agreed.
although they need another proven talent at forward (Modano?) or two to keep pressure off him. He is best when he doesn't have to do it all himself. Forsberg (*sob*) would be an interesting fit here...

A guy at Eklund's message boards is saying he heard The Ticket say that the Stars have offered Modano a 3 year $12 million deal. Hopefully that is enough to make him consider staying.

I mentioned it earlier, but it merits another mention.

If Adam Foote is making $4.5 million, Zubov $4 million, Nieuwendyk and Roberts each $2.5 million, Hatcher and Rathje pulling down $3.5 million, and Demetria at $4.5 million, I am begining to think that perhaps the players didn't get screwed quite so badly after all. Sure, they could have demanded a bit more in a no-cap NHL, but these aren't bad salaries. Unless one of these guys adopts Latrell Sprewell's family, they aren't going starve.

right - Foote got a freaking raise, for crying out loud. and remember, the minimum salary went up substantially to (up to 450,000 or something), so it's not like the low-end guys are going to get screwed over either.

odd. I really didn't expect this.

Kings sign Jason Labarbera. I didn't even know he was a FA. I guess this means the Rangers will have Lundqvist as the backup goalie. Unless the Rangers feel Al Montoya is the better of the two.

from ajc.com
Making the biggest free-agent signing in their history, the Thrashers signed free-agent center Bobby Holik, a two-time Stanley Cup champion who fits the bill of the big, physical two-way center they have always needed but never had.

Holik's agent Mike Gillis confirmed that the deal is for three years. The Thrashers were temporarily withholding comment. The Canadian Web site Sportsnet.ca reported that the first year of the contract would pay Holik $4.25 million.

NOTES -- First pick Sidney Crosby hits the American national-television talk circuit Thursday, appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" while training in Los Angeles.

Sportsnet is consistently beating TSN on these signings. I don't think TSN has scooped one yet.

Bob's on holidays. ;)

I agree. If they really crackdown on obstruction then those signings are going to be busts.


The Holik signing. Would he be the #1 center? I don't see Holik gelling with Heatley and Kovalchuk (provided the Thrashers are able to keep Heatley and Kovalchuk).

They should. Waddell swears he'll match any offer.

from Roto Times ...
The Bruins signed free agent winger Shawn McEachern to a free agent deal on Tuesday, according to the TSN.ca. McEachern, who played the 1995-96 season with the Bruins, had 55 points in 82 games with the Thrashers in 2003-04.

re: Holik signing & lines ...Maybe, assuming I've managed to figure out who is still here & who is gone/leaving, it's Savard on the 1st line with Heatley & Kovalchuk, Holik centering the 2nd line with Kozlov & Mellanby/Petrovicky, and Stefan on the 3rd line with Vigier & Petrovicky/Mellanby?

Do I smell another lockout brewing? :)

Florida signs Martin Gelinas.

do they know they can sign guys who aren't ex-Flames?

Amonte signs with the Flames for $3.6 million/2 years.

I also heard a rumor that McCarty signed a two year deal with the Flames as well.

There's Gelinas' replacement...

Rumors: Leafs sign Lindros & Allison...

McCarty is a heavy rumour. None of the on-line sites have verified the Amonte signing which was broken/confirmed by local media.

Gelinas got $1.8 or $1.9 million/2 years.

Stillman to Carolina for $5.25 million/3 years.
Zhitnik to the Island for 4 years.

Demitra for 4.5 million...what a crazy offseason!
Too bad about Hatcher, I guess. I wonder if the Stars actually did offer him something. Maybe he's forgiven Hitchcock?

Detroit radio saying McCarty signed for $2.2 million/2 years with Calgary. No local or on-line confirmation yet.

Martin Straka and Marek Malik sign with the Rangers. No terms yet. They've also re-signed Weekes.

talk about the dam bursting...

Several Dallas radio stations reporting Modano has re-signed. Apparently supported by this: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....35a26a5e.html

So Mike Modano is worth less than Bobby Holik? Whu?

Almost everyone is worth less than Bobby Holik. It's been that way for years! No reason some stupid new-fangled CBA should change that.

