Was yesterday the last game of Jay Bouwmeester's career as a Panther? Is Nick Boynton gone? What about Craig Anderson? Will anything happen at all?
The rumours have Anaheim Ducks' defenseman Chris Pronger off the market, and Tomas Kaberle missed the third period of last night's game with an apparent hand injury. He's having x-rays taken at a hospital today. Naturally, anything can happen, but with those two moving out of the picture, does Bouwmeester become even more of a must-have for GMs around the league?
Yesterday, Team 1200 in Ottawa claimed that the Vancouver Canucks were competing with the Philadelphia Flyers for Bouwmeester, and earlier in the week, the Flyers (reportedly) upped their offer to get the defenseman. The salary cap comes in to play, however, and that means that Philadelphia would have to part with a large salary to even make a trade possible. The rumour was initially reported as winger Joffrey Lupul ($2.3M this season, $4.25M after that) and the 2nd overall pick from 2007, James vanRiemsdyk (college prospect not yet signed).
Jacques Martin is in a tough spot. Trading Bouwmeester just to avoid losing him for nothing may not bring back a return that helps get the Panthers in to the playoffs, and the playoffs are the plan. So unless a deal is too good to pass up, the Panthers will likely keep Bouwmeester on board.
And now, the deadline has passed. Bouwmeester remains a Panther and, unless something has not been reported, everyone else will remain as well.
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