Souray Rumour

[habsask]

Got this from the Fox Sports web site, NHL section, by Spector....


"Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 10 hours ago


Speculation the Los Angeles Kings were interested in Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson dominated the rumor mill on Wednesday, but GM John Muckler denied having any plans to deal Alfredsson to the Kings.

But the Kings sent four scouts to Tuesday's Senators-Montreal Canadiens game for a reason, and since the Kings won't be playing either team this month, it's obvious to assume they're interested in somebody.
The Ottawa Sun reported Thursday Muckler has apparently been in talks with four teams, not to move Alfredsson, but to bring in some help for the struggling winger.


There's also cyberspace talk the Kings were scouting the Canadiens, not the Senators, with Sheldon Souray supposedly the target of their attention.
Souray, who currently leads all NHL defensemen in scoring, is rumored to want to sign with a California-based team next summer as a free agent in order to live closer to his young daughter, who lives in Los Angeles with her mother.

The Kings are believed shopping defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky, who is signed through next season at an affordable cap hit of $1.824 million per season. The assumption is Souray for Visnovsky, but even though Souray's trade value is high right now Habs management may not be keen to move him at this time. The Canadiens would also lose considerable size by dealing away the 6-foot-4, 227-pound Souray for the 5-foot-10, 188-pound Visnovsky. "

For what it's worth.

Info on Lubomir Visnovsky from NHL.com

Position: Defenseman Shoots: Left
Height: 5' 10" Weight: 188
Born: Aug 11, 1976
Origin: Topolcany, SVK

Regular Season Stats

Read GP, G, A, P, +/-, PIM, PP, SH, GW, GT, Shots, Pct.

2006-2007 Kings 15 3 4 7 -1 4 2 0 0 0 25 12.0
2005-2006 Kings 80 17 50 67 7 50 10 0 3 0 152 11.2
2003-2004 Kings 58 8 21 29 8 26 5 0 0 0 114 7.0
2002-2003 Kings 57 8 16 24 2 28 1 0 1 0 85 9.4
2001-2002 Kings 72 4 17 21 -5 14 1 0 2 0 95 4.2
2000-2001 Kings 81 7 32 39 16 36 3 0 3 0 105 6.7

Playoff Stats

2001-2002 Kings 4 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.0
2000-2001 Kings 8 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 6 0.0


Anybody know anything about this guy??

Any opinions??? (ahum.....need I ask ?)

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

About Visnovsky, Sports Forecaster says:

ASSETS: Skates very well and possesses great quickness. Likes to lug the puck up ice and has excellent offensive instincts. Is a solid power-play performer.

FLAWS: Is well below average in terms of NHL size for defensemen. Needs to play with more consistency on a year-to-year basis. Has a lot of trouble handling big forwards at the NHL level.

CAREER POTENTIAL: Power play quarterback.

Why settle for Souray Lite when we have the real thing? The Kings would have to sweeten the deal to make it worthwhile for the Habs.

[insomnius]

I would do this in a second and I like Souray. But with UFA season rapidly approaching and the cap hit that Souray is expected to represent this deal actually makes sense.

But, as it's a rumour, I fully expect it NOT to happen. Nothing Gainey has done in the way of trades has had any prior noise about it in the press.

[Skilly]

mrbozo said:

The Kings would have to sweeten the deal to make it worthwhile for the Habs.

Totally agree.

Souray+Grabovski (or Kostitsyn) + Ryder for Visnovsky+Kopitar+pick

If not, hang up the phone.

[blny]

That may be a bit of a reach Skilly, but that's a place to start at least . Realistically, I think it would have to be something like Souray (and a pick if needed) for Visnosky and one of Frolov/Camilleri/Sullivan.

[HFTO]

A really tough call to make and maybe a little early to pull the trigger but if that deal is available down the road the Habs may have to consider it.
I'm willing to bet Souray is going to get well over 3 million and probably 4 if he continues to rack up the points.Can they afford it with both Rivet and Markov on the horizon.One of these guys is moving on and possibly two if the money continues to be ridiculous for D-men.Visnovsky atleast would provide some offense we obviously would lose with Souray being dealt and his $$ are attractive in the short term.
HFTO

[Skilly]

blny said:

That may be a bit of a reach Skilly, but that's a place to start at least . Realistically, I think it would have to be something like Souray (and a pick if needed) for Visnosky and one of Frolov/Camilleri/Sullivan.

I didnt realize that LA was so close to the cap ... you are right my trade isn't even possible money-wise. Frolov's 2.9 million salary is doable, and he is sign until 2010! We'd have to switch him to the right wing though .... or put him on the left wing with Bonk and Johnson.

