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Phil The Thrill
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The struggling San Jose Sharks and Columbus Blue Jackets have long been rumored to be after an experienced puck-moving defenseman with a big shot, which would seemingly make them prime candidates to pitch offers to the Edmonton Oilers for Sheldon Souray.
But according to the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson, the Oilers haven't received any offers for Souray, who's had an injury-plagued season with the American League's Hershey Bears.
Matheson reports Oilers GM Steve Tambellini remained optimistic about moving Souray at the trade deadline and it's possible the defenseman will also be placed on re-entry waivers.
Both options, however, appear as wishful thinking as it's obvious Souray's value has not improved since the summer when the Oilers couldn't give him away and were forced to bury him in the minors.
Speaking of the Sharks, GM Doug Wilson recently gave his coaching staff the thumbs up, but remained unimpressed with the performance of his players. Wilson suggested to the San Jose Mercury News he wouldn't rule out a minor or major roster shake up prior to the Feb. 28 trade deadline if the Sharks fail to improve soon.
Mark Purdy of the Mercury News reported Wilson, nearly two weeks ago, addressed his players before a practice, which left winger Ryane Clowe called a 10-game ultimatum to sort themselves out or face the consequences.
Wilson’s message failed to have the desired effect, however, as the Sharks dropped the next four games. If this keeps up, those consequences could be felt by the end of January.
The Ottawa Sun reported Wilson has been in the market for an experienced defenseman, listing Ottawa's Chris Phillips and Toronto's Francois Beauchemin and Tomas Kaberle as possibilities.
Phillips has a no-movement clause, Kaberle a no-trade (which Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said he wouldn't ask him to waive) and Beauchemin a partial no-trade clause.
Of the three, Beauchemin might be the best fit for the Sharks. He's played in California before, winning a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007, so Wilson and the Sharks know him well from his days with the Ducks.
Unlike Phillips and Kaberle, Beauchemin is not a pending unrestricted free agent and his $3.8-million salary for next season could be absorbed by the Sharks.
CANADIENS TRADING A SECOND KOSTITSYN?
Left winger Andrei Kostitsyn's days with the Montreal Canadiens may be numbered.
Prior to his goal against the Rangers Jan. 15, Kostitsyn had been mired in a lengthy scoring drought. A recent report out of Montreal claimed coach Jacques Martin was at a loss attempting to motivate the winger, while GM Pierre Gauthier was rumored to be shopping him.
It wouldn't be the first time the Canadiens lost patience with a Kostitsyn. Last summer they shipped Sergei to the Nashville Predators, and Andrei, a restricted free agent next summer who's earning $3.25 million this season, has done little to warrant a contract extension.
If Andrei Kostitsyn doesn't pick up his game soon the Habs will almost certainly intensify efforts to trade him by the deadline. Failing that, they could either try to move him during the NHL draft in June or simply not qualify his rights, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Trade speculation continues to grow in Toronto as fans and pundits ponder potential moves by GM Brian Burke and which of his current players will be involved.
Some of those mentioned in the rumor mill, such as defensemen Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin, have either a full or partial no-trade clause and there hasn’t been any indication they're willing to waive them to go to a playoff contender by the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
One Leaf, however, has publicly acknowledged he'd be willing to entertain that possibility.
Veteran goaltender J-S Giguere, who Burke acquired a year ago from the Anaheim Ducks, recently told the Toronto Star he'd be open to waiving his no-trade clause if approached by management.
Giguere wouldn't likely waive for just any club. He's doubtful to accept a trade to a non-contender like, say, the New York Islanders or Edmonton Oilers, but if the Washington Capitals were to come calling it's a good bet he'd accept.
However, the problem is there may not be a lot of teams in the market for a veteran goaltender, particularly one with a recent injury history and declining performance.
As often as the Capitals are mentioned in trade rumors, they appear content with their current young goalie tandem of Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth.
While some consider Giguere's value to be high based on his playoff record (2003 Conn Smythe winner, 2007 Stanley Cup winner), he isn't the same goalie he was four years ago.
His performance has been in decline since the 2008 playoffs and that cost him the starter's job in Anaheim to Jonas Hiller. Plus Giguere’s been plagued by a nagging groin injury since November.
While only 33 years old, it appears Giguere's best days are behind him. Any team expecting him to magically return to championship form by being moved to a better team would be making a risky acquisition.
It's still possible Giguere will be moved, but teams seeking depth in goal will look at other options first before giving Burke a call.
MOULSON WANTS TO STAY WITH THE ISLANDERS
Despite recent reports claiming the Islanders hoped to re-sign pending UFA left winger Matt Moulson and his stated desire to remain on Long Island, there was a rumor making the rounds earlier this week about him being dealt to the Boston Bruins.
TSN's Bob McKenzie was quick to douse the “Moulson to Boston” speculation, claiming via Twitter that if the Islanders were to shop Moulson it wouldn't be to Boston.
He also pointed out Isles GM Garth Snow still wanted to re-sign the winger, though McKenzie admitted contract talks hadn't begun yet.
If we take Snow at his word, it wouldn’t make any sense for him to peddle Moulson now unless ownership is unwilling to invest in retaining him.
Given the sad state of the Islanders and the fact Moulson is that rare pending unrestricted free agent who wants to remain with the team, they would be wise to lock him up to a reasonable extension quickly before a better opportunity arises.
COMMODORE NOW AN AHL DEFENSEMAN
It appears Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore will finish this season in the American League.
After clearing re-entry waivers Monday, Commodore agreed to remain with the Blue Jackets farm team in Springfield. GM Scott Howson told the Columbus Dispatch he'd exhausted all trade options for Commodore, but remained open for future discussions.
It's possible the Jackets will try to trade him in June or perhaps buy out the remainder of his contract (two more years at $3.75 million), though Howson suggested it was premature to speculate about the latter option.
Any suggestion the Blue Jackets would ship Commodore to New Jersey for winger Brian Rolston is ridiculous, as this move wouldn't resolve the needs of either club and would merely be a swap of bad contracts.
