sport-scan daily brief - nhl.compenguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/media/pdf/07 04 2013.pdf · 683759...

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/4/2013

Boston Bruins 683634 Bruins exploring free agency, trade possibilities at right wing 683635 Bergeron: No surgery needed for various injuries 683636 Patrice Bergeron recovering from Cup injuries 683638 GM: Bruins nearing a deal to re-sign G Tuukka Rask 683639 Patrice Bergeron eyes extended stay 683640 GM expects Tuukka Rask deal soon 683641 Rask, right wingers on Chiarelli's to-do list

Buffalo Sabres 683642 Gerbe waived on apparent road to buyout 683643 Development camp schedule set 683644 Sacco on Sabres: 'It was the best situation for me moving forward' 683645 Preseason schedule includes 3 home games 683646 Agent says release caught Gerbe by surprise 683647 Sabres notebook: Sacco eager to be mentor to young players 683648 Sabres sign Ellis and other evening ice chips 683649 Chadd Cassidy in limbo with Rochester Amerks 683650 Buffalo Sabres sign Matt Ellis to two-way deal

Calgary Flames 683651 New Flame Jones believes he can be a part of a quick rebuild 683652 High River’s Knight counts flood losses as his family’s rebuild begins 683653 Chirping O’Brien just what the doctor ordered for Flames 683654 5 names in Calgary Flames free-agent hopper? 683655 Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster foresees frenzied free-agency startup 683656 Newest Calgary Flames defenceman Shane O'Brien brings team-first attitude to club 683657 Calgary Flames pick up TJ Galiardi from San Jose Sharks for draft pick

Chicago Blackhawks 683658 Source: Blackhawks sign defenseman Leddy 683659 No Hawks on NHL first team; Ovechkin honored twice 683660 Stanley Cup to visit Sox, Cubs 683661 Blackhawks give defenseman Nick Leddy two-year deal to stay 683662 Blackhawks, Nick Leddy agree to contract — source 683663 Davis hits 32nd homer, but Cup the biggest hit at Sox game 683664 Nick Leddy back for more with Blackhawks 683665 Hawks sign Leddy for two years 683666 Meet the meat version of the Lord Stanley's Cup

Colorado Avalanche 683667 Avs look to lighten roster as NHL's free-agency period approaches 683668 Silly spending in NHL free agency is the stuff of reality television

Columbus Blue Jackets 683669 NHL: Jackets move on to free-agent options 683670 Blue Jackets notebook: Winger Comeau agrees to one-year deal

Dallas Stars 683671 Free agency begins Friday, but there is another route the Stars can take to acquire a No. 1 center 683672 Stars sign defenseman Jordie Benn to three-year contract 683673 Should Stars concentrate on trade to solve center problem? 683674 Signings of MacDermid, Gazdic show that Stars’ new front office still believes in role of tough guy 683675 Dallas Stars sign older Benn to three-year deal 683676 Dickinson looking to make an impression at Stars development camp

Detroit Red Wings 683677 Three draft picks will join Red Wings' camp in Traverse City 683678 Detroit Red Wings put Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers, first step to buyout 683679 Helene St. James: No great deals for Detroit Red Wings in this year's free agency market 683680 Decision time comes for Red Wings free agents 683681 Red Wings place defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers as prelude to a buyout 683682 Red Wings free agent focus: Stephen Weiss primary target to replace Valtteri Filppula on second line 683683 Red Wings begin exploratory talks with free agents, including Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, couple defensemen 683684 Red Wings waive goodbye to Carlo Colaiacovo

Edmonton Oilers 683685 Did the Edmonton Oilers waste a pick when they drafted Evan Campbell on Sunday? 683686 Taylor Hall jobbed as Alex Ovechkin named to BOTH All-Star teams 683687 Former Edmonton Oilers anthem singer Paul Lorieau dies 683688 ‘Door is open’ for Russian prospect Daniil Zharkov to return to Edmonton Oilers one day 683689 Oscar Klefbom ‘very hungry’ to earn spot on Edmonton Oilers roster 683690 Tom Gilbert to be bought out by Minnesota Wild. Should Edmonton Oilers consider re-signing him? 683691 Development camp a chance for Edmonton Oilers first pick at 2013 draft Darnell Nurse to check out possible fut 683692 Edmonton Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom says he feels NHL-ready after three seasons in Swedish Elite League

Florida Panthers 683693 Florida Panthers address restricted free agents 683694 Panthers clear roster spot, buy out Kuba's contract

Los Angeles Kings 683695 Kings' Jarret Stoll is OK after seizure 683696 Kings' Stoll hospitalized after seizure 683697 Player evaluation: Ellerby 683698 LAKings.com feature: Comfort Level 683699 Stoll suffers seizure; taken to hospital 683700 I Was There #9: Quick passes Hrudey

Minnesota Wild 683701 Tom Gilbert buyout process will begin with Wild; Ryan Suter a First-Team All-Star 683702 A changing of the rearguard could be in the works for the Wild 683703 Matt Cullen fielding calls from teams, hasn't ruled out Minnesota 683704 Wild waive defenseman Tom Gilbert 683705 Minnesota Wild waive defenseman Tom Gilbert 683706 Minnesota Wild: One year later, signing Zach Parise, Ryan Suter still a big deal 683707 Minnesota Wild's Ryan Suter an NHL first-team all-star

Montreal Canadiens 683708 Habs Development camp kicks off in Brossard 683709 McCarron already living a Habs dream

Nashville Predators 683710 Nashville Predators, Sergei Kostitsyn closer to parting 683711 Nashville Predators to search for scoring in free agency

New Jersey Devils 683712 Devils' Johan Hedberg on Cory Schneider trade: I was caught off guard for sure 683713 Devils, Sabres, Canadiens pursuing Danny Briere 683714 NHL announces 2012-13 All-Star teams; Devils almost shut out in voting 683715 The Record's guide to NHL free agency 683716 Devils: Get ready for start of free agency

New York Islanders 683717 Oft-injured goalie says he’ll play again 683718 Rick DiPietro's contract bought out by Islanders

New York Rangers 683719 NY Rangers stick with Brad Richards because GM Glen Sather believes veteran center just had a bad year 683720 New Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson discusses his 'ideal defensive environment' and his path back to Ne 683721 Ulf Samuelson ready for Rangers ‘D’ 683722 Glen Sather: 'We think Brad Richards will have much better year' 683723 Rangers sketching new blue 683724 Rangers' Sather: 'Lots of factors' in decision not to buy out Brad Richards' contract 683725 Happy Independence Day!!!!

NHL 683726 With Seattle standing by, desert dogs enter last-chance saloon

Ottawa Senators 683727 67’s fill out blue-line corps in import draft 683728 Ottawa Senators should do whatever it takes to re-sign captain Daniel Alfredsson 683729 Ottawa Senators top pick Curtis Lazar livin' the dream at development camp 683730 Ottawa Senators prospect Vincent Dunn excited to be playing near home at development camp 683731 Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson being courted by several NHL teams

Philadelphia Flyers 683732 Flyers development camp 2013 roster release; Camp to open July 8 683733 Vincent Lecavalier signing: How does he fit in to the lineup? 683734 Flyers issue four qualifying offers 683735 Vincent Lecavalier deal with Flyers isn't typical Paul Holmgren insanity 683736 Agent: Lecavalier chose Flyers over dozen suitors 683737 Flyers land center Lecavalier 683738 Flyers release developmental camp roster 683739 Sources: Tim Thomas' agent contacts Flyers 683740 Former Flyers weigh in on Lecavalier signing 683741 Bob on Bryz: Philly is a 'severe city' for goalies 683742 Flyers sign Lecavalier to 5-year deal 683743 Defending my NHL awards ballot

Phoenix Coyotes 683744 Next goal for Phoenix Coyotes: Making sure relocation doesn’t become reality in 2018

Pittsburgh Penguins 683745 No offer, but Pens still targeting Adams 683746 Penguins’ Crosby, Kunitz named postseason All-Stars 683747 Farewell, Tyler Kennedy 683748 Minor pieces will be added to complement Pens’ high-salaried core 683749 Should the Penguins worry about the 'Taylor Swift curse'? 683750 Crosby, Kunitz, Letang named NHL All-Stars 683751 Cooke's return to Penguins looking unlikely 683752 Penguins notebook: Three players earn All-Star honors

San Jose Sharks 683753 Sharks deal T.J. Galiardi to Flames for draft pick

St Louis Blues 683754 Updated: Leopold, Blues agree on 2-year extension 683755 Pietrangelo, Stewart still unsigned with free agency looming 683756 Blues and Leopold agree to a 2-year contract extension 683757 Blues hope free-agency shopping leads to a center addition

Tampa Bay Lightning 683758 Lightning's St. Louis is second-team NHL all-star 683759 Lightning re-signs G Cedrick Desjardins, D Matt Taormina

Toronto Maple Leafs 683760 Leafs name Steve Spott to coach Marlies 683761 Grabovski and his big contract don’t fit into Leafs GM’s plans 683762 Front office role for Gretzky with MLSE might come true

Vancouver Canucks 683775 Gallagher: Luongo needs a short memory to resume role as one of NHL’s best goalies 683776 Ballard buyout process begins 683777 Report: Tortorella brings in Sullivan, who may be tougher on players than him, and Gulutzan as assistants 683778 Hat Trick: Being a fly on the wall of Luongo’s Nip/Tuck pad, and why Vinny Lecavalier is the happiest man in h

Washington Capitals 683763 Capitals buy out Jeff Schultz 683764 Alex Ovechkin named NHL all-star at two different positions 683765 Alex Ovechkin voted NHL All-Star — at two different positions 683766 Capitals’ development camp schedule

Websites 683779 ESPN / Glendale reaffirms commitment to Coyotes 683780 ESPN / Alfredsson to the Bruins? Hear us out ... 683781 USA TODAY / No excuses left for Coyotes after Glendale vote 683782 YAHOO SPORTS / 'Arizona' Coyotes staying in Glendale, but has anything really changed in the desert?

Winnipeg Jets 683767 Jets ink Clitsome 683768 Signing with the Jets a priority for Clitsome 683769 Jets ink Clitsome 683770 Give the kid a chance, Jets fans 683771 Jets draft pick hopes to make name for himself in net 683772 Winnipeg Jets take defenceman Josh Morrissey with 13th overall pick of NHL entry draft 683773 Jets sign Clitsome to $6.2-million deal 683774 Jets GM Cheveldayoff 'active' in looking at free agents SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 683634 Boston Bruins

Bruins exploring free agency, trade possibilities at right wing

Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff July 3, 2013 10:46 AM

Nathan Horton will test free agency. The Bruins told Jaromir Jagr during last week’s exit meetings that he will not be back, and Horton’s decision will most likely not affect that situation.

So with their top two right wings headed elsewhere, the Bruins are looking at free agents and trades to fill out the position.

“We’re doing a thorough sweep of those guys,” general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a conference call on Wednesday. “With Nathan gone, we’re going to look to the right side and assess how we can reconstruct the right side – the players from within who may be able to fill it, and a sweep of players available in trades and free agency. I’d like to think we’re a destination for an older player, older, relatively speaking, who wants a chance to win.”

The free agency signing period in the NHL begins on Friday.

The Bruins lost out on Vincent Lecavalier. The former Tampa Bay captain agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract with Philadelphia on Tuesday. Lecavalier would have had to change positions in Boston, and the Bruins were not prepared to give him the contract he landed with the Flyers.

Pascal Dupuis is also off the market. Sidney Crosby’s right wing signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Penguins.

Other possibilities include Jarome Iginla, Dan Cleary, and Michael Ryder. A darkhorse is Daniel Alfredsson if the Ottawa captain decides not to re-up with the Senators. The Bruins can speak to free agents on the phone during the current interview period.

Internally, this may be Jordan Caron’s best shot at regular playing time. The Bruins qualified Caron, who is now a restricted free agent. Re-signing Caron should not be a challenge.

* Chiarelli said he’s confident he can re-sign Rask prior to Friday. The Bruins have not ruled out re-signing Anton Khudobin, even if the backup reaches the open market.

* The Bruins are not looking at defensemen, according to Chiarelli.

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.04.2013

683635 Boston Bruins

Bergeron: No surgery needed for various injuries

By HOWARD ULMAN / AP Sports Writer / July 2, 2013

Torn rib cartilage in Game 4.

A broken rib in Game 5.

A separated shoulder in Game 6.

Patrice Bergeron played through it all in the Stanley Cup final. And that doesn’t include the collapsed lung that the Boston Bruins star learned about

after skating up and down the TD Garden ice in the last game, trying in vain to keep the season going.

‘‘I don’t know if there’s pride,’’ Bergeron said Tuesday. ‘‘Some people would say it’s stupid.’’

He was in the hospital last Wednesday when his teammates met reporters for the final time, two days after the season ended with a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth game. So on Tuesday, he stood at a podium in the Bruins locker room, hands in the pockets of his pink shorts, and matter-of-factly recited his medical record.

At least his legs were spared.

‘‘It’s all good,’’ Bergeron said. ‘‘I'm 100 percent (in the) lower body.’’

The stitches sewn at the end of his right eyebrow while he sat on the bench in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Rangers were gone. The red scar on his nose was still visible from the fight he had with Evgeni Malkin in Game 1 of Boston’s four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference finals.

His spleen checked out OK after an ambulance took him from the United Center during Game 5 of the last round in Chicago. He hadn’t been diagnosed with a concussion since the fourth of his career sidelined him for six games in April.

But moving on, Patrice, how about next season?

No problem.

Bergeron said he doesn’t need surgery and should be ready for the start of training camp.

‘‘I just need,’’ he said, ‘‘I guess, a couple weeks.’’

Any of those injuries would have sidelined players in other sports. But Bergeron, one of the NHL’s best all-around players, insists he did nothing special to help the Bruins play for their second Stanley Cup title in three years.

‘‘You put everything on the line to help your team. That’s basically what I did. I'm 100 percent confident everyone else would have done the same thing,’’ the Bruins alternate captain said. ‘‘There’s a lot of really tough guys on our team and I don’t feel like I should take all the praise.’’

Bergeron has spent all of his nine NHL seasons with the Bruins. Without him, they likely would have been eliminated in the first round when they trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 with less than 11 minutes left in regulation of an intense Game 7. He tied it with 51 seconds remaining in the third period, then won it with his goal at 6:05 of overtime.

He scored another overtime winner in Game 3 against Pittsburgh. Then he had two goals — and the first since his rash of injuries — in Game 4 against Chicago.

But that was the game in which the center tore rib cartilage. Early in Game 5, he was hit in the ribs and suffered a crack on the left side. Doctors told him the only way he could play in Game 6 was to get a nerve block that would freeze the area. So he had one — and needed other pain-killing shots during the game.

Bergeron also separated his right shoulder in the first period but played the rest of the way.

‘‘I can’t remember who it was from their team, but it was in the corner, trying to just battle and I was trying to protect my ribs,’’ he said. ‘‘I fell kind of awkwardly in the boards and opened up my shoulder a bit and separated it.’’

As the game went on, he could feel his energy fading. When it ended, he endured the tradition of shaking hands with his opponents and went to the locker room.

From there, Bergeron went right to Massachusetts General Hospital, where a puncture was found in the lung.

‘‘I kind of had trouble breathing a little bit,’’ he said. ‘‘I felt like my chest was closing in on me so the doctors didn’t want to take any chances. There’s an X-ray machine (in the locker room), but they couldn’t tell, really. It wasn’t clear enough for them. They wanted to make sure and, luckily enough, they made the right decision because I went there right away and they found out that my lung had collapsed.’’

General manager Peter Chiarelli said he thought the lung was punctured after the game.

‘‘If it had happened during the game, he would have felt the pain and then he wouldn’t have been able to play,’’ Chiarelli said last week.

At the hospital, a tube was put in his left side for a few days to remove air from the area where the lung collapsed and make sure it stayed inflated, Bergeron said. Some teammates visited him there on Wednesday, the day he was released.

‘‘It was actually nice to see a bunch of guys and be able to talk a little bit,’’ he said.

While he recovers, he hopes to get an extension of his three-year contract that runs through next season.

Bergeron tied for the team lead with nine playoff goals and had 15 points. He led the NHL in winning faceoffs, and he won the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward the previous season.

So he’s ‘‘very confident’’ he'll get an extension.

‘‘It would mean a lot,’’ Bergeron said. ‘‘It’s a team that believed in me when I was 18 and when I was coming up and now, like I said before, it’s my home. I feel like it is, and I love the city. I love the people, definitely love the organization.’’

He'd love another Stanley Cup. That’s why he played through the pain.

‘‘There’s no regrets on my part,’’ he said. ‘‘I did whatever I could've done to help my team and try to be there for our biggest game of the year.’’

© Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.



Patrice Bergeron recovering from Cup injuries

By Fluto Shinzawa

| Globe Staff

July 03, 2013

Just over a week ago, Patrice Bergeron had trouble breathing. His face was pale. It was not because the Blackhawks had punted the Bruins from the playoffs.

Sometime during Game 6 — Bergeron and the team suspect it was after the first period — either a broken rib or a nerve-blocking shot opened a hole in one of his lungs. By the time Bergeron arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital after the season-ending loss, the lung had collapsed.

“I felt like my chest was closing in on me,” Bergeron said Tuesday at TD Garden. “The doctors didn’t want to take any chances. There is an X-ray machine here. But you couldn’t tell, really. It wasn’t clear enough for them. So they wanted to make sure. Luckily enough, they made the right decision. I went there right away and they found out my lung had collapsed.”

The collapsed lung was the exclamation point on a bombardment of injuries Bergeron suffered during the Stanley Cup Final.

Bergeron’s troubles began in Game 4 at the Garden. Early on, Michael Frolik thumped Bergeron. The center retreated briefly to the dressing room, but returned and finished the game. The Frolik hit left Bergeron with torn rib cartilage.

Bergeron had two off days to heal. But on his first or second shift of Game 5, Bergeron absorbed a hit on his left side. The thump was strong enough to break one of his ribs. During the game, he was taken from the United Center to a local hospital. Doctors were concerned about Bergeron’s pain level, and he was admitted because of the fear of damage to his spleen.

Tests were negative. The following morning, Bergeron returned to Boston with his teammates to prepare for Game 6.

Bergeron didn’t participate in the morning skate prior to Game 6. Before warm-ups, Bergeron took a nerve-blocking shot. Bergeron explained the

shot dulls the nerves for the area around six to eight ribs. It didn’t take away all of Bergeron’s pain.

“I was trying to play my game and not worry about it,” Bergeron said. “But the pain was still there.”

In the first period, more discomfort would come. During a puck battle in the corner, Bergeron tried to protect his left side. Bergeron tumbled into the boards and separated his right shoulder.

During the first intermission, Bergeron required another nerve-blocking shot to address his rib pain. Doctors believe that second shot could have punctured Bergeron’s lung. The other possibility is that Bergeron’s broken rib poked the hole in his lung.

For the rest of the game, Bergeron’s condition worsened. He played 17 minutes 45 seconds and didn’t take any shots on net.

“It could have been from getting the nerve block, or from the rib being cracked and getting checked,” Bergeron said. “I’m guessing during the game, because I felt my energy level went down during the game after the second period.”

After the loss, Bergeron’s pain and breathing trouble led him to MGH. At the hospital, doctors inserted a tube through Bergeron’s side to remove the air between his lung and rib cage. The procedure, Bergeron explained, allowed his lung to expand.

Bergeron stayed in the hospital for two days. His teammates, initially unaware of his situation after the loss, visited him at MGH. Had the Bruins won Game 6, Bergeron would not have been available for Game 7 in Chicago.

