O'Neill for the #1 pick???

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Someone at FanHome dug this up. I sure as hell hope JR isn't THIS freakin' stupid.

Sunday, June 15
Dudley looking for an offer he can't refuse

By Brian Biggane, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, June 15, 2003

Rick Dudley's record is perfect, and chances are it will stay that way.

Twice the Panthers' general manager has had the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, and twice he has traded it. And by the time Commissioner Gary Bettman steps to the podium at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on Saturday, it's a good bet Dudley will have gone 3-for-3.

"People are calling us," Dudley said late lastt week. "Nobody has made me inclined to trade it yet, but I have to admit a couple are close. They wouldn't have to tweak very much to make me very interested."

While Dudley and most other draft experts insist there are at least a handful of elite prospects at the top of this draft, one of them happens to be a goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury -- and a Quebec goaltender at that. And that is what has had Dudley's phone ringing.

The retirement of Patrick Roy and Philadelphia's trade of Roman Cechmanek to Los Angeles are just two of the scenarios that could lead to as many as a dozen teams offering packages in hopes of getting in position to land the best netminding prospect available since the Panthers' own Roberto Luongo went fourth overall in 1997.

Boston is rumored to be offering left wing Sergei Samsonov and a prospect. Pittsburgh, which has the third pick, is dangling ex-Panther Martin Straka and a swap of choices. Even Carolina, at No. 2, is rumored to have dangled sniper Jeff O'Neill for the right to swap picks.

While the Panthers' payroll rivaled that of Minnesota as the lowest in the league by the end of last season, Dudley said majority owner Alan Cohen has never balked at adding the salary of any specific player, and Dudley continues to plan on signing a veteran or two this summer to bring experience.

But when it comes right down to it, Dudley said he isn't sure any other GMs will want to do business with him.

"Everybody's pretty leery of me," he said. "They know I know players, and they know it's going to cost them. They have to have something we like, and it's not going to be an easy deal. It's going to cost a lot."

Dudley's first experience with the top pick overall was four years ago with Tampa Bay, when he wound up trading right out of the first round. The deal was a complicated one, with Atlanta winding up getting center Patrik Stefan at No. 1, Vancouver getting twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin at Nos. 2 and 3 and the Rangers getting Pavel Brendl at No. 4. Tampa Bay got winger Nicklas Sundstrom and goaltender Dan Cloutier, both of whom have since been traded.

Four years later, none of the four draftees have become stars.

"The reason we did the deal is we weren't sure of any of them," Dudley said.

Last year, he swapped No. 1 to Columbus for No. 3 and the right to swap first-rounders with the Blue Jackets in this year's draft. That became unnecessary when Florida won the lottery, but in essence it allowed the Panthers to double their chances for No. 1.

If Florida keeps the pick, it will be one of 14 the Panthers own in the nine-round, two-day affair, and Dudley is confident it will land a top-notch prospect.

"This is the best draft since I've been a general manager," he said. "There's a few potential stars and a couple of can't-miss pros. But the quality at the top is just so good.

"If it wasn't this draft, people would be talking about a couple of these guys the way they did (Vincent) Lecavalier and (Ilya) Kovalchuk."

If Dudley has made up his mind who he would take -- and he insists he hasn't -- he isn't saying.

"We're going to decide in our meetings when we get up to Nashville (Tuesday)," he said. "I've purposely held off on making a final decision because I didn't want any of our (scouts) to let it slip."

It's unlikely to be Fleury, but could be one of a pair of Canadian forwards: Eric Staal, a smooth-skating center from Peterborough, or Nathan Horton, a power forward from Oshawa.

"We have some people very close, so we're going to look at the team and what we need," Dudley said.




Hey mods! Feel free to put this in the draft thread if need be. I was too astonished by it to think straight at the time I posted it.

[nccanes]

Let's hope Adam Gold asked JR about this and Folg can fill us in.

That seems ludicrous. :crazy:

[folgersnyourcup]

Ugh. I just still can't believe the Canes didn't get the number one pick.... If this actually happens which I'm doubting it will, what rotten luck!