Eklund-fueled rumours:

- Habs in discussions for Forsberg
- Khabibulin to Chicago ("90% done")
- Allison to Toronto ("definite"; no surprise)
- Panthers pushing for Pronger (also not really new news)
- Boston going after Leetch

Dave Scatchard to Boston for 4 years.

Karim is ENFUEGO!!!

I don't know what that means but if it's good, I'm that!

Flames press conference tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. for, as Sutter said, "two players out east", playing coy as usual.

HB, can McCarty play LW?

Well, he typically played on the right in Detroit. I don't think I ever remember him playing LW, but I am sure he could do it in a pinch.

It will be odd to see McCarty in another sweater. Just so many great moments and memories about the guy. He epitomizes hockey in Detroit. He will be good to have during your EIGHT games against the Forces of Darkness(tm). He plays very well against them. He likes to beat on their less reputable players. Score OT goals on them. Even recorded his only NHL hattrick against them.

Amonte and McCarty, I guess.

Don't think McCarty's ever played on the left, but I seem to remember Chuck Kobasew being on that side before, so maybe he's the one to move over.

Sportsnet just announced McCarty in Calgary for $1.6M over 2 years.

Amonte - Langkow - Iginla ???
Simon - Wiemer - McCarty ???

Amonte played for Darryl Sutter in Chicago so that probably helped.

I'm surprised at the length of these deals. 4-5 year contracts for guys in their middle 30's. I think some teams, the Flyers in particular, are painting themselves into a corner a few years down the road. Their young guys will want bigger deals while these worn-out (by that point) veterans making 3+ million will still be around. Clarke even gave Mike Rathje, who's no better than a #3 defenseman, a no-trade clause in his 5-year deal. Some GM's need a reminder that this isn't the NFL and those are guaranteed contracts.

YES! We did something! Our first free agent move in three (real) offseasons!!!

Also, Straka is a FABULOUS pick-up for the Rangers -- great player for the "new" NHL.

I like the Stillman addition, and the Amonte addition......dont like the Straka addition. I think Straka is done, and is probably overpaid too....

yep, Straka's done no matter what NHL this is

DD, we seem to be agreeing alot these days

I know. scary scary stuff.

Come on Lou, do something :(

Out of all the guys the Habs were rumored to be in the running for, only Aucoin has signed... I'm not worried.... yet.

Eklund says Marty Lapointe to Ottawa -- "4 years, 2.1". Not sure if that's 2.1 total, or 2.1 per ... but I haven't seen it confirmed anywhere else yet, at any rate.

Seriously, could we get all these reporter types to standardize on a format for reporting contracts?

(If it's 2.1 total, Muckler is a genius.)

Beautiful post :D

SI

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132175

Report:Modano inks 5-year deal with Stars


TSN.ca Staff



8/2/2005 10:16:08 PM

After speculation that he may be on the move to another city, it appears that Mike Modano will remain - and most likely finish his career - with the Dallas Stars.

According to RDS.ca, Modano signed a five-year deal to remain with the same organization that drafted him in 1988. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

On Monday, reports indicated that Modano would sign with one of three teams that were courting the forward's services - the Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1st round (1st overall), Modano has collected 458 goals and 1106 points in 1101 career games.

Well, on that front, both can be true. Osgood was adequate (read: 15th best goalie in the NHL, give or take) but not good enough to win a Stanley Cup by himself ala Roy, Brodeur, etc. That said, he wasn't the one who only scored about a goal a game while losing playoff series.

SI

I'd be willing to bet that we have a close to .500 record against you over the past ~7 years, so I'd shut your yap

SI

Well the good news for the Rangers then is it is only a 1 year deal. Maybe it is a "we see if you still have it" deal.

Rangers are still trying to court Forsberg and Naslund (seems they come in a tandem).

