Thomas Vanek is a healthy scratch tonight in Winnipeg, so reporters are doggedly pursuing leads on which team is closest to landing the New York Islanders winger in a trade.
Winnipeg reporter Kelly Moore's sources say that team is the San Jose Sharks:
Sources say Vanek to San Jose ahead of tonight's game vs #NHLJets
— Kelly Moore (@KMooreOnSports) March 5, 2014
To clarify, deal is not final, but Sharks are aggressively in their pursuit of Vanek. Cue music to Jaws. #NHLJets
— Kelly Moore (@KMooreOnSports) March 5, 2014
As with the tea leaves from earlier in the day that pointed to the Ducks, we'll see.
Half of the sources and leaks seem to come out of teams that are hoping to throw competitors off the trail or influence pricing, so the final transaction so often comes out of left field. Or in this instance, the left coast.
Speaking of which, here's the counterpoint:
As the night winds down, hearing that San Jose is happy with their group of players...they are NOT in on Vanek.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) March 5, 2014