“Some people would say it’s stupid,” Bergeron said of playing through his barrage of injuries. “But it just goes with the way it is. You don’t think at that point. You’re just trying to help the team. You try to do whatever it takes. You obviously don’t want to put your health in danger. We had this conversation with the doctors. You never know what’s going to happen in a game, so there’s always a risk. At the same time, it’s our passion. It’s what you want to do. You want to win. That’s the most important thing. At that stage, at that point, there’s no regrets at all on my part. I don’t know if there’s necessarily pride. I just did whatever any of my other teammates would have done.”

Bergeron will not require surgery to fix any of his injuries and expects to be ready for training camp in September.

By then, it is likely Bergeron will have a contract extension in place. Bergeron will not reach unrestricted free agency until next summer. But Bergeron and the Bruins have been discussing an eight-year deal, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.

Bergeron will turn 28 this month and an eight-year extension could keep him in Black and Gold for his entire career.

“It would mean a lot,” Bergeron said of being a life-long Bruin. “That’s the goal since the beginning. It’s the team that believed in me when I was 18 and I was coming up. Now, it’s my home. I feel like it is. I love the city. I love the people. I definitely love the organization. It would mean a lot to me. Hopefully we can work something out.”

Fluto Shinzawa



Bruins exploring free agency, trade possibilities at right wing

Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff July 3, 2013 10:46 AM

Nathan Horton will test free agency. The Bruins told Jaromir Jagr during last week’s exit meetings that he will not be back, and Horton’s decision will most likely not affect that situation.

So with their top two right wings headed elsewhere, the Bruins are looking at free agents and trades to fill out the position.

“We’re doing a thorough sweep of those guys,” general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a conference call on Wednesday. “With Nathan gone,

we’re going to look to the right side and assess how we can reconstruct the right side – the players from within who may be able to fill it, and a sweep of players available in trades and free agency. I’d like to think we’re a destination for an older player, older, relatively speaking, who wants a chance to win.”

The free agency signing period in the NHL begins on Friday.

The Bruins lost out on Vincent Lecavalier. The former Tampa Bay captain agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract with Philadelphia on Tuesday. Lecavalier would have had to change positions in Boston, and the Bruins were not prepared to give him the contract he landed with the Flyers.

Pascal Dupuis is also off the market. Sidney Crosby’s right wing signed a four-year, $15 million extension with the Penguins.

Other possibilities include Jarome Iginla, Dan Cleary, and Michael Ryder. A darkhorse is Daniel Alfredsson if the Ottawa captain decides not to re-up with the Senators. The Bruins can speak to free agents on the phone during the current interview period.

Internally, this may be Jordan Caron’s best shot at regular playing time. The Bruins qualified Caron, who is now a restricted free agent. Re-signing Caron should not be a challenge.

* Chiarelli said he’s confident he can re-sign Rask prior to Friday. The Bruins have not ruled out re-signing Anton Khudobin, even if the backup reaches the open market.

* The Bruins are not looking at defensemen, according to Chiarelli.



GM: Bruins nearing a deal to re-sign G Tuukka Rask

By JIMMY GOLEN / AP Sports Writer / July 3, 2013

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli says he is confident the team will re-sign goalie Tuukka Rask.

Chiarelli told reporters on a conference call Wednesday that he thinks it will happen by Friday, when Rask can become a restricted free agent. Even if they don’t meet the deadline, the GM says he still feels like he can get a deal done.

Rask allowed just two goals a game this season while leading the Bruins to the Stanley Cup finals. He is 26.

Chiarelli also said he would consider re-signing forward Jaromir Jagr. The team had decided to part ways with the future Hall of Famer, whom they acquired at the trade deadline. But after Nathan Horton said he wanted to test the market, that left Boston looking for forwards.



Patrice Bergeron eyes extended stay

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Author(s):

Mark Daniels

The pain only escalated for Patrice Bergeron in the Stanley Cup finals.

It went from bad to worse during the last three games against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Bruins center fought through it all. Anything for his team, he said.

Yesterday, Bergeron touched upon multiple topics including his injury ordeal in the finals. He suffered torn rib cartilage in the middle of the series and ended up lying in a bed in Massachusetts General Hospital with a

collapsed lung when it ended. But through it all, Bergeron was looking out for the B’s.

The Hub is a place where the 27-year-old, who has just one season remaining on his contract, hopes to finish his career. According to reports, Bergeron is close to signing an eight-year extension. Yesterday, he said he hopes to stay with the Bruins until he retires.

“It would mean a lot. That’s the goal,” Bergeron said. “Since the beginning, it’s a team that believed in me when I was 18 and coming up. It’s my home. I love the city, love the people and definitely love the organization. It would mean a lot to me.

“Hopefully we can work something out.”

During the past nine seasons, Bergeron has been one of the B’s best players. This postseason, the alternate captain became one of the toughest.

It started in Game 4, when he tore cartilage on the left side of his rib cage. In Game 5, he cracked those ribs. He received a nerve-block before warmups for Game 6 but separated his right shoulder in the first period. He received another injection after the first period then noticed his energy level dropped considerably.

Following the heartbreaking, 3-2 loss that left the Blackhawks celebrating with the Cup on Garden ice, Bergeron had trouble breathing and felt like his chest was closing in on him. He went to MGH, where it was discovered that his cracked ribs had broken — and a lung also had collapsed.

“You don’t think at that point. You just want to help the team, do whatever it takes,” Bergeron said of playing through injury. “There’s no regrets on my part. . . . I did whatever I could to try and help my team and try to be there for our biggest game of the year.”

Bergeron is expected to make a full recovery and won’t need surgery. While he expects to be ready for training camp, he noted that the upcoming season will be different without defenseman Andrew Ference or winger Nathan Horton, free agents who will be moving on to new locales, in the mix.

“It’s a first in probably the last five years now that there are going to be some changes like that,” Bergeron said. “They were a huge part of our team and leadership group. . . . At the same time, you’ve got to trust Peter (Chiarelli, the B’s general manager). He’s done a great job over the years and I’m sure he’s going to do the same thing again.”

Bergeron undoubtedly is a big part of Chiarelli’s plans. A new deal to keep Bergeron around with other young forwards such as Tyler Seguin would give the Bruins a strong offensive nucleus. Though Chiarelli has been critical of Seguin this offseason, Bergeron expects the winger to learn from his mistakes and rebound.

And Bergeron expects to be with the Bruins long enough to see Seguin progress, expressing confidence that an extension will be worked out.

“I am (confident),” Bergeron said. “I just don’t know how long it’s going to take.

“I’m very confident.”

Boston Herald LOADED: 07.04.2013


GM expects Tuukka Rask deal soon

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Author(s):

Matt Kalman

As he goes through the interview period with prospective NHL free agents that started yesterday and runs through noon tomorrow, at which time the market opens, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli is not handcuffed by the fact that star goalie Tuukka Rask is unsigned.

“I feel confident that we’ll get a deal done on Rask in short order,” Chiarelli said during a conference call yesterday to discuss free agency. “So I’ve got

a placeholder number in there that I can work around as far as (salary) cap (space).”

Chiarelli’s main priority will be to execute a game plan that makes up for the loss of Nathan Horton and Jaromir Jagr, who are both unrestricted free agents, on the right side of the forward depth chart. Horton already told the B’s he is going to test the market, while the team told Jagr after the season they would not re-sign him. Chiarelli said he has considered “circling back” to revisit the idea of bringing back the 41-year-old Jagr in light of Horton’s decision.

The Bruins have approximately $5 million in cap space to work with according to capgeek.com. They would have closer to $9 million if they used the long-term injured reserve option on injured center Marc Savard. The Bruins did not do that last season.

So while Chiarelli can pursue his other needs tomorrow and beyond without a Rask deal, of course, the best-case scenario would be to have the goalie already signed and ready to build off a sensational season. Playing on a one-year deal he signed last summer, the 26-year-old posted a .929 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average in the regular season. During the B’s run to the Stanley Cup finals, Rask was even better, with a .940 save percentage and 1.88 GAA.

If Rask becomes a free agent tomorrow, he will be a candidate for an offer sheet from another club. The Bruins would then have the right to match or accept compensation in the form of draft picks (based on a formula that ties the number and round of the picks by how much the new contract is worth). The Bruins and Rask’s camp also have arbitration as an option.

Chiarelli’s not counting on the Rask negotiations going on long.

“I would think before (tomorrow),” Chiarelli said. “But if it’s after, I’m fine with it too. I know he would enter free agency, but I’m confident regardless, either or.”

There are several ways Chiarelli and his staff could go in terms of making up for Horton and Jagr’s departures. Some of the bigger names available as unrestricted free agents are the New Jersey Devils’ David Clarkson, Philadelphia Flyers buyout Daniel Briere and New York Rangers power forward Ryan Clowe. Clarkson figures to get one of the bigger paydays after scoring 15 goals in a 48-game, lockout-shortened season. Briere is 35 and coming off one of his worst seasons (16 points, minus-13), while Clowe is a left winger who struggled with injuries and a lack of production in a campaign that he started with the San Jose Sharks and ended with the Rangers.

Chiarelli acknowledged to espn.com that he has had discussions with Daniel Alfredsson’s camp. Chiarelli has ties with the 40-year-old Alfredsson from his days in Ottawa, as does Bruins captain Zdeno Chara from his time as a Senators defenseman.

And free agency isn’t Chiarelli’s only option.

“I want to do a thorough sweep of those guys. With Nathan gone we’ve got to look to our right side and see and assess how we’re going to reconstruct our right side,” Chiarelli said. “We’ve got some players from within that may be able to fill. I want to do a sweep of these players that will be available in trade and free agency. I’d like to think that we’re a destination for an older player, older relatively speaking, that wants a chance to win. So I’ve got to canvas that.

“It’s about turning over all the stones, going through the free agent list player by player.”

The Bruins already have Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Shawn Thornton among veterans that play mostly on the right wing. There also are some players that can switch sides and some in-house younger options that could win a job in training camp, including prospects Jordan Caron, Ryan Spooner and Jared Knight.

Chiarelli said that the assumption he won’t be shopping for defense help was a “fair” one following the emergence of rookies Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug. And a mutual desire to keep Anton Khudobin might require a deal getting signed after free agency starts.

“We can still sign him if he goes to the market. It’s just a little riskier,” Chiarelli said.



Rask, right wingers on Chiarelli's to-do list

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 -- Mark J Murphy

With the free agency period set to open at noon on Friday, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has two main goals.

One, is to get a deal done with restricted free agent goaltender Tuukka Rask. The second is, in his words, to “reconstruct” his team’s right side forwards after the departure of Nathan Horton and the probable exit of Jaromir Jagr.

The Bruins have around $5 million in cap space to work with according to CapGeek.com. They would have closer to $9 million if they used the Long Term Injured Reserve option on injured center Marc Savard. The Bruins did not do this last season.

As far as Rask, Chiarelli said in a conference call today that even if a deal isn’t done by Friday, he won’t be hindered in his pursuit of other players. Chiarelli said he has a “placeholder number” he can work around.

Chiarelli’s confident, however, he’ll have a definite number instead of a placeholder by Friday.

"I would think before,” Chiarelli said about a Rask deal beating Friday’s start of the open market. “But if it’s after, I’m fine with it too. I know he would enter free agency but I’m confident regardless, either or.”

If Rask becomes a free agent Friday, other teams would be able to present him an offer sheet. The Bruins could then match it or accept compensation (based on the amount Rask signs for) from the other team. The Bruins and Rask could also opt for arbitration.

As far as right wings are concerned, Horton has told the Bruins he will enter the open market. Although Chiarelli said he and his staff have thought about re-engaging with Jagr, the Bruins told the 41-year-old they wouldn’t re-sign him when the season ended when they thought they still had a chance to retain Horton.

So now Chiarelli is open to anything in terms of making sure his right wings will meet the standard set by those two guys and others in recent seasons.

“I want to do a thorough sweep of those guys. With Nathan gone we’ve got to look to our right side and see and assess how we’re going to reconstruct our right side,” Chiarelli sad. “We’ve got some players from within that may be able to fill. I want to do a sweep of these players that will be available in trade and free agency. I’d like to think that we’re a destination for an older player — older, relatively speaking — that wants a chance to win. So I’ve got to canvas that. It’s about turning over all the stones, going through the free-agent list player by player.”


683642 Buffalo Sabres

Gerbe waived on apparent road to buyout

July 3, 2013 - 12:49 PM

By Mike Harrington

The Sabres have placed winger Nathan Gerbe on waivers, with TSN reporting it's for the purpose of using one of their two compliance buyouts on him.

The 5-foot-5 Gerbe had five goals and five assists in 42 games last season, failing for the second straight year to become a major part of the offense as he struggled after offseason back surgery. He had a breakthough season in 2010-11, with 16 goals and 31 points in 64 games but slumped in 2011-12 to post just six goals in 62 games.

In 188 NHL games, Gerbe has 29 goals and 43 assists. He was Buffalo's fifth-round pick in 2005 out of Boston College, where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 Frozen Four and a Hobey Baker finalist to current Sabre Kevin Porter.

GM Darcy Regier has said on several occasions, including yesterday's free agency preview press conference, that the Sabres did not expect to use one of their compliance buyouts this summer. Teams have two to use in a period that ends at 5 p.m. Thursday or they have to wait until next June.

By buying out Gerbe, the Sabres would owe him $308,333 each of the next two seasons -- but his $1.45 million cap hit would be wiped from the books. Gerbe was scheduled to make $1.85 million this season.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.04.2013


Development camp schedule set

July 3, 2013 - 4:53 PM

By Mike Harrington

The Sabres have finalized their schedule for next week's development camp at First Niagara Center, which has been shortened to three days. All sessions are open to the public but times are subject to change.

The roughly 40 players will be split into two groups, with assignments announced next week. On Wednesday July 10, Group 1 is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-noon with Group 2 from 3-4:30. On Thursday July 11, Group 1 remains 10:30-noon while Group 2 goes from 2:15-3:30.

As previously announced, the Blue-Gold scrimmage is set for Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m (gates open at 3). Admission is $10 and includes a post-game concert by 10,000 Maniacs at Canalside.

All of the team's 2013 draft picks are scheduled to attend the camp, as our most prospects from the last couple of years. The only players excused to date are Johan Larsson (commitments in Sweden) and Joel Armia (wedding in Finland). Larsson was acquired from Minnesota in the Jason Pominville trade while Armia was the team's No. 1 draft choice in 2011.



Sacco on Sabres: 'It was the best situation for me moving forward'

July 3, 2013 - 1:54 PM

By Mike Harrington

New Sabres assistant coach Joe Sacco told me today he had no intention of taking some time away from the game after he was fired following the season by the Colorado Avalanche. He interviewed for the Vancouver head coaching job and was eyeing spots in the AHL as well, before ultimately deciding = to stay in the NHL as an assistant in Buffalo under Ron Rolston.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity of working with Ron," Sacco said by phone from Denver. "I've never worked with him but we know some of the same people from USA Hockey. Sitting down with him and talking about philosophies was interesting. He asked my opinion on certain things and we just seemed to be on the same page as far as how things should be done moving forward.

"I'm in a little different role, a different capacity. I'm there to support Ron 100 percent and make sure we have success as a team. I think I have a lot of experience dealing with young players. In Colorado, we were one of the youngest, if not the youngest teams every year so I can learn from my experiences of dealing with younger players and the hurdles they'll face dealing with a long season. You can help guys through those situations."

Sacco met with Rolston, GM Darcy Regier and toured First Niagara Center as well as learning about the plans for the HarborCenter project.

"After speaking with Ron and Darcy, going out there, seeing the facility, the arena. I had a good conversation with those guys," he said. "It seemeed to be a really good fit and I thought it was the best situation for me moving forward."

Sacco said he didn't have specific duties yet but would be in charge of one facet of Buffalo's special teams (Colorado was 24th on the power play and 20th on the penalty kill last year). He said he's going to tackle a video review of Sabres games, especially late-season ones featuring the club's young players, because there wasn't much crossover last season due to the lockout of coaches watching games from the other conference.

Sacco said he signed a multi-year deal with Buffalo. His wife, Tammy, and three children are in the midst of planning their move from Denver, so he may not attend the team's development camp next week.



Preseason schedule includes 3 home games

July 3, 2013 - 11:51 AM

By Mike Harrington

Remember training camp? Preseason games?

They'll be back in September for the Buffalo Sabres and the rest of the NHL. Wiped from the slate last year because of the lockout, the teams are returning to their usual calendar for the 2013-14 season.

The Sabres have announced their preseason schedule, a seven-game slate that includes three contests in First Niagara Center -- Sept. 19 vs. Carolina, Sept. 21 vs. Toronto and Sept. 25 vs. Columbus.

The preseason opens on the road with games Sept. 15 at Montreal and Sept. 17 at Columbus. There are also road games Sept. 22 at Toronto and the finale, Sept. 27 at Carolina. All games, home and away, are at 7 p.m.

The regular season schedule remains tied up in discussions over whether the NHL will participate in the Sochi Olympics, necessitating a two-week break in February like the teams have had in previous Olympic years. The scuttlebutt continues to be July 17, the day after the MLB All-Star Game, will be schedule release day.



Agent says release caught Gerbe by surprise

By Mike Harrington | News Sports Reporter | @BNHarrington

on July 4, 2013 - 12:20 AM

With a logjam of forwards growing and the chance to reclaim more money as the free agency period opens Friday, the Buffalo Sabres made a surprise move Wednesday putting winger Nathan Gerbe on waivers for the purposes of buying out his contract.

Under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, teams can use two compliance buyouts to get out from under salaries either this year or next June. In Gerbe’s case, assuming he doesn’t get claimed by 5 p.m. today, the Sabres will owe him $308,333 each of the next two years; his cap hit of $1.45 million will be off the books.

General Manager Darcy Regier had been asked multiple times by reporters if the team was pondering any buyouts and said there were no plans for any; Regier was most recently asked after the draft Sunday in New Jersey and again in Tuesday’s free agency news conference in First Niagara Center.

But the Sabres apparently made a quick change in plans with the Gerbe move. There has been no confirmation of it by the club but as a general rule, teams do not comment on waiver transactions until the player’s waiver period has been completed. Jordan Neumann, Gerbe’s agent, said he received an email from the Sabres informing them of the team’s decision.

“We had no conversations with them regarding Nathan’s future,” Neumann said by phone late Wednesday afternoon from his Westchester County office. “His exit meeting was fine. This whole thing was certainly a little bit surprising.”

The 5-foot-5 Gerbe had five goals and five assists in 42 games last season, failing for the second straight year to become a major part of the offense as he struggled after offseason back surgery. His best season was 2010-11, when he collected 16 goals and 31 points in 64 games.

In 188 NHL games, Gerbe has 29 goals and 43 assists. He was Buffalo’s fifth-round pick in 2005 out of Boston College, where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 Frozen Four and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, won by current Sabre Kevin Porter.

Corey Tropp, who missed most of last season after suffering a knee injury during the opener in Rochester, is one player expected to get a long look by the Sabres this season. The team is also pursuing the return of former captain Daniel Briere, who was bought out of his deal by Philadelphia.

On the day of the Sabres’ regular season finale, Gerbe told The News the Sabres needed to do a better job supporting their players through tough times.

“I think confidence is 95 percent of this game. It really is,” said Gerbe, 25. “As an organization you can’t squash guys’ confidence every single day, and I think you’ve got to realize that everyone in this room, if they’re confident, you’re going to have a good team. You guys see a stretch of someone having confidence, and then you see a stretch of someone not having a confidence, and it’s a world of difference in a player. It’s not a different player, it’s confidence in the game. That’s so important to each individual. We’ve got to do a better job of that.

