Senators Trade Rumors

Ray Emery back in NHL?
"Ray Emery could be a man in demand. The word here is one NHL club has already put out feelers about getting the former Senators goaltender out of Russia and back in an NHL uniform. But apparently Emery, ranked 24th among 48 KHL goalies listed by Russian Hockey Digest (2.65 GAA, .896 save percentage) is intent on playing out this season in Russia. With no official agreement governing the movement of players between the NHL and KHL, both sides are quietly respecting contracts. Contrary to many reports, Emery has a two-, not a one-year deal, to play for Mytischi Atlant of the KHL. He's making $2 million this season. He has an out clause that would allow him to return to the NHL next summer. ..."
Update On Alfie's Contract Talks
"Melnyk characterized Saturday's meeting with captain Daniel Alfredsson and agent J.P. Barry to discuss a contract extension as "excellent." "There's a lot of things to consider from both sides, especially since it's a little nerve-wracking with what happened in the global financial markets over the last couple of weeks. We do need to see what's going to happen with attendance numbers across the league and how that will affect the cap. That's the key. As far as Daniel being part of the organization, I want him to be a Senator for life. The good news is that everybody is realistic and saying 'Where's the world going?' " said Melnyk ... Alfredsson left the ice and gave away almost everything ..."
What's it going to take, Alfie?
"Everybody involved agrees how they want talks on a new contract for Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to end. Getting there is the tough part and it started in earnest yesterday. Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and GM Bryan Murray met with J.P. Barry, Alfredsson's agent, yesterday. Murray came away from the meeting encouraged with what he heard. "Both sides want to get something done," he said. "It is something we both want, but it will take some time to work through to find a structure that is mutually acceptable," said Barry. Talks explored a number of options with the Senators wanting to know about Alfredsson's post-career aspirations, as well. Making Melnyk's desire to have Alfredsson be ..."
Alfie a 'Senator for life'?
"Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said this morning he wants captain Daniel Alfredsson to be a "Senator for life." The first step in trying to make that happen will be Saturday when Melnyk, Senators general manager Bryan Murray and Alfredsson's agent, J.P. Barry, meet in Stockholm to begin talks on a new contract for the Senators' star. "It's very preliminary discussions, but it's always worth talking. We're looking forward to it. What we would like to do come up with something so he is a Senator for life, but we have to realistic about what we can do and where the economy is heading. We'll see what happens." Melnyk made the comments after the Senators' morning skate in preparation for ..."
Sens can't run risk of losing captain
"The good news is Daniel Alfredsson wants to stick around long enough to represent Sweden in the 2010 Olympics. The bad news is that means the Senators are going to have to find a way to come up with the money to pay their captain. Alfredsson revealed yesterday he plans on sticking around for a while after thinking about packing it in just a couple of seasons ago. When he was asked by a Swedish reporter about playing for Sweden in 2010 yesterday, he replied: "Definitely, I would be interested ... I feel good. I can play a few more years, there's no question. I still feel that I have the fitness and the physique to do it and I still do love playing. How long, I don't know." Alfredsson's ..."
Wayne's world suits Muckler
"The Great One is ready to bring John Muckler out of his forced retirement from the NHL. League sources confirmed to Sun Media yesterday the Senators have given the Phoenix Coyotes permission to speak with the 74-year-old Muckler, who is expected to act in a role as a consultant to GM Don Maloney and coach Wayne Gretzky. While the deal hasn't been completed, Muckler, who has been out of the NHL since he was fired by Senators owner Eugene Melnyk after a trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2007, is expected to be signed by the Coyotes in the next couple of days. DEEP RESPECT This does not mean that any decision-making power in the Phoenix organization would rest with Muckler. He would be there ..."
Sens to pass on Schneider
"The Senators will be taking a pass on Mathieu Schneider. While Senators GM Bryan Murray is interested in the Anaheim Ducks defenceman, he said this morning the club simply can't afford his $5.5 million ticket for this season. Schneider was placed on waivers yesterday by the Ducks. It's believed the Los Angeles Kings will put in a claim, but there's also possibility he could clear today at noon and would then elidgible for re-entry waivers. If he is put on re-entry the Ducks would be required to pick up half his salary. Yes, the Senators want a puck-moving defenceman and Murray has been scouring the market, but he'd like to see what players step up in training camp before becoming active ..."
Schneider a remote possibility for Sens
"Yesterday morning, Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray acknowledged frustration at not being able to acquire a star, skilled defenceman to run the power play. The words were barely out of his mouth when the Anaheim Ducks placed veteran Mathieu Schneider on waivers in an attempt to unload his hefty $5.625-million U.S. salary. Schneider, 39, has 212 goals and 490 assists in 1,197 career games, and would be an obvious answer to the apparent vacancy on the Senators' blue-line. The issue, of course, is money, but if Murray was interested in picking up Schneider, he didn't have to look far yesterday to find team owner Eugene Melnyk to talk about adding the salary. Melnyk was in Ottawa ..."