[moonstomper]

that would make zero sense, for the right to swap picks?

[Captain Slack]

Talk about taking one step forward and two steps back! :eek:

This has to be just a rumor. I can't belive JR would be that dumb.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

It HAS to be BS. First of all, if we wanted Fleury we wouldn't need the #1 pick to get him because looking at Florida's goalie situation, IMO, they aren't gonna take Fleury (unless they take him to trade him). So that leads to second of all....if we wanted the #1 pick to take Staal or Horton there is no way we would trade a 27-year-old, perennial 30+ goal scorer to get an 18-year-old unproven forward....unless salary is all this organization cares about anymore. There is just no way it could be true.

[1Irbegirlforever]

I will seriously lose any ounce of respect for JR that I have at this moment (which isn't much btw), if he decides to go through with this dumb, dumb move.

Oh my, could things get any worse? :sad:

[talkingcanes]

I think it proves you don't have to know anything about hockey to be a hockey writer :roll: Just write what sounds provocative. I don't think JR has any intentions of trading O'Neill.

[Stormbringer]

It HAS to be BS. First of all, if we wanted Fleury we wouldn't need the #1 pick to get him because looking at Florida's goalie situation, IMO, they aren't gonna take Fleury (unless they take him to trade him). So that leads to second of all....if we wanted the #1 pick to take Staal or Horton there is no way we would trade a 27-year-old, perennial 30+ goal scorer to get an 18-year-old unproven forward....unless salary is all this organization cares about anymore. There is just no way it could be true.

I think it proves you don't have to know anything about hockey to be a hockey writer :roll: Just write what sounds provocative. I don't think JR has any intentions of trading O'Neill.

Agree wholeheartedly with what both of you said. Knowing JR's penchant for goalies, I'm very willing to bet that the Canes will go after Fleury if they can't get Staal. (Razzin' frazzin' Florida...why did THEY have to get the numero uno pick?! The bad luck beat goes on... :roll:) And unless the Canes are really desperate, there is NO WAY they would dump O'Neill, at least for this season anyway. I question how good O'Neill will remain when Ronnie retires...as much as I like O, he does benefit quite a bit from Ronnie's amazing playmaking, and seems a little lost when occasionally put on other lines.

[Jeff O Rocks]

O is the one constant scoring power that we have....he would be insane to do this.... :roll:

[Shell]

I don't think there is any way in hell that this is true. I do think Florida will make a trade for the pick so the goalie might go first.. but why would you dangle one of your best assets (considering age, production, etc.) for a difference of 1 pick in such a deep draft? To be honest with ya.. I wouldn't be upset to get Fleury, Staal or Coburn.. I think we need Coburn (defence) most, but already love Staal (the Ronnie references didn't hurt), and a steady arsenal of good goaltending wouldn't be bad either(assuming we don't trade him away for 2 people who play on Toronto now ala Giguere)

That would just be silly.

[hyena]

total freaking BS. no way that's happening. :roll:

[StormShaman]

Consider the source, peeps--a beat writer for one of our division rivals.

That's the first thing that makes the argh-ticle suspect.

The second thing is the sheer ludicrosity of it all--O'Neill for the first pick? After all the opportunities that JR has had to trade O for somebody that could help the 'Canes right away? If he hasn't traded the first guy he ever drafted by now, then he'll probably never trade him. Seriously.

JR has made some baffling moves in his time, but he's not a complete gibbering idiot.

[Jeff O Rocks]

If he hasn't traded the first guy he ever drafted by now, then he'll probably never trade him. Seriously.



:spin: ...we can only hope...and also hope that O will score 50-60 goals this season..

[rons#1fan]

I question how good O'Neill will remain when Ronnie retires...as much as I like O, he does benefit quite a bit from Ronnie's amazing playmaking, and seems a little lost when occasionally put on other lines.

I agree with this point and honestly believe that it is total fantasy on this writer's part. It would be ludicrous for JR to even think about putting O up for trade. However, I read somewhere that they (Canes) are thinking about moving Ronnie to Wing position, atleast try him out at camp. There seems to be a lot of changes coming our way, and we can only make unfounded assumptions until the draft is over and we get some concrete results.

