Big news from the NHL today. It is being reported that Ilya Kovulchuk, is poised to sign a $60 million dollar deal, that will see the prolific goalscorer stay in the swamp, for the next seven seasons. In lieu of this signing however, this makes the trade, and free agent markets different today. With the big fish of free agency gone, teams will more than likely try to bolster their lineup via trade, or pay a little more than they would have for some offence. Names like: Paul Kariya, Alexander Frolov, Bobby Ryan, Raffi Torres, and Teemu Selanne, are now the frontrunners with Kovulchuk gone. Before Lou Lamerello signed Kovulchuk however, the Devils only had roughly $4.8 million in cap space. So now the GM is left to cut salary. Enter the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Leafs GM Brian Burke, and New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamirello are known to be friends, and colleagues in US National Hockey. The Devils need to cut salary and the Leafs need offence, role forwards, and/or a veteran d-man.
This a more than likely destination for Kaberle, and the perfect situation (just like Chicago) to get a bargain player from a team with cap issues. Names that immediately jump to mind to come the other way would include : Jason Arnott (salary of $4mil plus to score 19 goals last year?), Travis Zajac (age 25 with 25 goals last year), Zach Parise (age 25, 38 goals, RFA at the end of next season), and/or Jamie Langenbrunner (solid veteran forward, UFA after next season).
More and more I see some kind of deal being worked out between this two teams, as the devils must move to cut salary to avoid a penalty. They have to cut roughly $5 million in salary so we will wait and see who is on the way out. Stay Tuned Leafs Nation
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