Taratukhin managed well in Omaha last year with no Russians if I'm correct (I may be missing somebody, but I don't recall any being there). I've heard he's learned a ton of English. I am quite high on both Taratukhin and Boyd, and believe both will make the team out of camp. I think Prust also has an outside shot depending on how the signings and such unfold in the next little while. Rumours on the go:
Trade a pick for rights to pre-emptively negotiate with Smyth as per Peter Maher. He did mention it, but however I believe it was only once, and he hasn't said anything about it since
Scott Hannan: Also a blurb by Maher, which he mentioned on more than one occasion from what I've heard
Tom Preissing: Rumoured to go to every team by their respective fans. The reason is likely because he was the leader in +/- for defensemen on his team in the regular season 2 years in a row on 2 different teams. He won't eat minutes, but the numbers indicate that he's solid 3rd line guy, and seems to have a lot of assists (led San Jose Dmen in even strength assists in 05-06 suggesting that he's a good puck mover). He can likely be had for 2.5 million or less unless he's really greedy/somebody's willing to overpay.
Todd Bertuzzi: Keenan connection. I don't want this one...seriously.
Martin Gelinas: Minor blurbs here and there due to the 04 and the Keenan factors. Sure these are usually unfulfilled, but sometimes they come to fruition
All I can think of right now.
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