Flames, Canucks, Senators Seek Offense
July 12th, 2008 by Jason ChenBrian Gionta is strongly rumoured to be on the move, with possible destinations in the West, including Calgary and Vancouver as the front-runners. The Devils are looking to add to their defensive corps and is willing to sacrifice the former 40-goal man to land a top 4 defenseman. Both Calgary and Vancouver have the luxury of having extra bodies on the blueline. However, Vancouver has the upper hand with ample cap room, while the Flames will have to shed more than just Rhett Warrener ($2.35m) and Anders Eriksson’s ($1.5m) salaries to make room for Gionta ($4m).
With the addition of another forward, Jussi Jokinen’s departure seems more inevitable with each passing day. The Finnish winger was brought in by the recently resigned Jay Feaster through the Brad Richards trade, and seems to have fallen out of favour after new ownership brought in forwards of their own. Jokinen has scored at least 14 goals in each of the past 3 seasons, although with declining point totals of 55, 48, and 42. However, he is still a serviceable winger should teams feel they need more offensive depth.
Despite heart concerns, Teppo Numminen is still attracting interest from teams, including Montreal and Atlanta. Montreal’s defense is already set, and Numminen will play a limited role should he sign there. He will definitely get more ice-time in Atlanta, but the downside is that the postseason is a long shot should winning be a priority. The Kings are also rumoured to be interested, although they appear to be a long shot to land him.
The Senators appear to have finally found their second liner in Jason Williams. The 27-year old centre spent the last two seasons with Detroit and Chicago. He had 36 points in 43 games last season, but was sidelined indefinitely shortly after the Christmas break with a sports hernia. Williams was deemed expendable by the Blackhawks after outstanding season from Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, as well as the emergence of Dustin Byfuglien (19 goals) and the addition of Andrew Ladd at the deadline.
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2 Responses to “Flames, Canucks, Senators Seek Offense”
By Troy on Jul 12, 2008
I like Gionta for Vancouver. He is still a capable 20-30 goal scorer in my mind and can fit right in along the 2nd line. Also, having played in New Jersey his whole career, he’d be a pretty good defensive fit as well.
I have no idea why Numminen would go to the ATL. He’d want to go to a Cup contender, I’d think. Montreal, in a reduced role, is a much better fit.
Williams = nice fit for Ottawa. Capable secondary scorer in my mind for a team that is basically Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley, Vermette or bust. I don’t know whatever happened to the days when they have three capable scoring units
Lastly, with Jokinen… The Bolts chances of winning shootouts just fell a bit
By Jason C on Jul 12, 2008
Gionta provides great scoring depth, but should he go to Vancouver he’ll be up against bigger, better defensemen than the ones out East. I hear the defenseman going the other way could be Bieksa, who was rumoured to be part of a package Gillis offered Rutherford for Cole/Williams.