Internet Trade Talk: Spezza to Avalanche? McCabe to Canadiens?

Jason Spezza's name is nothing new in the rumor mill. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Lyle Richardson
2011-12-03 11:24:00

Bobby Ryan trade rumors dominated the past week, but it wasn't enough to sidetrack rumor bloggers from speculating about other notable NHL stars.

SPEZZA TO THE AVALANCHE?

The author of this rumor mentions The Bleacher Report claimed the Colorado Avalanche were looking at Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza, because he'd provide the offense and leadership the young Avs need to turn their season around.

But that's not what The Bleacher Report posted at all. In a piece looking at possible ways the struggling Avalanche could reverse their fortunes, a trade for Spezza was merely suggested as one way to achieve that aim.

A couple of years ago, Bryan Murray explored trading Spezza, but the GM has no intention of doing so now that his team playing better than expected.

BRYAN MCCABE OR DERICK BRASSARD TO CANADIENS?

This one cited a “well-placed Montreal source” who claimed UFA defenseman Bryan McCabe “makes a lot of sense” for the team.

McCabe, however, is all but retired in Florida with his family. The Habs, meanwhile, are expecting injured defensemen Andrei Markov and Chris Campoli to return to the lineup later this month, which removes the need to add a veteran blueliner.

This blog also claimed the Canadiens were the latest team to express interest in Columbus Blue Jackets center Derick Brassard, suggesting Montreal is the best fit for the 24-year-old.

But Brassard’s poor performance, coupled with his $3.2 million per season contract, makes him an unlikely trade candidate. A trade anywhere to get a change of scenery might improve Brassard's production, but that would be a gamble. There appears to be little interest in him around the league.

JASON ARNOTT TO THE SHARKS?

This one included St. Louis Blues center Jason Arnott in a list of “realistic trade deadline deals for the San Jose Sharks,” citing his Stanley Cup experience and the belief he'd provide leadership and depth to the Sharks third line.

The author claimed the Blues “are already out of playoff contention and will be sellers at the deadline.”

Evidently, he hadn't taken a gander at the recent standings, as the Blues are anything but out of playoff contention, sitting only two points out of first in the Central Division.

Perhaps the Blues would move Arnott at the trade deadline if they're out of it by then, but if they keep playing as well as they have in recent weeks, he won't be dealt.

Trade Talk addresses the biggest rumors being discussed online and appears weekly only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and Kukla's Korner.