Rumor Roundup: Will Kopitar move?
Anze Kopitar, who had 77 points in 82 game this past season, has been in the middle of recent trade rumors. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
Lyle Richardson
2008-07-21 11:25:18
The need for the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators to free up salary cap space provided fodder for a three-way trade rumor last week involving those two clubs and the Los Angeles Kings.
First appearing on Internet rumor sites before being reported by the Ottawa Sun, the supposed deal had the Senators shipping goaltender Martin Gerber and defenseman Andrej Meszaros to the Kings, who would send forward Anze Kopitar to the Blackhawks, who would deal goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and either blueliner Brent Seabrook or Cam Barker to the Senators.
The Sun suggested this deal was “win, win, win” for the three clubs; the reality is the Blackhawks win big time, the Senators possibly win in the short and long term and the Kings lose, big time.
Kopitar was the fatal flaw in that rumor. He’s the Kings’ best forward and potential franchise player, so while Los Angeles fans might not have a high opinion of GM Dean Lombardi, he’s not about to move Kopitar for such a lousy return. He knows you don’t trade a gem for fool’s gold.
Undoubtedly, Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon will consider shopping Khabibulin (if he hasn’t already), but with most NHL teams having already used up much of next season’s available cap space through off-season acquisitions, moving Khabibulin’s $6.75 million contract won’t be an easy sell, meaning Tallon might have to look elsewhere to get under the salary cap.
Senators GM Bryan Murray has concerns about fitting the new contracts to Meszaros and center Antoine Vermette under the cap whilst leaving room for a top six forward, which explains why their names have popped up in trade rumors.
It remains to be seen what Murray will do with those two, but in the meantime their agents – along with Chris Neil’s – have denied reports their clients had requested trades.
• The Philadelphia Flyers remain slightly above the $56.7 million salary cap for next season, leading to speculation GM Paul Holmgren will consider shopping a right winger, since he’s got plenty of depth at that position.
Joffrey Lupul was considered a potential candidate given his $2.3 million cap hit for next season, but given recent reports that he’s close to signing a new four-year contract with the Flyers, he’s probably staying put.
Other trade candidates could include Mike Knuble, Scottie Upshall or Steve Downie. Knuble’s $2.8 million cap hit for next season makes him the likely candidate.
Holmgren wouldn’t have to move anyone if veteran blueliner Derian Hatcher retired or is declared medically unfit to play next season, but Hatcher seems determined to return and play out the final year of his contract.
• One of the few notable names remaining on this summer’s unrestricted free agent market is veteran left winger Brendan Shanahan, but he doesn’t appear close to signing a contract with anyone.
Last week, Shanahan’s agent denied reports the Vancouver Canucks made him a $2 million offer for next season and also rejected speculation the Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks were interested.
The only team the Shanahan camp have been in contact with is his former club, the New York Rangers, but with about $3 million remaining in available cap space they may not have enough room to bring him back.
Rumor Roundup appears Mondays only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Foxsports.com and Eishockey Magazine.
chr (Posted 2008-08-25 15:20:58)
Anze Kopitar is the most valuable trade commodity in the NHL based on his age and the fact that he can be extended this season (at a LOW price considering his production) If LA can sign Kopitar at something like 10yrs for less than 70 million based on his darkhorse status than they will have hit the jackpot.
