Hmmmm, replace Condra/Hennessy with a better prospect, maybe O'Brien, Lee or Silfverberg, and I can see Edmonton doing that. The problem is, where is the real benefit for Edmonton to make that trade? I mean, sure it makes sense when you break it down like that, but it seems to me they could get better offers. Like the one I mentioned before, Wisniewski, Nokelainen and a first round pick for Sheldon Souray prehaps? If they trade Souray, they probably won't trade Vishnovski, I think they will keep one or the other. Jack Johnson for Souray or Vishnovski maybe? I know I said before that Johnson would not be touched, but after this thing between him and Lombardi, you never know.

Although I can definitely see Murray making a move for one of Souray, Vishnovski or Gilbert, I just don't really see Tambellini taking Kuba off our hands unless there are some pretty good picks and prospects involved.

But then this creates a problem on our side, if we're giving up that much in terms of prospects/picks, I would not be willing to give up Kelly. But if we don't give up Kelly, it throws off the cap situation. Argh, my head is spinning. I just don't really see this idea working out.

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Now I know how it feels to be Bryan Murray... Not an envious position to be in but he has been making the best of it.

I just though of an interesting comparison.

Obama: Head man in USA's capital city, got stuck trying to clean up George Bush's mess

Murray: Head man in Canada's capital city, got stuck trying to clean up John Muckler's mess.

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Well, Murray was quoted today as saying he has NO major moves planned. He likes where things are going with the team right now and will consider something at the deadline depending on the team's play. But no blockbusters.

IMO, Like what SensChirp said, if he can't find a difference maker to add to this team, don't add anything at all.

Either

Hamhuis
Gilbert
Visnovsky
Souray

If he can't get one of those and has a deal for Barker or someone like that i say no, leave the team as it is.

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If he does not get rid of cheechoo Murray should be forced to quit bump this will get rid of some cap and crap

Fair enough, like Senschirp said, we're in a pretty good position right now as we would like to make a move, we have some assets, but we don't need to make a move. The only thing I'm worried about is our cap situation this summer. And if we were going to dump a salary, we'd get better return at the deadline than we would during the summer.

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You know as much as I hate to say it,,, I really can't disagree after thinking about it. We are seriously EFFED next summer. And considering that we have around 7 million to sign 9 guys including Volchy, something will have to be done. We unfortunately havent seen what Cheech can do playing with legit top 6 forwards on a regular basis, and likely will never for whatever reason. That said he makes 3 million a season, and I can't deny for half that 3 million we could have a guy doing the same that he is doing on the 3rd and 4th lines. All things considered he works hard shift after shift, but for 3 million considering the cap, I would say team performance wise I don't think we wouild miss him, I like him, everybody on this site knows that I do, but I have to be realistic, someone has to go, and considering money and stats, Cheech and Kuba stand out.

I can't talk about money and performance without mentioning the play of Chris Kelly, he is EARNING that 2 Mill this year BIGTIME! injuries considered he was not moved up to the top 6 (thank god) where we wouldn't have belonged and where he would have underperformed. I havent found myself cursing Kelly at all once this year, more like commending him! and while at one point I was one of his biggest critics I can definitely say that he has done EXACTLY what he is paid to do here and that is kill penalties and play sound solid defensive hockey while chipping in the odd time with a goal here and there. So on that note, I'm hoping he won't have anything to do with a salary dump. He is our John Madden, he is our Jere Lehtinen he is our Rob Neidermayer.

Co-Sign,, We have our offensive defenseman,,, he wears number 65 Karlsson has made Kuba expendable IMO. Add Chara,, subtract Redden in 07 and we win the cup


As for possible acquisitions, this is what I would do if I'm BM. I think would compliment our team for the playoff run quite nicely.

Filip Kuba, 2nd round pick and Jim O'Brien

For

Thomas Kaberle

Lol I can just imagine some of your faces... believe me I thought about this. Let's face it, the battle of Ontario is DEAD. There isn't a rivalry anymore, if there is, I'm not seeing it and havent since after the lockout. Kaberle IMO is the best "realistic" guy to bring in, and he is under contract next year. There is no law that says Murray isn't allowed to deal with the Leafs. SO out of all O-Defensmen available I want Kaberle. He is under contract next season for a very REASONABLE 4.2 million. Also we just may have to add in a 1st Rounder to land Kaby, but Toronto would have to pony up Kaberle and someone else. If it's a 1st we send their way I say we ask for Viktor Stalberg and Kaberle, for Kuba, a first, and O'Brien. Who knows might add some much needed spice to the BOO (Battle of Ontario) games. Imagine next year? a top Defensive unit (offensively that has Kaberle on one side and Karlsson on the other? Comeon no can't tell me that doesn't put a smile on your face, I wouldn't mind if BM overspent a little for Kaberle.

I'd love to get Shea Weber or Ryan Suter, but I think they are there to stay in Gay old Nashville,,, as the Preds are loaded with cap space. Visnovsky? I doubt he gets moved,, Souray IMO is as good as gone... but while he has his awesom shot and is pretty good on the PP, his D doesn't justify paying him 5.4 Million a year. For a cheaper defenseman with arguably the same shot, would Joe Corvo be happy playing here again??? unlikely, I'd welcome him back though!

