NHL Rumors

July 02 2009

Now that the Rangers have created an extra $5.457 million in cap space by sending Scott Gomez to Montreal yesterday in a slam-dunk trade for winger Chris Higgins and blueline prospect Ryan McDonagh, the question is whether Glen Sather will spend it wisely, whether he will keep it in his pocket, or whether the GM will have a first week of July like the one he had last year. It means that, should they so choose, the Rangers can be players for Minnesota sniper Marian Gaborik; or perhaps for Detroit's Marian Hossa, if he reaches free agency. They might check in on Montreal's impending free-agent defenseman Mike Komisarek, who, like Higgins, hails from Long Island.

The Blackhawks and Martin Havlat could not reach a contract agreement and both sides have moved on - albeit maybe not so amicably. Havlat, who led the Hawks in scoring last season with 29 goals and 48 assists, may not be leaving on the best terms, as indicated by several tweets late on Wednesday. "Excited to be in Minny where I was welcomed and appreciated by management," Havlat wrote. "The real story about what happened in Chicago [will] come out. Thanks to all Hawks fans. ... Will never forget your generosity and the great playoff run! There's something to be said for loyalty and honor."

The Ottawa Senators are on the hook for a $4 million signing bonus to forward Dany Heatley. Like he did on Tuesday, the disgruntled forward declined to waive his no-movement clause by Midnight eastern on Wednesday to facilitate a trade to the Edmonton Oilers. The Senators had agreed to a deal with the Oilers on Tuesday night that would have sent Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid to Ottawa in exchange for Heatley. Heatley was asked to waive his no-movement clause by the Senators but he didn't oblige.

With the first day of free agency in the books, Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke is in Sweden with the priority of getting goaltender Jonas Gustavsson signed, sealed and delivered. Not an easy challenge, especially since the Dallas Stars - reportedly the Leafs' No. 1 challenger for Gustavsson's services-- are now being run by recently hired general manager Joe Nieuwendyk who, as an employee of the Leafs up until last month, is well aware of Toronto's recruiting pitch.

Rangers general manager Glen Sather said he had been given an opportunity to bid on Dany Heatley, but passed. He spent the same on Marian Gaborik as he would have on Heatley, whose reputation is toxic, and without yielding an asset, though there's no law it had to be a one-or-the-other. Indeed, Sather said it wasn't.

We take no responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of published nhl rumors

© Copyright nhl-trade-rumors.com. All Rights Reserved