d black (Posted 2008-08-17 04:52:13)
hey how about boston , kopitar would look great in black & gold and would fit in nicely with the youth the bruins have. a trade won't happen though it could help the kings roster immensly. just my 2 cents worth i can't stand toronto montreal & ottawa all claiming the kings best player since marcel dionne , getting him for washups or overrated overpaid players not going to happen
marc labrecque (Posted 2008-08-07 18:20:20)
hey guys if Kopitar goes anywhere its montreal.im a huge habs fan but i love kopi i would trade kopi for chipchura,halakand a 1st round pick.Imagine the kostytsyn brothers and kopitar together man W HAVE THE CUP
daniel (Posted 2008-08-07 17:13:37)
are you stupid blackhawks. land and a 2nd rounder for kopitar. what are you smoking? let me get some. but yeah i do agree that ozzy is also smoking rocks. lang is washed up. they would never even think about bringing that guy to los angeles for a young phenom like that. you would probably have to offer barker, khabibulin, seabrook, and a 1st and 2nd rounder just to even think about bringing kopitar to chicago. kopitar is that good. this trade will never happen and the fact that this rumor was even brought up is unbelievable in the first place. lang and a 2nd rounder. what a joke. you need to get your head on straight.
Blackhawks in '09 (Posted 2008-08-06 23:25:44)
By the way, Ozzy get your head on straight!
Blackhawks in '09 (Posted 2008-08-06 23:23:38)
How about Lang and a 2nd round pick in '09 for Kopitar.
w black (Posted 2008-08-04 16:33:55)
any hockey fan who thinks jonathantoews socalled sucks'orshouldn't be in the nhl better go back to watching pee wee hockey/ end of storey
Kelly Galloway (Posted 2008-07-29 22:03:39)
Shanny come home my old friend.Just 1 year.The leafs need you'r help.
cristobal (Posted 2008-07-27 18:38:03)
steve - No UFA's worth signing? They Kings are defending with only 3 players that don't belong in the AHL. Anybody that can skate is an option at this point. Is Karlis Skrastins any good any more?
Lyle Richardson (Posted 2008-07-27 16:43:19)
Deep Throat: The difference is, my column examines these rumors - mainly those generated in the media - to determine if they're even remotely plausible or, as in most cases, nonsense, and points out the reasons why. I see my role as cutting through the BS, rather than merely playing "whisper-down-the-lane" as you claim. Thanks for reading.
dylan (Posted 2008-07-27 11:22:41)
I gotta agree with just about everyone. Kopitar's not moving. Not because there is no one Lombardi would trade him for but because no one would give him the players that he would want. As for talks of guys wanting Spezza on their team, trust me, you don't. He looks better on paper than he in fact is. Took him years before he would play defence. Ottawa's coaching staff used to bench him late in games cuz the didn't have confidence in him even though he was one of the teams best offensive players. Too much risk of him always being the last guy to fall in line with whatever system a coach wants his team to play. And I gotta wonder what kind of impact he could have in the dressing room. I don't think too many teams need a first line center that bad. Now Kopitar and a pick for Malkin could be good. I'm not sure Kopitar would ever reach the same potential as Malkin, but I think that's why this deal would work. Pittsburg would have a better chance of keeping their young talent together. Malkin would be a good trade for LA, especially if the kings were to pick up a vetran character guy from some where too, to offset the high leadership potential that Kopitar has. That trade would never happen though.
galls (Posted 2008-07-25 02:39:07)
Ozzy, you're a joke. Toews is in the NHL because he is a great hockey player. You must have been in a coma last season to say he does not deserve to be play. End of story.
Ozzy (Posted 2008-07-25 00:24:07)
The only reason jonathan toew's is captain or even in the nhl is that he scored those shootout goals. He's not a good player. Chicago suck's! I don't know why everyone thinks their going to make the playoffs. Kopitar should be traded for evgeni malkin.
Garrett (Posted 2008-07-24 21:09:39)
I love this article: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?page=brophy080724
I think Lombardi is doing this the right way. Its a organization as much as it is a team and you build it for the long haul. I have been a kings fan, religiously my whole life. I have literally cried over the team and the moments I have watched.
For me it has always been a family thing... It is worth the wait for us to have even a shot at becoming the franchise that the Wings are.