(remember these responses are chronological so I haven't gotten to the stupid Aucoin signing)

I disagree 100% about the goalie comment. Thibault is stellar when he stays healthy. I guess that's a big caveat, but they have bigger holes to fill than between the pipes. I've gone from completely disliking Thibault to begrudgingly respecting him to feeling he's a really nice #1 goalie that all but a few teams would probably like to have. Of course no one can predict how players will come off the down time but, when healthy, he's a rock.

SI

Agreed.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132273

All I can say is...

:eek:

Wow, Pronger in Edmonton. Wouldn't have seen that before the new CBA.

A Vancouver radio station is reporting Naslund will re-sign with the Canucks tomorrow.

I guess that means the Oilers are not chasing Niedermayer anymore? Unless he's going to be the #1 center we so desperately need.

Lowe made a great move here. I wish it could have been Jason Smith in the deal instead of Brewer, but oh well. Pronger is a name that will definitely help in the effort to attract top tier free agents to Edmonton.

Though really, I wouldn't be all that sad to see the Oilers tie up some money in Niedermayer. It'd give us a 1-6 set of defensemen that would be as good if not better than any in the league and a great pair of guys to help the youngsters (Bergeron and Semenov) develop. Throw in one big time forward and the team would be looking pretty complete at that point, and I'm not 100% but I think financially it wouldn't be unreasonable to add two more guys in that price range (and I think it would make more sense than trying to add a #1 and #2 center).

It won't happen that way but would our powerplay ever get a kick in the right direction adding that pair of defensemen.

Has anyone heard what Pronger signed for after being traded? I've heard $5.5 over 5, but I'm not sure if that's close to official or just people talking.

Oh man, that'd be pretty all over.

SI

Seriously? You liked this deal for the Hawks (or as a Wings fan ;) )? I thought it was way overpaying for a guy not in the same league as the other two, tho he is a bit younger. I figured Aucoin was worth 2.5, maybe 3 to the right team but 4M for 4 seemed too much.

SI

Damn...am i the only one to think giving up Brewer and Woywitka is too much for Pronger?I really like Brewer...and if the NHL is going to be free flowing i like him even more.Pronger is an obstruction type defenceman who will have to change his game in the "new" NHL.

Has anyone seen or heard from JFJ?

If he waits any longer to sign anyone all he is gonna get is Robert Riechel.

Just noticed that at the bottom of this article, the Stars have signed Martin Skoula.

Brewer was probably gone in two years when he hit 28, and he's been getting an increasing amount of criticism for the way his development seems to have leveled off. Pronger has apparently signed a five-year deal, and he gives the Oilers' D a better offensive presence than they'd get from Brewer and a better physical one than they would from Woywitka and/or Lynch.

I like the deal for the Hawks. I actually think Aucoin is more valuable than Zubov and Hatcher. I just don't think he's gotten the recognition he deserves because he was exiled to Long Island oh these many years (sorry RPI). The guy is a work horse. I think he played more minutes than any player (or close to it) back in 03-04. He's got a great, heavy shot, kills penalties, he does it all. While $4 million may be a bit high, I still think this is a move in the right direction. He's a very good 1-2 defenseman.

Perhaps I like Aucoin too much.

Same with Craig Patrick. I would have like Aucoin in Pittsburgh since I don't think they would be able to get Niedermayer or Rafalski. I think Rafalski is their top priority now.

Naslund stays with the Nucks.
3 * $6 Million

5 years, $6.25 mil each, per TSN.

interesting that there is like NO word on Forsberg.

that silence, and the fact that Naslund stayed in Vancouver makes me very, very hopeful

Whats the rush, im pretty happy he hasnt really paid anyone who signed so far that kind of money....With the exception of Demitra, Amonte, and Stillman. Everyone else seems to be overpaid, and for long term deals. If we wait, alot of other teams cap space will be gone, and their will be some bargains out there. Remember, we did get Jeff O'neal, ist not like he doesnt count

Apparently Eklund is reporting that JFJ and Kenny Holland were on a fishing trip together just off of Prince Edward Island.

F*&^!

