Update: Boston Bruins' Marco Strum Traded To LA Kings?

Yet another trade rumor that has been denied by the parties involved.  As most who read my work know, I hate rumors.

The rumor mill churned yet again about the Bruins having to trade one of their stars, and it came to a screeching halt, or at least to a slow roll by the words of but GMs involved.

Peter Chiarelli reported to the press:

"I am aware of the various media reports today regarding Marco Sturm. I can confirm that I spoke to Marco about waiving his no trade clause and have had discussions regarding Marco with other teams. I can also confirm that there is no trade in place with Marco. At this time, Marco is a member of the Boston Bruins and will continue to train with our team."

L.A. Kings GM Dean Lombardi told the L.A. Times simply, "There was no deal."

Kings assistant GM Ron Hextall was further fueling the rumor stating that this isn't the end of discussions of Sturm going to L.A.

Now there are some people that state that Sturm should be traded, and to some degree, I do agree.

Sturm has serious injuries to the same knee and had to go through extensive repair to get it done.  He is skating and could very well return on the ice and soon.  

Will he be the same?

Some folks thought the same thing of Tim Thomas, and he has been lights out for the B's after a torn labrum repair.  Nobody else in the lineup uses the range of motions that a goalie does in a run of a game.

At the same time, there's the cap.  

The absurdly low cap that every team in all markets can afford.  The Bruins are playing well and are getting numbers on the board (with the glaring exception of the 1-3-1 record in the last five games of November).  With a $3.5 million cap hit, the freed-up space would be welcome and would easily drop the Bruins below the $59.4 million limit.

And then there's the hurdle to all of this.  Strum has a no-trade clause, which means he has to waive it in order for anything to happen.  So all of this talk about Sturm being traded is a surprise to many, considering that there was no word on Sturm wanting to leave Boston.

There has been reports that he was saying goodbye to some of his teammates, but again, nothing confirmed.

Can there be some truth to the rumor?  Absolutely.  

But until there is a contract signed and the involving party confirms, "various NHL sources" and TSN thinks that "this makes sense," but that does not rule it true.  That doesn't give any media outlet the right to state that it is done and he is gone to L.A.

UPDATE:

Marco Sturm has waived his no-trade clause reluctantly at the request of GM Peter Chiarelli.  As he stated to Bostonbruins.com, he enjoys it in Boston and it did come to him and his family as a complete shock.  The decision was made with Strum understanding the current business methods of the cap and he understands this.

There is still no confirmation that LA will be the team that he is going to be traded to if a trade is made.  He is currently reviewing the options of the teams interested in him at this time.

Sturm is currently on his last year of contract and will be deemed a RFA at the end of the season.

UPDATE:

GM Peter Chiarelli has confirmed that Marco Sturm will be traded to the LA Kings for future considerations. The trade is contingent upon Sturm passing a physical conducted by Los Angeles’ medical staff.

Most likely the trade will go through.  This also frees up $3.5 million in salary cap which puts them in the safe zone this year to go below the $54.9 million cap imposed by the NHL.

On a side note, I liked Marco Sturm in the black and gold and will be sad to see him go.  I wish him well up to the point if the Bruins ever have to play the Kings for the Cup.  After that, there's no love loss.

This is Cory Ducey saying "Hit Hard But Keep It Clean"