Who's the front-runner according to TSN?
We'll see what happens. If the deal goes through, it will be for someone who doesn't make much money as the Bolts are pushing the cap. I'm thinking it will be Marc-Edouard Vlasic in return as Matt Carle has a big contract and Christian Ehrhoff is an RFA looking for a raise. Perhaps Kyle McLaren will be thrown in as well, as Tampa is looking to get some help in terms of stay-at-home defensemen with the hopes that Paul Ranger grows into Boyle's role.However, Boyle has not agreed to waive and wants sufficient time to assess his options and where he believes his best fit is.
Sources say three teams remain in pursuit of Boyle with the San Jose Sharks believed to be the frontrunner and considered Tampa's first choice.
If Boyle consents, there is a possibility the trade goes down today and Lightning management is said to be pushing for that.
Whew, and here I was worried you guys were going to be good forever, what with your weatlh of young talent and all. Please trade Marc-Edouard Vlasic, I'm sure a d-line led by Craig Rivet, Dan Boyle and Doug Murray will be just fine. (Is that really how he spells Edouard? This isn't Beowulf, tell him to change it.)
ReplyDeleteBTW, on Vlasic, Hockey Analytics mega-geek Alan Ryder has statistically pegged Marc-Edouard as the top defensive defenseman of the 2007-08 regular season, edging out some chump named Lidstrom.
ReplyDeleteYou can see it on p.24 of his 2007-08 review (pdf).
I'd rather lose Ehrhoff out of all of them, but I have no idea what that wacky Bolts management will want. Notice how all of their press releases mention Oren Koules, not supposed GM Jay Feaster.
ReplyDeleteHoly hell! Who saw that coming?!
ReplyDelete