Just my two cents. . .
daniel (Posted 2008-07-24 04:55:22)
hey sean, i watch every game last season. Visnovsky was great for the Kings. Leader in ice time and the only shot from the point on the powerplay. look at the goaltenders numbers for the kings and tell me there not good numbers. cause if you say that, you seriously don't know what you are talking about. Now if they stayed healthy and the defense didn't suck so bad, you wouldn't say that. you could be patrick roy or tretiak, if you keep getting the shots coming at you every game. you are gonna let some goals in no matter. you got to have a defense to support and help out your goalies. i can't tell you how many times i said last season, "wow where the defense on that play." they just stood around and let people walk in and do as they please for the whole season. Blake is definetly past his prime, was overpaid and didn't do nothing for them. preissing was!!!! a huge disapointment. and modry well you know glad they got rid of him at the dealine cause what a joke he was. johnson is definetly coming in to his own though physically. it's gonna be interesting to see what he can do offensively this coming season. and like i said, it seems that the kings are doing the right thing defensively. and since they are going in the right direction as for defense. the goalies will be better. it's having the defense for you to get rid of those second, third, or maybe sometimes i saw last season fourth opportunities to shoot on net to get the puck out of the zone. which is something the kings could not do last season at all. do worry fans. patience is a virtue. our time is coming soon.
Deep Throat (Posted 2008-07-23 12:42:03)
It seems that many of the responding commentators ask the same question and it's a good one: who makes this crap up? The THN's sources for this crap are, at least by the writer's own depiction, "internet rumor sites"....Great, why proliferate that? Unless it's coming directly from an agent, out of an NHL locker room or front office, or from somebody who is a credible source of information, why report it? I've note that if you keep track most of these rumors turn out to be just that, crap. So again, why is THN playing whisper-down-the-lane with non-sources? Because NHL fans will read anything I guess...
steve (Posted 2008-07-23 12:40:20)
The kings are only ten (ish) mill from the cap floor, after singing Jarret and they're other RFA's, they might need another 5 or so to hit the league
min. Dont forget Drew will be there too, he'll be paid a million or so with incentives. since there are no UFA's worth taking right now, Grab a Goalie
on a one year contract to show the young guys the way. I'm thinking Dwayne Roloson at a cap hit of 3.6, but actual salary of 3 million. Give the Oil a second rounder. That should get you to the 40 million area, and leave lots of money for your RFA's next summer. But If you HAVE to trade Kopi, call K-LOWE, would love to see him and Hemmer tear up the west!
Kickin Wing (Posted 2008-07-23 12:22:39)
Not a Flyers fan but if all they need to do to get under the cap and keep Knuble is to buy out Hatcher I don't see the dilemma. The game passed him by long ago and his lack of foot speed was glaring in the playoffs. I know, make him public relations director. Would be good for some laughs and he'd go away quietly.
Sean (Posted 2008-07-23 11:18:49)
Daniel - I watched a lot of Kings games last year on the dish. Their goaltenders were awful. Some of their blueliners were awful, most notably Visnovsky, who looked very lost on most shifts and Blake who looked very old and very disinterested. Stuart had a slow first couple months then played pretty solid. Preissing on the other hand, was just a disappointment from game one to game 82.
daniel sandford (Posted 2008-07-22 22:56:35)
Kings don't need a goaltender people. there goaltenders were actually pretty good last season. it was just overshadowed by a crappy blueline. i tihnk the trade of visnovsky was not needed, but at the same time i don't think jack johnson is ready to be that offensive presence. preissing had an offseason and didn't do much. the fact that these rumors are going around is completely proprostreous. they are not gonna trade anze kopitar. the trade makes no sense at all. if anything they will trade handzus, who is the highest paid player on the team and one of the oldest. he is a great defensive forward though and he proved that in the second half of the season. lombardi will pull somthing off even though i am not a big fan of his. but the draft was good. i just wish they got more for cammalleri(they didn't get anything for him really). the kings will have a better season i believe, but at the same time i hope they don't. just because of tavares. but if the kings have a better defense it will prove that the goalies are not the problem. the forwards look good i think. i think crawford just wasn't using them right. the system was all wrong. But this trade rumor with anze kopitar makes no sense at all. he is only 20 years old and is a superstar and the face of their franchise. doing this trade makes them older and dumber. it just makes no sense at all to do. but i believe the kings will pickup a veteran defenseman to have that leadership. they definetely have the cap space for anybody, whether by trade or a signing. i would imagine by a trade. i think the perfect canidate for that is either chris chelios(the guy is a workhorse even at the age of 45 i think he could play another 5 years if he wanted)bryan mccabe, mathieu schneider, or the one i would like to see back is alexei zhitnik. even though zhitnik is on the decline and not that good anymore. i think he would bring that leadership and what better way to end your career then the team you started with.