Welcome Mats?
"Mats Sundin in a Senators uniform? It may never happen, but it won't be for lack of trying on Ottawa's part. While Sundin hasn't decided whether he's going to return to the NHL, two league sources told Sun Media yesterday that Senators GM Bryan Murray has made at least three calls expressing his club's interest in the centre, an unrestricted free agent. While it might be difficult to picture Sundin switching sides in the Battle of Ontario, the Senators did make a pitch for him at the trade deadline last February. Sundin stayed with the Maple Leafs, refusing to waive his "no movement" clause. The Senators haven't been as aggressive in their approach to chasing the 37-year-old centre as the ..."
Bolting to Sunshine State?
"Is defenceman Andrej Meszaros ready to Bolt? While The Hockey News reported last night on its website that the Senators defenceman had agreed to terms on a contract "in excess of $5 million (all terms US)" per season with another team, two league sources insisted that no formal offer sheet has been filed with the NHL. Sources told Sun Media last night that Lightning owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie have told the Senators they intend to pursue Meszaros if Ottawa doesn't deal him to the Bolts, but the indications are GM Bryan Murray doesn't feel the least bit threatened. Based on a yearly salary of $5 million, the compensation for signing Meszaros would be a first-, second- and ..."
Richardson not ready to pack it in
"Luke Richardson wants to play one more season in Ottawa. But whether the Senators can accommodate the 39-year-old defenceman remains to be seen. While a younger player might be worried about his future, Richardson, an Ottawa native who played 76 games for the Senators last season, has been around the NHL long enough to know that things happen for a reason, so he'll continue to prepare as though he'll play this season. Richardson, who made $500,000 (all terms US) last season, is ready to go to camp without a contract, but with the Senators already committing more than $48 million under the $56.3-million salary cap for 2008-09, there might not be much left in the kitty for the 19-year NHL ..."
Time for talking all but over
"Vermette's name has also been mentioned in a number of trade rumours, including swaps with Toronto (for Pavel Kubina), Vancouver (Ryan Kesler or Sami Salo), Chicago, Columbus and Florida. Most of them make no sense at all, because they don't consider the crucial element: Murray's need to squeeze under the salary cap."
Canucks said to covet Vermette
"Whether it's contingent on Mats Sundin not signing in Vancouver is unclear, but the Canucks are reportedly interested in Ottawa Senators centre Antoine Vermette. According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, the Canucks have kicked the tires on a deal for the 26-year-old restricted free agent who scored 53 points (24-29) in 81 games last season for Ottawa. Vermette will go to salary arbitration at the end of July and the Senators are apparently concerned he may be awarded $2.5 to $3 million. The other reason the Sens might be willing to part with the second-line scoring of Vermette is they are desperate to add some offence to their back end. GM Brian Murray tried to get free-agent offensive ..."
Nothing doing
"Hawks general manager Dale Tallon has heard the rumors of a possible blockbuster trade involving the Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators that would exchange some big names. Problem is, he says, that's all they are — rumors. And they aren't true. "Things are quiet right now," Tallon said Wednesday. "Somebody's making a good deal in their head.""
Three-way deal in works?
"A hot rumour in NHL circles has him discussing a three-way blockbuster with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings, Sun Media has learned. While draft picks and other players might also be involved, the principals appear to be a group of five or six that include a couple of veteran goalies and some of the game's most promising stars. According to insiders, Ottawa would trade netminder Martin Gerber and defenceman Andrej Meszaros to Los Angeles, the Kings would move 20-year-old centre Anze Kopitar to Chicago and the Blackhawks would propel goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and either of young blueliners Brent Seabrook or Cam Barker to the Senators."
Bouwmeester? Forget it
"Sources say the Panthers haven't given up hope of signing Bouwmeester and GM Jacques Martin is hopeful the addition of former Kitchener Rangers coach Peter DeBoer will convince the young star the club is going in the right direction. "As far as I know Bouwmeester is not the guy that Jacques Martin is offering up," said a league executive yesterday. "Bouwmeester is the guy they've got to build that team around. I haven't heard his name being offered around in a trade, not even once." Instead, the group of blueliners Martin is trying to deal is a lot less attractive to NHL GMs. The indications are anybody can have Florida defenceman Mike Van Ryn, who is scheduled to make $3.35 million ..."
Bell hopes to rise to Sens' defence