UPDATED (Friday, 1 am): Trade Rumours

Late night following up on stuff...

UPDATE (12:30 am Friday) St. Louis Blues President John Davidson announced that the club has acquired a 2008 3rd round draft pick, 70th overall, from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forward Jamal Mayers. Mayers, a gold medalist with Team Canada, is a native of Toronto.

Thrashers hire John Anderson, their Chicago Wolves Calder Cup winning head coach, to an NHL head coaching position. This leaves John Tortorella linked to Los Angeles. Anderson, 51, has won 5 minor-league championships over the years.

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THURSDAY:

Reports are claiming that Leafs d-man Bryan McCabe is willing to waive his no-trade clause on ONE condition: He be traded to the New York Islanders. Why? His wife, Roberta, is a native of Long Island, and she has seemingly been reluctant to having her husband sign a long-term Toronto contract... however, according to McCabe's agent, McCabe is not interested in waiving, and plans to remain in Toronto. Get used to this roller-coaster of rumours and denials!

Vinny Lecavalier is rumoured to be on the verge of signing a lifetime deal in Tampa...Less than 24 hours after I posted the Lecavalier to Montreal/Toronto rumours. Bummer. It appears the contract negotiations have gone along better than ever now that the new management is in place in Tampa, and an announcement of a long-term deal could be made early July, reports RDS.ca.

Ryan Malone WILL test the UFA market July 1st, dousing the flames on speculation of him heading to Columbus, amongst others.

Patrick Marleau is reportedly targeted by Columbus as they search for a #1 C to feed Rick Nash. Columbus have two draft picks with which to dangle as bait, the #6 and #19 overall picks, respectively.

Speculation has the Habs being interested in moving up at the draft, with that #19 Columbus pick being rumoured as a possible trading chip. Montreal currently holds the #25 pick. It appears the Habs are also interested in Atlanta's 1st round draft choice...

Montreal is apparently interested in Marian Gaborik as well. The team 990 presented this rumour today courtesy Tony Marinaro and P.J. Stock, and according to them, Minny would request Christopher Higgins as the centerpiece of the deal. A little too early to bite into this one, but intriguing nevertheless.

Speaking of the Wild: Minnesota are HIGHLY interested in Panthers' captain Olli Jokinen, but are unwilling to part ways with "a young, up-and-coming" player. One site suggests that Florida may be requesting a good puck-moving defenseman and a 1st round draft pick for the Finnish centerman.

Rumours are flying out of L.A. Some say the Kings offered their #2 overall pick and Mike Cammalleri to Tampa for their #1 overall pick, which will materialize into Steven Stamkos.

Also, The Kings apparently have a deal on the TABLE (according to a rumour) that would send Cammalleri and the #2 overall pick to Ottawa for Jason Spezza and Ottawa's first round pick (#18 overall). Sens GM quickly shot down that rumour, however (see, more roller-coaster stuff!)


The San Jose Sharks have reportedly received inquiries for Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo, Joe Thornton, and the rights to impending UFA Brian Campbell. Reporter Bruce Garrioch is reporting that Campbell has opted for unrestricted free agency, but no confirmation on this from anyone involved with the Sharks or Campbell himself. San Jose has also in turn reportedly expressed interest in Toronto's Pavel Kubina. UPDATE!: According to a source, Campbell is in fact in negotiations with the Sharks to re-sign, and he met with them tonight and plans to meet again Friday. I expect Campbell to re-sign with SJ.

A minor trade today saw Darcy Hordichuk being dealt from Nashville to Carolina for a conditional 5th round draft pick.