GoKingsGo (Posted 2008-07-22 20:50:24)
Spezza is not a lateral deal for Kopi. The age and salary difference says it all. Its time to relax on the high hopes that either the Leafs or Sens are gonna get a crack at Kopitar. Lombardi easily becomes the goat when his team is in the cellar...but the fact of the matter is, he has played his cards perfectly since he assumed the role right before last years draft. Sure a couple deals were weak, but name a GM who hasn't been wrong at some point or another? Remember how crappy the wings were in the late 80's and early 90's? All those draft picks...hmmm, lets see, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen to name a few. Lombardi is pulling a page from the Wings organization's plan. He refuses to rush the process. And as a long standing kings fan (season ticket holder for 15 years), I can tell you honestly, I am finally optimistic about the future. Keep it up Lombardi! I believe!
Samuel (Posted 2008-07-22 17:01:38)
I could see Spezza for Kopi but for the Kings that's a lateral move more than anything. Spezza is better now but he's also slightly older and in the end Kopitar looks like he'll develop into the same player Spezza is now. Kings also need all the veteran defenseman they have so I doubt Preissing would be going anywhere unless it was for defense. Just a guess though.
martin (Posted 2008-07-22 16:50:47)
Ottawa should send Spezza to LA, they need someone like him & in exchange send Kopitar to Ottawa, as part of the package Ottawa can include Gerber for Tom Preissing and Ottawa could go after Khabibulin without all this talk of a three way deal or Luongo if he happens to be unhappy with GM Gillis's decesions or lack there of
Kopitar would have to be locked up for a few more years in order for this to happen
Cid from Indiana (Posted 2008-07-22 12:45:11)
I have no doubt we're talking to Tallon about Khabibulin, but the point is, Chicago is over their cap and seem to be sold on the idea of going with Huet. We'd actually be doing THEM a favor taking Khabi and his massive contract off their hands. Why on earth would the Kings offer up somebody like Kopitar when they're actually doing Chicago the favor?
Makes no sense. Then as soon as you start to hear the Ottawa end of the rumor, it makes all the sense in the world- another crazy rumor from a Ontario sportswriter trying to fill some space because the Sens have done basically nothing so far in the FA market this summer.
Samuel (Posted 2008-07-22 12:32:42)
The Kings organization, at this point, isn't stupid the owner for the past 12 years or so hasn't much cared to go out and spend what he has. He built Staples Center and packs it for Lakers and Kings games. He makes money with the Kings just has the Kings pay him so the Kings' bottom line isn't overtly strong. I too can see Bulin coming to LA but for a second and third round pick and maybe a second tier prospect. But not for Kopitar. McCabe is going to rot in Toronto.
T.B (Posted 2008-07-22 09:10:19)
I see Khabibulin going to LA this year. But not for Kopitar. Perhaps a draft choice. LA needs to get to the cap floor and Chicago needs to free up space.
Ottawa is stuck until Vermette's arbitration case comes up. Then they'll know what they can offer Mezaros. If Meszaros doesn't get signed, then Luke Richardson will. As for Neil, do the Sens really need him at what he may be asking? I think they must have a cement head in the minors.