[Deleted]

Souray, Kostitsyn and pick for Blake, Visnovsky and Kopitar.

[Skilly]

mattdhf said:

Souray, Kostitsyn and pick for Blake, Visnovsky and Kopitar.

I know you are joking ... but ....

Blake + Visnovsky + Kopitar = 8.4 million (assuming 500k for Kopitar)

Souray + Kostitsyn = 3.0 million.

[PTH]

Maybe Souray + Perezhogin for Visnovsky and Frolov ? Are we picking up too much salary with this ?

With cap issues as both ends of the deal, and the fact that we can't afford to get any thinner on defense.... you gotta wonder how many combinations are actually possible.

And I think we have to be realistic and not look at Kopitar or Jack Johnson, I doubt LA would let them go for a deal not involving Higgins or Komisarek (plus quite a bit).

And while I've never been a Souray fan, he has been efficient enough in his own zone this season, has been very efficient on the PP and has been effective in not getting caught flat-footed during the transition from offense to defense.... that might be Souray or it might be better coaching, but he's been an effective D for us.... if it's possible to keep him around as long as possible, I'd look into it. If someone wants to make us an offer that makes us a better team, terrific, but this is no longer a league of "asset building" but a league of "efficient cap use" and right now for a reasonable salary we've got a solid defenseman who's helping our PP stay one of the top ones in the league, so I'd be cautious about making any kind of a move.

[The Habsome One]

mattdhf said:

Souray, Kostitsyn and pick for Blake, Visnovsky and Kopitar.

Wake up guys! The Kings would trade their entire team before letting go of Kopitar. Nothing the Habs have would interest the Kings even remotely if it means losing the guy.

[Skilly]

pth said:

Maybe Souray + Perezhogin for Visnovsky and Frolov ? Are we picking up too much salary with this ?

Souray + Perezhogin = 2.907 million

Visnovsky + Frolov = 4.8 million.


Habs current Cap room = approx. 1.1 million.

There the proposed trade is not doable, it is 800k too much for us.

[habsask]

Good comments as usual.

I think PTH is right in saying the NHL is now a League of cap management.

I think Bad Co's list of dmen UFAs is also interesting in this regard. If 2007s class is weak and Souray commands $5M does Gainey bite or go for a Sens solution, ie make a choice and let one go?

Personally if it comes down to a choice I would prefer we keep Markov because of the new NFL, assuming he gets his play up to the level it has been in the past.

My own personal opinion is that circumstance will have a lot to do with what happens many of which are beyond Gainey's control:

- will Souray want to ge west regardless of the offer Gainey can make?

- will Souray just want to go on the open market to see what he can get like Chara?

- will Gainey be constrained by the Cap to choose between Markov and Souray given what signing both could do to the rest of the team makeup?

- if the the Habs do great up to the trading deadline will Gainey figure that they have a real chance at the Cup and so decide to keep Souray and Markov regardless of the fact that he could loose one for no return after the season?

- if he decides that he might trade Souray will there be a partner available to make the kind of trade he wants?

- if he can make a trade will the other team want to sign Souray to a contract extension before consumating the trade and will Souray be willing to do this?

- if Souray won't go for a contract extension will there be a team willing to take him just for a playoff run and then see what happens?

Etc, etc. so who really knows.

If I were Gainey I suppose I would be looking at the scarcity of really good dman prospects in the organization and if I figured I couldn't sign all of Markov, Rivet and Souray I would be looking to make a move to at least get back a decent NHL calibre dman for one of them that I could afford next season unless I figured the Habs really had a serious chance at the Cup.

But easy for me to say.

[HabSolute]

I wonder If Souray, considering how appreciative he was of Gainey when he had his rough period last year (the dream boss I think he said), I wonder if he would be honest with Gainey and tell him, "Listen, I WILL go to California next season to be closer to my daugther, so he you want to get something in return, you should make a trade...?"

Am I living in LALA Land ?

[cigarviper]

habsolute said:

I wonder If Souray, considering how appreciative he was of Gainey when he had his rough period last year (the dream boss I think he said), I wonder if he would be honest with Gainey and tell him, "Listen, I WILL go to California next season to be closer to my daugther, so he you want to get something in return, you should make a trade...?"

Am I living in LALA Land ?

I can see this although I'm not convinced he wants out of Montreal, daughter or not. If Gainey makes an offer I can see him accepting and staying put. He's said many times that he likes it there.

