February 28th, 2012

5:15 am Pierre Lebrun: A little after 5 am… It’s the calm before the storm…

5:20 am  Barry Melrose: And so it begins… wonder which teams will be the first to make some noise… We’re ready.

5:52 am  Bob McKenzie: Happy Trade Deadline Day everyone!

5:59 am  Scott Burnside: Can’t help but wonder what kind of splash Vipers GM Chris Hartley makes before the deadline tonight.

6:03 am  Barry Melrose: As of this morning, no change on the Sidney Crosby front. Phantoms intend to wait for Crosby to return. News on this throughout the day.

6:25 am Bob McKenzie: I’m expecting a lot of “goofy” trades today. It’s been a strange year. So many teams still in it. We shall see.

7:01 am  Pierre Lebrun: Oshawa City GM Earl McNeill jst announced he’s taking offers for Crawford, Sharp, and Parise.

7:22 am  Barry Melrose: Parise will be most sought after player today.

7:39 am  Bob McKenzie: Washington Power hoping to seal the deal on a trade today for some help up front, while the Deer Park Chiefs aren’t expected to be overly active.

7:50 am  Scott Burnside: Someone has started a phony account of me,please be advised,it looks a lot like my account but please check the spelling folks…

8:03 am  Pierre Lebrun: GM Armstrong saying Thomas Vanek will be dealt today. Hamilton an obvious possible destination.

8:31 am  Barry Melrose: Lots of chatter about the Vipers stepping up for Vanek.

8:45 am  Bob McKenzie: Quiet morning in Manhattan. Supermen have firm offers on a number of players. Ton of interest in Cory Schneider, but nothing imminent.

9:10 am  Bob McKenzie: Odds on favorite to make the first trade today: Toronto

9:15 am  Barry Melrose: Not expecting the Killers to be sellers or buyers. Hockey moves are up their alley today.

9:22 am  Scott Burnside: Talking to a friend with Montreal, could see some activity there today. GM Cancilla is looking to make an impactful move.

9:25 am  Pierre Lebrun: Pierre McGuire just told me Jason Arnott is heading to Manhattan. I am hearing the same thing. Pending the post on yuku.

9:33 am  Pierre Lebrun: Arnott trade isn’t official yet, but told it’s done.

9:37 am  Pierre Lebrun: Relax people… wow. LOL… I can’t give you details, bc I don’t have them yet. As soon as I do, you’ll know.

9:40 am  Pierre Lebrun: It’s official. First trade of the day. North Bay sends Arnott to Manhattan for a 2014 third rd pick. Hmm…?

9:51 am  Barry Melrose: A year ago Evgeni Malkin was big focus on this day. Didn’t move.  “A little more relaxed! Haha,” Malkin said via email today.

9:55 am  Scott Burnside: North Bay may not be done. Still looking to add if price is right. Brunetta is going for it!

10:01 am  Pierre Lebrun: Lots of teams asking GM McNeill about Parise… but is nothing close there.

10:05 am  Barry Melrose: Chiefs GM Nellany says (as of now) he doesn’t think he’ll get what he wants today.

10:10 am  Bob McKenzie: Washington GM Rick Charron looking to trade away a couple of players…

10:13 am  Pierre Lebrun: Let me guess… Tomas Kopecky…

10:15 am  Scott Burnside: LOL I’d put money on it being Kopecky

10:20 am  Bob McKenzie: Charron offered Casey Cizikas and a 3rd for Brendan Morrow… Goldsboro GM Matt Dwyer shot it down.

10:23 am  Bob McKenzie: I’m told lots of packages are being discussed between Washington and Goldsboro… Krejci could be on the move.

10:25 am  Bob McKenzie: Washington trying hard for Morrow… Goldsboro won’t bite.

10:27 am  Bob McKenzie: Goldsboro says Washington’s offers are very low balling.

10:29 am   Scott Burnside: Reached out to Montreal GM Keith Cancilla and he said it’s SSSSLLLLOOOOWWWWWW… Manhattan GM Tony Furino described the landscape as ‘crickets’.

10:35 am  Bob McKenzie: Not to pile on, but another GM: “It’s dead.”

11:09 am  Barry Melrose: Hamilton Firestorm looking to trade a forward for a defenseman.

11:15 am   Bob McKenzie: From a Washington source, their latest offer for Morrow was recently shot down. They’re focusing on other options now.

11:22 am  Scott Burnside: Not that is should surprise anyone, but Phantoms GM Daryn Beckman via text regarding the concussed Sidney Crosby:  “Not trading Crosby.”

11:34 am  Barry Melrose: Oshawa City GM McNeill scanning teams for top prospects. Been getting multiple offers for Crawford, Sharp, and Parise.

11:44 am  Pierre Lebrun: Am told over 10 teams have inquired on Vanek in Ottawa… Victoria remains among list of clubs that covet him but won’t overpay.

12:08 pm  Bob McKenzie: Boston GM Mike Phelan says “no chance” Gaborik or Malkin will be traded.

12:17 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Note to all GMs,don’t be shy,feel free to…do something.

