Fernandez update, Friday morning

Posted on June 22nd, 2007 – 11:30 AM
By Michael Russo

Wild continues to work on Fernandez trade. Still in contact seriously with what I’m told three teams — Boston, Phoenix and possibly Toronto.

Florida, I’ve been told, is looking at Belfour-Bryzgalov, Belfour-Toskala tandem. Panthers also used to have Chris Mason (great story on how they lost him which I’ll share one day), and they are interested in him (Mason, whom I’m tight with, is the anti-goalie by the way, as in completely sane and cool). Incidentally, contrary to the contradictions out there, I will tell you 100 percent that Tomas Vokoun can be had for the right price.

Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli met with reporters 10 minutes ago. He wouldn’t comment on Fernandez but said prices were high. I was told this morning Risebrough is trying to squeeze as much as he can out of teams prior to tonight’s draft. Also, if the Wild flip picks with Boston, it would wait until before the pick to make the trade to ensure a player it wants is available — possibly Derham Hall’s Ryan McDonagh.

I understand Risebrough trying to squeeze as much out of teams as possible, but he better be careful. Fernandez is still a moody, soon-to-be 33-year-old coming off a knee injury. Teams interested have to still be hesitant about it, so this can easily implode with guys like Bryzgalov, Toskala, CuJo, Gerber (ugh), Auld, Vokoun/Mason, one of the Bruins goalies, being bantered about. And whether the Wild admits it or not, it needs to unload Fernandez just to get a live body in here and a few extra bucks to throw around in July. 

Although Toskala should get dealt today, probably to Leafs, which should help Risebrough a little more with Boston and Phoenix.

Stay tuned.

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