Litter Box Cats, a Florida Panthers community

From the Edmonton Journal's David Staples: "Would you trade Nathan Horton, Stephen Weiss and Cam Fowler for Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin?" Yet another angle on the top three...and what to do with them. BTW: I think that deal flies with Edmonton, but it is a lot to give up.

Doubtful, considering the self-defeating wall Lightning management has erected, keeping them safely protected from sound business moves. Things could change, however...sooner or later they'll hit a home run. Shipping out Vinny could be a step in the right direction, dependent upon the return, of course. From the CBC via Spector's Hockey: -(Al) Strachan reports media consensus is that Vincent Lecavalier could be moved prior to July 1st, when his no-trade clause would kick in, and it appears Los Angeles could be the front-runner, citing how the Kings management quietly let it be known a couple of months ago they would pursue a big name player, and given their depth in young talent they could make "a hockey deal" which is something the Lightning would prefer. Spector continues: If Lecavalier is traded I believe the Kings would have the inside track as they can offer up a much better return to the Lightning in affordable young talent than the Montreal Canadiens. And the Kings do have talent. If a boatload of it came east, would the impact on the Panthers and rest of the Southeast be felt immediately? This has the potential to replicate - in spirit anyway - the Lindros for half-the-Nordiques roster back in the day. And overnight, the Nords were contenders. Could the Bolts catch Lightning in a bottle? (Wow that sucked.)

Sounds ridiculous but here's the speculation: The Flyers may try to package the likes of forwards Joffrey Lupul, Danny Briere and James van Riemsdyk, defenseman Ryan Parent and/or a first-round draft pick in a deal for the rights to Panthers' defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and Anderson. Just for the rights. That's a heckuva lot. Briere's a salary dump, and probably on his way out of town regardless (and we'll see how ironclad that NTC is). Lupul has been an integral piece of every Flyers rumor since the day he was acquired. Parent is expendable due to the (potential) addition of Bouw. Forward (and second overall pick in '07) van Riemsdyk - not to mention the draft pick - are the true gems. No matter what, there's always going to be a small but loud contingent declaring any deal a failure.

This one's had legs all day. Cap struggles appear to be - still - the sticking point for Philadelphia. However, according to reports, Jay's agent has not been contacted about committing to a verbal agreement with the Flyers. Stay tuned.

Solves the number-one center issue, but, man is that a long contract.

Officially, he's filling in for Jassen Cullimore (family leave). Still...

From TSN's Darren Dreger: "(Burke) also put to the rest the ongoing speculation the Maple Leafs have interest in either Florida's Jay Bouwmeester, or Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger saying he hasn't had any trade discussions with either Florida or Anaheim specific to either player." W4E say: Toronto will most certainly reload this summer, but the current roster lacks any true pieces to the Florida puzzle (a number one center, for example). No surprise from Burke on this.