Garrioch is losing his mind.  He and his “league sources” have less credibility than those of a fanboy on the Canucks.com message boards.

It was also his “league sources” he claimed tipped him to the column he wrote a couple weeks ago virtually guaranteeing that Peter DeBoer was hired for the Senators coaching gig.  2-3 days later, Craig Hartsburg was hired.  The only evidence it appears Garrioch ever had was learning DeBoer had traveled to the tropics for an interview with the Sens’ owner.

And now he claims that LA turned down an offer for Malkin at the price of their #2 draft pick and Cammalleri? Are you kidding me? The entire POINT of draft day is to find a player like Malkin—as if LA is seriously going to turn that down.  And as for Garrioch saying that Dean Lombardi turned it down in order to build with “young players"… wtf?? Malkin is 21 years old.

But I’ll be generous - maybe Garrioch really does have these mysterious “league sources” and he’s not entirely making this up.  In which case, my guess is those sources are screwing with him for their own personal entertainment.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 06/19/08 at 09:49 AM ET

If I’m offered Malkin for a draft pick and a player, I’d do that deal.  It would be crazy not to.  Los Angeles would get a player who would make an immediate impact for sure (since he already has, duh) and Pittsburgh would get a draft pick in the first round and have a chance at an impact defenseman whose big money wouldn’t kick in for several more years down the road, so they could reset their payroll structure a little bit instead of having everyone due raises at the same time.

But I’ll be generous - maybe Garrioch really does have these mysterious “league sources” and he’s not entirely making this up.  In which case, my guess is those sources are screwing with him for their own personal entertainment.

I know I sure would. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/19/08 at 10:47 AM ET

Glad to see othere agree with me.  If that deal was offered and not accepted, then that should be the story.

Garrioch just trying to create something out of nothing.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 06/19/08 at 10:59 AM ET

*laugh*

Like LA would turn down the chance at Malkin, while also ridding themselves of the inconsistent albatross that is Cammalleri.  Kopitar + Malkin = MUCH-improved LA offense.

The ONLY possible explanation woudl be that LA is so stuck on getting a defenseman in the draft, they also only wanted a defenseman back in trade for the pick.  Which I wouldn’t believe because LA never hangs on to its good d-men.

Posted by Primis on 06/19/08 at 11:00 AM ET