[talkingcanes]

I question how good O'Neill will remain when Ronnie retires...as much as I like O, he does benefit quite a bit from Ronnie's amazing playmaking, and seems a little lost when occasionally put on other lines.

I agree with this point and honestly believe that it is total fantasy on this writer's part. It would be ludicrous for JR to even think about putting O up for trade. However, I read somewhere that they (Canes) are thinking about moving Ronnie to Wing position, atleast try him out at camp. There seems to be a lot of changes coming our way, and we can only make unfounded assumptions until the draft is over and we get some concrete results.

I believe Stormbringer wrote that, but I don't disagree with her :)

[Jeff O Rocks]

However, I read somewhere that they (Canes) are thinking about moving Ronnie to Wing position, atleast try him out at camp. There seems to be a lot of changes coming our way, and we can only make unfounded assumptions until the draft is over and we get some concrete results.

That would be interesting to see Ronnie as a scorer rather than setting everyone else up, including O....might make O and the rest of the "youngins" work harder!! ;)

Gosh I can't wait til they get back!! :roll:

[olivia1299]

I don't know what crackhead made up this rumor. Absolutely crazy!! JR has no desire trade players to move up, especially his best player, if anything he might move down, which is what he said on the BUZZ yesterday. I don't know where these services get the idea that JR wants this goalie, he said he might not take him at no.2 if he is available. I think this rumor is all about FLA trying some gamesmenship to drive up their price for the no.1 pick. :cool:

[Jeff O Rocks]

I think this rumor is all about FLA trying some gamesmenship to drive up their price for the no.1 pick. :cool:

Another reason for Jesse to make Worrell cry like the mama's boy that he is!! :evil: :D :beatup:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Ok guys...I am really starting to be concerned.... :sad:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2003/06/17/hurricanes_draft_ap/

[StormShaman]

*hands out grains of salt to everyone*

CNNSI and ESPN and TSN and all the rest of them have been far more wrong about us over the years than they've been right.

Don't sweat it, peeps.

[Guyute]

haha... the SI article is the same one that's been posted elsewhere. the article mentions nothing about O'Neill. They just added a little pic & caption where they say there's been rumors about it.

*walks away singing Every-ting's gonna be alright, ya.....*

[Jeff O Rocks]

haha... the SI article is the same one that's been posted elsewhere. the article mentions nothing about O'Neill. They just added a little pic & caption where they say there's been rumors about it.

*walks away singing Every-ting's gonna be alright, ya.....*

OMG...I hope you guys are right!! :roll: Thanks for making me feel better guyute and Cam.. :)

[talkingcanes]

Who can they possibly want so desperately at #1 that they would trade O'Neill for him. I mean we do get the very next pick. If they do that, there needs to be some proven players in the trade and not just the #1 pick. that would be beyond stupid and I don't think there is a chance in hades it's anything but a rumor.

I could very well be mistaken but isn't this the same paper who printed that story about the Kentucky Derby jockey having something in his hand that turned out to be untrue??

[Ramhorn]

Most likely what is going on is GM Dudley for the Panthers is pumping the market.

What he has done is leaked a rumor that the Canes are offering O'Neill, so that other teams will up the ante.

The Canes would be well served to let the rumor grow for two reasons.

1. Florida will be more likely to trade as the offers increase.
Outside team takes Fluery, we get Staal.

2. If Florida uses the pick on Stall, we have the other teams ready to give us the shop.

I think alot of what you read and hear is simply false information to improve positioning in the trade wars which will insue on Saturday.
:smoke:

[caniac369]

Even if they trade O, I doubt our Mona will change her handle! Luv ya, girl!! ;)

[Jeff O Rocks]

Even if they trade O, I doubt our Mona will change her handle! Luv ya, girl!! ;)

My loyalty will not waiver, O will rock wherever he may be!! I just hope he is rocking in Raleigh for a long time!! :sad: :cry: :roll: Love ya too!! ;)

[ausoleil]

I truly hope that the guy who is the best player we have to step back into the top Centerman's position when Ronnie retires is not traded off for a prospect. JR needs to realize that the future is incredibly important but my season ducats are not cheap for the present either. Our team needs to compete for a good playoff spot and we need O rockin' to do that -- next year.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I truly hope that the guy who is the best player we have to step back into the top Centerman's position when Ronnie retires is not traded off for a prospect. JR needs to realize that the future is incredibly important but my season ducats are not cheap for the present either. Our team needs to compete for a good playoff spot and we need O rockin' to do that -- next year.