Shelley, the Mimbo, "This is my bedroom. It's where I spend most of my time." LOL

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUeqNIAAkjU

[Doc Holliday]

Trading Souray now would leave a huge hole that certainly won't be filled by Visnovsky. Souray does not only make our PP magic, he also is a huge presence in the locker room. That deal would weaken the team all over so I don't see it happening as long as we're a playoff bound team.

[Gogie]

Are we SERIOUS Cup contenders this year? If so, keep Souray to the bitter end and hope we go all the way. Losing him after that is a cost worth incurring if it means winning the Cup. Otherwise, sign him now or trade him. Getting something now has to be better in the long run than losing Souray after this season and getting nothing in return. The sooner this is settled, the better. At least trading him now (assuming that's the optimal solution) gives the team time to redefine itself before it's too late. Trading him at the trade deadline simply to make sure we get something could result in disruption to the team chemistry without sufficient time to "recover".

P.S. - I've been a Souray fan since the day we acquired him from New Jersey. My preference would be to keep him in Montreal long-term.

[Skilly]

gogie said:

Are we SERIOUS Cup contenders this year? If so, keep Souray to the bitter end and hope we go all the way. Losing him after that is a cost worth incurring if it means winning the Cup. Otherwise, sign him now or trade him. Getting something now has to be better in the long run than losing Souray after this season and getting nothing in return. The sooner this is settled, the better. At least trading him now (assuming that's the optimal solution) gives the team time to redefine itself before it's too late. Trading him at the trade deadline simply to make sure we get something could result in disruption to the team chemistry without sufficient time to "recover".

P.S. - I've been a Souray fan since the day we acquired him from New Jersey. My preference would be to keep him in Montreal long-term.

How much time does a team need to recover?

The trade deadline has been moved up now to Feb. 27 (?) which, in the case of the Habs, means that there will be 16 games from the trade deadline to the end of the season.

To put that in context. We haven't even played 16 games yet, and people are talking about trades and whether plays work well together.

So if less than 16 games at the beginning of the season is sufficient to say "something isnt working" than 16 games at the end of the season should be sufficient time to "recover".

[clear observer]

Sell high....buy low.

[Doc Holliday]

admin said:

Sell high....buy low.

There is no doubt CO, that Souray's value must be at an all time high but what kind of message do you send your team and fans if you trade you're offensive leader at this point ? Unless you can land a deal that clearly and undoubtedly makes you better (and Visnovsky is not it), I say we better run with him.

Souray has the power to make your PowerPlay among the best in the league. In today's NHL that is a huge plus. One that could get you in the playoffs. Giving that up would require a mighty load of sweetner.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

docholliday said:

admin said:

Sell high....buy low.

There is no doubt CO, that Souray's value must be at an all time high but what kind of message do you send your team and fans if you trade you're offensive leader at this point ? Unless you can land a deal that clearly and undoubtedly makes you better (and Visnovsky is not it), I say we better run with him.

Souray has the power to make your PowerPlay among the best in the league. In today's NHL that is a huge plus. One that could get you in the playoffs. Giving that up would require a mighty load of sweetner.

Well, if Souray is moved Gainey will have one less UFA d-man to worry about signing next year. It would also identify who he wants to retain as well. If Souray is moved it would make it easier for Gainey to re-sign Markov and Rivet.

IMHO, Souray has come around big time so far as shaking off that pylon he was carrying around with him from highlight reel to highlight reel last year. And like you say, he (and Markov) are the offensive quarterbacks. Not too many teams can boast that.

Yet, if there is any weight to this rumour at all, the Habs would be taking a risk in dealing a defenceman. If Souray (and ?) is part of a package deal, then ideally another NHL-caliber defenceman has to come the other way in addition to ....

Cheers.

[Andrew]

docholliday said:

admin said:

Sell high....buy low.

Souray has the power to make your PowerPlay among the best in the league. In today's NHL that is a huge plus. One that could get you in the playoffs. Giving that up would require a mighty load of sweetner.

Visnovsky is no slouch on the PP either. He had 67 points last season. He may not have the cannon that Souray has, but is a very good PP quarterback.

The only reason I'd hold back on this deal is for the Leadership that Souray provides.

[duster]

I agree with you about Visnovsky. He's pretty good on the pp. If you trade Souray, go for an improvement in mind. Visnovsky is not an improvement. The team already has Bouillon in the overpaid- pint sized-manhandled-by-large-forwards department.

Trade Bouillon for Visnovsky and I'm all for it, however... ;D

[Skilly]

duster said:

I agree with you about Visnovsky. He's pretty good on the pp. If you trade Souray, go for an improvement in mind. Visnovsky is not an improvement. The team already has Bouillon in the overpaid- pint sized-manhandled-by-large-forwards department.