12:22 pm  Bob McKenzie: Heroes’ forward Henrik Sedin says he doesn’t want to go anywhere. Loves Pittsburgh.

12:49 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Lakehead GM Jason Briggs told me theres been plenty of talk, just not as aggressive as years past. A flurry close to midnight likely.

1:13 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Text from Manhattan GM Furino: “Briggs wants Eriksson but he’s untouchable.”

1:17 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Talks have intensified between Briggs and Furino. Briggs wants Zac Dalpe. Furino said he would consider a Dalpe/Schenn trade.

1:20 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Briggs said “I’m sure he would! A guy who’s having success in the big league for a guy who can’t even crack the roster in the big league.”

1:25 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Talks breaking down between Furino and Briggs. Text from Furino: “Briggs is tough to negotiate with.”

1:46 pm  Scott Burnside: GM Beckman says the team got a “strong” offers for Crosby, but he turned it down.

2:01 pm  Bob McKenzie: Am told the Hitmen are shopping defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Gilbert.

2:05 pm  Scott Burnside: Furino contacted Leafs about Parise: Tavares as part of package. No-go.

2:11 pm  Barry Melrose: Hahaha how fitting… City workers in Ottawa were seen removing Thomas Vanek banners earlier today.

2:13 pm  Pierre Lebrun: A friend of Ottawa GM Ryan Armstrong just told me he’s completing a trade, one is close/near done.

2:16 pm  Barry Melrose: This one is interesting…reporting Toronto sending Jack Johnson to Leafs for Tomas Plekanec. This is unconfirmed.

2:18 pm  Barry Melrose: I’m told the Leafs are not trading Plekanec for J.Johnson… that report, like I said, was unconfirmed.

2:20 pm  Bob McKenzie: Vipers have won the Thomas Vanek sweepstakes 😉 Waiting on details…

2:25 pm  Bob McKenzie: Ottawa trades Vanek and a 2012 third rd pick to Victoria for Ryan Strome, Ty Rattie, Jon Merrill, Mattias Tedenby, and a 1st rd pick.

2:27 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Armstrong got a nice return on Vanek… More than I would have thought.

2:45 pm  Barry Melrose: All quiet on Parise/Sharp/Crawford watch, but McNeill says the Leafs will make trades today.

3:02 pm  Barry Melrose: London GM Matt Plachta says a deal is on the table that would send Pietrangelo and Bryzgalov to Lakehead.

3:05 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Twin City has traded Radim Vrbata. Details to follow…

3:10 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Confirming Radim Vrbata from Twin City to London for Richard Bachman and Scott Glennie. Sweet trade for both sides.

3:30 pm  Bob McKenzie: Heroes are taking calls for goaltender Ryan Miller.

3:32 pm  Barry Melrose: Montreal close to make a big trade.

3:35 pm  Bob McKenzie: GM Hartley continues to pound the phones. Now trying to get Hedman from London.

3:45 pm  Bob McKenzie: Txt from London GM Plachta: “A deal involving hedman for eller… lots of parts have been mentioned with this deal but nothing concrete.”

5:05 pm  Scott Burnside: Crazy quiet right now but I suspect it will pick up. Hamilton’s Alexander Semin strikes me as a significant name likely to move.

5:13 pm  Barry Melrose: Popular theory >> Oshawa City is holding up a lot of teams. Many in on Parise/Crawford/Sharp and not looking elsewhere until that’s resolved.

5:38 pm  Scott Burnside: Manhattan has several teams chasing J. Garrison…decent offers on the table, but Furino won’t trade him for less than a quality top 6 F.

5:59 pm  Barry Melrose: Toronto and Detroit are discussing a trade. Toronto GM Jordan Carbone wants Roman Josi.

6:00 pm  Barry Melrose: Detroit GM Paul Kiely wants Pekka Rinne involved.

6:01 pm  Barry Melrose: Carbone: “Not going to happen.”

6:29 pm  Pierre Lebrun: GM Hartley strikes again. Source tells me he got Hedman from London.

6:33 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Confirmed. Hedman and a 2012 second round pick to Victoria. Lars Eller and Spencer Machacek to London.

6:35 pm  Scott Burnside: Plachta said it took a while and he’s surprised they got it done.

6:44 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Big deal brewing between Montreal and Twin City. Hearing Tarasenko is going to Twin City.

6:56 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Trade has been made between Montreal and Twin City. Waiting for details…

7:01 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Montreal acquires 2012 first rd pick (2nd overall) + Jonathan Huberdeau. Twin City acquires 2013 first rd pick + Vladimir Tarasenko.

7:04 pm  Barry Melrose: Cancilla says Tarasenko will be a stud but thinks it will be worth giving him up for Mikhail Grigorenko.

7:06 pm  Bob McKenzie: Montreal now holds the 1st and 2nd overall picks in this upcoming draft. Yakupov and Grigorenko – Man that would be sweet!

7:34 pm  Barry Melrose: Talks really starting to pick up after the Twin City/Montreal deal.

