Capitals Trade Rumors

"Nothing officially from the team but it is believed the Lightning already has made contact with representatives for left wing Radim Vrbata, who scored 27 goals last season for the Coyotes, and goalie Olaf Kolzig. Makes sense. Vrbata's stock took off when Brian Rolston turned down the Lightning's offer. As coach Barry Melrose said this morning, he could play the right side and the second-unit power play. He also is good on the penalty kill, and was plus-6 last season. Kolzig would be a terrific mentor for Mike Smith, and coach Barry Melrose, this morning, indicated the team "had some goalie issues we need to take care of.""

"Sundin, who would cost about $6 million, also could retire to Sweden or play for the defending Cup champion Red Wings, who have a cadre of Swedes. If Jagr chooses to leave for Russia or Prague - or maybe Pittsburgh - an obvious replacement would be Marian Hossa to skate on Gomez's wing. The Slovak sniper, 29, would cost between $7 million and $8 million. Boston, Vancouver and Montreal also reportedly have their sights on Hossa...On offense, the speculation includes Montreal's Michael Ryder and Washington's Matt Cooke, who would replace Avery and/or Straka. The Rangers have several forward prospects who could earn a spot in training camp: Lauri Korpikoski, P.A. Parenteau, Dane Byers, ..."

"One year after the Washington Capitals added Michael Nylander, Tom Poti and Viktor Kozlov in the first 36 hours of free agency, General Manager George McPhee isn't expected to grab the spotlight again when the signing period begins today. Instead, it's believed he will focus on re-signing his players, with goaltender Cristobal Huet and defenseman Mike Green topping his list. A league source said Huet's agent, Stephen Bartlett, and the Capitals continue to talk and are closing in on a three-year contract extension believed to be in the $5 million per season range. Huet, 32, can start fielding offers from other teams at noon, but McPhee hopes to get him under contract before he reaches ..."

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"Goodbye Ottawa. Calling Tampa? Chicago? Washington? Controversial goaltender Ray Emery was officially shown the door by the Ottawa Senators yesterday after receiving $2.275 million U.S. as a parting gift. The cash represents the required one-third buyout of the $6.725 million still owed to Emery for the final two seasons of a three-year contract he signed with the Senators last summer. The money can be paid out over the next four National Hockey League seasons. Emery can now shop his services to any and all bidders as an unrestricted free agent."

"The Washington Capitals placed Ben Clymer on waivers yesterday with the intention of buying out the final year of the former checking line winger's contract. Clymer, 30, spent all of last season with the team's minor league affiliate in Hershey, Pa., and is scheduled to earn $1.1 million next season. If Clymer clears waivers today -- and it's expected that he will -- the buyout will count $250,000 against the Capitals' salary cap next season and $366,667 in 2009-10. Clymer signed a three-year, $2.9 million contract with Washington in July 2006."

"Murray will also toss out the name of goalie Ray Emery, just to see if there is any interest. While it's unlikely that any NHL team would be willing to pick up the two years and $6.75 million U.S. remaining on his contract, there have been rumblings that the Washington Capitals could be interested. They have yet to re-sign No. 1 goalie Cristobal Huet, and they've told free-agent backup Olaf Kolzig they won't be bringing him back."

"Is Alex Ovechkin this season's MVP? The answer to that question won't be revealed until the "NHL Award Show" on Thursday night, but blue Reebok T-shirts touting the Washington Capitals all-star as the Hart Trophy winner were on sale Friday afternoon through the league's Web site. They were, that is, until league officials realized the mistake and pulled the item. Ovechkin, the league's leading scorer last season, is a finalist for the award with Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin."

"The agent for Washington Capitals center Sergei Fedorov said there is interest from the 38-year-old Russian about returning to the team, and he hopes to speak with club officials about a new contract next week. Fedorov was acquired by the Caps from Columbus at the trade deadline, and he became an important part of the team's incredible season-ending run to a division title and postseason berth. The six-time All-Star and league MVP in 1994 found new life with Bruce Boudreau's aggressive approach after nearly two years in a defense-first system with the Blue Jackets. He will become an unrestricted free agent July 1 if a deal is not reached by then."