“If a guy’s playing well, reward them. If they don’t, talk to them. Don’t just call them out. Everyone sees it in every sport. Confidence is far beyond anything you can imagine.”

As part of the buyout, Gerbe becomes an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team beginning Friday at noon.

“We’ve scrapped some ideas together pretty quickly today,” Neumann said. “It would have been nice to be prepared. But we have a nice little game plan here and I’m feeling confident and he’ll look back at this as a welcoming event. He can go somewhere else to play a more prominent role.”



Sabres notebook: Sacco eager to be mentor to young players

By Mike Harrington | News Sports Reporter | @BNHarrington

on July 3, 2013 - 10:35 PM, updated July 3, 2013 at 11:07 PM

Joe Sacco has the coaching bug. After getting fired by the Colorado Avalanche in April, he quickly decided he wasn’t sitting on the sidelines and collecting the money in the final year of his contract.

He looked around for another NHL job, interviewing for the Vancouver post that went to John Tortorella. He thought about AHL openings and then decided to pursue an NHL assistant’s spot. In Colorado, he perennially coached one of the NHL’s youngest teams and said that’s one reason he was attracted to joining Ron Rolston’s staff with the Buffalo Sabres.

“It seemed to be a really good fit and I thought it was the best situation for me moving forward,” Sacco told The News by phone Wednesday from Denver, a day after he was hired by the Sabres. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working with Ron. I’ve never worked with him but we know some of the same people from USA Hockey. Sitting down with him and talking about philosophies was interesting.

“I’m there to support Ron 100 percent and make sure we have success as a team. … I can learn from my experiences of dealing with younger players and the hurdles they’ll face dealing with a long season. You can help guys through those situations.”

Sacco, 44, played 738 NHL games for five teams from 1990-2003 and started his coaching career as an AHL assistant in 2005. He was head coach of Colorado’s Cleveland affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, for two years and was then named head coach of the Avalanche in 2009. He led Colorado to the playoffs in his first season before not qualifying the next three years.

Sacco said he signed a multi-year contract, believed to be two years. He said it will be an interesting adjustment going back to being a second-in-command on the bench and serving in a different role with players.

“You want them to know that as a staff, you’re there for them and you’re a resource,” he said. “That’s one of the things we wanted them to understand in Colorado. Beyond the game, you try to personalize relationships with our players.

“As a head coach, there’s obviously more space between you and the players. As an assistant, I can dig in and really know these players more on a one-on-one basis. That excites me because it’s something I haven’t had in a while.”

Sacco said he expect to be in charge of one aspect of the Sabres’ special teams and he has had success with the power play in Colorado. Although the Avalanche were just 24th in the NHL last season, his previous three years they were ranked 15th, 11th and ninth.

One of Sacco’s immediate tasks is to grab some popcorn and pop in last year’s Sabres game videos, especially ones later in the season when Rolston was the coach and several young players were in the lineup. NHL teams only played within their conference last season so the Avalanche didn’t play Buffalo – or see the Sabres in footage of upcoming opponents.

“I need to catch up on some of the players Buffalo had, especially some of the new younger players they have in the lineup,” he said.

The Sabres officially announced a new deal with veteran center Matt Ellis, one that General Manager Darcy Regier said was close on Tuesday. It’s a two-year, two-way deal, with Ellis expected to captain the Rochester Americans. Ellis will make $550,000 if in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL.

Ellis, 31, played in six games with the Sabres last year and 32 with Rochester, collecting seven goals and five assists there.

The Sabres announced their seven-game preseason schedule Wednesday, featuring three games at home – Sept. 19 vs. Carolina, Sept. 21 vs. Toronto and Sept. 25 vs. Columbus.

Road games are Sept. 15 at Montreal, Sept. 17 at Columbus, Sept. 22 at Toronto and the finale, Sept. 27 at Carolina. All games, home and away, are at 7 p.m.

The team also firmed up its schedule for next week’s three-day development camp downtown. The highlight is the Blue-Gold scrimmage on July 12 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 and include a postgame concert by 10,000 Maniacs after the scrimmage at Canalside. On Wednesday, one group will skate from 10:30 a.m.-noon with another going 3-4:30. On Thursday July 11, times are 10:30-noon and 2:15-3:30.



Sabres sign Ellis and other evening ice chips

July 3, 2013 - 7:00 PM

By Mike Harrington

---As GM Darcy Regier indicated yesterday, the Sabres announced they had reached agreement this evening with Matt Ellis on a two-year, two-way contract. Ellis, 31, is expected to serve as captain of the Rochester Amerks. According to Capgeek, Ellis will make $550,000 in the NHL and $300,000 in the AHL.

---The Sabres remain in the Daniel Briere sweepstakes. The Devils and Canadiens are also possibilities. Multiple reports this evening say Briere has eliminated the Islanders from consideration. RDS in Canada is reporting there could be as many as six teams still in consideration. Buffalo certainly freed a little more money with the buyout of Nathan Gerbe.

---The Bruins are going big-money with Tuukka Rask and Patrice Bergeron on eight-year deals. GM Peter Chiarelli said tonight a deal could be done Friday on Rask and CBC's Elliotte Friedman is saying it will be eight years and $56 million, with a $7 million cap hit that would tie with Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick for tops among NHL goalies. Bergeron is reportedly in line for $50-$52 million.

Boston is also going to set the old Northeast Division on its ear or give Daniel Alfredsson a bigger raise as the Bruins are trying to make a move on the Ottawa captain, who it was assumed was simply returning to the Senators for one more year.

---Some scary moments today in Los Angeles as Kings center Jarrett Stoll was hospitalized after having a seizure. Stoll, remember, missed six games in the playoffs after a hit from San Jose's Raffi Torres.

---Ex-Sabre Jordan Leopold has agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million extension with St. Louis, the team the Sabres traded him to prior to the deadline. Leopold's second-round pick was turned into Williamsville's Justin Bailey. The Blues were first-round playoff losers to Los Angeles, which previously gave a two-year extension to Buffalo deadline acquisition Robyn Regehr.

---The Coyotes are staying in Glendale, Ariz., after a marathon session Tuesday night that stretched to nearly 4 a.m. Eastern time allowed them to reach a new arena lease deal. The club will change its name to the "Arizona Coyotes".



Chadd Cassidy in limbo with Rochester Amerks

GM Darcy Regier won't say what job interim coach will have

Jul. 3, 2013 7:07 AM |

Written by

Kevin Oklobzija

With Joe Sacco joining Ron Rolston’s coaching staff in Buffalo on Tuesday, all signs seem to indicate that Chadd Cassidy will return as head coach of the Rochester Americans.

But Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier would not confirm Cassidy will have the “interim” tag removed from his Amerks’ title, or that Cassidy even would be the head coach. He would only say “Chadd will be in Rochester.”

Are they looking for someone with more head-coaching experience? Cassidy was only a head coach in prep school (four years at the National Sports Academy in his native Lake Placid) before becoming the Amerks’ interim head coach on Feb. 20.

The hiring of Sacco should mean an announcement about the Amerks head coach will be made fairly soon.

Just two weeks ago, Regier spoke highly of the work done by Cassidy and assistant coach Chris Taylor this past season.

Cassidy apparently had been given consideration to rejoin Rolston. He worked as Rolston’s assistant for five seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, then accompanied him to Rochester in the summer of 2011.

But the lack of NHL experience on the Sabres’ staff may have trumped the loyalty and relationship between the Rolston and Cassidy.

Rolston’s only time behind an NHL bench came starting on Feb. 21, and he had no pro experience until hired to coach the Amerks in the summer of 2011.

His holdover assistant coach, Teppo Numminen, has only been a coach for two seasons, though he did play 1,452 NHL games (regular season and playoff) over 20 seasons.

The two most experienced assistant coaches, James Patrick and Kevyn Adams, were fired in May.

Sacco coached four NHL seasons with the Colorado Avalanche (130-134-30) after a two-year stint with the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters. He also played more than 700 games with five NHL teams in his 13-year career.

Sacco, 34, was a coach-of-the-year finalist in his first NHL season, 2009-10, but the Avalanche missed the playoffs the past three seasons.

Rolston said he will still add one more assistant coach.

On the player personnel front, Regier said re-signing forward Matt Ellis is the biggest priority in terms of AHL free agency. He said Ellis will again be the Amerks captain if he’s not in Buffalo.

Just three draft picks from previous years are turning pro: winger Joel Armia, center Dan Catenacci and center/winger Colin Jacobs.

It’s possible that Buffalo’s first selection in the 2013 NHL draft, Finnish defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, could play with the Amerks if he doesn’t earn a job in Buffalo. Their final selection on Sunday, seventh-rounder Eric Locke, will be with the Amerks. He was third in scoring (97 points) and fourth in goals (44) in the Ontario Hockey League in 2012-13.

Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 07.04.2013


Buffalo Sabres sign Matt Ellis to two-way deal

Jul. 3, 2013 |

Written by

Kevin Oklobzija

Once upon a time, forward Matt Ellis was a young hockey player hoping to somehow work his way to the NHL.

Now, a dozen years later, he’s the guy who will be providing the brotherly guidance and words of wisdom to a new crop of prospects.

Ellis finalized a two-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday and will again be the Rochester Americans’ captain.

While he still hopes to contribute to the Sabres, the veteran of 11 pro seasons knows his primary duty — or duties — will be with the Amerks. He must help them win but also must be a role model and mentor for the Sabres' draft picks.

He’s ready to embrace both roles.

“I’m invested in the development of the prospects, in helping them attain their NHL dreams,” Ellis said. “And I still want to be part of a championship.”

Ellis turns 32 on Aug. 31. He knows he’s on the downslope of his career. The realization came on Feb. 12, when he was sent by the Sabres to the Amerks, where he finished the season wearing the captain’s “C.”

But he’s also willing to keep working to be a productive member of the Sabres should they need him. At the same time, he knows he has an important job with the Amerks.

“It’s an honor to wear the ‘C’ for a great organization like this,” said Ellis, who was an AHL captain with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2005-06 and ’06-07. “I really, really do feel it brings out the best in me. I feel I thrive under those conditions.”

He had 7 goals, 5 assists and 12 points in 32 AHL games last season (he had no points in six NHL games). In his career he produced 16-25-41 in 267 NHL games for the Red Wings, Kings and Sabres.

The signing of a two-year contract provides leadership stability with the Amerks. The Sabres are in a major rebuilding mold. They expect their incoming and holdover prospects to become NHL-ready during their AHL apprenticeship.

Ellis hopes the next two seasons will be just a start in terms of his contributions to prospect development. He has plans to coach or perhaps work in player development.

“When I met with Darcy (Regier, the Sabres general manager), I asked what things I can do to put some pieces in place for life in the future,” he said. “I don’t see myself ever being without hockey.”

Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 07.04.2013

683651 Calgary Flames

New Flame Jones believes he can be a part of a quick rebuild

Dealt from the Colorado Avalanche, winger already has one of the highest salaries on Calgary’s roster

By GEORGE JOHNSON, Calgary Herald July 3, 2013 10:05 PM

The new face(s) of the Calgary Flames were trotted out Wednesday at the club’s temporary digs, McMahon Stadium — right winger David Jones and defenceman Shane O’Brien, acquired from Colorado; T.J. Galiardi from San Jose; and Calgary-born centreman Corban Knight, late of the Florida Panthers organization — for inspection.

Of the four, Jones represents the largest investment.

Before playing so much as a minute in the colours, he occupies joint-second on the club’s payroll list alongside Jiri Hudler at a $4 million salary-cap hit per annum (and, depending on what happens in free agency and/or to/with $6-million-man Steve Austin . . . er, Michael Cammalleri, Jones could co-jump to the front of the queue by the opening of training camp).

So needless to add that GM Jay Feaster is banking heavily on this David Jones being the 27-goal David Jones of three seasons ago, not the three-goal, nine-point David Jones of the lockout-shortened 2012.

“I was lucky enough,” Jones said Wednesday, “to play in a place for six years. That’s pretty rare these days. But I’m really happy for a fresh start. The season that I had last year, I think, was just one of those things. I had a bad stretch of games, I think I only played in 32.

“In your career you’re going to have peaks and valleys. It’s inevitable. But playing back in Canada is exciting, and coming here with some guys I know sure helps, too.

“I wouldn’t say it was about the fit (in Denver). Maybe after a little bit of time things get a bit stale. But the way I played last year . . . I had two great seasons before that. There’s no reason to think I won’t bounce back for the full season this year.

“A new start. A new city. Everybody here’s been so great, so welcoming. I can’t wait. Everything’s in order.”

With the exception, naturally, of the Scotiabank Saddledome and its readiness for the beginning of October.

“It’s one of those problems you have to deal with, I guess. I heard we might possibly play some pre-season games in Saskatchewan, and I’m sure if things can’t get sorted I’m sure the schedule makers can maybe start us on the road, find a way to work it out. But from all indications, it’ll be ready by the start of the regular season.”

Here, as in Denver, Jones finds himself in the throes of a — wait for it — rebuild. Despite collecting a nice array of young offensive talent, the Avs have not yet been able to deliver the payoff many analysts anticipated.

“We had a good team there, we just didn’t live up to expectations. And I don’t think it’s necessarily the end of the journey for them there. They’re going to be good going forward. I wish them the best” — a broad grin — “until the Western Conference finals when we meet them.

“In the league now, I don’t think it takes 10 years to rebuild a team. Not anymore. A couple of years and you can get right back it the mix. With all the incredible young players coming up, guys who can jump right in and play, I don’t think it’s going to be as long as people might believe.

“Plus, maybe if you’re a team that’s in a quote — rebuild — unquote, then you can fly in under the radar and surprise some people.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.04.2013


High River’s Knight counts flood losses as his family’s rebuild begins

New Flames forward went to work out in Calgary on morning the waters began to rise and soon learned the fate of his parents’ house

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald July 3, 2013 10:05 PM

Hockey players are legendary hoarders of mementoes. So, of course, Corban Knight knows the whereabouts of his milestone pucks.

“They’re in my bedroom right now, floating in water,” the High River native reported Wednesday afternoon after being introduced by Calgary Flames general manager Jay Feaster to local reporters. “Hopefully we’ll be able to salvage those, but I don’t really know yet. I lost everything. My hockey equipment and all my hockey stuff from my younger years was in my room. I was actually able to save my (University of North Dakota) jerseys, so that was pretty nice. But everything else is gone. A bunch of paintings from my grandparents, all gone . . . quite a few things that were significant to me.”

Monday, Knight and his family had been permitted to take their first peek at the family home, situated on the southwest side of the flooded town.

“Pretty crazy to see everything,” said Knight. “It was a lot different than what we were expecting. It’s pretty gruesome in that part of town right now.”

His parents, Jack and Laurie, have decided to renovate what’s left of the house, rather than bulldoze the works.

“Now the hard work begins,” said Knight. “We have to gut everything, take everything out, then start the renovations. So it’ll be a pretty long process. It’ll be a lot of work. But it’s better than just knocking it down and starting from nothing again.”

Not a great start to the first summer of his professional-hockey career.

After choosing the Calgary Flames over the Edmonton Oilers in a free-agent showdown, Knight is set to join his employers at the annual development camp next week. And the Flames do have high hopes for the kid, having already handed him a jersey with an NHL-ready number on the back, No. 10.

“Obviously, it is a distraction,” said Knight, who’s been bunking with a pal in Calgary, while the rest of his family is staying with friends in Olds. “But it’s something that I think is a good thing. You kind of get so complacent with everything. You take everything for granted. Now that our home’s gone, it puts everything in perspective.

“For me, it’s motivated me to make this team this fall, then be able to help out my family as much as possible (with an NHL salary). It’s a big motivator.”

Knight had last left the house on June 20 — the Thursday of the flood — for a morning workout in Calgary.

“I actually drove across the river,” said the 22-year-old. “After I was done (lifting weights), I looked at my phone and I had a bunch of missed calls from family. So I called home and they told me they’d been evacuated already. This is all happening in a couple of hours. I was like, ‘What?’ I thought maybe the water came up a little bit.”

But, of course, it was more than a little bit.

He rushed to the town’s east side — higher ground, according to Knight — to help sandbag his brother’s place.

“All of a sudden, the firefighters said, ‘You’ve got to get out of here.’ And a couple hours later, the whole town’s under water.”



Chirping O’Brien just what the doctor ordered for Flames

Gritty defenceman specializes in getting under opponents’ skin

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald July 3, 2013 10:05 PM

This is a 230-pound noisemaker. Barking, sassing, taunting, needling.

Without much encouragement, Shane O’Brien can supply a steady stream of trash-talk.

And if his on-ice discourse happens to put the blue in blue line, so be it. He will not be muzzled — not in Calgary.

The Flames have let it be known — they are green-lighting his gab.

“Quite frankly, that’s something we need on our team,” general manager Jay Feaster said Wednesday afternoon at McMahon Stadium after introducing four newbies — Corban Knight, T.J. Galiardi, David Jones, O’Brien — to the local press. “It’s been a concern of mine for some time — we’re a very quiet team. Our guys are quiet in the room. We’re quiet on the bench.

“It’s used to be a lament of (former coach Brent Sutter). It used to drive us to distraction, really, how quiet (it was).”

Quiet, yes, and very soft and very easy to play against.

So the Flames are keen for O’Brien to be his abrasive self. Loud and lippy, please.

“He’s a live wire,” said Feaster. “He is a guy who chirps out there on the ice. It’s funny. (Craig Conroy) said, ‘Oh, I know Obie well. He’s been chirping me for a long time.’ That’s how he is. He’s a guy that likes to get into the heads of the other team — and he’s the kind of player who can back it up. In the room, he’s a vocal guy. He’s an emotional guy. A lot of passion.”

O’Brien appreciates the vote of confidence.

“A couple times in my career — some places I’ve played — some coaches didn’t like that,” O’Brien said. “Some GMs didn’t like the fieriness I brought some nights . . . and maybe some nights (it was) out of control a little bit. I’ve learned to harness my game.”

But not too much, the Flames dearly hope.

Flapping pie-hole aside, O’Brien is no pushover.

More than 850 penalty minutes in 483 dates offer a hint of things to come.

“I will definitely be finishing my checks on a nightly basis,” said O’Brien. “I take a lot of pride in protecting the blue paint and making sure our goalie can see the puck. And not only that, but making sure he’s not being bothered and people aren’t bumping into him. The front of our net is going to be a tougher place to stand, I’ll guarantee you that.

“I still take the odd penalty here and there, which I’m sure the fans won’t love. But I’m going to compete every night. I’m going to play hard. I’m going to get in guys’ faces. It’s about winning hockey games and you do the little things.”

Part of which, apparently, is spooking the opposition — through either action or reputation.

Jones can vouch for this.

“He’s one of those guys . . . you go to the net and you know you’re going to get a stick in the neck or the back or the arm,” said Jones, laughing. “He definitely brings a lot of personality. The biggest thing, he loves the game so much. When he’s out there playing, you can just tell. He’s so expressive and I think that’s what Jay is looking for.”

While in charge of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Feaster, desperate for a jolt in February 2007, sent Gerald Coleman and a first-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks to get O’Brien and a third-rounder.

In terms of a presence, Feaster compares O’Brien to Andre Roy.

“(Roy) was good for our team (in Tampa),” he said. “Torts would lose his mind with him sometimes — he’d get frustrated — but when Andre Roy left our team, we lost personality. We became a very quiet team. I’d watch a stretch of the warm-up and there wouldn’t be a word said. When we ultimately brought Andre back . . . it was just incredible the difference it made. So I think those kinds of players are unique. Having had Shane before, I think he’s just what the doctor ordered here.

