Today's rumors around the NHL
Leafs eyeing top prospect
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to get some young talent after giving away their next two first round picks. So if the Vancouver Canucks offer up to prospect Cody Hodgson -- who may be unhappy in the Canucks organization -- the Leafs may jump at it, even it it costs them Tomas Kaberle.
We know Kaberle will be shopped in the offseason -- when his no-trade clause is on hold. But he could be dealt earlier, despite Leafs GM Brian Burke saying he won't ask Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause. The Hockey News' Ken Campebell writes, "Kaberle would have some control over his destiny by agreeing to a deal prior to the deadline, ensuring he would be going to a playoff-bound team with a good future rather than facing the uncertainty of being dealt to any one of the 28 other teams during the summer."
In a trade, the Toronto Star's Damien Cox says it will cost suitors the same thing it cost them last offseason: a top-six forward. Hodgson is a good prospect and, with perhaps another piece, the Leafs might part with Kaberle.
The Bruins might also be interested in Kaberle, as well as the Sharks. The Devils might get in on this too, hoping that GM Brian Burke was fibbing when he said he didn't plan to ask Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause.
Jagr to return to NHL for playoffs?
At halftime of the Belarus-Finland game, NBC analyst Jeremy Roenick said Jaromir Jagr could return to the NHL for the playoffs, Even Strength reports. Although Jagr's contract is up at the end of this season, this may be a long shot. Jagr's Omsk team will make the playoffs and the KHL playoffs don't end until late April. The NHL season ends April 12.
Still, Jagr is still eying an NHL comeback. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune's Michael Russo writes, "So while these Olympics are about getting a medal for Jagr, you can bet it's as much about auditioning for some NHL teams. Most are assuming that the Edmonton Oilers have the inside shot since they went after Jagr hard before he signed in the KHL. But if Jagr continues this tourney to show he's still got game, the Oilers may need to get in line."
One place he won't be going is Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari previously wrotes, "Jagr has a long history of wanting to be the dominant presence on his team; add him to a club built around the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and that simply wouldn't be the case."
Florida shopping many of its players
Florida Panthers GM Randy Sexton reportedly shopping several players, as he tries to blow up this team.
He has said no one is off-limits, and the latest name to surface is trade talks is Cory Stillman. The Buffalo Sabres might be interested, as well as a handful of other teams.
The other guys on the market are Rostislav Olesz, Radek Dvorak, Jordan Leopold and Dennis Seidenberg. Goalie Tomas Vokoun could also be dealt.
NY Rangers preparing a blockbuster trade?
The New York Rangers may be working on a blockbuster trade with the Edmonton Oilers in a deal that involves Sheldon Souray.
The Fourth Period reports that Rangers scout Rick Kehoe and former Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough, a Rangers consultant, watched the Oilers play last week -- possibly eying Souray. The Rangers may also be interested in Andrew Cogliano.
Although Souray has a no-trade clause, he has is willing to waive it to go to New York, so that wouldn't be a problem. However, any trade involving Souray would have to include several players with big contracts, since Souray's cap hit is $5.4 million. The Rangers would love to rid themselves of Michal Rozsival ($5 million) or Wade Redden ($6.5 million) but it's unlikely the Oilers would take them off their hands in their rebuilding period. The Rangers may also shop F Brandon Dubinsky.