"Did the timing of the dismissal mean the Leafs had found their general manager and were allowing him to arrive without blood on his hands? Did it mean the Leafs are so far from finding Fletcher's successor that the Silver Fox realized he'd better do what he said he wouldn't – fire the coach – and get on with rebuilding the club himself? Will Fletcher run the team until Brian Burke is freed up from his contract obligations in Anaheim next summer? Will the Leafs replace the current interim with another interim, say recently deposed Vancouver GM Dave Nonis, until Burke can arrive as the saviour? And why hasn't Burke signed that extension in Duckland yet?"

"Washington Capitals management has not yet discussed next season's roster in detail, but the team is expected to pursue a contract extension with veteran Sergei Fedorov. Acquired from Columbus for a prospect at the February trade deadline, the 38-year-old pending unrestricted free agent centered each of the Capitals' top two lines down the stretch. He also played a significant role on special teams and served as a mentor to young forwards Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom. "I'm sure if [Fedorov] wants to play, and we can afford it, we'll figure it out," majority owner Ted Leonsis said this week."

"The agent for Cristobal Huet said his client enjoyed his two months in Washington and would consider re-signing with the Capitals before becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1, but he also said substantive talks on an extension have not begun. Acquired from Montreal for a second-round draft pick at the trade deadline, Huet went 11-2 with a 1.63 goals against average and a .936 save percentage during the Capitals' stretch run. The 32-year-old can probably expect to double his $2.875 million salary and, if he reaches the open market, figures to have no shortage of suitors."

"Kolzig still hasn't addressed how he was feeling to reporters. His agent Art Breeze is furious the way things went down with a player he considers "an icon" in Washington but chose his words carefully."

"When the Washington Capitals emerged from a meeting early yesterday afternoon at their Arlington headquarters, just hours after an excruciating overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, one absence was conspicuous. Veteran goaltender Olie Kolzig had cleaned out his locker stall and left the building, skipping the mandatory meeting. He did not speak to reporters. After Monday's 3-2 loss at Verizon Center, he stripped his name tag off of his locker stall."

"When the Stanley Cup playoffs are completed, the draft comes and goes and the Washington Capitals gear up for free agency, Priority A will be goaltender Cristobal Huet, who turned away 31 shots in the Capitals' 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals."

"Part of the reason Washington GM George McPhee was active at the trade deadline might be the heat he's feeling. However, getting G Cristobal Huet (Montreal) and C Sergei Fedorov (Columbus) won't stop the talk McPhee will be replaced by former Dallas GM Doug Armstrong this summer."

"For the past decade, in good and bad times, there's been one constant for the Washington Capitals: Olie Kolzig, the team's unquestioned No. 1 goaltender. Kolzig's reign, however, could be ending."

"Although Washington is believed to be seeking a second line center to replace the injured Michael Nylander and a veteran defenseman, McPhee is reluctant to part with one of his young players. McPhee could, however, offer seldom-used defenseman Steve Eminger or one of his three second-round draft picks as part of a package."

"The Caps are one team very much still in the mix. McPhee met with the media for about 20 minutes last week, and he made one point clear — for the first time in several years, the Caps will not be among the sellers."

"McPhee declined to discuss the future of goaltender Olie Kolzig, one of only two pending unrestricted free agents on the roster (checking-line wing Matt Bradley is the other). It's believed the 37-year-old lifelong Capital hasn't been approached by the team about a contract extension. But it also doesn't seem likely that McPhee would trade his No. 1 goaltender, given that the Capitals are challenging for the Southeast Division title."

"The Hurricanes continue to be looking over Avs defender John-Michael Liles, an unrestricted free agent after this season. Carolina has made no secret of its desire for a puck-carrying, offensive defenseman. Liles, however, is suffering through the worst season of his young career, with two goals and 18 points in 48 games coming in. Scouts from the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals also were in attendance."

"Olie the Goalie, hanging it up -- maybe moving on -- just when the Caps come to life? Kolzig, the player who tended goal full-time for the Capitals since 1996 -- the Canadian-reared guy who's been in the orguhn-eye-zation since 1989 -- getting cheated out of one more run into June?"

"Ovechkin, who can become a restricted free agent on July 1, has been the subject of some far-fetched trade rumours recently - with the latest one involving the Nashville Predators. And such rumours are news to Capitals owner Ted Leonsis..."I respect Alex and (general manager) George McPhee's commitment to keep the negotiations out of the media and frankly have wondered who is making up some of the things I have read."

"But the fact remains: Ovechkin has refused to sign a long-term deal with the Capitals. He will be a restricted free agent at season's end, perhaps the most sought-after restricted free agent in NHL history. And he loves Montreal."