“I love the personality that he brings to the room and on the ice. He’s a guy that keeps things loose, keeps guys on their toes. It’s great to be reunited with him.”

O’Brien, who turns 30 next month, feels the same way — rebuild or not.

“Obviously, we know what people are saying about us,” said O’Brien. “(But) it’s going to be fun playing in Calgary in front of fans that know the game, that are passionate about the game. That fuels the city. I got a taste of that in Vancouver. When I left, I missed it. This is Western Canada, right in the heart of it. So it’s even more exciting.”



5 names in Calgary Flames free-agent hopper?

By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 11:05 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 11:19 PM MDT

Jay Feaster isn’t naming names.

That’s no surprise.

The Calgary Flames GM was admittedly busy working the phones Wednesday morning, initializing conversations and inquiring about the salary demands of several soon-to-be unrestricted free agents.

Who’s on the Flames’ shopping list?

We won’t know until the signings start Friday at 10 a.m. MT, but here are five guys that could interest the brain-trust at the Saddledome:

D Jonathon Blum

Nashville Predators

Maybe he’s a bust, but Blum wouldn’t be a bad gamble for a team that’s admittedly in the midst of a rebuild. The 24-year-old was the Predators’ first-round selection in the 2007 NHL Draft but hasn’t developed into the two-way defenceman he was pegged to become and wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer by the club. In 91 NHL outings, Blum has just seven goals and 15 assists. Then again, it’s not uncommon for blueliners to be late-bloomers, and the Flames could give him an opportunity on a short-term, low-risk deal.

C Tyler Bozak

Toronto Maple Leafs

Bozak’s salary demands — reportedly, as much as US$5 million per season over a long-term deal — seem a bit far-fetched, but the 27-year-old pivot should cash in on a thin free-agent market. Bozak had a dozen goals and 28 points in 46 games last winter, but he also averaged more icetime (20:18) than any other Maple Leafs forward. With Mike Ribeiro (Washington Capitals), Derek Roy (Vancouver Canucks), Stephen Weiss (Florida Pathers) and others already in their thirty-somethings, Bozak is the best young centre who’s available this summer. He’ll be a hot commodity.

LW Valtteri Filpulla

Detroit Red Wings

Another guy who should attract plenty of interest as an unrestricted free agent, Filpulla is seeking a raise — apparently, he’s asking for US$5 million per winter — despite a sub-par statistical season in the Motor City. The 29-year-old from Finland only had nine goals and 17 points in 41 outings after the lockout, but his agent will undoubtedly remind teams he scored 23 times and added 43 helpers in 81 games the previous season. It’s worth noting he’s had chemistry in the past with current Flames forward Jiri Hudler.

LW Mason Raymond

Vancouver Canucks

During his six campaigns with the Canucks, Raymond always seemed to enjoy his trips to the Saddledome. Maybe the Flames could convince the Cochrane product to make it his full-time hockey home. The 27-year-old can wheel, but the knock is that he sometimes stays away from the tough areas. Raymond had 10 goals and a dozen assists in 46 games after the lockout. He can play centre in a pinch, but he’ll likely hear from a lot of

contenders looking to add speed to their top-six forward group without blowing the budget.

D Jeff Schultz

Washington Capitals

Schultz certainly knows his way around town after growing up in Calgary and spending four seasons with the WHL’s Hitmen. He’s patrolled the blueline in Washington for the past seven winters — racking up 399 regular-season games in a Capitals uniform — but was bought out of the final season of his four-year, US$11-million deal in D.C. after he was a frequent healthy scratch at the end of the lockout-shortened campaign. Schultz is an intimidating presence, but the 6-foot-6, 230-lb. blueliner has been criticized for not always using his size to his advantage.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster foresees frenzied free-agency startup

By WES GILBERTSON ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 11:00 PM MDT

It’s the first day of the Calgary Stampede and the first day of NHL free-agency.

Hang on tight, cowpokes.

Thanks to new rules that allow squads to talk to soon-to-be unrestricted free agents two days before the official start of the signing period, Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster figures the transactions will come fast and furious Friday.

“I think that’s the effect of this 48-hour period is that some guys will have agreements in principle here over the next day or two,” Feaster said during Wednesday’s media session at McMahon Stadium.

“And then, once you’re able to actually sign and register the contract on July 5, it will happen very quickly.”

The 48-hour window to speak with unrestricted free agents opened Wednesday at 10 a.m. MT, and Feaster — like his counterparts around the league — wasn’t wasting any time.

In fact, at about 2 p.m., the Flames GM told reporters, “We’ve had conversations already. It’s been a busy day.”

Feaster wasn’t willing to comment on specific players, but he hasn’t been secretive about his shopping list for this summer.

The Flames are interested in adding a couple of centres — one to skate on the first or second line, and another to fill a bottom-six role.

Feaster has been forthcoming about his desire to find a shooting winger, although the acquisition of David Jones from the Colorado Avalanche might address that need.

The Flames are also in the market for a third-pairing defenceman. Chris Breen is an internal candidate, but the 6-foot-7 rearguard is recovering from shoulder surgery and will miss a chunk of his off-season training time.

Asked about his own list of soon-to-be free agents, Feaster told reporters he has made an offer to one and has had conversations with one other. Tough-guy Brian McGrattan and fellow fourth-line forward Steve Begin — a favourite of Flames head coach Bob Hartley — seem like the logical candidates.

Then again, those guys don’t necessarily fit the club’s quest to get younger.

Rest assured, most of the Flames free-agent targets have a lot of hockey ahead of them.

“There’s no question that we’re selling opportunity,” Feaster said. “And again, what we’re selling is that, ‘Yes, we’ve acknowledged that we’re in a rebuild, but the rebuild doesn’t have to take forever when you have a group of guys who are committed to the program.’

“It’s about opportunity. It’s about ‘Do you want to be here?’ and ‘Is it a fit for us? Is it a fit for you?’ ”

And does it fit the budget?

While there has been speculation the Flames could make a pitch to Vancouver Canucks speedster Mason Raymond or Toronto Maple Leafs pivot Tyler Bozak, they’ll be weary of spending big bucks in a bidding war.

“They don’t call it ‘free-agent frenzy’ for nothing,” Feaster said.

“That always happens.

I think the term starts to run up and the dollars start to run up. We’ll be very mindful of how far out we’re willing to go and how much money.”



Newest Calgary Flames defenceman Shane O'Brien brings team-first attitude to club

By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun


Don’t be fooled by his reputation as a laugh-a-minute guy.

Shane O’Brien, the newest member of the Calgary Flames blueline brigade, isn’t afraid to speak his mind, either.

Case in point, an incident a couple of seasons back when since-fired Colorado Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco called a timeout to tear into his team and instead stood back as the rugged defenceman delivered the tongue-lashing.

“Maybe (Sacco) just wanted to save his breath a little bit. Obviously, they kind of felt the exact same way, and he just let him have it,” said former Avalanche winger David Jones with a grin.

Jones joined the Flames in the same trade as O’Brien last week, with Alex Tanguay and Cory Sarich heading to the Mile High City.

“(O’Brien) is a great guy to have around, but he wants to win,” O’Brien said. “Like that timeout situation, guys listen to him. He’s been around, he’s played this game for a long time, and he definitely has a lot of respect.”

While Jones couldn’t remember the specifics of O’Brien’s timeout talk, the 29-year-old blueliner certainly does.

“We were playing the (New York) Islanders, and we were close to taking the next step as a team, but we kept making the same mistakes, and I just felt that the message from (the coaching staff) was probably getting old. Sometimes, you have to hear it from within the group, so I just said my piece,” O’Brien recalled.

“For whatever reason, I just decided to take the bull by the horns that timeout, and we ended up coming back and winning the game.

“The boys got a good chuckle out of it, but it worked out. I’m glad we won the game. If we didn’t win the game, I probably would’ve felt like a bit of an idiot. But sometimes, you have to hold each other accountable.”

The Flames introduced their four recent trade acquisitions — O’Brien, Jones, hometown boy T.J. Galiardi, and High River-raised centre Corban Knight — to the local media Wednesday at McMahon Stadium, their temporary home while crews continue to clean up the flood damage at the Saddledome.

Jones, 28 and Galiardi, 25, are gritty wingers who will be factors on the forecheck and, hopefully, also bring some finish around the net for the Flames.

Although he just graduated from the University of North Dakota and has never played a professional game, the 22-year-old Knight will get an opportunity to prove he’s ready to take faceoffs at the big-league level.

And O’Brien? In addition to adding muscle on the ice in what will likely be a bottom-pairing blueline role, the Saddledome brass are counting on him to be vocal ... just about always.

“His teammates love him because he’s a team-first guy. He sticks up for his teammates, and he’s a bit of a live-wire,” said Flames GM Jay Feaster, who also traded for O’Brien when he was the boss with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“He’s not afraid to mix it up. He’s a guy who’s not afraid to drop the gloves, and he is a guy who chirps out there on the ice ... That’s how he is. He’s a guy that likes to get into the heads of the other team, and he’s the kind of player who can back it up.

“In the room, he’s a vocal guy. He’s an emotional guy. He has a lot of passion.

“Quite frankly, that’s something I think we need on our team.”



Calgary Flames pick up TJ Galiardi from San Jose Sharks for draft pick

By RANDY SPORTAK,Calgary Sun

First posted: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 01:50 PM MDT | Updated: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 07:29 PM MDT

The finishing touches on TJ Galiardi’s new house is taking more time than expected thanks to the flooding which devastated so much of Southern Alberta.

The good news is the place was not ruined by the waters. The delay is due to all the upheaval around the city, which has put so many projects on the back-burner with so many other pressing needs.

“Thankfully, it’s on top of a hill, so it’s safe,” said Galiardi, who’s been living in Toronto with his girlfriend while waiting for the finishing touches to be completed at his home in Renfrew.

Little did Galiardi know when construction started on his home that it would be a home he’ll move into on a full-time basis, as will be the case after the hometown boy was acquired by the Calgary Flames from the San Jose Sharks for a 2015 fourth-round draft choice, and signed to a one-year, US$1.25-million contract Tuesday.

“I was probably going to rent it out to Derek Smith, but not anymore,” Galiardi said with a laugh. “This is pretty much a dream come true to play for the Flames.”

Yes, you read that right.

Galiardi, 25, who would be in a top-nine role with the Flames, actually asked Sharks GM Doug Wilson to trade him to Calgary when he was told the club was looking to move him with the expected arrival of 2012 first-round draft choice Tomas Hertl and acquisition of winger Tyler Kennedy from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“He was nice enough to tell me the teams what were interested in me and said he would do whatever he could to move to the one I wanted to go to,” Galiardi said. “When I heard Calgary, it was a no-brainer for me.

“My dad has been a Flames fan his entire life, and even when I played for Colorado or San Jose, I could tell he had a soft spot in his heart for the Flames, as did I, so this news was probably the happiest he’s been.

“Even if (the Flames) had 20 forwards, I’d still want to go there. Everyone has seen the moves Calgary’s made and nobody’s trying to hide they’re going through a rebuild, so for a young guy like me to go there is a great opportunity.”

Galiardi, who played for the WHL Calgary Hitmen before jumping to the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche and was traded to San Jose at the deadline in the 2011-12 season, collected five goals and 14 points in 36 games last season.

The 6-foot-2, 195-lb. winger skated on a line with Joe Thornton and Brent Burns in the final month of the regular season and playoffs, and netted one goal and two points in 11 playoff games.

“We are thrilled to add a young player with TJ’s size and versatility to our lineup,” Flames GM Jay Feaster said in a statement. “He can play left wing or centre, he competes hard, is a very good energy player, and he is only 25-years old. The fact that he is from Calgary, lives here in the off-season and played for the Hitmen is an added bonus, as he is yet another player who is excited to be part of our program going forward.”

The trade isn’t just a homecoming for Galiardi because of the location. Flames assistant coach Jacques Cloutier was part of the staff when he was in Colorado, he played with new Flames David Jones and Shane O’Brien there, too, and skated with all kinds of new teammates in the summers and during the lockout which delayed the start of last season.

“When I was traded to San Jose, I didn’t know anybody on the team, and it took me a while to get comfortable — way longer than I thought,” he said. “With Calgary, I think I actually know every guy on the team. It’s going to be fun.”


683658 Chicago Blackhawks

Source: Blackhawks sign defenseman Leddy

By Chris Kuc

Tribune reporter

5:13 PM CDT, July 3, 2013

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Nick Leddy to a contract Wednesday, according to a source.

The restricted free agent will return to the Hawks after scoring six goals and adding 12 assists while posting a plus-15 plus-minus rating in 48 regular-season games. During the Hawks' 23-game run the Stanley Cup, the 22-year-old Leddy had two assists and was a minus-8 and saw his minutes decrease.

Leddy's agent, Neil Sheehy, said in an e-mail to the Tribune on Wednesday that the defenseman "loves playing for Chicago."

The deal is reportedly for two years.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.04.2013


No Hawks on NHL first team; Ovechkin honored twice

Tribune report

12:54 PM CDT, July 3, 2013

While no members of the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks were deemed worthy of a spot on the 2013 NHL First All-Star team, Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin was named to both the first and second teams Wednesday.

Ovechkin was voted a first-team right wing -- the position he played for most of the season -- and he received enough votes as a left wing -- where the 27-year-old Moscow native played for his first seven NHL seasons -- to win the second-team berth there.

Center Jonathan Toews was the only Hawks player named to the second team.

Also named to the first team were Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, defensemen P.K. Subban of the Canadiens and Ryan Suter of the Wild, and center Sidney Crosby and left wing Chris Kunitz of the Penguins.

Voting for the teams was done by members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season.



Stanley Cup to visit Sox, Cubs

By Mark Gonzales

Tribune reporter

4:18 PM CDT, July 3, 2013

The Chicago White Sox will hold a special ceremony before Wednesday night's game to honor the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks, and the Cubs will get their turn this weekend.

Blackhawks alternate captain Patrick Sharp will be on the field for ceremonies before the Sox-Orioles game at U.S. Cellular Field that will include the Stanley Cup.

On Friday, Sharp will be joined by Bryan Bickell and Brandon Bollig for a 3:05 game against the Pirates at Wrigley Field. On Saturday, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville will bring the Stanley Cup to Wrigley for the 3:05 p.m. game against the Pirates and will conduct the seventh-inning stretch.

When the Hawks won the Cup in 2010, they brought it to Wrigley Field the following weekend for a Cubs-Sox game.



Blackhawks give defenseman Nick Leddy two-year deal to stay

By Mark Lazerus [email protected] July 3, 2013 9:12PM

Updated: July 4, 2013 2:21AM

Nick Leddy played just five shifts in the decisive sixth game of the Stanley Cup Final, largely a bystander for the Blackhawks’ Cup-clinching three-game win streak.

But the Hawks hope the speedy, 22-year-old defenseman will have plenty more chances to prove his playoff worth down the road.

The Hawks re-signed Leddy, a restricted free agent, to a two-year contract Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not announced.

‘‘Over the course of the past three seasons, Nick has shown continuous development, and we think he will be essential to our long-term success,’’ Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said in a statement.

Leddy had six goals and 12 assists with a plus-15 rating during the regular season. But he began to struggle as the playoff pace picked up. He finished with just two assists and a minus-8 rating in the playoffs, playing just 2:37 in Game 4 against the Boston Bruins, 6:53 in Game 5 and 3:25 in Game 6.

‘‘Nick’s still on the upside of his career, and he’s still at a young age, getting better with time,’’ Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. ‘‘You learn different situations, you learn players, you learn your own assets, which make you a better player. Nick’s situation — be excited about where you’re going to be at going forward, and look to keep getting better.’’

Leddy has 13 goals and 49 assists in 176 regular-season games with the Hawks since being acquired in a Feb. 12, 2010, trade with the Minnesota Wild. The Hawks sent Cam Barker to the Wild for Kim Johnsson and Leddy, a Minnesota native and first-round pick in 2009.

With Leddy signed, the Hawks have only one restricted free agent left on the NHL roster, center Marcus Kruger. Kruger’s agent, J.P. Barry, said Tuesday that the two sides were trying to work out a two-year contract.

Unrestricted free agents were allowed to talk with teams beginning Wednesday but can’t sign with new teams until Friday. Among the Hawks’ UFAs are backup goalie Ray Emery (Barry also represents Emery and began talks with the Hawks on Tuesday), defenseman Michal Rozsival, center Michal Handzus, forward Jamal Mayers and winger Viktor Stalberg. Stalberg is likely to test the market and is expected to sign elsewhere.

Bowman said the Hawks are unlikely to make any big free-agent signings.

NOTE: Hawks captain Jonathan Toews was named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team on Wednesday.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.04.2013


Blackhawks, Nick Leddy agree to contract — source

BY MARK LAZERUS [email protected] July 3, 2013 5:24PM

The Blackhawks and restricted free agent Nick Leddy agreed to a new contract today, a source told the Sun-Times. The Hawks are expected to announce the deal shortly. Details of the contract are not yet known, but it’s believed to be a two-year deal.

The move comes as no surprise, as Hawks general manager Stan Bowman has said repeatedly that he would re-sign Leddy, and would match any offer sheets that came his way. Free agency begins in earnest on July 5.

Leddy had six goals and 12 assists during the regular season. He had just two assists during the Hawks’ run to the Stanley Cup, seeing his minutes dwindle drastically during the Stanley Cup Final. Still, the Hawks are very high on the speedy, puck-moving defenseman, who is only 22.

The only other restricted free agent the Hawks have is center Marcus Kruger. Kruger’s agent, J.P. Barry, said on Tuesday that the two sides were trying to work out a two-year deal.

“We certainly are going to sign both of those players,” Bowman said of Leddy and Kruger after Sunday’s draft. “There’s still plenty of work to do. This isn’t the end of it.”

Leddy’s agent, Neil Sheehy, declined to comment until a deal was officially announced, but tweeted out the following on Wednesday afternoon: “Nick Leddy loves playing for the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Expect an announcement from the Hawks on Nick’s future with Club.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.04.2013


Davis hits 32nd homer, but Cup the biggest hit at Sox game

By Associated Press

Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 32nd homer and added a tiebreaking two-run double to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Scott Feldman pitched six solid innings in his debut for the Orioles, who held on to win for the fifth time in six games after the White Sox threatened against Jim Johnson in the ninth.

Chicago had the tying runs on after Conor Gillaspie and Jeff Keppinger singled with one out, putting men on first and second. Johnson struck out Gordon Beckham looking and retired pinch-hitter Jordan Danks on a bouncer to the mound for his 29th save in 34 attempts.

Davis delivered the big hits for Baltimore.

He homered leading off the fourth against Hector Santiago to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Beckham tied it for Chicago when he led off the fifth with his first home run, but Davis came through again with one out in the eighth.

He greeted Matt Thornton with a two-run double after Nick Markakis and Adam Jones singled off Matt Lindstrom (2-3), giving the Orioles a 4-2 lead. Baltimore loaded the bases against Ramon Troncoso in the ninth, but Manny Machado forced the runner at the plate and Jones popped out to end the threat.

Darren O'Day (4-0) pitched a scoreless seventh and Tommy Hunter worked the eighth before Johnson dodged that jam in the ninth.

Feldman looked sharp for Baltimore after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs the previous day. The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits and struck out six without a walk.

Santiago was just as good, giving up two runs and five hits in seven innings. The left-hander tied a season-high with nine strikeouts while walking two after getting hit hard in his previous start against Cleveland, but the White Sox took their 24th loss in 33 games.

There was more bad news for the last-place White Sox, with slugger Paul Konerko (strained lower back) and reliever Jesse Crain (strained right shoulder) going on the 15-day disabled list.

