RE:Draft Lottery / Um den Draft...

JUNE 21, 2002

WELCOME TO THE ENTRY DRAFT WEEKEND! CHECK IN WITH SPECTOR'S HOCKEY FOR ALL THE DRAFT WEEKEND TRADES AND ANALYSIS!

**TRADE ALERT**

TSN.CA REPORTS THE BOSTON BRUINS LAST NIGHT SHIPPED CENTRE JOSEF STUMPEL AND A SEVENTH ROUND PICK IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT TO THE LA KINGS IN EXCHANGE FOR A FOURTH ROUND PICK IN THIS YEAR'S DRAFT AND A SECOND ROUND PICK NEXT YEAR!

Spector's Take: And so the trading frenzy begins! My thanks to all of you who sent this in, and a tip of the hat to Russ Conway of the Eagle-Tribune, who was the only reporter (to my knowledge) that reported this before it a week before it went down. The Bruins were believed unhappy with Stumpel's performance last season, so no surprise they dealt him away. The fact they took two draft picks in return suggests they may be freeing up payroll to re-sign Group II winger Sergei Samsonov. As for the Kings, they needed to fill the void left by the departed Bryan Smolinski. Stumpel's averaged over 50 points per season and apparently enjoyed his previous tenure in LA, so he'll be a good fit for their second line.

JAGR TO BE DEALT TO THE RANGERS TODAY?

WASHINGTON POST: Jason La Canfora reports multiple NHL sources claim the Capitals and NY Rangers are "deep into trade talks" involving Jaromir Jagr, whom the Caps are believed interested in trading to rid themselves of his six-year, $66 million US salary. Apparently, Caps GM George McPhee and Rangers GM Glen Sather have held discussions in Nashville since the middle of this past week, with the deal "hinging" on Jagr's willingness to restructure his contract. The Rangers are apparently shopping Pavel Bure and Eric Lindros, and might be willing to part with "some restricted free agents", among whom is forward Anson Carter, whom the Caps "have pursued for years", according to La Canfora. If this deal falls through, La Canfora notes winger Peter Bondra could be moved "as a last resort".

Spector's Note: My thanks to "Mike4169". I think any part of such a deal would also hinge on the Rangers ability to shed some salary to make room for Jagr's contract, even at a reduced rate. Personally, I believe this would be a stupid move on the Blueshirts part if they actually do this. They need to upgrade their defence, plus bring in a coach who'll motivate their overpaid underachievers to play a better team game defensively. They don't need another overpaid, whiny, "me-first" scoring forward who believes the term "backchecking" applies to other forwards.

STARS TO DEAL FOR NUMBER ONE PICK?

DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Mike Heika reported yesterday on the possibility of Stars GM Doug Armstrong trading Jason Arnott and Richard Matvichuk to the Florida Panthers in exchange for the pick. Heika calls the two "tradeable commodities", given the depth on the Stars roster. He also cites cost-cutting of the payroll as another reason. GM Rick Dudley expressed interest in both players, but also claimed the Stars hadn't offered them to him. If Armstrong should land the pick, Heika believes he could use it "to auction off" to another club who's desperately seeking goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, or he could keep it himself and use it to draft highly touted centre Eric Staal.

Spector's Note: My thanks to "Mark". It would appear to be a deal that would make sense for both clubs. Indeed, of all the trade rumours swirling about potential offers for that pick, this one at least seems plausible. We'll soon find out if it is...

FLYERS STILL ANGLING FOR FIRST OVERALL PICK.

CAMDEN COURIER-POST: Chuck Gormley reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Bob Clarke is still very interested in the first overall pick, but thus far considers the asking price from the Panthers to be too steep. Panthers GM Rick Dudley told the Palm Beach Post that Clarke, despite his denials, remains interested in the pick. Meanwhile, the Flyers are still shopping winger John LeClair, and Gormley suggests he could be moved in a possible three-way trade involving one of the teams he's agreed to be dealt to (Detroit, Dallas, NY Rangers and LA Kings). The Flyers might also move defenceman Chris Therrien, but need assurances from defense prospect Joni Pitkanen's agent that they can sign him this summer.