So that solves the lack of Offensive from the D IMO

Now on to some help up front.

I heard Kariya's name mentioned a few times... Yeeeahhhhh.. RIGHT! Imagine though? Alfie Spezz Kariya? Kovalev/Kariya insert any Center you want!???

I'd be shocked to see him come here and steal # 9 from Michalek I think Whitney would look great alongside Fisher or Spezza, and Ruutu would compliment Kovalev! Matt Cullen would be a pretty solid 3rd, sometimes 2nd line center.

So is Detroit going to continue their decline? if so why not take a run at Bertuzzi? I still say Owen Nolan would be a nice fit here. I'll maintain that, I wonder if Minnie would do this

Cheechoo and Lee

For

Nolan and Kobasew

I like both Nolan and love the speed that Chuck Kobasew brings!

Be still awesome to land Cogliano and lock him up, but that wouldn't be at the top of my list of deals.

So I would priortize trying to see if prying Ruutu from the Canes is possible,

Lee and a 2nd (Sharks) for Ruutu

then go after Whitney if thats not gonna happen, with a proposal like this

Ray Whitney

For

Jim O'Brien/Hennessy and a Third or Sharks 2nd

suitable IMO considering Whitney might only be a rental. Realistically I think Whitney is the guy who will come in and make the biggest impact offensively, compared with Ruutu, Cogs, Kobasew, Nolan and Cullen.

So Acquiring Whitney for Prospect and 2nd or 3rd pick and,,, Kaberle for Kuba, a 1st (hopefully a 2nd) and O'Brien. Even if we have to send Shannon back to Tor for Kaby I'd do it. To ice a team that looks like this

Michalek Spezz Alfie
Whitney Fish Kovalev
Foligno Regin Cheech or Shannon
Ruutu Kelly Neil

Kaberle Karlsson
Philchenkov
Carkner Campoli/Picard

Bring on the comments!

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Die Hard Sens Fan Since Day 1.
For now and forever! GO SENS GO

^^^^

the leafs are still rebuilding.
no way they do the kaberle deal.
burke's most likely looking for a 1st rounder.

i can see other teams making much better offers for the players mentioned.

I like Kaberle too but I don't think there's any chance he comes here.

T Ruutu, now that I would like to see. And I think if you occasionally threw the brothers together, you would get some pretty bruising results

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^ Just when the Hurricanes are about to get back in the playoff hunt? Doubt they trade Ruutu.

Hurricanes will be back in the playoff hunt in no time.

I'm not so confident they will make it back to the playoffs Rayzor...

I'm with Matt on this one.

Also it seems Murray might make a blockbuster trade with Carolina for a top 6 and a top 4 defenceman.

Ottawa gets:

Joni Pitkanen, Tuomo Ruutu/Jussi Jokinen

Carolina gets:

Kuba, 1st rounder in 2010, Winchester.

Michalek-Spezza-Alfredssom
Ruutu-Fisher-Kovalev
Foligno-Regin-Shannon
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil

Pitkanen-Karlsson
Phillips-Volchenkov
Campoli-Carkner

Elliot
LeClaire

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I thought murray said no blockbuster trades?
Also I don't think we have ever traded our 1st round pick. I don't see why we would want to now. Murray's drafting skills seem to be very good so I feel we should keep it.

I fell like GM's never want people to think they are looking for a blockbuster trade cause then it makes other people feel as if they have the advantage. I think he'd be willing to make one if he liked it

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True...Also this year's draft is VERY VERY deep. I wouldn't be surprised if Murray hung on to both of his second rounders too.

Remember last year, our 2 top prospects with our 2 second rounders.

Jakob Silfverberg
Robin Lehner

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Theres no way that would work, ESPECIALLY if Ruutu was involved, they would have to take Cheechoo., that and if Ruutu was involved that would SKY ROCKET us over the cap, giving the Canes 4.25 mill and taking on 7.8. If Jokinen was involved it would still see us go over Cap, unless they take Cheechoo (for $$$ purposes, I don't like losing him but there is life and success after him)

If we trade our 1st rounder I really hope BM gives Burkie a call and to at least talk trade and barter some players a little bit. You can't go wrong for Kaberle at 4.2 Million for another season, They get Kuba for CHEAPER! and Maaaayyyybbeeee a 1st rounder. Stalberg would be nice, that kid can FLY!

I called for BM to try and get T. Ruutu all summer, I'd guaranteed love to have him on our team. So BM should look for a forward from either Carolina or Minnesota, and do EVERYTHING he can to get Kaberle here, with Kuba heading to hog town!

Leafs fan would REALLY REALLY hate us, now they just hate us. We need to spice up the rivalry again. But the aim here is to solidfy a constant threat on the backend. There isn't too many D in the league who have a first pass as good as Kaberle's, acquire his skill to compliment our forwards, and we would be UNSTOPPABLE!

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Die Hard Sens Fan Since Day 1.
For now and forever! GO SENS GO

I really think the Hurricanes can make the playoffs. I have confidence they'll do it.

K sutter has clearly lost his mind right now.
Murray take advantage!!
Cheechoo and Kuba for Iginla and backlund.....Run with it!!!!!

You'd think with the trades that have happened today that NHL 10 has taken over real life.

Apparently someone tried these on NHL 10 and it said no lol