Sykora a Hab?

[TheHabsfan]

A few clues seem to point in this direction...

"Veteran forward Petr Sykora, the subject of recent trade speculation, accompanied the team on its flight to Montreal after being held out of the game pending a possible move that could happen as soon as today."

"Sykora, whose 34 goals in 2002-03 helped the Ducks reach the Stanley Cup finals, said he and his agent, Ritch Winter, are in the dark. Winter could not be reached.

"Honestly, I don't know," Sykora said. "Nobody has told me anything. My agent doesn't know anything.""

First quote...why would Sykora make the trip to MTL if he was on the verge of being traded??

Second quote....They are in the dark...nobody knows anything...does this signature remind you of anybody?

Are the pieces of the puzzle finally coming together? or am I just imagining things?

What do you think? Could we get a new left winger for our second line shortly?

Here is the link to the entire article...

tinyurl.com/av4jd

PS. I know it's a long shot...but it's a slow week!

[franko]

Spector's take: Spector's Note: I'll be keeping an eye on this situation throughout the day. Hopefully this won't be a false alarm like the Avalanche rumours earlier this week. The NY Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens are rumoured to be interested. It would be ironic if Sykora was dealt to the Habs prior to the Ducks- Canadiens game tomorrow, but that could be even more reason to suspect the Canadiens may not be his destination.

link

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Interesting. I'm not usually one for trade rumour speculation but this one makes sense to me.

Hmmm, underachiever exchanged for underachiever? Bonk for Sykora (with a side dish thrown in by one side or both)?

Sykora $3.1M. Bonk $2.39M. Czech for Czech? Both currently recovering from groin injuries.

*

From Sports Forecaster re Sykora:

ASSETS: Has improved in the NHL since moving to right wing, where he can use his speed to blow past defenders and release his deceptive shot from anywhere.

FLAWS: Gets rattled in physical contests. Still needs work in his own zone and must play a more consistent offensive game.

CAREER POTENTIAL: First line winger.

*

Zednik-Koivu-Kovalev
Sykora-Ribeiro-Ryder
Bulis-Plekanec-Sundstrom
Higgins-Bégin-Perezhogin
Dagenais/Murray

or

Sykora-Koivu-Kovalev
Zednik-Ribeiro-Ryder

[Skilly]

When I heard last week that Sykora was going to be moved , I had hoped it was to the Habs. But then me gots to thinking ..... who are we giving up? What do the rumours say about that?

[Skilly]

mrbozo said:

Sykora-Ribeiro-Ryder

Sure ,..... soundslike Gainey. Dump one underachiever that you never gave a legitimate chance on an offensive line and bring in another who would immediately be given a chance.

Its a done deal.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

skilly said:

mrbozo said:

Sykora-Ribeiro-Ryder

Sure ,..... soundslike Gainey. Dump one underachiever that you never gave a legitimate chance on an offensive line and bring in another who would immediately be given a chance.

Its a done deal.

Sykora has been a top-two line winger for all his NHL career. Bonk has been steadily working his way down the pecking order since before the Habs acquired him.

Advantage Habs.

[Skilly]

mrbozo said:

skilly said:

Sure ,..... soundslike Gainey. Dump one underachiever that you never gave a legitimate chance on an offensive line and bring in another who would immediately be given a chance.

Its a done deal.

Sykora has been a top-two line winger for all his NHL career. Bonk has been steadily working his way down the pecking order since before the Habs acquired him.

Advantage Habs.

Although the Habs is the first team where he played on the third line. They could have tried him instead of Dags for more than one shift a scatter game.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

skilly said:

mrbozo said:

Sykora has been a top-two line winger for all his NHL career. Bonk has been steadily working his way down the pecking order since before the Habs acquired him.

Advantage Habs.

Although the Habs is the first team where he played on the third line.

Don't know whether that's true or not. Someone who has followed the Senators could perhaps shed light on that.

They could have tried him instead of Dags for more than one shift a scatter game.

Perhaps he just hasn't merited the opportunity. Could well be the equivalent of having Dagenais play on the checking line.

I'm sure that if it were felt he could help ignite the Habs pop-gun attack it would have been done.

I have much greater faith in Sykora as a trigger man.

Bonk:
708 games, 152-253-405, +21, 419 PIM, 12.3 shooting %, 0.57 PPG.
Playoffs - 61 games, 9-15-24, -11, 38 PIM, 9.3 shooting %, 0.39 PPG

Sykora:
631 games, 206-266-472, +70, 266 PIM, 11.3 shooting %, 0.75 PPG
Playoffs - 84 games, 26-33-59, +25, 40 PIM, 12.5 shooting %, 0.70 PPG

*

A revised hypothetical lineup:

Sykora-Koivu-Kovalev
Zednik-Ribeiro-Ryder
Bulis-Bégin-Sundstrom
Higgins-Plekanec-Perezhogin
(Dagenais/Murray)

Roll 'em, Claude, roll 'em!