Maybe your Flames can find a time machine and get the Amonte from 5 years ago, to battle Pronger

Wings fans are fretting like mad at the moment. First, they all want the Wings to add some toughness. They are worried that losing McCarty and Hatcher leaves a void. I can't remember the last pure "tough guy" that played regularly for the Wings. Stu Grimson maybe? Still, it may happen. They do have Daryl Bootland and Ryan Barnes down on the farm if need be.

Anyway, after signing Yzerman the Wings have about $12 million left within the cap and they need to sign about 10 or so players. That works out to an average of $1.2 million per guy. Now, you take into account that a good portion of that $12 million will have to go to Zetterberg and Datsyuk (if they sign at all, BIG question marks about that), that leaves pretty much peanuts for the rest.

I think it could be safe to expect contract talks between the Wings and Datsyuk and Zetterberg to be VERY slow and VERY difficult. The Wings not likely to haul in any big name guys (eg, Khabibuhlin).

Even if you assume the Wings can bring Datsyuk and Zetterberg into the fold, the line-up as it stands has holes bigger than a bunch of "complimentary" players will likely be able to fill.

Times they are a changin'

In a way, I'm glad they took a season off, because the teams are going to look so different this year that the year off makes it easier to deal with. It's like they started a new league and redrafted teams.

Roto has a blurb from the Calgary Sun about Iginla not signing with the Flames. His agents are saying he has not signed a deal.



Red Wings made an offer to Chris Chelios.

An example of how Toronto media talking out of their ass

JFJ runing Leafs

GM ruining LeafsSo far, Ferguson out to lunch in new NHL
By STEVE SIMMONS




JOHN FERGUSON hasn't looked so cool with how he has handled some of the Maple Leafs' affairs. (Michael Peake, SUN files)
TWO DAYS into the brave new hockey world and already John Ferguson's reputation is taking a pounding.

What, players and agents are wondering, is the general manager of the Maple Leafs doing?

The answers, however varied, are not encouraging.

Ferguson's clumsy handling of negotiations with Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk -- where he attempted to have close friend Roberts undercut close friend Nieuwendyk -- sent a cryptic message to those within the industry. And then, to follow that up with a desperation offer to Nieuwendyk, after first trying an end run on him, only demonstrated his own inexperience in deal making.

Players talk. Word gets around fast. The Leafs have suddenly become an exit ramp instead of a destination. Those who play for the team and those who want to play for the team now wonder amongst themselves about the lack of buyouts, about free-agent qualifying offers, about a team that appears to be heading nowhere.

There were 57 messages on Roberts' cellular phone on Monday, almost of all them from players around the NHL. Not coincidentally, Adam Foote, hoping to play for the Leafs, signed a long-term contract in Columbus, where no one grows up dreaming of playing for the Blue Jackets.

Just last week, board chairman Larry Tanenbaum described the Leafs as the "No. 1 franchise in the National Hockey League." Today, we might demand a recount, as the No. 1 franchise is finding itself forced to dine out on other people's table scraps.

The way Ferguson has positioned this team in the post-lockout NHL has one wondering exactly why Pat Quinn was replaced as general manager in the first place.

Ferguson insisted the Leafs would be competitive this coming season. He has not wavered from that stance. But how is that going to be possible?

Ferguson has said he had a plan heading into the re-establishment of the NHL, but no plan is evident. And the notion that he is clearing cap room to take a run at younger free agents a year from now makes nice logic if: a) you believe it; b) you think players such as Vinny Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Jarome Iginla won't be signed long term by then; c) he has the foresight and long-term confidence to write-off an entire season and deal with the fall-out from that.

The largest problem for the Leafs is how little money they have and how the player market -- post lockout -- hasn't corrected itself as much as many expected it to. Conventional wisdom was there would be a significant drop in player contract values in the new economic world.

So far, that hasn't been the case.

Quality defenceman such as Foote, Adrian Aucoin, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje have all signed in the $3-million to $4-million range per season. That's more money than even some optimistic of agents were banking on.

Yesterday, quality forwards but not star players such as Glen Murray, Bobby Holik and Pavol Demitra all signed contracts for more than $4 million a season. Which is out of the Leafs' price range because of the way they've bungled their cap situation.