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Tim Panaccio reports Clarke admitted prior interest in the first overall pick, but stated Dudley's asking price was "too much", and doubts he'll trade up in the draft. It's believed the Flyers want the first overall pick in order to draft goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury As for potential interest in the second overall pick, owned by Carolina, Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said Clarke has not been in touch with him. Clarke also denied a report out of Buffalo yesterday suggesting he was interested in trading for Sabres goalie Martin Biron, but Panaccio notes "two Sabres sources" claimed Clarke held several discussion with Buffalo GM Darcy Regier regarding Biron, but Regier also wanted Justin Williams and Jeff Woywitka in return. Finally, Panaccio reports agents claim the Flyers are shopping Chris Therrien but haven't found any takers.

Spector's Note: I'm sure Clarke is still interested, but if you were in his shoes, would you part with either Gagne or Williams, prospect Jeff Woywitka plus your first round pick for the first overall?

PENGUINS TO SWAP PICKS WITH PANTHERS?

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Karen Price reports a potential swap of picks between the Panthers and the Penguins, who hold the third overall selection, was "very close" and could see forward Aleksey Morozov included as part of the deal. The Pens are also believed shopping winger Martin Straka, but while he would be of interest to the Panthers, his contract (2 years left, $9.05 million), may make him unpalatable.

Spector's Note: Guess we'll soon find out just how close this deal would be. The Panthers do have fiscal concerns of their own, but perhaps they'd take on Straka, plus Morozov and the third overall pick, if Straka were willing to restructure his contract.

CANADIENS STAND BY THEODORE.

TSN.CA: reports the Montreal Canadiens are standing by goaltender Jose Theodore after reports his father and four half-brothers were arrested in connection with a loansharking sting. Montreal Police said Theodore himself isn't under investigation nor do they anticipate questioning him. GM Bob Gainey and assistant GM Andre Savard both pledged their support of Theodore, and denied rumours that appeared in a Montreal newspaper hinting the club would trade Theodore this weekend to get him away from the heat of the situation.

Spector's Note: Proper thing, too. Theodore's done nothing wrong here, and evidently didn't know what his family members were up to. And no, that's not naive to say. How many of us do things (illegal or not) that we don't tell our families and friends about? It was an absurd suggestion that the Habs would move him.

THE LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS.

NEW YORK POST: Evan Grossman reports Islanders GM Mike Milbury is working the phones in search of a deal that can land him a higher pick today. One rumour has Milbury interested in the first overall pick, and trade for that pick, then trade it to another team to bring in an impact player. Isles believed available include team captain Mike Peca, defenceman Roman Hamrlik and winger Mark Parrish, as Milbury would also like to trim his payroll.

Spector's Note: I don't see Peca going anywhere, but wouldn't be surprised if Hamrlik and /or Parrish were with other teams by the end of the weekend.

COYOTES INTERESTED IN LINDROS?

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Bob McManaman again reported the Phoenix Coyotes may consider trading either goalie Sean Burke or defenceman Teppo Numminen in order to secure a pick in this year's first round. The Coyotes dealt the pick away two years ago to the Philadelphia Flyers. McManaman reports "NHL sources" claiming the 'Yotes may have interest in NY Rangers centre Eric Lindros, but his contract, with a base salary of $3 million, is bonus-laden up to $9 million, which would be too pricey for them.

Spector's Note: If I'm the Coyotes GM, I stay far, far away from Mr. Lindros and his assorted baggage!

BURE A PANTHER AGAIN BY MONDAY?