[Andrew]

I don't really want to see Sykora in a Habs uniform. I've got him in my pool, and have been trolling the odd Ducks board to see how he's doing. Ducks fans HATE him. He's been a useless floater this year. I'd rather not have another Audette / Berezin / Czerkawski on our hands.

[Doc Holliday]

andrew said:

I He's been a useless floater this year. I'd rather not have another Audette / Berezin / Czerkawski on our hands.

That's my take as well.

He would be an upgrade over Dagenais/Bulis/Higgins on the left side of the 2nd line but his style of play would have him become a scapegoat here almost instantly.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

docholliday said:

andrew said:

I He's been a useless floater this year. I'd rather not have another Audette / Berezin / Czerkawski on our hands.

That's my take as well.

He would be an upgrade over Dagenais/Bulis/Higgins on the left side of the 2nd line but his style of play would have him become a scapegoat here almost instantly.

If Kovalev can change his demeanor...

The less I think about it the more it seems that a change of scenery for both Bonk and Sykora is worth a shot (particularly for the Habs, who have two players in Bégin and Plekanec who can centre the third line at least as well as Bonk).

[blny]

I think the Bonk for Sykora notion has merit. Would Burke go for that? We're taking an extra $800k in salary, so perhaps a 2nd rounder from them for a 4th from us would even it out some. Bonk has two years left on his deal right? How much time left on Petr's contract?

[clear observer]

I'd do a Bonk-for-Sykora deal in a heart-beat...no hesitation...no pause...no delay...would even buy a new fax-machine (hi Pat Quinn).

Do it, Bob....DO IT!

CO

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

blny said:

I think the Bonk for Sykora notion has merit. Would Burke go for that? We're taking an extra $800k in salary, so perhaps a 2nd rounder from them for a 4th from us would even it out some. Bonk has two years left on his deal right? How much time left on Petr's contract?

Sykora's contract expires at the end of this season. And Rich Winter (here's hoping we all have one) is his agent.

[blny]

Very punny.

[franko]

Bonk may have been on the first or second lines in Ottawa but never played on them.

[Rimmer]

I don't think the ducks would want Bonk for several reasons:

1. it doesn't solve their need for scoring
2. they already have the two-way center position covered with the acquisition of Marchant and there is also Sami Pahlsson, Rob niedermayer, Andy McDonald and Getzlaf at center.
3. while Sykora is more expensive than Bonk, it is said that his contract expires next year while Bonk's runs for one or two years after this one

IMHO, it would probably make more sense for them to go after someone with some offensive potential, like Zednik or Ryder, or picks and/or prospects in a purely salary dump deal.

of course, Bourke may believe that Bonk can help him improve their team, but if I were them, I would rather look at players like Comrie who can bring some much needed offense

R.

[TheHabsfan]

rimmer said:

I don't think the ducks would want Bonk for several reasons:

1. it doesn't solve their need for scoring
2. they already have the two-way center position covered with the acquisition of Marchant and there is also Sami Pahlsson, Rob niedermayer, Andy McDonald and Getzlaf at center.
3. while Sykora is more expensive than Bonk, it is said that his contract expires next year while Bonk's runs for one or two years after this one

IMHO, it would probably make more sense for them to go after someone with some offensive potential, like Zednik or Ryder, or picks and/or prospects in a purely salary dump deal.

of course, Bourke may believe that Bonk can help him improve their team, but if I were them, I would rather look at players like Comrie who can bring some much needed offense

R.

I understand what you are saying. However, trading Zed or Ryder for Sykora would be a step down for us. I don't think Bob would do that. Lets not forget, the Ducks are shopping him, we are not asking for him. They MAY settle for whatever they can get in order to "fix" their problem.

THF

[Bob]

Throw Duncan Milroy into the deal. On the depth charts at RW he would rank behind Kovalev, Ryder, Sykora, Sundstrom, Kostitsyn and Latendresse. For the Ducks he would add depth at the right wing spot after the departure of Sykora.

Bonk and Milroy for Sykora and Ozolinsh. That keeps cuts the Ducks payroll and adds some scoring punch to the Canadiens. The Habs could decide if they want to offer to extend the contracts of the two former Ducks after they have had a chance to see them play for a while.

It would be more a matter of optics than anything for the Ducks who would need the appearance of getting something in return for the salaries they are dumping.

[IamCanadiens]

The available player on the Ducks that I'd like to see in a Habs jersey is Salei.