"I think if there's anything that could go wrong this year for the White Sox, it's gone wrong," said Crain, one of Chicago's top trade assets.

There was a championship celebration before the game, with the Stanley Cup making an appearance and the Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp and Brandon Bollig throwing out first pitches.

NOTES: The Orioles optioned IF Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Feldman. ... RHP Kevin Gausman will remain in bullpen for now, although manager Buck Showalter indicated Baltimore's top pitching prospect could wind up back in the rotation at some point. "We have seventy-something games left," he said. "We have to do some things between now and the All-Star break. He and Zach (Britton), both of them have options, we like them both on the club. I think these things kind of solve themselves." ... With Konerko and Crain on the DL, the White Sox recalled 3B Brent Morel from Triple-A Charlotte and purchased the contract of LHP David Purcey from the minor league club. ... Rios picked up his 200th steal when he swiped second in the first inning. ... The start of the game was delayed seven minutes by rain. ... LHP Zach Britton (2-2, 4.50 ERA) starts Thursday for Baltimore, with LHP Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.97) pitching for Chicago.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.04.2013


Nick Leddy back for more with Blackhawks

By Tim Sassone

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman tied up another loose end Wednesday by getting defenseman Nick Leddy's name on a new two-year contract.

The 22-year-old Leddy would have become a restricted free agent Friday.

"We are pleased to announce that Nick will remain a core member of our organization," Bowman said in a statement. "Over the course of the past three seasons, Nick has shown continuous development, and we think he will be essential to our long-term success."

Leddy ranked third among Hawks defensemen this season 18 points (6 goals) and a plus-15 rating in 48 regular-season games. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native added 2 assists in 23 playoff games.

Leddy established career highs in goals, power-play goals (2) and game-winning goals (2).

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to remain in Chicago and be a part of this special group of young, experienced players on a team in a winning environment," Leddy said in a statement. "The organization is first class both on and off the ice, and I am honored to be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks."

Minnesota originally drafted Leddy 16th overall in 2009, but the Hawks acquired him along with defenseman Kim Johnsson on Feb. 12, 2010, in

exchange for defenseman Cam Barker. It was perhaps Bowman's finest trade.

Last week Bowman spoke of what Leddy means to the Hawks and about the bright future Leddy had with the team. He had his ice time reduced dramatically as the playoffs progressed, a fact Bowman blamed on the lack of experience.

"Nick had a tremendous season when you look back at it," Bowman said. "There was just a couple games at the very end when, obviously, it's a very difficult situation to be in. I think in the playoffs experience matters. We've seen, if you look at our team, the veteran guys really came through for us."

The Stanley Cup win was the first for Leddy.

"I think it's a great experience for Nick and, I'll tell you, when you look back at Game 6 (against Boston), I'm really proud of the way Nick responded there," Bowman said. "He hadn't played in awhile and he jumped out while we were down and he had a couple great shifts there.

"He kind of got the momentum going and then I think it was the next shift is when we tied the game. So, he played a big part in it. I know he didn't get a lot of minutes, but that's not easy to do, to come off the bench when you haven't played.

"We're excited about his future," Bowman added. "He's taken steps every year and I expect next year to be another one where he's going to raise his game. He's got that experience now of having won a Cup and being a big part of it, so I look forward to next year for him."

Hawks coach Joel Quenneville has been a big Leddy supporter and often talks about the time it takes for young defensemen to get a feel for the league.

"Nick is still at a young age," Quenneville said. "He will get better, learn different situations, learn players, assets; we think we ended it on a positive note."

Since winning the Cup a little more than a week ago, Bowman has traded Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik for draft picks, re-signed his top unrestricted free agent in Bryan Bickell to a four-year, $16 million deal and signed one of his key restricted free agents in Leddy.

Center Marcus Kruger is believed to be close to signing a two-year deal as well. Kruger would become a restricted free agent Friday.



Hawks sign Leddy for two years

Posted by Tim Sassone on Wed, 07/03/2013 - 18:40

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman tied up another loose end on Wednesday by getting defenseman Nick Leddy's name on as new two-year contract.

The 22-year-old Leddy would have become a restricted free agent on Friday.

"We are pleased to announce that Nick will remain a core member of our organization," Bowman said in a statement. "Over the course of the past three seasons, Nick has shown continuous development and we think he will be essential to our long-term success."

Leddy ranked third among Hawks defensemen this season 18 points (6 goals) and a plus-15 rating in 48 regular-season games. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native added 2 assists in 23 playoff games.

Leddy established career highs in goals, power-play goals (2) and game-winning goals (2).

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to remain in Chicago and be a part of this special group of young, experienced players on a team in a winning environment," Leddy said in the same statement. "The organization is first class both on and off the ice, and I am honored to be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks."

Minnesota originally drafted Leddy 16th overall in 2009, but the Hawks acquired him along with defenseman Kim Johnsson Feb. 12, 2010 in exchange for defenseman Cam Barker. It was perhaps Bowman's finest trade.



Meet the meat version of the Lord Stanley's Cup

July 3, 2013, 10:15 am

Sara Vallone

As if a Stanley Cup made of chocolate wasn't enough, how about a more "manly" version of the Cup, made entirely of meat.

Man B Que surprised Blackhawks' head coach, Joel Quenneville and owner, Rocky Wirtz on Windy City Live yesterday with a meat model of the Cup.

Courtesy of: Man B Que facebook

The meat cup weighs right around 35 pounds, almost as much as the real Stanley Cup and is made of bacon, ground beef, sausage and "in keeping with tradition, has beer cheese on the inside of the cup," as one of the designers described it on Windy City Live.

Courtesy of: Man B Que facebook

"Very impressive," said coach Q. "That's a first."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.04.2013

683667 Colorado Avalanche

Avs look to lighten roster as NHL's free-agency period approaches

The Denver Post

Posted: 07/03/2013 04:06:02 PM MDT

Updated: 07/03/2013 04:34:06 PM MDT

The Avalanche placed defensemen Matt Hunwick and Greg Zanon on waivers Tuesday. They went unclaimed Wednesday, so they remain property of the Avs.

If the Avs want to sign free agents when the NHL's annual shopping bazaar begins Friday, they will need to make trades or send players to the minors to get down to the maximum allowed roster by opening night.

The Avs have 22 players under contract, plus another expected soon in No. 1 overall draft pick Nathan MacKinnon, which would put them at the maximum allowed in the NHL.

The Avs can sign free agents or add players through trades, but with that many players under contract, there would need to be some movement of other players by opening night.

Other teams had 24 hours to put in a claim on Hunwick or Zanon. If one or both had been claimed, it would have allowed the Avs to purchase a replacement or two on the open market with ease of mind, knowing there were open roster spots.

This year's NHL free-agent period is different. Because of the lockout last year, it starts later than the traditional July 1. Under the new rules, teams starting Wednesday were allowed to contact players to begin negotiations. Players can be signed starting Friday.

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.04.2013

683668 Colorado Avalanche

Silly spending in NHL free agency is the stuff of reality television

A serving of sports commentary each weekday near noontime

By Adrian Dater

The Denver Post

Posted: 07/03/2013 11:45:00 AM MDT

News item: The Philadelphia Flyers gave Vincent Lecavalier a five-year, $22.5 million contract Tuesday.

Item: Lecavalier got a $32.67 million buyout from the Tampa Bay Lightning a few days before.

Just so this is straight: The Flyers gave a 33-year-old player a big, long-term contract right after another team paid a massive sum for that same player to go away.

This is why there are lockouts every few years in the NHL, folks.

Philly's deal with Lecavalier proves again the owners can't help themselves.

More proof of that will come Friday, when the league's free-agency period begins. Owners will overspend on players they think are the answers to their Stanley Cup dreams, then want to unload many of those players in the same manner that just had them handing out more than $100 million in compliance buyouts.

Reports Wednesday had Boston giving goalie Tuukka Rask an eight-year, $56 million deal. Hey, he's a good goalie, but you know darn well the Bruins overpaid and will regret that contract at some point.

It just seems like it's the new normal in pro sports: Team A signs XYZ player to massive contract, only later to say, "We gotta unload this contract; it's killin' us."

The Lecavalier signing is a beauty, though. The Flyers now have zero cap flexibility, and they haven't addressed severe defensive problems. The Flyers bought out the contract of forward Daniel Briere a few days ago, only to replace him by overpaying to get another bought-out player. Makes sense.

This is the financial handiwork of "Mister" Ed Snider, one of the henchmen of previous lockouts when the owners pleaded poverty to the players.

"Mister" Snider also had to sign off on a buyout of goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. The Flyers will be paying Breezer $23 million over the next 14 years not to play.

There ought to be a new reality show. Call it "The Flyers Buyout Club." It's got a great pitch: "Watch as former Philadelphia Flyers go on spending sprees with their annual checks from Mister Ed Snider, all the while playing against Mister Snider's team. See Ilya Bryzgalov windsurf in St. Bart's, with dollar bills stitched together from Flyer paychecks. See Daniel Briere light a cigar with burning hundred dollar bills."

I see this as a franchise series, guaranteed to have a fresh new cast every couple years.

Adrian Dater

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.04.2013

683669 Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL: Jackets move on to free-agent options

By Aaron Portzline

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday July 3, 2013 6:43 AM

The Blue Jackets were unable to acquire a proven NHL scorer during draft weekend, but general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is undaunted.

“We’re going to add a scoring forward, one way or the other,” Kekalainen said. “We have some good plans and a great opportunity ahead of us.”

The process begins today, when a two-day window opens for the Blue Jackets and 29 other NHL clubs to make their pitch to unrestricted free agents. Contracts cannot be signed until Friday.

Although Kekalainen would not reveal names, there is a cluster of players who would appear to fill the bill. The Blue Jackets want to sign one forward.

David Clarkson (New Jersey), Nathan Horton (Boston), Viktor Stalberg (Chicago) and Valtteri Filppula (Detroit) make a lot of sense. Danny Briere (Philadelphia), Pascal Dupuis (Pittsburgh), Damien Brunner (Detroit), Ryane Clowe (New York Rangers) and Clarke MacArthur (Toronto) will draw attention, too.

“The top guys, you’re going to try to have them visit,” Kekalainen said. “You won’t fly the whole list in, but if we have interest in a player and they have interest in us, we’ll do what we need to do. We’re going to go after the No. 1 guy on our list, and if he doesn’t want to come, we’ll scratch him off and go to the next.”

Kekalainen said the Blue Jackets would like to add size to their cast of forwards, but not size alone.

“If you ask anybody, they’d take a 6-5 guy who scores 30 goals over a 5-8 guy who scores 30 goals,” Kekalainen said. “But me personally, I prefer the small guys who play with big heart to the big guys who are less passionate.”

The Blue Jackets are about $8 million under the NHL salary cap after re-signing winger Blake Comeau to a one-year, $1 million contract yesterday. Kekalainen said they wouldn’t spend up to the cap, but it’s reasonable they will spend $4 million to $5 million on the right player.

If the Blue Jackets find free agency to be fruitless, they still have two other possibilities. Kekalainen said the trade market has remained warm as general managers left Newark, N.J., from the draft.

“When you trade, you’re talking about giving up some kind of a commodity, maybe a player off your roster,” Kekalainen said. “The benefit of free agency is you just get the player. But we’ll go about this however we have to. There are lots of options.”The Jackets had talks last week with St. Louis regarding forward David Perron, but nothing has happened yet. They also spoke with Boston about young center Taylor Seguin, but it’s unclear whether the Bruins are really serious about trading him. If so, the Jackets would get in line with several other clubs.

The other option is a familiar name: Vinny Prospal, the Blue Jackets’ leading forward the past two seasons, becomes a free agent on Friday. Prospal has stated numerous times, lately with a tinge of frustration, that he wants to return to the Blue Jackets and finish his career in Columbus.

But management has put him on hold, hoping free agency or the trade market can bear fruit.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.04.2013

683670 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets notebook: Winger Comeau agrees to one-year deal

By Aaron Portzline

The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday July 3, 2013 6:43 AM

Within days of his trade from the Calgary Flames to the Blue Jackets in April, left winger Blake Comeau decided that he wanted to stick around.

Yesterday, he signed a one-year, $1 million contract and avoided unrestricted free agency on Friday.

“Blake is a dependable two-way forward who combines physical play with ability in the offensive zone,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “We liked what we saw from him at the end of last season, as he fit in very well with our team.”

Comeau, 27, had two goals, three assists, six penalty minutes and a plus-5 rating in nine games with the Blue Jackets, who gave up a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft to acquire him. With the Flames, he had four goals, three assists and a minus-9 rating in 33 games.

He is expected to play on the third or fourth line but has shown a scoring touch. In the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with the New York Islanders, he scored 41 goals.

Comeau is vacationing in Hawaii and could not be reached for comment.

This past season, as the Blue Jackets were in the midst of a 19-5-5 run, Comeau said he was pleasantly surprised by his new digs.

“The moment I walked into the room, I could feel a really tight group of guys, guys focused on winning,” he said. “It inspires me. It’s something I want to be a part of, and I hope it works out that way.”

Gillies, others set free

The Blue Jackets declined to offer five of their restricted free agents qualifying offers by the deadline yesterday, making them unrestricted free agents on Friday.

Right winger Colton Gillies, who played 65 games with the Blue Jackets the past two seasons, was the most notable.

Per the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, Gillies’ qualifying offer from the Blue Jackets would have required a one-way, $715,000 salary. He will likely sign a two-way contract this month where he will make different salaries at the NHL and minor-league levels.

Others not qualified include goaltenders Allen York and Patrick Killeen and defensemen Theo Ruth and Steven Delisle.

Slap shots

All eight recent draft picks will attend the Blue Jackets’ development camp on July 9-12 in the Nationwide Arena Ice Haus. Defenseman Ryan Murray and center Boone Jenner will attend, too. … The Blue Jackets traded winger Drew Olson to Tampa Bay for future considerations. Olson, a fourth-round pick (No. 118 overall) in 2008, spent the past four years at Minnesota-Duluth.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.04.2013

683671 Dallas Stars

Free agency begins Friday, but there is another route the Stars can take to acquire a No. 1 center

MIKE HEIKA

Published: 03 July 2013 10:53 PM

Updated: 03 July 2013 11:08 PM

With the Stars missing out on free-agent center Vincent Lecavalier, who signed with Philadelphia, Dallas might seek help at that position through a trade.

Stars general manager Jim Nill has stated that he would like to move Jamie Benn back to left wing — his natural position — but that requires the acquisition of at least two centers.

Could a trade be the way to get the most talent?

It would come at a price, but the Stars seem to have assets to give up for the right player.

If you want to include anyone from a group of young forwards that includes Alex Chiasson, Brett Ritchie, Reilly Smith, Scott Glennie or more, you have some intriguing names to entice other teams.

If you want to dangle a defenseman like Jamie Oleksiak, you probably can overcome that loss in the future.

And if you want to bring veteran players like Loui Eriksson, Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski into the talks, you could even do that.

So, let’s look at centers who could be available and see if there is a fit for a Stars trade:

Paul Stastny, Colorado: A solid forward with good leadership skills, Stastny, 27, has a couple of issues.

First, he has struggled to produce points in recent years on a bad Avalanche team. He had 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 40 games last season.

The bigger problem is he has one year left on his contract at $6.6 million, then can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. If you give up something good to get him, you have to get a contract extension done.

Tyler Seguin, Boston: With Boston working on long-term contract extensions for Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask after the Stanley Cup finals, it’s looking like Seguin could be available.

Seguin will start a six-year contract that averages $5.75 million next season, a high price to pay for someone who is playing out of position on the right wing and is struggling to put up points at times. Seguin had 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 48 games last season, but had only eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 22 playoff games.

Seguin was taken second overall in 2010, and there are many who believe he can be a legitimate No. 1 center in the NHL.

Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier, Philadelphia: The Flyers are set at No. 1 and No. 2 center with Claude Giroux and Lecavalier, so could they dish one of their younger centers?

Couturier, 20, is a skilled set-up man who tallied 96 points in back-to-back seasons in junior hockey. Schenn, 22, showed some offensive skill in his AHL stint this year, tallying 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 33 games with Adirondack during the lockout.

Sam Gagner, Edmonton: The son of former Stars center Dave Gagner, Sam turns 24 in August and already has played 414 NHL games. He had 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games for Edmonton last season.

Gagner is a restricted free agent who made $3.2 million last season. He can become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he signs a one-year deal.

He falls into the Stastny category, where the Stars should be sure of their future with him before they make a trade.

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.04.2013

683672 Dallas Stars

Stars sign defenseman Jordie Benn to three-year contract

By Mike Heika / Reporter

[email protected]

4:20 pm on July 3, 2013 | Permalink

Here is the press release:

DALLAS STARS SIGN JORDIE BENN TO THREE-YEAR CONTRACT

FRISCO, Texas – Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the team has signed defenseman Jordie Benn to a three-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Benn, 25, concluded the 2012-13 season with six points (1G-5A) in 26 games for Dallas. He scored his first career NHL goal on March 23, 2013 against the Colorado Avalanche. On the season, he earned four of his six points on home ice at the American Airlines Center.

In addition to his time in Dallas, Benn also skated in 43 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas’ top development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He finished fourth amongst team defensemen in points (7G-14A-21P) on the season.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Victoria, British Columbia was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Dallas on July 1, 2011.


683673 Dallas Stars

Should Stars concentrate on trade to solve center problem?


[email protected]

11:52 am on July 3, 2013

While we all mull over the possible free agent centers out there and even ponder a return of Mike Ribeiro or Derek Roy, maybe the answer to the Stars’ center hole is in a trade and not free agency.

Now, the cost of a trade is prospects and top players, but it might be a cost that’s worth it when you consider the Stars really need a No. 1 center, and those are hard to come by.

On the positive side, Cody Hodgson, Brayden Schenn and Kyle Turris have all been traded recently. Hodgson was pretty much dealt for Zack Kassian in a four-player deal between Buffalo and Vancouver. Turris went from Phoenix to Ottawa for David Rundblad and a second round pick. And Schenn was at the center of the Mike Richards deal between the Kings and Flyers. The Stars have that kind of currency and can make those kinds of trades.

If you want to include any of the forwards from Alex Chiasson to Brett Ritchie to Reilly Smith to Scott Glennie, you have some intriguing names. And if you make a deal, you still have some intriguing names left over in the Stars’ deep pool of winger prospects. If you want to dangle a defenseman like Jamie Oleksiak, you probably can overcome that loss. And if you want to bring players like Loui Eriksson, Trevor Daley or Alex Goligoski into the talks, you could even do that.

This team has options, and it can recover from the loss of a winger or a defenseman. But it needs centers. It has to have centers going forward, and you can argue that the free agent crop is just sort of OK.

So, let’s look at the teams with too many centers and see if there is a fit for a Stars trade out there:

Paul Stastny, Colorado _ A solid two-way forward with good leadership skills, Stastny, 27, has a couple of issues. One, he has struggled to produce points in recent years on a bad Avalanche team. He had 24 points (9G, 15A) in 40 games last season. He has 70-point potential and has hit that level three times in his career, so he could just need a change of venue. The bigger problem is he has one year left on his contract at $6.6 million and then can become an unrestricted free agent next summer. If you give up something good to get him, you have to get a contract extension done. And there are some who believe Stastny has to take a pay cut for a long-term deal. That could be tricky.

Tyler Seguin _ With news coming out of Boston that they have long-term contract extensions for Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask to negotiate following the Stanley Cup finals, it’s starting to look like Seguin could be available. He will start a six-year contract that averages $5.75 million next season, and that’s a high price to pay for someone who is playing out of position on the right wing and is struggling to put up points at times. Seguin had 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 48 games last season, but had only eight points (1 goal, 7 Assists) in 22 playoff games. Still, he is a right-handed center who was taken second overall in 2010, and there are many who believe he can be a legitimate No. 1 center in the NHL.

Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier _ The Flyers clearly are set at No. 1 and No. 2 center with Claude Giroux and Vincent Lecavalier, so are they happy using these talented centers either on the third line or on the wing? Both are entering the final season of their entry-level contracts, so they will become restricted free agents after next season and will likely require significant raises. Should the Flyers keep them because they are cheap, or should they get ahead of the wave and move them now? Couturier, 20, is a skilled set-up man who tallied 96 points in back-to-back seasons in junior hockey. Schenn, 22, is more of a two-way center, but he showed some offensive skill in his AHL stint this year, tallying 33 points (13G, 20) in 33 games with Adirondack during the lockout. He also had nine points (3G, 6A) in 11 playoff games for the Flyers in 2012.

Sam Gagner _ The son of former Stars center Dave Gagner, Sam turns 24 in August and already is a veteran NHL player. He has 414 career games with 258 points (91G, 167A). He had 38 points (14G, 24A) in 48 games for Edmonton last season. Gagner is a restricted free agent who made $3.2 million last season, but whoever has him might want to get him under contract for a while this summer _ he can become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he signs just a one-year deal. He falls into the Stastny

category here, where the Stars should be sure of their future with him before they make any trades.

Any other trade targets you think the Stars should be looking at?


683674 Dallas Stars

Signings of MacDermid, Gazdic show that Stars’ new front office still believes in role of tough guy


[email protected]

8:44 am on July 3, 2013

Lane MacDermid and Luke Gazdic are fighters. It’s not all they do, but it is a strong element of their game, and a key reason they have pro contracts.

And that’s fine with new Stars’ GM Jim Nill.

When the Stars announced the signings of MacDermid and Gazdic to one-year, two-way contracts on Tuesday, Nill admitted it was because he likes to have some enforcers in the organization.

“Yes, there definitely is a place for that role, and I think every organization will have that player somewhere in the organization,” Nill said.

MacDermid was acquired from Boston in the Jaromir Jagr trade, and has the best chance to play for the Stars next season. He’s 6-3, 205 pounds and looked good in his six games with Dallas last season, scoring two goals. However, his history shows him as an enforcer and physical winger. He had 17 goals, 29 assists and 516 penalty minutes in 249 games with AHL Providence.

Gazdic was drafted by the Stars in 2007 and has been a regular in the minors for Dallas. He is listed at 6-3, 228. Gazdic has yet to play an NHL game, but the Stars clearly like having him at the ready. In 256 AHL games, he has 27 goals, 28 assists, and 447 penalty minutes.

Dallas has not been afraid to fight, and has lineup regulars like Jamie Benn, Brenden Dillon and Vern Fiddler who are willing to drop the gloves. The Stars ranked seventh in the NHL in fights last season with 26.

That means Nill will be careful with his deployment of players known primarily for fighting. That’s one of the reasons he wanted to have players on two-way contracts. But he said, he is not afraid to use the two wingers as regular fourth liners when they do play.

“The league is one in which you want to be able to play all four lines, so that’s clearly something you think about,” Nill said of the decision to sign both Gazdic and MacDermid. “You want options. These players might not always be in the lineup, but we want the option of using them, and we want them to be ready to skate a regular shift.”

If you want to see some of their fight history, check them out here.


683675 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars sign older Benn to three-year deal

Posted Wednesday, Jul. 03, 2013

From wire reports

The Dallas Stars signed defenseman Jordie Benn to a three-year contract, preventing the older brother of Stars winger Jamie Benn from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Benn, 25, had one goal and five assists in 26 games for Dallas this season. He also played 43 games for the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Victoria, British Columbia was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Dallas on July 1, 2011.

Stoll hospitalized after seizure

Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering a seizure.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Stoll fell ill at his Hermosa Beach, Calif., home.

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told the Times that he visited Stoll in the hospital and the “bottom line is that he’s fine. Now the issue is what caused it.”

Stoll, 31, missed all but the first game of the Kings’ second-round playoff series against San Jose after suffering a concussion following a hit by Raffi Torres. Stoll returned in time for the Western Conference Finals against the ChicagoBlackhawks.

Stoll also suffered a concussion during the 2006-07 season while playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Ovechkin makes two A-S teams

Washington’s Alex Ovechkin is an NHL first-team All-Star for the sixth time, but his first as a right wing, in voting by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. Despite playing only four of 48 games this season at left wing, Ovechkin earned enough votes at the position to qualify for second-team honors as well.

Ovechkin, who won his third Hart Trophy as MVP this season, was a five-time choice at left wing. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, a second-time selection to the first team, is the only other player in this year’s class to have made it before. The first-timers include Pittsburgh left wing Chris Kunitz, defensemen P.K. Subban of Montreal and Ryan Suter of Minnesota, and Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, the Vezina Trophy winner.

Joining Ovechkin on the second team were right wing Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay, Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, defensemen Kris Letang of Pittsburgh and Francois Beauchemin of the Anaheim Ducks, and New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, last year’s Vezina winner.

Veterans shuffled

Defenseman Tom Gilbert is on his way out in Minnesota, Nick Leddy is back with Chicago, and the Islanders have parted ways with goalie Rick DiPietro’s long contract.

NHL teams scrambled to subtract and add before the free-agent signing period opens Friday.

Gilbert was one of five players waived for the purpose of contract buyouts. The others were Vancouver defenseman Keith Ballard, Detroit defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, Nashville forward Sergei Kostitsyn, and Buffalo forward Nathan Gerbe.

Briefs

• Bruins: General manager Peter Chiarelli is confident he will reach a deal to re-sign goalie Tuukka Rask. Chiarelli said he would consider re-signing veteran forward Jaromir Jagr now that the team expects to lose Nathan Horton in free agency.

• Coyotes: After Tuesday night’s Glendale, Ariz., City Council vote (4-3) in favor of an arena lease agreement with Renaiassance Sports and Entertainment, the Phoenix Coyotes will finally be on even financial footing with the rest of the league. Renaissance Sports and Entertainment reached an agreement to buy the team in May, a deal contingent upon reaching a lease agreement for Jobing.com Arena.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 07.04.2013

683676 Dallas Stars

Dickinson looking to make an impression at Stars development camp

Posted Wednesday, Jul. 03, 2013

By Travis L. Brown

Special to the Star-Telegram

In the NHL, development has become a lifeline.

On Sunday, the Dallas Stars selected forward Jason Dickinson as their second pick in the first round of the NHL Draft, 29th overall.

Now that Dickinson has been drafted, the second part of the process begins — development.

Under the NHL’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, negotiated during the lockout last season, teams are forced to win from within.

Dickinson gets a chance to experience Texas as he makes his first venture into both state and city for the Stars’ development camp to be held today through Wednesday at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Frisco.

“All I think about is heat and country music,” Dickinson said.

The 6-foot-1, 179-pound forward adds depth to one of the organization’s weaknesses, the center position, but he can play all three forward positions. He had 47 points, including 18 goals, with Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League last season.

During the 2011-12 season, Dickinson picked up 35 points and was an all-second team selection in the OHL.

“He’s intriguing,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. “He has a Ryan Kesler game to him. We like his size and his puck skills, and he can play a physical game. He’s someone we had ranked pretty high.”

However, once a player is scratched off a team’s draft board, ranking means little when it comes to seeing ice time in the NHL. For the Stars’ new management, almost every player must be a three- to five-year project, Nill said.

“That’s something I’m very strict on,” Nill said. “We have to be patient. You can’t rush kids. You just can’t. Patience is a word that’s lost in our game, and it’s something we have to be strict with ourselves on. A surprise is great but the biggest thing is, don’t break the chain.”

During the week-long development camp, Dickinson will sport the new Dallas Stars logo on his sweater while learning the Stars’ system. He also will begin a conditioning program and learn the team’s expectations. After Wednesday, Stars fans most likely won’t see that logo on his chest again until next season’s development camp.

“[The Stars] are young and have young talent, and it gives me a great opportunity to break into the lineup early,” Dickinson said.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 07.04.2013

683677 Detroit Red Wings

Three draft picks will join Red Wings' camp in Traverse City

5:43 PM, July 3, 2013 |

By Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Camp time

What: Red Wings’ prospects camp.

Where: Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City.

When: July 10-15. The only activity July 12 will be a scrimmage from 5-7 p.m., followed by a day off for the players July 13.

Tickets: Fans can attend the first day of camp for free. Tickets for each remaining day cost $5 and are sold exclusively at Centre ICE Arena.

Next week offers a chance to see future Red Wings stars, as the team will hold a development camp for the next generation.

The prospects camp — slated to include one regular by the name of Darren Helm — is scheduled for July 10-15 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, site of the club’s annual training camp in September.

The very freshest faces will be there: Forward Anthony Mantha, selected 20th overall this past Sunday at the NHL draft, as well as both of the Wings’ second-round picks, forwards Zach Nastasiuk and Tyler Bertuzzi, nephew of Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi. Others include future NHL defensemen Ryan Sproul and Xavier Ouellet, and WCHA defenseman of the year Nick Jensen, along with forwards Martin Frk and Luke Glendening (East Grand Rapids).

It’s a youth-oriented group, obviously, that takes center stage, but the teenagers will be joined this summer by Helm, a grizzled 26 years of age. Helm injured his back while working out in January, and ended up making just a brief appearance in one game. He went through a cycle of staying off the ice, skating, suffering a setback repeatedly during the season, but many visits to different doctors kept showing no structural damage.

Now the next stop is to see how Helm handles being on the ice for several days at prospects camp. And, of course, for the team to get a look at who might be ready to join the Detroit group down the road.

There’s free admission on the first day, which features on-ice workouts by the Lidstrom Group and the Yzerman Group; after that, a $5 charge daily.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.04.2013


Detroit Red Wings put Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers, first step to buyout

2:21 PM, July 3, 2013 |

By Helene St. James

In the end, the Detroit Red Wings ended up buying out just one player: Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.

Colaiacovo became expendable when the Wings landed Danny DeKeyser in March, so with this week's deadline for implementing compliance buyouts, the Wings put Colaiacovo on waivers Wednesday, the first step in the buyout process.

Colaiacovo, 30, had one year left at $2.85 million on the deal he signed last September. Various injuries limited him to appearances in just six games in the regular season, nine in the playoffs. He had fallen so far on the depth chart by April that when DeKeyser got hurt two games into the first-round series against Anaheim, coach Mike Babcock at first inserted rookie Brian Lashoff ahead of Colaiacovo.

The Wings considered buying out either Mikael Samuelsson or Todd Bertuzzi, after both forwards spent much of last season injured. That became less likely this week, however, once prices for this summer's rather limited crop of quality free agent forwards came into focus. Vincent Lecavalier's $4.5 million average wasn't prohibitive, but no one except the Philadelphia Flyers wanted to give him the five-year deal he wanted.

New Jersey's David Clarkson is pushing for seven years and somewhere in the $6 million range, and with Boston's Nathan Horton, it's not so much price as the fact he wants to play someplace warm.

The Wings have 12 forwards under contract for next season, and will add two when restricted free agents Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson get new contracts. They plan to carry 14 forwards next season, but remain interested in adding someone new – like Stephen Weiss – and are continuing negotiations with two of their own UFAs, Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner.



Helene St. James: No great deals for Detroit Red Wings in this year's free agency market

July 4, 2013 |

By Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

These are heady times in hockey, when America’s birthday coincides with a chance to engage in free market economics and a gamble at improving a team for an event nine months away.

The Red Wings are shoppers, but they may be more of the look-and-leave behind kind, because this summer’s goods aren’t overly enticing, not at the prices being demanded anyway. The only real pressing need is for offensive help, and Stephen Weiss, a 20-goal scorer out of Florida, remains a target.

Teams were able to start to talking to all free agents on Wednesday, and can agree to terms at any time, but nothing can be made official until Friday. That’s a change of pace from prior years, when everything — talking and signing — began at noon on July 1. Signing day was moved to July 5 to make the process a little less hectic and a little more democratic.

Here’s a look at what’s going on with the Wings this week.

Are the Wings looking at anyone? They like Weiss, a former first-round pick who once upon a time honed his skills with the Plymouth Whalers. Weiss, 30, has been a pretty consistent goal-scorer in his career with the Panthers, but was limited to 17 games last season by a wrist injury. He’s a center, and the Wings are looking for a second-line middle man, which would enable them to play Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the same line. Weiss is a slick passer who has reached at least 28 assists in each of his last six full seasons.

What’s new with the Wings own UFAs? They remain in talks with Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner. Cleary is looking for three years at $3 million per season, while Brunner is looking for around $2.5 million per season, also in a multi-year deal. Negotiations with Valtteri Filppula have revealed a wide gap in valuation.

What do the Wings have in the way of salary cap room? They freed up $2.85 million by using one of two compliance buyouts on defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo. That puts their cap payroll about $10.5 million below next season’s $64.3 million ceiling. A chunk of that, though, will go toward keeping restricted free agents Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson and Brendan Smith.

Why aren’t the Wings getting any of the bigger names out there? Because they all want too much. Vincent Lecavalier wanted a five-year contract. There were almost a dozen teams interested in him, and all but the Philadelphia Flyers balked at giving a slow-paced 33-year-old that much term. The Wings would have given Lecavalier $4.5 million per if he’d taken a two-year deal. Boston’s Nathan Horton is hotly pursued, but he wants to play someplace warm. New Jersey’s David Clarkson is pushing for a seven-year deal in the $6 million per season range.

Have the Wings lost their appeal as a go-to destination? The Wings are willing to pay when the player is worth it — they just extended Datsyuk for $22.5 million and three years, for example. They didn’t lose out on Ryan Suter or Zach Parise because of money. They would have matched what the Wild gave each player last summer (13 years, $98 million). They lost out on those two because Parise is from Minneapolis and Suter is from Madison, Wisc., and his wife is from Bloomington, Minn. They both opted to play at or near what is home for them. Just like Danny DeKeyser did when he picked the Wings out of all the suitors he had in March. Can’t control geography.

Do the Wings need to worry about bulking up? The Wings are shifting to the Eastern Conference next year, meaning more games with the Bruins, who, granted, are what some describe as tough and others as dirty (and still they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago). But is Florida overly physical? Tampa Bay? Ottawa? Buffalo? Montreal? Carolina, Columbus, the Islanders or Pittsburgh? This is not an issue that concerns the Wings one iota, other than to delight over shorter travel.

If the Wings don’t get anyone new this summer, will they miss the playoffs? Well, that was what many thought this past season, after the defense lost both Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart. And yet the Wings made the playoffs for a 22nd straight season, and they made it to the second round, further than Minnesota, the team that added both of last summer’s two prize free agents in Parise and Suter. The Wild won one game in the playoffs. The Wings won seven. And much of what the Wings did was done without DeKeyser, who should make a big impact as a full-time player next season. Maybe the Wings add someone new now, maybe it happens via trade during the season.

At this point, they are still a team with Datsyuk and Zetterberg, with Jimmy Howard and with an improved defense (because of DeKeyser) than the one that finished with the fifth-best goals-against average in the NHL last season. Optimism for the win.



Decision time comes for Red Wings free agents

Ted Kulfan

The Detroit News

Detroit— A busy day Wednesday will lead to another busy Thursday ...

And the next.

As expected, the Red Wings placed defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers to begin the process of officially buying him out Thursday, using one of their two compliance buyouts allowed under the collective bargaining agreement.

Signed to a two-year contract worth $5 million late last summer, Colaiacovo was limited to six games because of a shoulder injury and saw other players pass him on the depth chart.

“Players such as Jakub Kindl and Danny DeKeyser got an opportunity to play, and played very well,” general manager Ken Holland said.

The Red Wings will pay two-thirds of Colaiacovo’s remaining $2.85 million salary over the next two years. In turn, Colaiacovo becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Holland, who said he will not use the other compliance buyout, spent the majority of Wednesday contacting agents for approximately six players the team is interested in signing, as well as his own free agents. Players can sign Friday.

One target is Panthers center Stephen Weiss, who played in 17 games last season (four points, one goal) before season-ending wrist surgery.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition for centers, teams are looking for centers,” said Holland, who’ll need someone to replace Valtteri Filppula, who likely is leaving.

As for his own players, Holland said he offered contracts to to Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner, both of whom can be unrestricted free agents Friday.

“They know we’d like them back,” Holland said.

Brunner scored 10 goals in the first 19 games last season, but had two the final 25 before rebounding in the playoffs (fiv e goals in 14 games).

“Yes, teams have called about Damien Brunner and important decisions will have to be made between now and Friday,” Brunner’s agent, Neil Sheehy, wrote in an e-mail.

Cleary told Holland he wants to see what the level of interest is around the league before committing.

McCollum re-signs

The Red Wings re-signed goaltender Thomas McCollum to a minor-league deal and didn’t re-sign goaltender Jordan Pearce.

McCollum joins goaltenders Petr Mrazek, Jake Paterson and Jared Coreau under contract in the minors.

Detroit News LOADED: 07.04.2013


Red Wings place defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers as prelude to a buyout

By Ansar Khan | [email protected]

on July 03, 2013 at 2:01 PM, updated July 03, 2013 at 2:04 PM

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings placed defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on unconditional waivers today, as expected, for the purposes of buying him out.

If Colaiacovo clears at noon on Thursday, the Red Wings will buy out the final year of his contract, clearing $2.5 million from their 2013-14 salary cap with no penalty.

Colaiacovo, 30, would receive two-thirds of his $2.85 million salary (roughly $1.9 million) spread out over the next two seasons. He would become an unrestricted free agent.

Teams are allowed a total of two compliance buyouts, which can be used this year or next year. This year's deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.

The Red Wings are not planning any other compliance buyouts this year.

Michigan Live LOADED: 07.04.2013


Red Wings free agent focus: Stephen Weiss primary target to replace Valtteri Filppula on second line


on July 03, 2013 at 7:01 AM

(MLive.com periodically will profile a potential Detroit Red Wings free-agent target until the start of free agency Friday).

Stephen Weiss

2012-13 team: Florida

Position: Center

Height/Weight: 5-11/190

Age: 30

Shoots: Left

2012-13 stats: (regular season) 17 games, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, minus-13 rating, 25 penalty minutes, averaged 18:27 in ice time.

Career stats: (regular season) 654 games, 145 goals, 249 assists, 394 points, minus-17 rating, 313 penalty minutes; (playoffs) 7 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points, even rating, 6 penalty minutes.

2012-13 salary: $4.1 million.

Strengths: Good skater with offensive skills, the ability to set up teammates or finish himself. He has scored 20 or more goals four times in the past seven seasons. He's a two-way player. He has improved over the years in the faceoff circle, winning about 53 percent of his draws in recent seasons.

Weaknesses: Lacks size and strength.

Notable: Missed the final 26 games of the season due to a wrist injury. … He was the fourth overall selection by the Panthers in the 2001 entry draft. … Was often referred to as “Weisserman'' because of his similarities to former Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman. … Has appeared in the playoffs only once, in 2012, when the Panthers lost to the Devils in seven games in the first round. …. Toronto native who played three seasons with the Plymouth Whalers (OHL).

Why he would interest the Red Wings: They will need a second-line center to replace Valtteri Filppula, who is all but certain to leave as a free agent. Weiss has offensive ability and is good defensively.

How he could fit in with the Red Wings: He would center the second line, enabling Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg to play together on the top line. He would play on the power play and penalty killing units as well.

What it might take to get him: Long-term deal (perhaps four years) at about $4.5 million a season.