I agree..why trade away our most productive offensive player for someone that may not even pan out.....Maybe he will see these rumors in Toronto..and I am sure he has already..and he will be even more determined to score 60 goals and lead us back into the playoff picture.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

That would be nice Mona. I'd love to see him have an amazing season next year....mostly to shut some people up.

[KOOL KAT]

Why trade one of your top goal scorers for someone you hope might make an excellent fit in the organization. Just unbelieveable. :crazy:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Believe it or not there are quite a few posters at CH.com who actually think this would be a great idea!

I'm beginning to think they are the spurned Whalers fans....you know those few Hartford folks whose greatest wish is to see Carolina fail miserably because they can't let go of their hatred for Karmanos? What else explains it?

We'd need the draft pick to play here this season and not only replace O'Neill's 30+ goals but add a significant amount on his own. Do we really expect Staal or Horton or whoever to score 50+ goals in his rookie season? :eek2:

I think I at least have enough faith in the organization to believe they wouldn't be THAT stupid.

[guinevere]

This trading O Neil discussion is ludicrous -(but who's to say some of the things Canes management has done or not done haven't been ludicrous). The thing is that the draft is so deep this year that whether we have pick oe or two- if we use it wisely, we're going to add value to the team. Trading our top scorer for an unknown quantity would certainly not provide a positive cost-benefit.

Guin

[Shell]

Canes won't try for No. 1 draft pick
Canadian Press
6/19/2003

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CP) - Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford insisted Thursday the frenzied trade talks involving Florida and the No. 1 draft pick will not affect Carolina's game plan.

Whether or not Rutherford was wearing his best poker face, he said the Hurricanes are just fine with the second overall selection in Saturday's NHL entry draft (TSN, 1 p.m. EDT) at Gaylord Entertainment Center.

"We sit in a good spot because we have three players that we like and by picking second we will get one of those players," Rutherford said Thursday at a hotel. "The Florida Panthers obviously control things by picking first but we don't mind our position.

"Whatever Florida does we still sit in a good spot to get the player we want."

Panthers GM Rick Dudley has trumpeted the fact he's more than willing to trade his first overall pick to the highest bidder.

The potential suitors want the chance to select goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who is the newest version of J.S. Giguere, Jose Theodore and Roberto Luongo.

"We certainly like Fleury a lot," Rutherford said. "I believe he's the swing guy of this draft. If you asked most teams in the league they would say that that is the guy they want.

"But if something happened and Fleury went first, and we're sitting there at No. 2, we'll be very comfortable taking a different player."

In fact, it is believed the Hurricanes feel they need as much help at centre than in goal, and that they would be more than happy to select Eric Staal, the No. 1-rated North American skater by NHL Central Scouting.

While Fleury has the potential to address the long-term needs of several NHL teams, the name of veteran goalie Sean Burke has suddenly popped up in trade rumours because the Phoenix Coyotes have three goalies in Burke, Brian Boucher and Zac Bierk, but can only protect two in the waiver draft this fall.

"These days I wouldn't be surprised to read anybody's name in trade rumours because the majority of the time that's all they are - unfounded rumours," Coyotes GM Mike Barnett said Thursday.

"We've got three goaltenders that finished the season with us and all are proven NHLers to varying degrees.

"It's pretty obvious that before the waiver draft we're going to have to deal with that situation.

"Teams are calling us obviously - and when you miss the playoffs it behooves you to listen - but there's nothing that I would consider imminent. Time will tell."

Burke, 36, was outstanding for world champion Canada last month in Finland. But his salary will jump from $3.25 million US to $4.5 million next season.