Jeff McKee (Posted 2008-07-22 08:47:08)
I hope LA has the good sense to just sit pat. They have managed to position themselves very nicely with Kopitar, Frolov, Bernier, Doughty, Hickey, Johnson, Purcell.... I'm sure I'm overlooking some other interesting young players. Their future looks bright providing they keep this quality young group together. Some strong mentors would be an excellent plan.
phillip (Posted 2008-07-22 01:22:14)
Who makes this crap up? The Kings Orginization is stupid but I don't think there that stupid. I would like to know who dreams this stuff up. The Hawks just want to sign everyone. Did you hear the BlackhawKs are trading Kane? Hey I wanted Michael Jordan to play on the Lakers but that never happened. I guess If we want something bad enough you just make a stupid rummer up.
Tommy Barr (Posted 2008-07-22 01:02:59)
Desert Fox you are a moron, mccabe isnt worth much unless you are in the market for an offensive dman who cant play D.
LA needs help on defence you say? well how about let the young guns play? imagine Johnson Hickey Teubert and Doughty in a few years.... now even. If LA trades kopitar to the leafs they best be getting schenn or kaberle (since they need D help right?, but mainly because who else will they trade and a 1st round pick (which will probably be a top 5). Even then they could be getting hosed, Kopitar is an allstar.
Dontcha just love those leafers who think the trades they suggest are win-win?
desert fox (Posted 2008-07-21 22:02:19)
i think l.a. will trade kopitar to toronto for mccabe.they need help on defence.
Ryan (Posted 2008-07-21 21:08:21)
where does this crap surface from?? i almost yacked seeing Kopie and trade. its insane to think that the kings would trade their best player who is only 20 when the whole idea behind this new team is getting younger. he's perfect to build a young team around and he's only going to get better. the fans would loose their minds if he was traded.
Ian Altenbaugh (Posted 2008-07-21 18:31:46)
Dean Lombardi seems to be an okay GM. He rebuilt San Jose before going to LA and they have been trading off his picks for years.
Samuel (Posted 2008-07-21 17:24:07)
To assume Deano has even entertained this without shooting whatever drink he was imbibing at the moment through his nose is folly. If I was in his position I would have laughed so hard at this I would have peed myself. I too remember when Yanic Perrault, Dimitri Khristich and Vatalie Yachemev and the best prospect was Pavel Rosa. The Kings have come a long, long way from then. Deano has made some bad moves but bringing in Jack Johnson for a song was awesome. To me, that outdoes the other free agent deals he made along with a few bad goaltender choices. Nagy was a good player to take a chance on, which is what he did. He only signed him for a year. Nothing lost, nothing gained. Cloutier is going to be a thorn but Ersberg was a good pick-up out of nowhere. Lombardi has an uneven record at this point, sure. Getting rid of Squid (Camalleri) was a good call. He was going to want too much money for his position on the team and they need to give Boyle, Moulson, and a few other forwards some time.
JW Cole (Posted 2008-07-21 16:56:52)
Like the writer of this article says, this is a trade that just aint gonna happen. No way Lombardi trades a franchise center and 2nd best player from the 95 draft for a goalie they could get for a 2nd round pick and a defenseman they dont need. To me the rumors smack of east coast bias since everyone out east is usually asleep when the west coast teams play.
Chris Bent (Posted 2008-07-21 16:49:58)
I've been a kings fan for a long time now. We've been through bad times. I mena come on, when Yanic Perrault, Dimitri Khristich and Vatalie Yachemev are your top line, you know your the laughing stock of the league. But to even entertain the mere thought of trading Kopitar for Gerber makes me want to burn all my Kings stuff and give up. Mark my words, if any more of the young nuclueas leaves this team I'm becoming a Penguins fan. Least they now how to build a team around good young players! P.S Lombardi, Camalleri deserved more money for playing so well on a crappy team for so long!
cristobal (Posted 2008-07-21 16:25:48)
if the hawks really wanted kopitar they should have offered up a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick - that's what lombardi loves. afterall, kopitar is a dave taylor pick, and lombardi is ridding the kings of all those.
fred o'brien (Posted 2008-07-21 15:53:11)
shanahan in ottawa.......detroit vs. ottawa for next years cup guaranteed....he's got the leadership,grit and passion the sens need
Felix MacLean (Posted 2008-07-21 15:26:25)
Although Kopitar would make the Hawks that much more exciting, don't hold your breath waiting for this trade to happen.