It's a thin free-agent class. The Red Wings likely will need a second-line center. Is Weiss the best option? Are you concerned about his lack of size? Should they pursue someone like Mike Ribeiro, who is older (33) and would cost more but also has more offensive ability? Or, should they target a winger instead?



Red Wings begin exploratory talks with free agents, including Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, couple defensemen


on July 04, 2013 at 12:01 AM, updated July 04, 2013 at 1:44 AM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings management team began working the phone lines Wednesday, contacting representatives of several free agents to express interest and get a feel for what those players are seeking.

The free agency signing period begins Friday at noon.

The Red Wings' top priority is a second-line center, barring a breakthrough in negotiations with Valtteri Filppula that have yielded little progress.

The Red Wings have had exploratory talks with the agents for Stephen Weiss (Florida), Mike Ribeiro (Washington) and Matt Cullen (Minnesota), among others.

The small but skilled Weiss (5-11, 190) is their top priority because he can score, set up teammates and plays well defensively. He's likely seeking a five-year deal for between $4.5 million and $5 million per season.

Ribeiro is the leading scorer in this thin free-agent class, coming off a 13-goal, 49-point season. He is a creative playmaker with good hands and can agitate opponents despite his slight frame (6-0, 177). But, his ability to play with pace and defensive game are concerns. Plus, he's 33 and said to be seeking a five-year deal worth $5 million a season.

The Red Wings continue talking to Filppula's agent, but it doesn't appear as if he's lowered his asking price of 5-7 years at $5 million or more a season.

Tampa Bay and Columbus might have interest. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman knows Filppula well from his days in Detroit. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen also has ties with Filppula, his fellow Finnish native.

If the Red Wings lose Filppula and are unable to land Weiss or Ribeiro, they might offer Cullen a short-term deal (two years). He is 36, but is a decent skater and playmaker and can play all forward positions. But, he has limited offensive ability.

The Red Wings have some interest in right wing Jarome Iginla, who brings many desirable qualities (offense, toughness, leadership), but also raises some concerns (he's 36 and has a lot of mileage). Detroit wasn't on his list of four teams he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join when Calgary dealt him to Pittsburgh late in the season.

Detroit is not prepared to make huge offers to top free agents David Clarkson (New Jersey) or Nathan Horton (Boston). Clarkson could command a seven-year deal worth more than $5 million per season. Horton reportedly is seeking $6 million or more a season.

Horton visited Columbus on Wednesday, contradicting reports that he's only interested in playing in a warm-weather city.

The Red Wings are hoping to re-sign their own free-agent wingers, Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner, who also began talks with other clubs on Wednesday.

Unlike previous years, the new CBA allows teams to talk to players and their representatives 48 hours prior to the start of free agency.

In the meantime, teams are getting an idea of what kind of term and salary a player is seeking and players are learning more about the clubs that are pursuing them. It enables both sides to gain information and digest it for a couple of days instead of having to make a quick decision when free agency begins.

The Red Wings also spoke to the agents for defensemen Andrew Ference (Boston) and Marek Zidlicky (New Jersey).

They have seven defensemen after putting Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers Wednesday for the purpose of buying out his contract on Thursday, so they don't need anybody else. But, they're also looking ahead to 2014-15, when they might have one or two holes to plug, with Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson eligible for free agency.

If the Red Wings acquire a defenseman, Quincey would seem to be the most likely candidate to be dealt.

The free-agent crop is particularly weak on defense, which might enable Ference, 34, to get a four-year deal worth around $3.5 million a season and Zidlicky, 36, a short-term pact for more than $4 million per season.



Red Wings waive goodbye to Carlo Colaiacovo

By CHUCK PLEINESS

Wednesday, July 3,2013

DETROIT – Carlo Colaiacovo simply got caught up in a numbers game.

The Detroit Red Wings placed the defenseman on unconditional waivers Wednesday with the intention of buying out the final year of his contract.

“When we signed him last September, there was no Danny DeKeyser, we weren’t sure on Jakub Kindl and we didn’t know where Brian Lashoff was,” Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a phone interview.

Colaiacovo, who was drafted 17th overall by Toronto in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, has one year left on a two-year deal he signed last offseason.

If he clears waivers at noon Thursday, the Wings will use one of their two amnesty buyouts to shed his $2.5 million salary-cap hit next season.

“So now we’re at the end of the year and we’ve got Lashoff in the seven hole, he’s a young kid, and we’re trying to go ahead with some kids,” Holland said. “DeKeyser is ahead of (Colaiacovo), Kindl is ahead of him so he’s expendable.”

Teams are permitted two amnesty buyouts that can be used this summer or next summer.

They would be able to buy out a player at two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract and not have any of the salary count against the salary cap.

Colaiacovo’s actual salary is $2.85 million next season, which means the Wings will pay him roughly $1.9 million over the next two seasons.

Colaiacovo, 30, was not the top-tier defenseman the Wings were looking for last offseason, but was the best option left on free-agent market.

The Wings were in need of a top four defenseman after losing Nicklas Lidstrom (retirement) and Brad Stuart (trade).

The Wings’ biggest concern when Colaiacovo signed was his health and that surfaced again this year.

Colaiacovo, who has yet to play more than 67 games in any season, played in just six regular season games after suffering a sprained left shoulder in just the second game of the lockout shortened season.

He wound up playing just six games during the regular season, recording an assist and was a minus-4.

His game seemed to pick up in the playoffs when he replaced Lashoff on the blue line, appearing in nine games. He had an assist and was a plus-3.

Detroit just re-signed restricted free agent Jakub Kindl to a four-year extension worth $9.6 million.

Kindl, 26, had four goals and nine assists in 41 games last season and was a plus-15, second only to Pavel Datsyuk (plus-21) on the team.

But in the end it was the emergence of DeKeyser and Lashoff that made Colaiacovo the odd-man out.

“Kindl got an opportunity to play and we thought he had a good season,” Holland said. “He’s 26 years of age. He had 13 points over a half season, he can play on the second power play and ultimately down the stretch and into the playoffs Kindl was in the lineup every night and Colaiacovo wasn’t.

“Lashoff got an opportunity to play, he’s 22 years of age, he played 25 straight games,” Holland added. “He’s a young player. There are some areas of his game that need to improve. He’s 6-foot-3, he played regular, he helped lead Grand Rapids to a championship and we signed him to a three-year deal at $750,000 a year. He’s a young player with a good contract.”

Detroit currently has six defensemen under contract for next season.

Brendan Smith is a restricted free agent and will get a deal done bringing the total to seven on the blue line heading to training camp.

With the buyout the Wings are in need of a veteran for Grand Rapids for insurance or they could try and swing a trade for a top four defenseman.

The Wings also have a number of defensemen coming up through the ranks, including Ryan Sproul, Xavier Oullette and Mattias Backman.

Wings change mind on McCollum

Detroit changed its mind at seemingly the last minute and made a qualifying offer to soon-to-be restricted free agent goalie Tom McCollum.

“We think he can play in the minor leagues,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said.

To make room for McCollum Detroit won’t make a contract offer to Jordan Pearce, who is an unrestricted free agent.

On Tuesday the team appeared to be heading to cutting ties with their former first round pick.

“(McCollum) was the backup in Grand Rapids,” Holland said. “He’s a first round pick. We won the Calder Cup championship down there and he helped that team get in the playoffs. You need five goalies in the system, everybody has five. We have five.”

McCollum, 23, was Detroit’s first-round pick in 2008 (30th overall) and was passed up this season by Petr Mrazek, who led the Griffins to a Calder Cup title.

Jake Paterson and Jared Coreau, who the Wings signed out of Northern Michigan in March, also passed McCollum on the depth chart.

Coreau is slated to back up Mrazek next season in Grand Rapids.

McCollum has played just one game with the Wings and it was a memorable one, but not a good memory. He allowed three goals on eight shots in 15 minutes of relief against St. Louis in 2011.

Pearce was a star at Notre Dame and was named the CCHA goalie of the year in 2007-08 and the following year he was a finalist for the CCHA MVP.

Pearce finished last season in Toledo of the ECHL. In 50 games in the minors he was 21-18-5 with a 3.01 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

Talks continue

The Wings continue to talk to their three remaining unrestricted free agents – Daniel Cleary, Damien Brunner and Valtteri Filppula.

“They’ve got two days to explore the landscape,” Holland said. “We’ll all wake up (Friday) morning and things will happen.”

“I don’t really sense that anyone is agreeing to anything, but that doesn’t mean they won’t agree to it tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow night or Friday morning, but I think right now everyone is in the exploratory mode,” Holland said.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 07.04.2013

683685 Edmonton Oilers

Did the Edmonton Oilers waste a pick when they drafted Evan Campbell on Sunday?

July 3, 2013. 4:00 am

Posted by:

Jonathan Willis

With the 128th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Oilers opted to select forward Evan Campbell, an overager playing in the BCHL.

It’s something the team has done a few times in recent years. While first-year eligible players in the BCHL selected by the Oilers have done okay (Riley Nash has played NHL games for Carolina, while Jujhar Khaira is tracking very well), the overagers the team has picked in recent years have not fared as well. Defenceman Kyle Bigos, taken in the fourth round of the 2009 Draft as a 20-year old BCHL’er, was not signed after completing his college career and is now an unrestricted free agent. Forward Kellen Jones, taken in the seventh round in 2010 as a 20-year old BCHL’er, is still in the system but seems unlikely to compete for NHL minutes.

With that kind of track record, why would the team pick another twice passed-over player still in the BCHL as a 20-year old? Was this the Oilers basically throwing away the pick?

Those were the questions running through my mind as the Oilers made the pick, so I decided to go back and look at how BCHL draft picks had turned out for NHL teams. The following chart shows every BCHL forward drafted between 2002 and 2008, along with a number representing their scoring in 20+ game seasons in that league in their first year of draft eligibility and the two following.

(The number is each player’s points per game, multiplied over an 82-game season, and then adjusted to a standard level of league offence – six goals per game. The multiplication by 82 games is simply for ease of reference; the adjustment is to make sure that players who participated in higher scoring years don’t have artificially superior numbers to players who skated in lower scoring years.)

BCHL draft picks

Players underlined are still active in North American professional hockey. Those in orange are guys with clear NHL careers, players in black text with a white background are guys who either flirted with the NHL or who still have time, and players in grey text are draft busts. The three columns on the right of the chart show the highest level of North American pro hockey each player competed in, as well as their career games played and points at that level.

The strange thing: there is very little correlation between BCHL scoring and results at the professional level. In junior, the correlation between scoring and NHL success is strong enough to rival draft position as an indicator of career ability; in the BCHL, there seems to be nearly no relationship.

We see extremely weak BCHL scorers such as David Jones go on to have a career that saw him spend time on an NHL scoring line; at the same time we see extremely strong BCHL scorers like Matt Butcher top out as ECHL’ers. The only possible conclusion from this data is that scoring numbers at the BCHL level are not reliable guides to future NHL success.

That’s certainly good news for Campbell, who was a decided late-bloomer for an NHL draft pick and who had a miserable 2011-12 season by the standards of this chart. He’s one of just five players on this list to play in the BCHL at age 20; it’s worth noting that one of the others, Brandon Yip, has gone on to have a pretty decent NHL career.

So, back to the question posed at the outset: was this a wasted pick? The data currently available does not permit any definite conclusion. We know it’s possible for players that struggled at times in the BCHL to have surprisingly good careers, and we know that 20-year old BCHL’ers have gone on to the majors. More than that, we know the Oilers’ scouting staff saw something in the 6’2” Campbell that made them interested enough to spend a mid-round pick to add him to the organization.

Right now, there’s no reason to believe that Campbell is anything other than fair value for the fifth round pick spent to acquire him.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Taylor Hall jobbed as Alex Ovechkin named to BOTH All-Star teams

July 3, 2013. 10:40 am

Posted by:

Bruce McCurdy

If there were any remaining questions that the NHL awards system is in serious need of an overhaul, they have been answered with today’s embarrassing revelation that the same player has made both of the season-ending All-Star teams … at two different positions. “Impossible!”, you say? Not for the Professional Hockey Writers Association, whose members collectively commited an epic faux pas.

Alex Ovechkin is a great player who had a great season, but he played all of it but four games at right wing after being switched in a highly-publicized and somewhat controversial move by incoming coach Adam Oates. A huge percentage of the “experts” charged with choosing the league’s best were entirely unaware of this despite all the headlines generated at the time, and apparently never watched Washington play any games either. When the votes were counted for the end-of-season All-Star team, Ovechkin was rightfully atop the list of right-wingers … but also ranked second among portsiders as well.

No fewer than 45 (!!) voters ignored a specific directive that “If you intend to vote for Ovechkin, please note that he has been playing RIGHT WING this season.” With 41 of those placing Ovi on the First All-Star team, he accrued just enough points to outscore eke out Taylor Hall for the second team spot. Here’s how the left wing voting broke down, as per Justin Bourne of Backhand Shelf:

AllStar

Kunitz (!!) was clearly the top choice, earning 145 votes in all. Ovechkin’s 45 votes trailed the 77 cast for Hall, 69 for Ladd, 67 for Zetterberg, and 60 for Nash, but the 5-3-1 points structure put him on the second team.

Collectively, Ovechkin accumulated 178 votes, the most of any NHLer (tied with P.K. Subban and one ahead of Sidney Crosby, consensus All-Stars both). Deservedly so for the league MVP, it’s just the distribution of those votes that raises eyebrows, with fully a quarter of them placing him in a position he barely played all season long. Alternatively, if Ovi really did figure out how to clone himself, he should be getting nominated for a Nobel Prize instead of mere All-Star teams.

There’s no real polite way to put this other than a significant fraction (25%!) of PHWA voters have crapped the bed. By apparently not watching games, reading any news, or following emailed directives, they have proven themselves to be incompetent to the task of selecting the league’s best.

The NHL has exacerbated the situation by simply accepting these votes as cast and not making allowances for the misinformation on which they were clearly based. In a situation that cries for an executive decision to fix the mess, it seems the league office doesn’t contain any executives capable of delivering one. Presumably if the NHL was going to fix the situation for 2013, they would have done so before this announcement, but they would be well served to revisit the situation, both retroactively to 2013 and going forward.

One unfortunate outcome, in Bourne’s words, was “robbing Taylor Hall of his rightful spot on the second team (and potentially some bonus money)”, reportedly $50,000 for an second team selection for players on their ELC. The blunder could have cost Hall as much as $2 million (prorated for the short season)had he not achieved his primary bonuses by barely achieving point thresholds.

I assure you this is not (just) sour grapes coming from an Oilers fan, but outrage from a lifelong follower of the game who has always placed value in the NHL awards, including All-Rookie and All-Star teams. Despite their flaws, they are one method of tracking the league’s history, and the cumulative accomplishments of a given player’s career. But this result is, in a word, irrational. But the PHWA and NHL found a way.

It’s odd that the voting process differentiates between left and right wing, but not between left and right defence. When it comes to rearguards, the top two make the first team and the next two are on the second team, regardless of where they actually line up. Perhaps it’s time for the NHL to expand that concept to wingers. Especially since the “experts” voting on the matter have proven utterly incapable of making the distinction.

A couple of historical footnotes, both with an Oilers connection. A variation of this problem occurred in the mid-1980s, when Edmonton winger Glenn

Anderson finished (if memory serves) third in voting at RW and fifth at LW. Had the votes been concentrated at one position he would have made the All-Star team.

Secondly, Ovechkin has joined Mark Messier as the only players in NHL history to make the First All-Star Team at two different positions. Messier did so as a left wing in 1982 and 1983, and as a centre in 1990 and 1992. A previously unique achievement that underscored Messier’s adaptability. But even Mark Messier wasn’t versatile enough to make both teams in the same season!

It stands to reason that some voters — many of them true experts who do take the process seriously — are not impressed with this outrageous outcome. Here’s what Bob McKenzie had to say on the matter:

AllStarBM

Key word: “embarrassing”. I’m embarrassed as a fan of the game for pete’s sake. The NHL has proven over the years that it doesn’t embarrass easily, but this outrage needs to be fixed.

ADD: For much more on this fiasco, including a spirited defence by a PHWA member citing the NHL’s failure to properly identify Ovechkin’s correct position in its own database, I recommend this post by Tyler Dellow on his blog mc79hockey.



Former Edmonton Oilers anthem singer Paul Lorieau dies (with video)

Local optometrist by day remembered for ‘great voice’; sang three decades before retirement in 2011

By Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal July 3, 2013

EDMONTON - The “great voice’ of the Edmonton Oilers has gone silent.

Paul Lorieau, who sang O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner for most of the Oilers’ home games for three decades, died on Tuesday surrounded by his family at the Norwood Care Centre.

Lorieau, who was 71, had battled esophageal cancer — the esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach — for some time. It was a sad turn of events for a man who was celebrated for his voice.

He entertained a huge television audience during the 2006 Stanley Cup final against the Carolina Hurricanes when he held out his microphone so Edmonton fans could sing the rest of O Canada after he sang a few lines.

A local optometrist by day, Lorieau had spent six weeks in hospital, with doctors taking out the esophagus, leaving a 14-inch incision. He lost 68 pounds, but in February thought he was on the mend.

“I had this condition for six years and last summer I’d get up from bed and I’d be choking on my food,” Lorieau said last February.

“It started with an ulcer and turned into cancer.”

Lorieau, a tenor who was born in Legal, Alta., sang recitals around the province in his younger days. He started singing the anthem at Rexall Place after Sharon Braun had the job during the Oilers days in the World Hockey Association and in 1979-80, the team’s first season in the NHL.

Bill Tuele, former head of public relations for the Oilers, first spotted Lorieau and fell in love with his powerful voice. Lorieau sang at Oilers games until April 2011 when he retired and Samantha King took over.

“He was iconic. He was the first guy, in my opinion, after (Montreal Canadiens’ famous) Roger Doucet to become iconic,” Tuele said.

“Rene Rancourt in Boston is like that now. Kate Smith singing in Philadelphia, obviously. Wayne Messmer in Chicago. The Mountie who sings in Ottawa,” he said.

Tuele went on a search for an anthem singer to replace Braun at the behest of former Oilers owner Peter Pocklington.

“Peter wanted to change the anthem singer after Sharon and I first hired a woman to sing, but the first night she did the American anthem and she

completely blew it. She couldn’t do the high note, her nerves got the best of her. Peter said to get rid of her, so I went to Plan 2.

“I learned that Paul was an operatic tenor singing in a French-Canadian church, went to see him and was blown away. He had a nice ringing voice. I asked him to sing the anthems for us and bingo,” said Tuele.

Lorieau, who always had a broad smile and a twinkle in his eye, became a star outside of Edmonton when he had fans at Rexall Place sing the anthem during the Cup final.

“He just came up with the idea. He was the first to do it,” said Tuele.

Lorieau initially wore a tuxedo, then turned to a beautiful suit on game nights.

“He was always impeccable. The well-turned out professional. Sometimes I would hire some guest anthem singers on game nights and had some remarkable ones, but Paul would come to the game even when they were supposed to sing just in case. One night I had the Australian folksinger who sang Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Rolf Harris, and he couldn’t sing the Canadian anthem,” said Tuele. “So Paul stepped in.”

“His voice was deteriorating about five years before I left the Oilers and I told Paul I was getting serious pressure to replace him and you know what he did? He went and took singing lessons to strengthen his voice,” said Tuele.

“I’m very sorry to hear Paul’s died. He had a great voice.”

Early Wednesday morning, the Oilers issued a statement on their website about Lorieau’s death.

It is with great sadness the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club has learned of the passing of longtime national anthem singer Paul Lorieau, who lost his battle with cancer in Edmonton, the statement said.

