Kill Bouwmeester Rumors

According to a source of mine and Spector's Hockey, Jay Bouwmeester has decided to reject the Florida Panthers multi year deal and will go to arbitration on July 29th.

So this all but kills any rumors of J-Bo being shopped.

The Source

(Also remember that he can still be traded before the Arbi but I wouldn't expect it to happen as the Panthers are asking for a 1st round pick)

Vermette Likely A Nuck

According to an HB Canucks Correspondant, the Ottawa Senators will likely trade forward Anotine Vermette to the Vancouver Canucks Canucks. The correspondant says that the return for the Canucks will not be defenseman Kevin Bieksa, although it could be Sami Salo.

Leclaire Resigned?

An E-mail was sent to one of my colleagues seconds ago, stating that Pascal Leclaire has resigned with the Columbus Blue Jackets for 3 years at $14 million. We will wait for confirmation of the news.

Scotty's Take: I'm not sure how long until this could be announced, but I can tell you this is legitimate rumor from the Blue Jackets guy I talked to and that you should not hold your breath but this could very well be the deal.

LIVE CHAT 7:30

Hey Everyone THERE WILL BE A LIVE CHAT AT 7:30 eastern time TONIGHT HOPEFULLY NO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES!

Hope To see You There!

Scotty

If you got any immediate questions RIGHT NOW e-mail me at hockeybums@yahoo.ca

Svatos Reups With Avs

The Colorado Avalanche have avoided arbitration with forward Marek Svatos by resigning the young guy to a 2 year contract extension.

John Tortorella heading to New York!!

As I reported on July 21st/08. It looks like John Tortorella is heading to the Islanders. John will be meeting with GM Garth Snow on Sunday.

Stay tuned for more....

The Latest on Jay Bouwmeester

His Arbitration hearing is scheduled for July.29.08

He has recently rejected a multi year contract extension from the Panthers worth a little over 5 million a year. It is apparent that the Panthers are low balling him since he is worth (to the team) about 6 million a year.
http://thefourthperiod.com/news/fla080723.html

Lets all keep in mind that Bouwmeester is the player who this organization was planning on building around. This organization also was planning on building around Luongo but didn't want to pay up. Jokinen was also "untouchable" and would not be traded by the Panthers.

The Panthers 3rd overall pick is about to pack his bags and leave Florida like so many other great players have before him. Its tradition in Pantherland to always trade away their best talent just to stay under the playoff line come the end of the season. At least the Panthers are consistent losers.

Mike York heading to Ohio

According to The Columbus Dispatch, forward Mike York signed a one year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. York agreed to a two-way contract, worth 750k if he plays in the NHL and 100k in the AHL.

The Michigan native notched 6 goals and added 8 assists in 63 games last season with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Shanahan returning

Per Michael Farber of CNNSI.com, Brendan Shanahan will be returning to the NHL this season. He is contemplating a one-year offer from the Rangers. If he declines that offer, he will sign with another team.

Leafs Closing in on Jokinen

According to Howard Berger who I spoke with at length this morning the Leafs are close to a deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning that would see Pavel Kubina got to Tampa Bay for Jussi Jokinen. The Lightning have been trying to re-aquire D-man for sometime and the Leafs have been looking to land Jussi since his days in Dallas.

According to Berger the deal hinges on the decision of Mats Sundin and as soon as his decision is made the deal could be made immediately following that, assuming that Mats sign else where.

Now he said that the Leafs would get more than just Jokinen in the deal they could also get a pick or prospect.

Stay Tuned

The Source

Isles Officially Re-sign Gervais

Reports out of New York claim that the Isles have come to terms on a 3 year, one way deal worth $2.1 million with defencemen , Bruno Gervais.

Also, next in line for the Isles coaching job is John Torterella. Although it seems Joel Quenneville is the favourite.

Dustin Brown Bleeds Purple and Black

There is a new trend at the Staples Center, Dustin Brown jerseys. He has quietly become the fan favorite in the last 4 seasons as a King. His hard checking and aggressive style of play caught everyones attention for his first 3 seasons but last season his offensive game was a welcomed surprise. When the Kings are playing at home its like being at a Dustin Brown fan club meeting. His photo and name is everywhere. The fans love him, Dean Lombardi loves him. And after signing a 6 year contract extension he is not going anywhere.

Brown was drafted in 2003. He was taken in the first round, 13th overall. He immediately showed his checking abilities. But in the 2007-08 season he showed he could score. The Kings game him a gift that keeps on giving, Anze Kopitar. The 2 of them together have tormented goalies and defenceman. Brown had 33 goals and 27 assists last season, both career highs. He also led the NHL is hits with 311, 45 more than 2nd Michael Komisarek. Then he put on a show at the 2008 IIHF World Championships with 9 points and 22 PIM in 7 games.

He has become the new face of the Kings. Next season he is expected to wear a "A" on his jersey. He and Kopitar will lead this young group into the dangerous Western Conference. With his new leadership role and expected elevated offensive numbers, he is sure to grab the leagues attention. And to all the rookies coming into the NHL, keep your head up.

Sundin likely to wear Bleu, Blanc, Rouge

Like I was reporting earlier on the chat, I spoke briefly to JP Barry concerning Sundin and the Habs. I had heard that the Habs had received some "good news" from the Sundin camp so I asked Barry for confirmation. He told me that the Habs did indeed get some good news from Mats but would not tell me anything more than that. Now, with Eklund posting the quotes that he did, it seems like it's finally all falling into place, or like EK said "falling into the Habs lap". I know most of the time Ek isnt all that reliable, but i have been getting pretty much the same statements from the people that I have contacted.

I do know that Mats has not signed as of yet; he said he will make his decision on August 1st, so that is when he will decide. However, it does look as though he will be wearing Bleu, Blanc, Rouge this upcoming season, but ANYTHING can happen between now and the 1st of August.

Shana- handcuffed

It was reported today former Blues owner Mike Shanahan Sr. pleaded guilty to federal charges of backdating stock options. Shanahan owned the Blues at the height of their popularity ('86-'99). Federal charges on 11 other counts were dropped for a guilty plea of falsifying records of a publicly traded company.

My question to Mr. Shanahan: When coooking the books and skimming of the top.... Why could you use some of that money to get us a Cup?

If convicted Shanahan could face 21 months in jail.