Trade Bouillon for Visnovsky and I'm all for it, however... ;D

As the Taco Bell chihuahua says "I tink I'm en luvvv!" ;D ;D (In a manly way of course)

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Souray and Price for Kopitar (since Price for Kopitar won't fly).

[seventeen]

gogie said:

Are we SERIOUS Cup contenders this year?

These days you make the playoffs and you're a serious cup contender. You think Carolina and Tampa Bay were dynasties? Course that doesn't mean I'd trade Souray, but I'd listen.

[BadCompany]

Why would the Kings give up anything of significance to get Souray at this point? If it's true that's he's planning on going there in the off-season anyways, why not just wait until he's a free agent, and sign him for nothing?

I also don't see them moving Visnovsky for any old reason, and if you want Kopitar, you'd better start offering up Higgins and Komisarek, because nothing less will work. And even that might not. Why would any team give up a 6'4, 220lbs 19 year old center who is already averaging close to a point a game?? Imagine how good this kid is going to be once he actually matures, both physically and mentally? Ain't nothing going to pry him out of LA anytime soon.

IF the Kings were to make a deal for Souray, I could see them offering up Brent Sopel, and that's about it. They'll give up Conroy for a song and a dance, but we don't have the defensive depth to do that straight up for Souray (which would be a horrible trade anyways), and we don't have the cap room to do Conroy + a defenseman for Souray.

I don't see a match here, myself.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

badcompany said:

Why would the Kings give up anything of significance to get Souray at this point? If it's true that's he's planning on going there in the off-season anyways, why not just wait until he's a free agent, and sign him for nothing?

I also don't see them moving Visnovsky for any old reason, and if you want Kopitar, you'd better start offering up Higgins and Komisarek, because nothing less will work. And even that might not. Why would any team give up a 6'4, 220lbs 19 year old center who is already averaging close to a point a game?? Imagine how good this kid is going to be once he actually matures, both physically and mentally? Ain't nothing going to pry him out of LA anytime soon.

IF the Kings were to make a deal for Souray, I could see them offering up Brent Sopel, and that's about it. They'll give up Conroy for a song and a dance, but we don't have the defensive depth to do that straight up for Souray (which would be a horrible trade anyways), and we don't have the cap room to do Conroy + a defenseman for Souray.

I don't see a match here, myself.

Could be BC. However, unless LA knows they have a sure lock on Souray they might want to lock him up as soon as he becomes an UFA. If just getting to the area happens to be the criteria then it's possible SJ and Anaheim might jump into the fray as well.

I think you're right about Kopitar, however. I think any deal for him would have to include Komisarek +.

Cheers.

[HabSolute]

disgruntled70shab said:

badcompany said:

Why would the Kings give up anything of significance to get Souray at this point? If it's true that's he's planning on going there in the off-season anyways, why not just wait until he's a free agent, and sign him for nothing?

I also don't see them moving Visnovsky for any old reason, and if you want Kopitar, you'd better start offering up Higgins and Komisarek, because nothing less will work. And even that might not. Why would any team give up a 6'4, 220lbs 19 year old center who is already averaging close to a point a game?? Imagine how good this kid is going to be once he actually matures, both physically and mentally? Ain't nothing going to pry him out of LA anytime soon.

IF the Kings were to make a deal for Souray, I could see them offering up Brent Sopel, and that's about it. They'll give up Conroy for a song and a dance, but we don't have the defensive depth to do that straight up for Souray (which would be a horrible trade anyways), and we don't have the cap room to do Conroy + a defenseman for Souray.

I don't see a match here, myself.

Could be BC. However, unless LA knows they have a sure lock on Souray they might want to lock him up as soon as he becomes an UFA. If just getting to the area happens to be the criteria then it's possible SJ and Anaheim might jump into the fray as well.

I think you're right about Kopitar, however. I think any deal for him would have to include Komisarek +.

Cheers.

I wonder if Higgins injury (6 weeks) will change the dynamics for Gainey...

[Doc Holliday]

disgruntled70shab said:

I think you're right about Kopitar, however. I think any deal for him would have to include Komisarek +.

Cheers.

...or Higgins +

Forget the rest.

One team I'd personally try to hook up with is Edmonton. They have Marc Antoine Pouliot who seems caught in a numbers game... and it wouldn't cost Souray to get him.

Personally I'd like for us to hang on to Souray. Despite his occasional defensive blunders, he's a pretty special dmen.