[Rimmer]

thehabsfan said:

rimmer said:

I don't think the ducks would want Bonk for several reasons:

1. it doesn't solve their need for scoring
2. they already have the two-way center position covered with the acquisition of Marchant and there is also Sami Pahlsson, Rob niedermayer, Andy McDonald and Getzlaf at center.
3. while Sykora is more expensive than Bonk, it is said that his contract expires next year while Bonk's runs for one or two years after this one

IMHO, it would probably make more sense for them to go after someone with some offensive potential, like Zednik or Ryder, or picks and/or prospects in a purely salary dump deal.

of course, Bourke may believe that Bonk can help him improve their team, but if I were them, I would rather look at players like Comrie who can bring some much needed offense

R.

I understand what you are saying. However, trading Zed or Ryder for Sykora would be a step down for us. I don't think Bob would do that. Lets not forget, the Ducks are shopping him, we are not asking for him. They MAY settle for whatever they can get in order to "fix" their problem.

THF

oh, I agree, but I was trying to look at this from their perspective. the thing is, they are not in a dire need to trade Sykora. they are well under the cap, his contract ends at the end of this year so they don't need to trade him just for the sake of getting rid of him. if they can't trade him to improve their team, they may just wait until the trading deadline and unload him for picks or prospects.

if I was in their place, I wouldn't take Bonk in return. I'd rather take Ribeiro or even Dagenais and picks. but that's just me...

R.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

rimmer said:

if I was in their place, I wouldn't take Bonk in return. I'd rather take Ribeiro or even Dagenais and picks. but that's just me...

R.

Me, I'm out to swindle them.

[jkr]

The guy is in a serious slump - no goals in his last 9-10 games as this link shows. This is why Burke wants him gone along with his contract. I'd think twice before the Habs give up a roster guy for him.

sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1333&out

P.S. How do you trade Bonk while he is out with a torn groin? Just asking.

[Deleted]

jkr said:

The guy is in a serious slump - no goals in his last 9-10 games as this link shows. This is why Burke wants him gone along with his contract. I'd think twice before the Habs give up a roster guy for him.

sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1333&out

P.S. How do you trade Bonk while he is out with a torn groin? Just asking.

I don't think the locker room in Anaheim is a happy one, if you think about it. Burke gave up Fedorov and now he's shopping Sykora, who is really deadly when he's on his game.

The Ducks need scoring and want to clear cap room, why could they take Bonk?

[jkr]

mattdhf said:

jkr said:

The guy is in a serious slump - no goals in his last 9-10 games as this link shows. This is why Burke wants him gone along with his contract. I'd think twice before the Habs give up a roster guy for him.

sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?statsId=1333&out

P.S. How do you trade Bonk while he is out with a torn groin? Just asking.

The Ducks need scoring and want to clear cap room, why could they take Bonk?

I'm not suggesting Bonk for this deal - just commenting on what other posts have stated in this thread.

[jkr]

franko said:

Spector's take: Spector's Note: I'll be keeping an eye on this situation throughout the day. Hopefully this won't be a false alarm like the Avalanche rumours earlier this week. The NY Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens are rumoured to be interested. It would be ironic if Sykora was dealt to the Habs prior to the Ducks- Canadiens game tomorrow, but that could be even more reason to suspect the Canadiens may not be his destination.

link

Aren't the Devils right up against the cap? They will have to dump a salary to take on Elias' paycheque soon. Can't see them in the mix. That's something Spector should be aware of.

[blny]

YOu're right jkr. A rare oversight on his part.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NJ is wearing a tight cap ($42.9M*), Anaheim a loose one ($34.9M*). These two make ideal trading partners, if NJ can send more salary to Anaheim (who can absorb it and stay under the cap) than they receive, thus bringing themselves under the cap.

* nhlpa.com/thePlayers/index.asp

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

NOTE: THE NHL TRADE FREEZE PERIOD IS 19-27 DECEMBER 2005.

10 DECEMBER 2005.

THE LATEST ON PETR SYKORA.

BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont reported the LA Times yesterday suggested the Bruins and Anaheim Mighty Ducks may be close to a deal that would send Petr Sykora to Boston. Dupont cites sources claiming that, although talks between the two teams initiated a week ago, the Bruins apparently have little interest in Sykora. Ducks management sat Sykora out of Thursday's game against the Sabres in anticipation of swinging a trade with another team, not the Bruins, and that a deal could be imminent, possibly by today.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Eric Stephens reports Sykora practiced with the Ducks on Friday in Montreal for tonight's games against the Canadiens and is expected to be in the lineup while GM Brian Burke continues to shop him. The Bruins and the NY Rangers are among those believed interested in Sykora.

Spector's Note: It certainly appears that something may happen soon with Sykora. As with yesterday I'll try to stay on top of this and if anything new breaks I'll post it up.

- spectorshockey.tripod.com/spectors_trade_rumours.html

[Cranky]

At least Syko takes a lot of shots on goals. He will fit right in, in trying to make opposing goalies look great.