Dennis Wideman’s 5 year, $26.25 million deal with Flames setting market for Carle, Garrison
WIDEMAN LANDS BIG DEAL WITH FLAMES After Ryan Suter, there is a small group of top-4 defenseman set to hit the open market on July 1 and the group continues to get smaller as the Calgary Flames traded for the rights of Washington Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman and have signed Wideman to a 5 year, $26.25 million contract. Wideman had 11 goals and 46 points last season. Wideman by the way was apart of the Capitals third pairing in their second round series against the Rangers. With a thin market for top-4 defensemen, Wideman has done Matt Carle and Jason Garrison a favor (Both are better defensemen) as expectations are Garrison’s camp had already felt offers would be in excess
NHL: Latest Trade Rumblings: Teams preparing to make a run at Kovalchuk
Hurricanes not moving Eric Staal A number of league sources have disputed any talk that the Carolina Hurricanes are even considering the possibility of moving Eric Staal. Not going to happen under any circumstances I’m told A report by the Ottawa Sun indicated the St. Louis Blues were making a play for Staal. Market growing for Ilya Kovalchuk The Atlanta Thrashers have yet to make Ilya Kovalchuk available for trade but when or if they do, teams are already beginning preparations. The Flyers, Kings, Oilers and Canucks are four teams prepared to make a major play for Kovalchuk, sources tell me. The Kings are willing to offer a package centering around Dustin Brown and Jack Johnson, while Philadelphia has made