8:07 pm  Scott Burnside: Phantoms GM Beckman telling teams Crosby won’t be traded unless an offer “blows him away”. So much interest in him… could happen.

8:22 pm  Bob McKenzie: Manhattan GM Tony Furino wants Crosby badly. Says he’s willing to overpay.

8:31 pm  Bob McKenzie: Just got a text from Furino: “Think I’m closer to getting Crosby than ever before.”

8:45 pm  Bob McKenzie: Furino telling Beckman he doesn’t stand a chance at winning the Cup without a top goalie. Anderson cannot compete with guys like Howard and Fleury.

8:52 pm Bob McKenzie: Carbone trying to pry Mikko Koivu from Fort Drum but GM Stryska says Mikko is untouchable this season.

8:58 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Don’t know details, but indications are Manhattan just made a mammoth offer for Crosby.

9:01 pm  Bob McKenzie: Txt from Furino: “Crosby for Zetterberg, Brodeur, and a 1st rd pick.”

9:03 pm  Bob McKenzie: Txt from Beckman: “I haven’t said yes but I haven’t said no either…”

9:05 pm  Barry Melrose: Hamilton says  Claude Giroux is not in play.

9:07 pm  Bob McKenzie: Crosby talks have broke down. Beckman declined Furino’s last offer because he loves Crosby too much.

9:09 pm  Bob McKenzie: Can’t get in touch with Furino. Txt from his secretary: “After Beckman declined his final offer, he cursed me out, grabbed a baseball bat, and smashed his office phone.”

9:25 pm  Barry Melrose: Firestorm have acquired Peverley and Letestu from Detroit for Timonen, Zatkoff, and a 2012 third rounder. Great pick ups for both teams.

9:26 pm  Barry Melrose: Detroit close to another deal with Ottawa…

9:30 pm  Barry Melrose: Detroit trades Halak, Prospal, and two third rounders to Ottawa for Reimer, Hackett, and Bulmer.

9:51 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Hearing North Bay is closing in on a deal for goaltender Jeff Frazee from Comox Valley, but not done yet.

9:55 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Oshawa City’s Parise, Sharp, and Crawford still getting plenty of attention today. Expect at least one of them to be moved.

10:09 pm  Scott Burnside: Comox Valley sends Jeff Frazze to North Bay for Vincent Trocheck and Victoria’s 2014 second rd pick.

10:15 pm  Barry Melrose: Less than two hours til the deadline!

10:17 pm  Barry Melrose: Parise said to be almost emotionally drained by this process. Probably a fair bit of frustration as well.

10:20 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Told Detroit has made another trade! Another with Twin City…

10:25 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Twin City sends Mark Owuya and a 2012 second rd pick to Detroit for Matt Carle.

11:15 pm  Scott Burnside: Lots of chatter right now with less than an hour to go. You can feel the rush.

11:30 pm  Bob McKenzie: Update on Oshawa City, they’re getting close to a deal, but nothing final yet (told by member of mgmt staff).

11:39 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Toronto among contenders still trying to acquire Parise/Sharp/Crawford. Many different offers considered, but the glimmer of hope in Toronto for a Parise trade is quickly fading in the final minutes.

11:42 pm  Barry Melrose: May be too late, but is there a late charge for one of those studs!? Will anyone pay the price? Buckle up.

11:48 pm  Scott Burnside: Source tells me Parise and Crawford are staying in Oshawa City… Patrick Sharp going to Hamilton!

11:50 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Earl McNeill confirms via text that Parise and Crawford are staying put. Sharp has been dealt to the Firestorm. Waiting for details…

11:52 pm  Pierre Lebrun: Oshawa City sends Patrick Sharp and MA Gragnani to Hamilton for Duncan Keith and Ales Hemsky.

11:54 pm  Barry Melrose: Solid trade for both clubs.

11:57 pm  Scott Burnside: Three minutes left…

11:59 pm  Bob McKenzie: Last minute trade!! Manhattan sends Brunette, Holmstrom, and Arnott to Hamilton for a 2013 second round pick, Lestestu, and Rolston.

12:00 am  Pierre Lebrun: So….tired…..

12:01 am  Scott Burnside: Shocked that Deer Park and Buffalo did nothing, nada, squat. Both teams in position to make a run at the Cup. Thought something for the sake of change at least.

12:03 am  Barry Melrose: Was just told D Kimmo Timonen was told by Firestorm that he had been traded as he came off the ice after the game tonight. That’s how he found out.

12:05 am  Barry Melrose: The Firestorm had tweeted it before Timonen was told by the team, but AFHL players don’t have access to Twitter while they’re on the ice. Yet.

12:05 am  Bob McKenzie: Who are your deadline winners?

12:07 am  Scott Burnside: I think every trade benefited both sides. Everyone was a winner this year.

12:10 am  Pierre Lebrun: Agreed. I like what Hamilton, London, and Victoria did to help their playoffs/Cup chances.

12:15 am  Bob McKenzie: Busy day. Maybe not for fans expecting lots of trade action but chasing ghosts all day is hard work. Ha ha. Thanks to all the tweeps for tuning in.