With only a maximum of $9 million left to spend -- and remember, the Leafs and every team have to leave some room available in order to make moves during the season -- Ferguson has the ability to sign one reasonably priced player and not much more than that.

So he will gamble on Jason Allison, who hasn't played a full season in four years and he will hope. And he likely will gamble on Eric Lindros, who he can afford because Lindros missed 100 days of hockey last time there was a season and qualifies for performance bonuses and he will hope.

The No. 1 team in hockey, built on gambling, hoping and inexperience.

A year ago, the Leafs had Nieuwendyk and Roberts and Alexander Mogilny and Owen Nolan and Brian Leetch and Tie Domi -- all of them real pros -- on a team that wasn't considered good enough.

How is John Ferguson going to fix that now?

Gonchar gets $25M over five years from... the Pens?

dola (ack, can't I get a dola! :p )

From Sportsnet.ca

Pens ink Gonchar Sportsnet has learned Sergei Gonchar has agreed to a five-year, $25 million deal with Pittsburgh and Jarome Iginla has agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract to remain a Flame.

Outstanding singing by the Penguins. Even better than Rafalski.

Lemieux just brought in another partner and they expected the payroll to be about 31 million. Even after signing Crosby, Malkin and Lemieux, they estimated that they would have $10 million left to spend. Even after signing Gonchar have have some room to add some complimentary parts to help the Penalty Kill and 3rd line.

One of their key needs was a top notch defenseman and I think Gonchar fits the bill. He key be the QB on the Power play and anchor a good defense.

A quick look a the Pens rosters:

First Line: Lemieux-Crosby-Recchi
Second Line: Malone-Malkin-Morozov (if he comes back from Russia)

Plus Milan Kraft and Konstantin Koltsov who are solid NHLers.

I really see 5 quality NHL D-men now: Gonchar, Orpik, Tarnstrom, Jackman and rookie Ryan Whitney who was a top 5 draft pick.

The excitement in Pittsburgh hasn't been this high since the year of Lemiuex's return.

one of the few blueliners signed so far actually worth the money he got.

Is'nt Malkin staying in Russia also?

Iginla signs for $21 million/3 years.

I think it would depend on if the NHL can get the Russia Federation to agree to the new IIHF agreement.

That's the key holdup now about Malkin playing in Pittsburgh this year. If the transfer agreement is in place, I would expect Malkin to be a Penguin. The CBA governs the size of base salary (which will not change if the offer is made in 2006) and I expect the Pens to include enough bonus' to entice him to come to the NHL.

I have to disagree with this somewhat...thought to preface this, I am a huge Pronger fan, so this may be a biased opinion.

Pronger isn't the skater that Brewer is, but Pronger has one of the best passes I have seen. He can make that long pass to start the attack, and that will be very crucial with the red line gone. Brewer just couldn't do that. He is a good moving defenseman who can join the attack, but I still think Pronger has more offensive upside, and he can log a ton of minutes.

agreed, one of the best signings so far

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=132307

Habs resign Kovalev.

Simms beat me to it.

I thought Alexei was going to Pittsburgh. So where is Peter the Great going to go?

Ok, this Eklund guy, he has 4 players listed on his site, rumoured to be going places.....the post was made at 11:11am...with the Gonchar rumour being right

Maple Leafs beat him to the news here.....by 9 minutes....

It seems everything on the site is bs, except the stuff he posts after other outlets have broken the story

im just saying......

Yes. Eklund appears to be about 35% right, 40% of the time.

so Eklund IS just like DJ Hradek

this is getting scary.

Is Ziggy a UFA?

If he is why is no one chasing him?

If anyone cares and has access to the Score, they're showing the Canucks press conference at 1:00 p.m. ET and the Flames press conference at 4:30 p.m. ET.

lol

His is, and they are, just nobody's talking about it. He said in an article earlier this week (Sunday/Monday?) that he thought he'd end up with one of Toronto, Florida, or one other (Isles?). Haven't heard a peep since then though.

I'd like to see him here....i think he is highly underated playing for L.A.

3 hours and no news.....grrrrr....