Jyrki Lumme to Toronto or Vancouver?

[ken_valyi]

Defenceman Jyrki Lumme reportedly has walked out on the Dallas
Stars, saying he would accept a trade to one of two teams -- the
Maple Leafs or the Vancouver Canucks.

Story from Canoe

I know this guy was one of Pat Quinn's favourite defencemen, and, my god, do the Leafs need talented defencemen.

Although I'd imagine that Vancouver would Lumme back as well since defence isn't a strong point with them either.

[ChrisFrez]

Wow, I hadn't heard this - kinda strange. I guess Hitchcock must have somebody new for his doghouse.

I'm gonna have to go sniff around on some Dallas news sites to see if I can find out anymore.

[ken_valyi]

Story on Canoe

"I knew his situation was one that had been disrupted, and his family
wasn't here with him," Gainey told the Dallas Morning News. "I felt
that he felt that his play might be affected by his family situation and
that he needed to address that first. He had been a way for a couple of
months."

Perhaps these trade rumors are false after all. Still I sense there will be more to this saga.

[ken_valyi]

Meanwhile, Dallas Stars officials insist that disgruntled Jyrki Lumme has not requested a trade. A report making the rounds on Tuesday said that Lumme, who played for Quinn in Vancouver, had demanded a deal to either the Leafs or Canucks.

"That's pure imagination," said Stars GM Bob Gainey, who said the Lumme situation will be addressed this week.

Lumme, who apparently feels he has been made a scapegoat by coach Ken Hitchcock, returned to Finland on a "personal matter." The veteran defenceman is said to be discussing his future with his wife, who reportedly is scared of flying and does not want to come to North America.

Excerpt from this article here

[ken_valyi]

Leafs are checking to see if he'll clear waivers

He's contracted to make $3.7 million this season (with Pheonix picking up $1 million), which is still a good chunk of salary for any team to swallow so he might clear waivers. Once cleared it's wheel and deal time with the struggling Stars.

It'll be interesting to see where he ends up.

[ChrisFrez]

So what happens if he clears waivers? Doesn't Dallas have to pay him off? And then does he become a free agent?

[ken_valyi]

While I'm not up to date on my info on the NHL CBA. I know that once he clears waivers, Dallas will be able to send him to their farm club, as well as, what Chris pointed out, buyout his contract outright.

A team that has interest in him is better off letting him clear waivers and then work out a deal with Dallas to secure his rights, because they can get Dallas to pick up part of his salary and negotiate compensation with them for him.

[ChrisFrez]

Looks like you called it Ken - Lumme was just traded to Toronto for Dave (the biter) Manson. This is all contingent on Lumme passing a physical for the Leafs.


Story here


http://espn.go.com/nhl/news/2001/1121/1282717.html

[ken_valyi]

I guess we'll have to start watching those Stars vs. Bruins games (Manson vs. LaPointe).

Lumme will improve the Leafs defence even if he is having an off year. Heck, if he shows up with a pulse he's already an improvement over Cory Cross!