This is the season of rumours. The Stanley Cup final is winding down, with the Los Angeles Kings holding the New Jersey Devils by the scruff of the neck. 28 other teams are patiently waiting for the games to stop and the trade negotiations to start flowing. The draft is upcoming and after that the free agency period.
Before delving into that, I want to temper down the expectations of those that believe everything they read. There is the infamous Eklund, who publishes enough trash to make anyone's head spin. Besides him, there are many more who look to deceive.
Here are a few amusing rumours that I compiled. Sorry, if I missed any classics, there were just SO many to go through!
1) "The Bruins might be on the verge of trying to deal Vezina Trophy Winner Tim Thomas" (Bruce Garrioch)
This particular rumour came from Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. This audacious rumour was made in February 2010. Bruce, at the time stated he had talked to a few executives who said Tim Thomas was on the way out.
What makes this a horrible rumour? How about the fact Thomas stayed and won the cup with the Bruins, the next year? Thomas had just signed a contract with the Bruins and due to a few iffy months became trade bait in the eyes of journalists. Boy was Garrioch off on this one despite being vague to insure credibility!
2) "Stephen Weiss is being traded by Florida Panthers" (RDS)
"Details are Sketchy..." (Darren Dreger)
You know you are going to cause a frenzy when a player like Weiss is named. Even more so, when Darren Dreger provides back up to the initial rumour. At that point, everyone was starting to name potential teams and shoving crazy trades down each other's throats.
What ended up happening? The only trade made that day by Florida was Cory Stillman going to Carolina for a pick and Ryan Carter. As for Stephen Weiss, Tallon said there was no trade ever in place. In fact, he's still wearing a Florida jersey in 2012, more than a year later. Yikes.
3) "Cammalleri to be traded for one of Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry" (Radio Station: Montreal CKC)
Yeah. Don't have to say much about this beauty. Three top tier players, the so called "big 3" being torn apart to add Micheal Cammalleri of all players? Whatever was being smoked by the people at the radio station must have been good stuff.
What ended up happening? Nothing. Michael Cammalleri wasn't traded until a full year after this trade rumour came out.
4) "Rick Nash + Kristian Huselius for Mikail Grabovski, Luke Schenn, Nazem Kadri & Mike Komisarek" (Bill Watters)
This was a trade announced by Bill Watters as pretty much done. People thought Bill Watters has connections with Columbus, so might be in the know. A reasonable position to hold considering he was a GM at one point (how he got the job, I don't know) so his word held some weight.
What ended up happening? Rick Nash is still in Columbus. Grabovski, Schenn, Kadri and Komisarek are still in Toronto. Brian Burke came out the next day and said he had not even spoken to Scott Howson about Rick Nash at that point. From what was at one point a done deal, became something that wasn't even talked about between the two GMs. Shocking.
5) "Corey Perry for Cory Schneider + Mason Raymond + Keith Ballard" (Patrice Brisebois)
Yes, another trade rumour involving Corey Perry. I suppose that is what you get for playing in an unappreciated market, Corey. Patrice Brisebois came out with this stunner and said a few Canucks told him "he will be joining us soon".
What ended up happening? None of these players changed teams. I wonder which Canucks, Brisebois was talking to. Must have been yanking his chain or he was pulling these out of his anal cavity.
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As you can see, trade rumours come and go. No one should be fully trusted, not until multiple reliable sources have confirmed a piece of news. They are great for discussions, but please learn to take them with a pinch of salt. Just some advice before happy hour comes around again and we see some more shocking trade rumours.
Evgeni Malkin for Mike Komisarek, anyone? Wouldn't be surprised to see someone pick up on this and post it on twitter. This is the world we live in now.
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