I want to say first and foremost, it’s a rumour. But I like rumours, just so I can play armchair GM for a while and start thinking of where so and so would go on the Canuck line-up. That being said, here’s a juicy one for you hockey gossip lovers:
XM In The Slot: Bill Clement said there’s been some discussions going between NJ and VAN… They were speculating about Gionta, a D-man then got nutty and said something about Elias for Naslund.
First off - I don’t think Elias is going anywhere unless he wants to leave NJ under Sutter (which I don’t believe) because he has a no-trade clause and when interviewed about Gomez last night he specifically mentioned that for some people it’s about money but for him is wasn’t - it was about the team and winning and he turned down higher offers.
I do like the sound of Brian Gionta. For those who are unaware, here are some quick facts about Brian Gionta:
- 28 year old American from New York
- 1998 - 3rd round, 82nd overall
- Career high season in 2006: 48 goals, 41 assists
- Very poor follow-up season in 2007: 25 goals, 20 assists
- Currently makes $4M a year through until 2010, at which point he will be a UFA
- A tiny 5′7″ and 175 pounds
The fact he once scored 48 goals in 2006 seems to spell the end of the Canucks’ offensive woes immediately, but the fact he had a 44-point drop off frightens me worse than the D on my Communications midterm. That, and his size reminds me starkly of a Ryan Shannon with more skill. Another small kid would only add to the Canucks’ problems of being a weak team up front.
I guess what it comes down to for me is if the asking price is low for Gionta. I’d say that right now Gionta’s stock is plummeting with every bad game he has. Currently, he’s only got 3 goals and 5 points in 10 games thus far and it doesn’t scream fantastic.
It looks like New Jersey is in desperate need of a defenceman; losing Rafalski and replacing him with Karel Rachunek has hurt Martin Brodeur’s performance thus far this year and thus has hurt the Devils, who sit in the NHL cellar with Atlanta. Yes, Atlanta. They’re that bad.
If New Jersey would go for something around Alex Edler/Luc Bourdon and a pick, I’d be running away with this deal. At the rate the Devils are playing at they’ll need to make a shakeup or two… interestingly enough, so do the Vancouver Canucks.
3 responses so far ↓
Shawn // Nov 1, 2007 at 3:25 pm
I think they would want someone like Ohlund or Bieksa, I don’t think we could get Gionta for a prospect… That would be le sex though.
mike // Nov 2, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I think that a Cooke and Ohlund deal for Gionta and Matvichuk was all but done. Devils have been scouting Ohlund for weeks now, as they want to make sure Ohlund’s recent struggles are temperary. Expect that deal to happen in Jan. Other deals to expect close to the trade deadline…Canucks trading Naslund and Miller for Rangers first rounder and Prucha. Also Mo will be shipped to another team by the deadline for another first rounder. Most likely Minnisota to play with the Slovaks.
Shy // Nov 2, 2007 at 5:21 pm
Expect Canucks to offer Langkow a 6 year, 24m contract. Also Offering RFA Richards from Philly a contact offer around 3 million per year for the next 4. I do know someone close to the canucks and that is Nonis’s game plan.
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