With the NHL trade deadline just about a month away, more and more rumors are beginning to surface regarding some key players. However, due to the fact that the standings are so tight right now in both conferences, we may not see much activity until the final weeks leading up to the Feb. 27 deadline. Nevertheless, here are some of the names that are currently linked to various rumors—some of which may actually be true.
James van Riemsdyk and Luke Schenn
This rumor started running wild last week when a report came out of Philadelphia claiming Flyers director of player personnel Don Luce scouted the Leafs in recent games.
Apparently, that’s all it takes in Toronto.
The next thing you know, the struggling Schenn was projected to be the guy who would attempt to fill the void left by Chris Pronger in Philly, while JVR would try to help the Leafs’ recent scoring woes.
However, that rumor was quickly squashed by Leafs Brian Burke when he talked to the Globe and Mail.
“We haven’t offered him to anybody,” Burke said of Schenn. “I don’t know where the rumors started. I told him that’s not happening.”
Any further speculation was squlched after van Riemsdyk suffered a concussion.
Shane Doan
After another surprising start to the season, the Phoenix Coyotes only have two victories in their last 10 games, putting them four points out of the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. When you add that to the fact that everyone seems to believe that the team is leaving the desert after this season if they cannot find someone to purchase the team, lifelong Coyote and team captain Shane Doan’s future is dubious at best.
Although his name has not been directly linked to any teams, CBC’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Coyotes hope to re-sign Doan to a long-term extension if the team gets new ownership. But if they don’t, he’ll move on as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Depending on the timing of this, if the Coyotes can’t prove to Doan that there is a serious bidder lined up for the team, the club will more than likely look to get something in return for their franchise player.
Teemu Selanne
This one seems to be the most baffling because when Selanne was asked by Eric Francis of the Toronto Sun about being open to a change of address before the deadline, his only answer was: “We’ll see.”
Real concrete.
The rumors around Selanne have him heading back to where his career started up in Winnipeg, but last time I checked, the Jets are currently out of a playoff spot at the moment. Plus, Ducks GM Bob Murray has already stated numerous times that Selanne will retire a Duck.
Sorry, Jets fans. Don’t put too much stock in this rumor.
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