d rather have a 22-year old Malkin over a 29-year old Hossa next year, even at a million more. Malkin has a better future and has a ton more talent.
By Jason C on Jun 20, 2008
Had that Kopitar, Brown, 2 1st rounders/Johnson rumour been reported, I’d be more inclined to think about this offer than the Malkin-Cammalleri one, although bringing in Kopitar negates the fact that you’re clearing cap space. Once Kopitar’s rookie contract is up he will be seeking $7-8m/year. And that’s him being quite fair.