Bierk, 26, had a team-best .932 save percentage in 16 games last season, and the Coyotes are high on his potential.

He's a restricted free agent July 1 after earning $375,000 last season. Boucher, also 26, will make $2 million next season. If Burke stays, Boucher will probably be the man to go.

"They really are three different packages in terms of the economics, the experience, and their backgrounds," Barnett said of his three goalies. "The other 29 teams may or may not have a particular fit for these guys. We'll wait and see."

Draft weekends have traditionally seen a fair amount of trade activities as GMs spend a whole week together.

There are teams looking to shed contracts. The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly shopping John LeClair, the New York Rangers want to dump Eric Lindros, the Buffalo Sabres could deal Alexei Zhitnik, and that's just the tip of the iceberg according to many.

"I am expecting some movement," Rutherford said. "I think there's a lot of talk going on, especially with teams trying to move certain players. Whether it's by Saturday or within the next two weeks there will be some movement."

And because scouts are calling this the best draft in a decade, Florida (1), Carolina (2), Pittsburgh (3), Columbus (4) and Buffalo (5) are being hounded by teams wanting to move up.

"We've had some interest, yes," Blue Jackets GM Doug MacLean said Thursday.

"I've had six different teams call about our pick," said Rutherford. "And it wasn't qualified by saying: `We'll wait to see what Florida does.' I think two of those teams had legitimate interest and have offered something reasonable but it's not something we like."

The draft seemed to set up perfectly for the Hurricanes after winning the No. 2 position in the draft lottery. Surely the Panthers would have no interest in Fleury since they have the 24-year-old Luongo in place for years to come.

The thinking was clear: Florida would draft either Staal or fellow OHL centre Nathan Horton and then Carolina could scoop Fleury.

That scenario appears unlikely now that Dudley has opened the Fleury sweepstakes.

Several teams have expressed interest, some more serious than others, in acquiring the No. 1 pick in order to secure Fleury, the world junior star whom one league executive described as being better than Giguere, Theodore and Luongo.

But despite the jury still being out on Kevin Weekes as a consistent No. 1 goalie, the Hurricanes won't get lured into trade talk for the first overall pick.

"We have no interest in making a deal to move up," Rutherford said. "We've never talked about it. We feel comfortable where we sit."

Despite recently acquiring Roman Cechmanek, the Los Angeles Kings could be interested, the theory being that Fleury would need two or three years to develop with Cechmanek as the stop-gap.

And they have the wherewithal to attract Dudley's attention: three first-round picks Saturday (13th, 26th, 27th) in a deep draft.

And what about the Flyers? They have very little depth in goal outside of unproven Robert Esche after dealing Cechmanek.

Then there's the Boston Bruins, who still haven't solved their problems in goal ever since Byron Dafoe left last summer. Steve Shields wasn't the answer, neither was John Grahame (traded to Tampa) or Jeff Hackett (unrestricted free agent July 1).

And Patrick Roy's retirement has left a huge hole in Colorado, where the Avalanche are left with backup David Aebischer and rookie Phillipe Sauve to fill the gap.

[Jeff O Rocks]

That is what he said the day before he gave Bates his walking papers..."No intentions of trading him"!! :roll: :cry:

So...**big gulp**, if the rumors were to be true about O, would that deal be closed tomorrow before the draft????? :sad:

[StormShaman]

I truly hope that the guy who is the best player we have to step back into the top Centerman's position when Ronnie retires is not traded off for a prospect

I don't think we'll be trading Brind'amour anytime soon.

Seriously.

[1Irbegirlforever]

That would be nice Mona. I'd love to see him have an amazing season next year....mostly to shut some people up.


Hmmm...I wonder who you might be talking about A? ;)

[1Irbegirlforever]

That is what he said the day before he gave Bates his walking papers..."No intentions of trading him"!! :roll: :cry:

So...**big gulp**, if the rumors were to be true about O, would that deal be closed tomorrow before the draft????? :sad:


It's hard thinking of the possibility of losing one of your faves... :cry: I know just how you feel.... :cry: