Canadian Team Trade Updates...

Let me start by saying that its hard to nail down good chatter versus bad chatter.

I was predicting Ottawa will pick up Toskola, but Vesa resigned a 2 year contract worth $1.35 mil with the Sharks. So what does this mean for future trades?

Edmonton
Looked like Lowe had his goaler, as a Yotes deal for contract Cujo seemed like a done deal, but as with many trade talks it changed. Lowe should go after an UFA goaler because he wants to sign a solid #1 in the summer. Biron seems logical but the Sabres are just being greedy with their ask. So look for talks about Weekes or Cujo to get done.

Ottawa
I still stand by my Ottawa sources and maintain Jokinen not sign with the Sens, despite what other rumour sites say. The only way Ollie signs with the Sens if they get a great deal on an UFA goalie (and Roloson is the target now) however, they could land a goalie and Jokinen if they overpay. Cbarnezz prediction: If Jokinen lands in Ottawa he will have a sub par post season,will fail to win a Stanley Cup and Jokinen will leave and sign elsewhere as an UFA.

Montreal
The Habs are still looking to make a few deadline moves with Ribiero, Bonk and Zednick all as players Gainey will look to trade. Zednick could attract a fair trade, though Ribiero & Bonk are tougher sells. With Ribiero talks linked to Washington and Montreal interest in Witt a deal might work but McPhee has asked for RFA Perezhogin. Gainey has apparent interest in Kuba from Minnesota also. I do stand by my earlier prediction that Gainey picks a Selanne out of his trade hat!

Vancouver
The Nucks are not quite as are panicked today as they were after Ohlund/Salo Olympic injuriescuz both are not season ending boo boo's. They are still looking hard for a defenceman or 3 and a solid back-up goalie for Auld. Weinrich should be 1, while Carney could be another who can plug holes and log big minutes and 2 available players are Minnesota's Roloson and Kuba, but it will cost them. They may be forced to solidify D only and bring in a defined back-up like Weekes.

Toronto
Despite all the BS rumours you hear out of Toronto (and there are a ton of them) believe non of them. I mean who would trade Sundin, Tucker, Allison, McCabe, Belfour, and Stajan (not to mention the perenial Antropov, Berg trades) all by the deadline and still make the playoffs. Only 1 big trade will happen, McCabe will be traded before the deadline. A few minor deals are being discussed for the likes of a Berg & Czerkawski.

Calgary
As reported previously, the Flames are looking at different C options with Suter calling Keenan's ask for pending UFA Jokinen as ridiculous. Calgary will look at other options like I reported before...Mike York, Jan Hrdina, Allison, and there's even a hint that Suter will wait till the last minute to look at Savard if the Thrashers "Waddell" themselves out of a guarenteed playoff spot.


** Consider This **

With big names like Tkachuk and Jokinen bouncing around as trade deadline possible deals and pending UFA players like Chara, Redden, Richards, Selanne, Savard, Legwand, Zidlicky, Kuba, McCabe, Jovanowski and Witt (not to mention all the goaler UFA's) popping into the GM's heads of Stanley Cup front-running teams, DO NOT count out teams we've heard very little from like Colorado, Detroit, Carolina & Philidelphia.

Cbarnezz Prediction: Before the trade deadline is over both Lacroix and Clarke will make significant trades.