Emerson (Posted 2008-07-21 15:02:15)
I'm from Alberta, and honestly, I became a fan of LA from watching them play, just as Samuel has suggested. That core group of players is amoung the most exciting in the league, and Kopitar especially. I'd absolutely be shocked if this rumour had any truth. Kopitar is definitely a franchise player as he's got loads of personality,talent, and a great story. It's too bad they already shipped out Cammaleri, he was a great player too and seeing him in a darned Flames jersey is gonna be tough.
Samuel (Posted 2008-07-21 14:34:53)
If Kopitar gets traded before he's 35 by the Kings I think I'd have a hard time swallowing it. The kid, (he's on his way to 20, he can't drink) scored 77 points last year. He scored 30 goals. He and Dustin Brown seem to really enjoy playing together. I don't care how desperate the Kings are the only person the Kings could acquire that would make me okay with Kopi exiting would be Crosby. People need to watch him play. He's outstanding, amazing, and plays both sides of the puck well, given his age. He's only going to get bigger and better. He along with Patrick O'Sullivan, Dustin Brown, Alex Frolov, Jon Bernier, and Jack MF Johnson are the reason people come to Kings' games. Oh boy do they come, 14K at least every night. Some winning teams can't boast that. No trading Kopi, that's insane!
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-07-21 14:10:30)
Hey Mike Gillis, how about Knuble for Bieksa, straight up?
Brian Armsden (Posted 2008-07-21 13:43:24)
Ottawa needs to sign Shanny .....
Sonya (Posted 2008-07-21 13:41:08)
Trade Kopitar? That's ridiculous! I would hope Lombardi wasn't that desperate to get a goaltender! By the way, we already have someone that needs to be given a chance and his name is.....BERNIER!!!!!!!!
kevin (Posted 2008-07-21 13:18:54)
if Lombardi made this trade he should get fire right away or during the introducing of his new player.
qwerty (Posted 2008-07-21 13:18:54)
Anze Kopitar is AMAZING!!!!!! the kings would be crazy to trade him off. he is better than Stasny and is one of the best young centres
GoKingsGo (Posted 2008-07-21 12:51:47)
Wake up guys...its just not happening. Kopitar is the next Datsyuk and the Kings know it. Expect a long term extention for the kid before the next season is over. He will be in purple and black for many years to come. Sorry Hawks fans, but Khabibulin will not be shipped away that easily.
Rink Rat (Posted 2008-07-21 12:33:41)
If the Kings trade Kopitar, I'm buying a Duck call and a Pronger jersey.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-07-21 12:24:15)
There is no way the Kings move Kopitar for those two. Heck, only the Hawks would have any reason to make this trade. Ottawa gets Khabibulin, and that should look good to them? The guy hasn't been the same since '04. I don't know why anyone would believe this.
Jay (Posted 2008-07-21 12:07:40)
As a Black Hawk fan I like the deal. If I was L.A. I think I would want a lot more for Kopitar, but I can only hope that L.A. think's they need a goalie that bad that even Gerber looks good.
John H. (Posted 2008-07-21 11:35:34)
The Kings would be foolish to deal Kopitar, a player around whom they can build around. They should also declare Jack Johnson off-limits to deals. But hey, this is the same group that signed Kyle Calder, Ladislav Nagy and Michal Handzus to lucrative deals. Speaking as a Buffalo fan, how about Afinogenov, Kotalik and maybe some picks for Kopitar? Come on Mr. Lombardi, let's make a deal! Hello? I think he hung up on me.
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