Heard around during Finals...Ersberg, Horton, Connolly

 

 

                               As a back up to Henrik Lundqvist, it may be Johan Hedberg or Martin Biron or ???? Patrick Lalime could be out of the picture.

                               An interesting name was circulating during the Final: Erik Ersberg, 27, the Kings backup who earns $750,000. Jonathan Quick is locked in, Ersberg is a UFA after next season and youngster Jonathan Bernier is nipping at his heels as the No. 2 heir apparent.

 

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                                 Also from Final: Florida’s Dale Tallon, the former Hawks GM, expected to be a player in potential trades for Kris Versteeg and Patrick Sharp. Nathan Horton ($4 million cap hit) could be moved.  On the Phoenix front, D Zbynek Michalek and C Matt Lombardi apparently will be testing the market…Just saying, Rangers should be kicking the tires on them…Ken Hitchcock may still be in the running for Devils coach along with Hawks assistant and Jersey native Mike Haviland... 

 

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                                   The thinking here---and among some Rangers insiders---is that the top four entry draft picks are locked in: Hall, Seguin, Fowler, Gudbranson, but that Brett Connolly’s stock is dropping, which means the Islanders will have an interesting choice. Sounds like Brandon Gormley would be the top D available and plenty of forwards. 

                                  Whether Connolly drops to 10---and whether the Rangers would take a chance on the hip issues that he says are behind him---is unclear, but I have my doubts on the Blueshirts taking a shot. Among forwards, Vladimir Tarasenko, Nino Neidereitter, Ryan Johansen and Jeff Skinner carry less risk.

 

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Comparison:

 

The 2005-06 roster and the one in transition from last season to now. 

 

Straka-Nylander-Jagr
Rucinsky-Rucchin-Prucha
Nieminen-Betts-Ward
Hollweg-Moore-Ortmeyer/Orr

Rozsival-Malik
Tyutin-Kondratiev
Poti-Kasparitus
Strudwick

 

****

 

Prospal-Christensen-Gaborik

Dubinsky-Drury-MZA

Avery-Anisimov-Callahan

Prust-Boyle-Shelley/Weise

 

Staal-Girardi

Rozsival-Del Zotto

Redden-Gilroy

Potter