FT LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL: Michael Russo reports former Florida Panthers forward Valeri Bure could return to the club this Monday. He recently cleared waivers but the St. Louis Blues, his current team, placed him back on waivers again as a "courtesy" to Panthers GM Rick Dudley. According to Russo , "the Blues were going to buy him out for two-thirds of his $3.1 million salary. But as part of March's trade agreement, the Panthers would have had to pay the entire buyout, meaning it would cost the Panthers more than $2 million if St. Louis bought him out. Because Panthers GM Rick Dudley values Bure as an asset, he would rather reacquire the talented right wing than pay St. Louis' buyout, which would have made Bure a free agent July 1". The Panhters, however, have no plans to pay Bure the full $3.1 million and would arrange with the forward to have his contract reduced, although Bure's agent said he's yet to discuss this with his client.

Spector's Note: This will certainly be an interesting twist if it goes off as Russo claims. Indeed, I cannot recall when something like this has happened before.

LEAFS HAVE NO PLANS TO MOVE UP OR ADD VETERANS.

TORONTO STAR: Ken Campbell reports Maple Leafs GM Pat Quinn has no plans to either trade for a first round pick or to add high-priced veterans. Quinn believes most of the teams holding high draft picks will keep them, and those willing to trade those picks are seeking too much. Furthermore, the Leafs have already committed $50.3 million in salary for next season, and still must reach terms with RFAs Bryan McCabe and Nik Antropov as well as decide if they'll re-sign impending UFAs Glen Wesley and Doug Gilmour. Quinn also said if he couldn't find a deal to his liking in this summer's free agent pool for a defenceman, he'll give one of the youngsters on his farm club an opportunity to move up.

Spector's Note: Essentially the Leafs hands are tied by finances. And with concerns over potential salary or payroll caps or a luxury tax on free-spending teams in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Leafs cannot afford to put themselves on the hook for too many high-priced salaries over a long period of time.

SHARKS COULD MOVE PICKS.

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Victor Chi reports Sharks GM Doug Wilson says he might consider moving some of the 15 picks he has in this year's draft , either to "boost another pick...(or) to boost next year's picks...(or) maybe something else". Wilson wouldn't comment on his intentions regarding his first round pick, which is sixth overall.

BRUINS TO KEEP THEIR PICK?

BOSTON HERALD: Stephen Harris reports Bruins GM Mike O'Connell has tried to trade up in this year's draft, but claims the asking price is too expensive. He once again denied shopping Sergei Samsonov as trade bait for a higher pick, and Harris now conclude O'Connell will keep his first round pick (16th overall).

Spector's Note: I could've seen O'Connell shopping Samsonov and his first rounder, but not a package of Nick Boynton, Brian Rolston and his first rounder.

RUMOURS FROM THE TORONTO SUN.

Al Strachan reports the following:

- the Colorado Avalanche are interested in landing the first overall pick in order to draft goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Adam Foote and Alex Tanguay are mentioned as possible trade bait. The Avs still need an interim goalie and could be interested in Tampa Bay's Niklolai Khabibulin, whom the Philadelphia Flyers also covet.

Spector's Note: I doubt the Avs would move Foote in any deal this year. With Patrick Roy retired, the need for a strong blueline is increased for Colorado, and shopping Foote would weaken it. Again, let me remind everyone that Lightning GM Jay Feaster has repeatedly denied rumours that Khabibulin could be traded.

- The Panthers might opt to "flip picks" with the Carolina Hurricanes, who hold the number two pick. They could use that one to draft Nathan Horton "and enjoy the Hurricanes incentive as well".

Spector's Note: I assume that last sentence means the 'Canes might also offer a player or two as well as the pick. Interesting, but I doubt the Hurricanes would make that deal. Straight "pick-for-pick", perhaps, or possibly another pick thrown in, sure.

- It's widely believed NY Islanders GM Mike Milbury may swing some kind of deal to move up in the draft. The name of Isles captain Mike Peca keeps coming up as trade bait, but sources claim Peca's name has not come up in trade talks Milbury had with two teams recently.

- Spector's Note: It'll be the shock of the draft if Milbury doesn't swing a big deal. I doubt, however, that Peca will be any part of it.

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