1) With Election Day Here in the U.S. set for tomorrow we figured we'd use political rhetoric to make our point today. With deference to James (Cue-ball) Carville's famous/oft used line during the 1992 presidential election, we felt we would weigh in on the various trade rumours that have been thrown out there the past couple of weeks, and why in 99% of the cases they will NOT happen. At least not any time soon.2) As the recent past has shown, few, if any meaningful trades occur in the first month of an NHL season. Teams are still trying to assess what they have, and what they might need from within their own organizations before they start to look to other teams for a missing piece or two.
3) However, since 2005 the dreaded salary cap has all but stifled any potential block buster trades from occurring pretty much until the trade deadline or draft day. So when you read about a trade rumor from Eklund or an actual writer (Is their really a difference?) like Garrioch, etc, the first thing you need to do is look at the salary cap of all the rumoured teams.
4) Right now about 20 teams have 3 or less million in remaining cap space. A source connected to a Western Conference 'capologist' tells Fauxrumors that his team wants to keep at least 2 million in cushion in case of injury. (Only long term injuries get an exemption so a series of minor injuries can cause 'cap issues') So with that in mind here is a run down on some of the rumoured trade bait:
- Jason Spezza- As FR2 eloquently wrote last week, the kid is untradeable for multiple reasons, not the least of which is his 7 million cap hit for another 7 years! This kind of deal would only get done in the off season when GM's have more flexibility.
- Nikolai Khabibulin- The writing is on the wall that no team really wants this guy. He could have been picked up for free when he was on waivers. Why would anyone pick him up and have to give up an asset. Eklund put out a nice whopper that a team (like the Isles) would trade for the Bulin wall just to trade him away at the deadline. Hey Eck, thats dumb! The Hawks may end up dealing Nicolai (he's playing well enough to attract interest) but probably not until after the start of the New Year when half his contract is already paid.
- Mats Sundin- Is a UFA so technically wouldn't be a trade, but almost all rumours have the big Swede signing with a team shortly. Eklund has him going to NY. Hey idiot, the Rangers have like ZERO cap space. Not to mention that the are playing well, so why upset that chemistry? No way do they acquire him! As we have said on several occasions, we believe that Mats will end up somewhere in Canada. (Either Toronto or Vancouver) Probably whichever is FURTHER from playoff contention. Matts appears to not want to win a Cup!
5) Bottom line folks, read/enjoy all the rumour sites all you want. Much like politicians who feed their constituents what they want to hear; they are there to make you get excited, generate hits (revenue), not to be accurate. On the flip side, this site has ZERO revenue enticements. Its merely for entertainment. Ours and whoever decides to read. Therefore we have no reason to put out fictitious rumours! (Trash). In the end you don't have to be closely connected/super-hockey knowledgeable to understand why big trades don't happen this time of year, Its simple: Its the Salary Cap, Stupid!
Post script: Nice job FR2 on nailing the DiPietro issue cold. You guys mentioned last week that he had a torn meniscus in his knee (what ever that is?) that would require surgery. Well, sure enough the isles released word that indeed their goalie did indeed have that exact injury and would require additional surgery. Nice going FR2!
As always, keep it here for the latest!
6 comments:
I agree sir, that the diagnosis of a meniscal tear is commensurate with the symptoms, as limited as they have been, listed in news stories. If this is the same area that was arthroscopicly treated 3 months ago, it wouldn't bode well. My orthopedic colleagues tell me that if two arthroscopic procedures are inadequate that 'significant' surgery might be necessary to repair the damage properly. The kicker is that they say the joint is 'never the same' once it heals.
What Faux - no prediction?
1) Dr: As always, we appreciate your input. We have congratulated FR2 for their nailing the Dipietro issue when the isles beat writers did not. We agree that it doesn't bode well for his career both in the long and short term.
2) Chad: We guess we invited political rap with our use of Carville in the picture. We rarely get involved directly in these debates. All we ask is for all folks to vote........ ONCE! ; )
3) DlyJoe: You got one thing right. IF you used the word you alluded to not only would your post be erased immediately, but you'd be banned for life! That kind of hate speech has no place here. Go to your fav left/right wing blog if that's what you're looking for!
4) For everyone else lets keep things civil. We will have a new president-elect in less than 36 hours. Regardless of the outcome, we will still be here at faux rumors and life will go on for the 47-49.9% who didn't have their guy elected.
1) Dr: As always, we appreciate your input. We have congratulated FR2 for their nailing the Dipietro issue when the isles beat writers did not. We agree that it doesn't bode well for his career both in the long and short term.
2) Chad: We guess we invited political rap with our use of Carville in the picture. We rarely get involved directly in these debates. All we ask is for all folks to vote........ ONCE! ; )
3) DlyJoe: You got one thing right. IF you used the word you alluded to not only would your post be erased immediately, but you'd be banned for life! That kind of hate speech has no place here. Go to your fav left/right wing blog if that's what you're looking for!
4) For everyone else lets keep things civil. We will have a new president-elect in less than 36 hours. Regardless of the outcome, we will still be here at faux rumors and life will go on for the 47-49.9% who didn't have their guy elected.
5) Antz: No, no prediction for a winner other than to say that from what we have heard its not gonna be as much of a blow out as some have predicted.
I agree with your assessment of why trade rumours seldom pan out into reality. I read Eklund's site more for Andy Strickland than anything else, but even then, the rumours seem more like wishful thinking on the part of a fan than anything connected with realism.
As for the election - Go McCain! Not for the reasons a previous poster so eloquently put out there, since that just sounded like hateful posturing, but because the last thing a country in economic turmoil needs is a leftist government...
Plus, let's face it. Sarah Palin is a nicer looking VP than Obama's running mate...
Great call, Czech! While your hockey team isn't a favorite of mine, your election/political comments are right on the mark... Btw, I did pick the Rangers to win the Cup!
See y'all tomorrow!
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