Early Draft Day Stories

Three stories to watch in the early going on Friday as NHL teams ready for the draft:

1. Possible move of Ryan Smyth. L.A. general manager Dean Lombardi confirmed Thursday on a conference call to discuss the Mike Richards trade that the 35-year-old Smyth has asked for a trade. But what can you get for a player who had 23 goals last year and comes with a monstrous cap hit of $6.2 million in the last year of his contract before unrestricted free agency.

Not much is the answer, although you never know what some team might cough up Either the Kings get little or they'd have to take back an ugly contract. Say, for example, they were willing to accept Sheldon Souray from the Oilers. Worth watching today, and if L.A. can move the Smyth contract, it would position them to take a shot at Brad Richards on July 1st.

Can you imagine an L.A. team down the middle with Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Brad Richards? Wow.

2. It's believed Robyn Regehr will decide today on whether he'll accept a trade to Buffalo and waive his no-trade clause. If he doesn't, Calgary GM Jay Feaster may have to make another move.

3. Naming of the Winnipeg franchise. Doesn't it just make sense to unveil that today before the draft or when the new team makes it's first round pick? They've got players, a GM, a head coach - isn't it about time they deliver on the name?

 

Comments

[Stephen]

The Kings can't fit Brad Richards under the cap. Doughty's salary will more or less replace Smyth's on the cap (he'll likely get Keith money), even assuming the Kings only get a mid-range pick in return, and then they have four or five FAs (either restricted like Martinez or unrestricted like Moller and Richardson) who are going to get in the 800K - 1M range. That will get them up near $60M right there; no way does Richards come in for anything cheaper than $7M.

Plus, they need to stash some room away for two years down the road when both Bernier and Quick's contracts come up. Even trading Bernier (which is possible) doesn't give them quite the room they need.

Although if I was Edmonton, I'd demand Bernier be tossed into any Smyth deal. The Oilers desperately need a young goaltender; I'm surprised they didn't make a play for him instead of the somewhat overrated Colten Teubert.

[latefordinner]

I would love to see the new team called the Jets, or even The Winnipeg New Jets, but the rights to that name are owned by the Phoenix group oops, the league, and I doubt they'd be inclined to sell. Too embarassing, even though they could use the money.
Following a great Manitoba tradition, how about calling the team "The Guess Who?", and awarding a prize to the fan who guesses the real name? Then the new owners could keep the name Guess Who and be done with it.

[Rob]

The league has already said that they would make the Jets name available if asked.

[Stephen]

"but the rights to that name are owned by the Phoenix group oops, the league, and I doubt they'd be inclined to sell. Too embarassing, even though they could use the money."

Bettman's on the record as saying that they'll let them use the name for free, but let's not let the facts get in the way of a good groundless conspiracy theory.

(Psst... the NHL gets a cut of the merchandise revenues either way. I think it's more that the Manitoba owners know that everyone in the province already owns Jets and Moose gear and are trying to find something that allows them to re-sell everything. Just call 'em the Falcons and be done with it.)

[Dave]

What's in a name? As mentioned they have players, a GM and a coach; I hope they don't rush to a decision to please anyone but their own fans in Winnipeg; which is why I wouldn't do it today or anytime at the draft. The Draft should showcase young talent, Minnesota and the NHL. Considering you work in the media Mr. Cox, I figured you'd want it spread out; with all the action going on right now between the awards & the blockbuster trades the boys on the radio and TV have enough to fill the next week; but it is never enough is it?

[John Argue]

Maybe the best moves Burky makes today are no moves at all. The Leafs are a young team with an upward trajectory and have a chance to stock the cupboard. However, if Winterpeg would consider moving Bergosian for picks I would pull that trigger as it solves a young puck moving Dman issue the Buds need. Bergosian is barried behind Enstom and Byfuglien and that won't change soon so the door is open. UFA Richards July 1st maybe...personally not a big fan and the Leafs maybe better suited to a new forward group philosophy ala the Buffalo Sabres of a top nine and a top 4th line that can duke it out and score. UFA's Eager, Konopka (centre) 4th line with Brown. Leino 3rd line with Bozak and Armstrong would make a very solid outfit, top to bottom even without Richards. Give either Colbourne and Kadri the oportunity to shine on the 1st or 2nd line and there will be an injury or two so having an extra centre who can fit anywhere from 1st to 3rd line would be perfect. Kuly, Grabbo and resign MacCarthur if the $ are right 2.2 to 2.5 mil/ or Frattin is not too far off. Stay the course Burky

[Myron]

Actually, the NHL always had the rights to the Jets' name and logos, it was never with Phoenix. As for the argument that they need a rebrand to sell new jerseys - well, everyone in Winnipeg may already have Jets merch, but it's all Selanne and Hawerchuk - they don't have Ladd or Bafooglienne sweaters. If you have an updated logo, maybe tweak the colors a bit, people will buy new Jets sweaters by the buttload.

[Krakondack]

Seems tailor-made for Burke. Take the last year of Smyth's salary, plus a prospect or two, for I don't know what. Maybe negotiating rights for Giguere?

[Musclehead17]

John Argue, Bogoisan would be a perfect fit. As far as Smyth, that gives us a first line player, Wow finally, would have preferred him a couple of years ago when he was younger, but you know, beggers can't be choosers! Now off to see who is willing to trade a prospect for our first 3 drafts!! The funny thing some individuals feel that our prospects are much better than the other 29 teams. Based on the Marlies standings, I'm thinking not. That in addition to the fact Burke couldn't draft if his life depended on it means little or postive action during the weekend.

[Neil Bailey]

Seems to me that LA will trade Smyth to a cap floor team for prospects/picks -- although I had heard that Smyth didn't just want a trade, he wanted to go home. Either way, LA probably trades him for future players, not roster players.

But, if I were LA, I would be looking for someone, slightly overpriced, to plug a hole in the lineup. Smyth's on the last year of his contract, so that makes him a very valuable trading chit with a team with a roster error. For instance, LA taking Komisarek for $4.5 in exchange for Smyth at $6.25 saves LA almost $2 million, and gets Toronto a scoring winger/3rd line mucker (and out of the Komisarek's extra 2 years of contract).

[Musclehead17]

Neil, Smooth move. I think it's over Burkes head. I'm truly surprised that the union hasn't put a cap on Burke's management team yet. The way it's going soon it will exceed the budget on players!!!