"The Penguins shouldn’t get a rent-a-player. If you swap for Hossa, hammer out a new contract with him before making the deal. San Jose is reportedly shopping winger Jonathan Cheechoo, 27... Offer Ovechkin what Crosby makes, then wait for the Capitals to match the offer. They would, but it would make for a marvelous week of dreaming."

"The Washington Capitals aren't willing to pay the price to keep Alexander Ovechkin. At least not yet. Sources say Caps GM George McPhee "insulted" Ovechkin by offering a five-year, $37.5-million (all terms US) deal. Ovechkin thumbed his nose at the offer. It's believed Ovechkin, who fired agent Don Meehan and is representing himself, wants $9-$10 million a season."

"If George McPhee remains general manager of the Caps -- and that's a big if -- there's a chance he could hire London Knights coach Dale Hunter to take over behind the Washington bench. The Ottawa Senators talked to Hunter in the off-season, but the club settled on assistant John Paddock. A former Caps captain, Hunter might be able to restore some faith in the Washington franchise."

"All Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee did by firing coach Glen Hanlon was buy time. The whisper is owner Ted Leonsis already has initiated the search for a new GM and all McPhee is doing is keeping the seat warm."

"Did Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke really give away goalie Ilja Bryzgalov on waivers? The story making the rounds is the Ducks agreed to take centre Brian Sutherby from the Caps for a second-round pick so McPhee would pass on Bryzgalov. That allowed the Coyotes to pick up the netminder off waivers. The belief is Phoenix GM Don Maloney will send something Anaheim's way at the trade deadline."

"Maybe someone can provide one good reason for Alex Ovechkin to sign a new contract with the before becoming a restricted free agent on July 1, because we sure can't think of any... Dialogue has resumed between Scotty Bowman and the board of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment aimed at working out a deal so the nine-time Cup-winning coach and one-time player personnel director would become the Toronto club's president and director of hockey operations, Slap Shots has been told."

"Talk won't go away if the situation in Washington doesn't turn it around soon, GM George McPhee and/or coach Glen Hanlon could be on the firing line. Armstrong's firing in Dallas has put a number of GMs on edge. The Stars had four 100-point seasons, won a Stanley Cup and Armstrong is gone. While many are going to wonder where teams will find successors, Armstrong is suddenly on the market."

"Dallas joined the Thrashers as an organization willing to make a major change early in the season. On Tuesday, the Stars fired general manager Doug Armstrong and promoted Brett Hull and Les Jackson to the position of interim co-general managers. In a league with increased parity, expectations to compete are in every city, meaning jobs are constantly in question. So whose job is in jeopardy right now? Sluggish starts mean the hot seat is getting crowded in a few NHL cities."

"After dropping five of the past six games and dropping into last place, there are lots of frustrated players in the Washington Capitals' locker room. No one, though, is more unhappy than defenseman Steve Eminger, who isn't playing and isn't sure why...McPhee said there are no plans to trade Eminger and that he was kept on injured reserve for four weeks so his ankle could heal."

"The Capitals are having trouble negotiating with Alex Ovechkin, who becomes a restricted free agent July 1. Ovechkin fired agent Don Meehan and has hired a lawyer to be his adviser. Sources say the Caps were confident they'd be able to get something done with Meehan, but are having issues since Ovechkin decided to take over his own negotiations."

"Capitals GM George McPhee told the Washington Post that he makes calls all the time to his counterparts about trades to help his struggling club, but can't find any partners. "You would like to help your team, but has there been a trade made in this league since opening night? We call other GMs every week to see what's going on," said McPhee. "And there's not a lot going on in this league."

"Next on the negotiation agenda is Ovechkin, who is in the final year of a bonus-laden entry deal that will see him earn up to $3.85 million this season. The two sides are said to have had informal talks to this point. Without a new contract, Ovechkin could become a restricted free agent next summer."

"Kings players, we're told, are already tired of Marc Crawford. Meanwhile, we've heard that players in L.A. are far more confident in netminder Jason Labarbera than are either Crawford or GM Dean Lombardi... No, the Penguins are not actively seeking a goaltender to supplant Marc-Andre Fleury, but if the kid doesn't close some of the holes in his game, expect GM Ray Shero to take a serious run at renting veteran Olaf Kolzig if the Caps are sellers at the Feb. 26 trade deadline."