Notebook Buzz
TSN.Ca reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenseman Bryan McCabe to the Florida Panthers. The New York Islanders made a strong attempt to acquire McCabe and indications are the Leafs preferred to deal McCabe to New York because the Islanders were willing take on all of McCabe’s salary without sending much salary back to the Leafs. In the end McCabe had the final say and preferred to be dealt to Florida.
Glen Murray and Mark Parrish are having trouble getting the multi-year deals their respective agents are seeking. Both players may have to settle for 1 year deals or camp invites.
Potential Suitors
The Nashville Predators have offered Parrish a training camp invite and have told Murray they are going in another direction. The St.Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders and Atlanta Thrashers have inquired about both forwards.
The Phoenix Coyotes appear to be the team showing the most interest in Murray and are believed to be willing to offer a guaranteed contract. The Ottawa showed a strong interest in Murray prior to free agency and according to a source they remain interested but have yet to make a offer.
A league source tells me the Penguins continue to show little interest in Brendan Shanahan and the Penguins have made it known they would rather play prospects then sign an aging free agent veteran.
The Rangers front office remains split as to whether to bring back Shanahan but are expected to make a formal offer that is lower than what Shanahan is seeking.
The Devils and Red Wings are not interested, according to a source. The Penguins are out and other then having brief discussions, a contract offer was never made. Shanahan remains interested in signing with a contender but he may have to explore other routes if the Rangers do indeed go in another direction.
The St.Louis Blues are one team showing a lot of interest in Shanahan. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Coyotes make a play for Shanahan if they are unable to sign Glen Murray. The New York Post mentions the Ducks as a potential suitor but that is very unlikely considering the Ducks are expected to re-sign Teemu Selanne.
One part of Sidney Crosby’s game he’s determined to improve is his goal scoring ability. The talk of him not being a elite goal scorer has made him determined to prove his critics wrong. I was talking to a associate who is very close to Crosby and while Sidney knows he’s never going to put up Alexander Ovechkin numbers, he expects to join the 40 goal club this season.