“Paul will be respected and remembered for being a key player in the history of the Edmonton Oilers. His passion and excitement became a staple at every Oilers home game for more than 30 years,” said Oilers President Patrick LaForge.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph’s Basilica on Monday, July 8th at 1:30 p.m.



‘Door is open’ for Russian prospect Daniil Zharkov to return to Edmonton Oilers one day

Third-round pick in 2012 will play in KHL this season after two seasons with OHL’s Belleville Bulls

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal July 3, 2013

EDMONTON - If Daniil Zharkov is going to find his way onto the Edmonton Oilers roster one day, it will be via the Kontinental Hockey League.

Zharkov has a two-year deal with Torpedo Nizhny Novogorod and will head to Russia early next week, cutting his stay at the Oilers development camp a day shorter than scheduled.

“I spoke with my agent and my dad and we decided to play in the K because it’s really a good opportunity to develop myself there. I’ll be playing pro hockey,” said the Oilers’ third-round pick in the 2012 entry draft.

It was hard not to recall the conversation in Pittsburgh the day thast Zharkov was drafted. He said then that he was going to continue to play in Canada, rather than consider a detour to Russia.

“I started calling myself Canadian,” he said last June. “Russian hockey is not my hockey any more. I don’t want to play in Russia.”

But after two years with the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League, after he was drafted by Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the 2012 KHL entry draft, Zharkov started to reconsider. He decided he was ready to try the pro game.

Metallurg traded his rights to Torpedo in May.

“It was a hard decision,” he said, “but it is a pretty impressive league and it is pro hockey.”

The 19-year-old forward had two options this year: either return to the OHL or go to the KHL. It was the same scenario that the Oilers faced with Nail Yakupov during the NHL lockout. He couldn’t be assigned to the American Hockey League because he still had eligibility, so if he was going to play, he had to return to the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, or play in the KHL.

The Oilers’ development team has since set Zharkov up with access to their website so they can keep tabs on his progress.

“I hope the door here is always open. I just have to show that I can compete at the pro level,” he continued Wednesday. “I know it’s going to be hard because it’s a higher level (in the KHL). It’s just nice for Edmonton to show me that even when I signed with another league and team, that the door is open. I really appreciate that.”

Nurse ready to go

Darnell Nurse, the Oilers prized pick from Sunday’s entry draft, said he finally nabbed some sleep when he got to Edmonton, something that has been in short supply for the last manic month.

“It’s been hectic but there’s nothing better than this,” said the seventh pick of the draft. “It really started to me when I went into the room, knowing one day I could have one of those stalls. There’s a lot of hard work ahead but it’s been a lot of fun.”

Nurse hasn’t yet had a conversation with general manager Craig MacTavish about where it is that he’ll end up in the fall nor is he going to try to guess whether or not he’ll be on the team after the main camp or back with the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds.

The Oilers won’t rush the defenceman, but he’ll definitely get a long look.

“This is my first experience at going through anything like this so I’m not going to make any assumptions or try to guess,” said Nurse. “I’m just going to try to work as hard as I can to be prepared.

“For me, this is just a chance to get a feel what it’s like. I have to use this as an opportunity to go out there and work as hard as I can.”



Oscar Klefbom ‘very hungry’ to earn spot on Edmonton Oilers roster

Swedish defenceman returns from shoulder surgery, among 36 prospects participating in team’s annual development camp at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal July 3, 2013

EDMONTON - The lure of the NHL tugged at Oscar Klefbom a year ago, but in the end the defenceman decided to return to the Swedish Elite League to polish his game.

There’s no turning back now for the Edmonton Oilers prospect, who turns 20 on July 20.

Klefbom is certain he’s ready to challenge for a roster spot, even though he hasn’t played a game since Oct. 9 and despite the fact he has had his left shoulder repaired.

The Oilers, too, figure their 2011 draft pick has a chance of making the roster — if not right out of training camp in fall, then soon after.

“I think I’m ready. Last season I felt like I took a big step,” Klefbom said on Wednesday, in between the tests at Rexall Place. Thirty-six Oilers prospects were pushed through their physicals and medicals prior to the start of the team’s annual development camp, which gets underway Thursday at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park and runs until Tuesday, July 9.

“I had played in the Swedish Elite League for two years,” continued Klefbom, “but I didn’t feel I had got the ice time that I needed to prepare myself for the NHL, so I went back. And the start of last season was very good — I played almost 25 minutes (a game).

“It was very hard not to think about all this, but it was a very good choice for me.”

The six-foot-two blue-liner reported to the Edmonton camp at 213 pounds, certain that he didn’t lose all that much development time despite missing most of the 2012-13 season. Klefbom played just 11 games with Farjestads BK Karlstad before he fell into the boards, injuring his shoulder.

Seven weeks of rehab followed, then it was decided that surgery was going to be required.

By April, he was back in Edmonton, training and skating with the Oilers, his sights set on the summer development camp. Klefbom will return to Sweden next week, then return to Edmonton in August to prepare for the rookie camp.

“Obviously, I haven’t played since October but the shoulder feels good. I can shoot slapshots, do all kinds of things I need to do,” he continued. “The left one almost feels better than the right.

“This camp is very important for me to get into it and to try to be in the best shape I can be, so I’m ready for the real camp in September. I tried to see (the layoff) as positive. I tried to be in the shape I could be to show everybody I’m ready for the NHL.

“When I was injured, it was a really good opportunity for me to come here. That could be a good thing. Now I’m here to take a spot with the Edmonton Oilers. I’m very hungry.”



Tom Gilbert to be bought out by Minnesota Wild. Should Edmonton Oilers consider re-signing him?

July 3, 2013. 1:27 pm

Posted by:

Bruce McCurdy

Today word has come out of Minnesota that the Wild have waived defenceman Tom Gilbert for the purposes of buying him out. The 29-year-old veteran of 447 NHL games will thus enter the open market on Friday as an unrestricted free agent, and presumably can be signed at a fraction of his former stipend, a cap hit of $4 MM per season.

Gilbert had one year remaining on the six-year, $24 MM contract he signed here in Edmonton in 2008 after a splendid debut season that saw him named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team. He was a mainstay of the Oilers defence corps thereafter, leading the squad in ice time in three of his four full years here, and proving to be a very durable player until being run by Chicago Blackhawks thug Daniel Carcillo in dirty and dangerous fashion midway through the 2011-12 season. That season, he managed to lead both the Oilers and the Wild in ice time per game, logging an impressive 27 minutes a night in his home state following his deadline day trade for Nick Schultz.

In 2013 things went south, and in a big way. The arrival of Ryan Suter reshaped the Wild’s defence corps, and despite expecations by some (including yours truly) that Gilbert would settle in beside Suter on the first pairing, that’s not how it worked out. Instead, rookie Jonas Brodin quickly claimed that role, while Gilbert found himself moving down Mike Yeo’s depth chart, and even was a healthy scratch on several occasions. Gilbert did see the first post-season action of his career, but was relegated to the third pairing where he played just over 16 minutes per game, despite a couple of overtime contests.

Was it simply a bad year / situation for Gilbert in Minny? To some extent he was a victim of circumstances: he was a team-worst -11 among d-men, but suffered from some dreadful goaltending behind him with an abysmal on-ice save percentage of .877. His shot metrics weren’t great but they weren’t utterly terrible either, however bad things happened on his watch. With Minnesota facing a serious cap crunch due to the diminishing ceiling coupled with huge stipends due Ryan Suter, Zach Parise, Dany Heatley, and Mikko Koivu (collectively, over $29 MM for the four of them!), Tom was an obvious candidate for a compliance buyout.

I shan’t bother with too much statistical analysis of Gilbert, since he is well known to Edmonton hockey fans (who nonetheless have a sharply divided opinion of his value). Suffice to say he was highly regarded by many in the advanced stats community during his time here, but was broadly disliked by a segment of the fan base who prefer their defencemen to play a physical style.

Gilbert is also a known commodity to Craig MacTavish, under whom he had his two best statistical seasons. Given MacT’s stated preference for puck moving defenders, which is clearly Tom’s strength, is there any chance Oilers might entertain the idea of bringing him back? Should they? Have your say in the poll question up top.



Development camp a chance for Edmonton Oilers first pick at 2013 draft Darnell Nurse to check out possible future team environment

By Robert Tychkowski,Edmonton Sun


EDMONTON - It’s not quite his first day on the job, seeing as how Darnell Nurse isn’t an Edmonton Oiler yet, but just checking out the work place was enough to send a few chills up his spine.

“It’s awesome,” said the 2013 first-round draft pick, after medicals and fitness testing on the eve of Oilers development camp. “It’s really starting to hit me when you go into the room and know that one day, hopefully, I’ll have one of those stalls. There’s a lot of hard work ahead but it’s been fun.”

He admits he has no idea what to expect when they hit the ice on Thursday morning.

“It’s hard to say. This is my first experience going through this. I’m not going to make any assumptions or try to guess, I’m just going to work as hard as I can to be prepared when I go to (main) camp.

“One of the biggest things is to just have a feel for what it’s like, going through seven long days and really pushing myself to get better every day.

“I think that’s the biggest thing, you have to use this as an opportunity to go out there and work as hard as you can.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Edmonton Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom says he feels NHL-ready after three seasons in Swedish Elite League

By Robert Tychkowski,Edmonton Sun


EDMONTON - Having just kicked three young defencemen out the door, the Edmonton Oilers are quietly crossing their fingers as they lay out the welcome mat for another.

In not extending qualifying offers to Theo Peckham, Colton Teubert and former first-round draft pick Alex Plante (15th overall in 2007), the Oilers have created space that Oscar Klefbom intends to fill.

“I’m here to take a place on the Edmonton Oilers,” said the Swedish defender, who checked into development camp at just under 6-foot-3 and just under 215 very lean pounds. “I’m very hungry.”

And, in his opinion, NHL-ready.

“I think so,” he said. “It’s tough to make the team. But last season I felt like I took a big step, so I feel I’m ready.

“The shot, the confidence, the World Juniors from two years ago was a big step for me on the small ice. I feel really good.”

Edmonton wanted Klefbom playing in North America last year, but in the kind of role reversal you don’t see very often, it was the kid telling the organization not to rush things.

He told Edmonton that patience isn’t the enemy, and that he’d be better served by another year in the Swedish Elite League. And even though that year ended with season-ending shoulder surgery in October, he’s glad he did it.

“I’d played in the Swedish Elite League for two years, but didn’t have the ice time I needed for preparing myself for the NHL,” he said of decision to stay in Europe for another year.

“It’s very hard to not think about all this, NHL and stuff, but I think that was a very good choice by me. The start of last season was very good, I played almost 25 minutes. It feels like I’ve taken another step in my career.”

And the shoulder he spent the last several months getting back to strength, even that was a deviation from the traditional Oilers route.

“After six weeks of rehab (following the injury) I met a specialist back home in Sweden and he told me that it was pretty good but if you’re going to play in the NHL next year, he wanted me to have surgery.”

So, instead of playing hurt all year and needing surgery anyway, as has been the case with so many Oilers, he decided to just get it done and get it over with.

And now, with another year of maturity and two good shoulders, he’s ready to play some NHL hockey.

“I haven’t played since the accident, but the shoulder feels good,” said Klefbom, who came to Edmonton, as the 19th pick in 2011, in the same Dustin Penner trade that brought Teubert. “I can shoot slap shots and do all the things you need to do on the ice. Right now it’s 100%.

“Lifting weights in the gym it feels very stable, the left shoulder almost feels better than the right one. I haven’t played a game since October but the training feels good and the shot as well, so we’ll see.”

Starting Thursday when development camp kicks off at Millenium Place.

“I think this development camp is very important for me to get into it and try to be in the best shape I can be before the real camp in September … try to show everybody that I’m ready for the NHL.”

Even though he’s a little behind where he’d be if he hadn’t missed most of last year, he took a lot from the overall experience, which included coming to Edmonton for the last few weeks of the season and working out with the team.

“It was a really good opportunity for me to come here when I was injured to meet all the guys in the lockerroom. I think that could be a really good thing.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.04.2013

683693 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers address restricted free agents

BY GEORGE RICHARDS

The Panthers began their summer on Tuesday by officially offering contracts to restricted free agents Jacob Markstrom, Shawn Matthias and four others.

Florida did not tender offers to center Peter Mueller nor fourth-line winger Jack Skille. Although general manager Dale Tallon said the team would like to retain Mueller at the right price, Skille will not return.

The Panthers also tendered deals to Scott Timmins, Mike Caruso, Colby Robak and Jon Rheault.

“He has arbitration rights,” Tallon said of Mueller, who made $1.725 million last year and scored eight goals and17 points in 43 games.

“We’re still negotiating with him and would like to keep him. It’s just what the right price is as far as our budget is concerned. We’re fearful if he went to arbitration, we might not be able to afford it.”

Tallon made Skille the seventh overall pick of the 2005 draft while with Chicago before bringing him to Florida in exchange for Michael Frolik in 2011. Frolik was traded from Chicago to Winnipeg on Sunday.

“I think for Jack, it’s time to change things around,” Tallon said of Skille, who had three goals and12 points in 40 games last year. “We can’t sit still as a team that was last overall. We need to make some changes, have to shake things up.”

Although Markstrom and Matthias remain property of the Panthers, they have not signed with the team.

Last year, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov — also a restricted free agent at the time — held out until just before the abbreviated 2013 season started. Kulikov eventually signed a two-year deal with Florida.

Both Markstrom and Matthias took big steps forward last season. Markstrom took over Florida’s starting job in net, and Matthias moved up to be Florida’s top center once Stephen Weiss was sidelined with a wrist injury.

Matthias, 25, set career-highs with 14 goals despite the 48-game slate. Matthias was one of four Florida players to play in all 48 games. Matthias will be getting a nice raise from the $900,000 he made last year.

“I’m excited to come back to the Panthers. I’ve said it before, I don’t want to go anywhere else,” Matthias said Tuesday. “I’m excited to show everyone last year wasn’t a fluke, and I can play at a high level. I can do a lot better. I don’t think that’s it. I have a lot more in the tank.

“With the work I’ve put in, there’s no reason I can’t keep the No. 1 center job. I’m going into camp focused to take it. I want it, and that’s what I’m working for.”

Tallon added Florida “holds out hope” to get a new deal done with Weiss, although it appears he will be able to talk to other teams starting Wednesday at midnight.

Weiss, the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, Jose Theodore and Tyson Strachan are expected to be free agents on Friday.

“The consensus is they would like me back, and I would like to be back,” Weiss said after the season ended. “It’s just a numbers game. Hopefully, that works out over the summer, but it’s a business. Sometimes those things don’t fit, and they don’t make sense. I understand that. It’s not a lost cause by any means.”

MINOR SHAKEUP

Assistant general manager Mike Santos said when Peter Horachek called and said he had been let go after almost a decade as an assistant in Nashville that he all but offered him a job with the Panthers.

It took a little bit of restructuring, but Horachek is now with Florida as head coach of the team’s American Hockey League team in San Antonio.

Horachek, former head coach of the Orlando Solar Bears of the defunct IHL as well as the Trenton, N.J., Titans of the ECHL and AHL Milwaukee, replaces Chuck Weber behind the Rampage bench.

Well, sort of.

Weber, who worked with Horachek in Orlando, Trenton and Milwaukee, remains with the organization as an associate head coach of the Rampage. Weber also becomes director of hockey operations.

Horachek, 53, definitely has ambitions to be a head coach in the NHL and thought being an NHL assistant would help him achieve that. Horachek has been interviewed for NHL jobs recently — including by the Panthers in 2011. Florida went with current coach Kevin Dineen, who is in the final year of his contract.

“I think, after 10 years of being an assistant in Nashville, it’s time for me to be a head coach again,” said Horachek, who led Orlando to the IHL Turner Cup in 2001.

“I think that’s something I do well, working with young players and helping them prepare to be a good pro and prepare for the NHL. I’m familiar with Mike, with Chuck, and I think it’s a great setup in San Antonio. There’s a lot of good things going on.”

Both Horachek and Weber are expected to be part of the Panthers’ development camp in Coral Springs starting Monday. Although still recovering from shoulder surgery, second-overall pick Sasha Barkov will skate at the camp.

“He won’t partake in the drills,” Tallon said, “but we’d like to get him down here to indoctrinated to our staff and the place. These are players he will play with eventually.”

Miami Herald LOADED: 07.04.2013

683694 Florida Panthers

Panthers clear roster spot, buy out Kuba's contract

Veteran defenseman's exodus opens up spot for young blue-liner

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

7:22 PM EDT, July 3, 2013

The Panthers don't expect to be major players in free agency until August when the prices drop on second-tier players, but they did clear out another roster spot on Wednesday when they bought out the remaining year of veteran defenseman Filip Kuba's contract.

Kuba, 36, who the Panthers gave a two-year deal worth $8 million on July 1, 2012, becomes an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

The Panthers have four defensemen under contract with one-way deals, including Mike Weaver, Dmitry Kulikov, Brian Campbell and veteran captain Ed Jovanovski, who hopes to return from hip surgery. Erik Gudbranson certainly has a spot on the blue line locked up.

Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon said he's looking for a veteran defenseman in free agency, but he also believes that any of his young corps of defenseman such as Colby Robak, Alex Petrovic, Michael Caruso and Mike Matheson could earn a roster spot in training camp.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement the Panthers could've used either of their two compliance buyout options in which a player's salary is removed from their salary-cap allotment without penalty. But because the Panthers tend to operate to the cap's basement instead of the ceiling, that wasn't necessary.

The Panthers will pay Kuba $1.4 million this season and the next, but only $1.2 million counts against their salary cap this year and $1.4 million in 2014-15.

Kuba, who was coming off a sensational season in Ottawa when he had 32 points, including 26 assists, and a plus-26 rating, struggled with conditioning after the lockout, before rounding into form.

Kuba had 10 points, including one goal, in 44 games to go with 24 penalty minutes and a mediocre minus-18 rating. Because Kuba had a no-move clause in his contract, he didn't have to enter unconditional waivers.

Horachek attends draft

Peter Horachek, who the Panthers recently named coach of the San Antonio Rampage, their AHL affiliate in San Antonio, attended the draft last weekend.

Horachek, who had been with the Nashville Predators for nine years, the last two as associate head coach, was brought in by Panthers assistant General Manager Mike Santos, a former Predators front-office executive.

The Panthers made former Rampage coach Chuck Weber an associate head coach and director of hockey operations.

"It was time for me to be a head coach again,'' said Horachek, 53. "I can do well, work with young players, getting them prepared, helping them understand how to be a good pro.''

Horachek and Weber, who have worked together in three other winning hockey organizations, will work together on the bench.

"We have good chemistry, we communicate well. He has good assets that complement me,'' Horachek said. "We want to make this a better culture, a better environment.''

Horachek has a history with the family of Panthers coach Kevin Dineen, who has one more year remaining on his contract.

"We all do. That's the aspiration for us as coaches to be at the highest level and have the most success possible and work with good people,'' Horachek said of wanting to be an NHL head coach some day.

Development camp

The Panthers will hold their annual development camp next week from Monday to Friday.

Sessions are open to the public.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 07.04.2013

683695 Los Angeles Kings

Kings' Jarret Stoll is OK after seizure

Stoll was rushed to a hospital after suffering a seizure at his Hermosa Beach home.

Staff and wire reports

9:58 PM PDT, July 3, 2013

Kings center Jarret Stoll was rushed to a hospital early Wednesday, having suffered a seizure at his Hermosa Beach home, Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said.

Lombardi said that tests were run on Stoll and that it was expected he would be released later in the day. He said Stoll was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, and Lombardi visited him there Wednesday morning.

"Everything is OK. They've run some tests and they still had another one to run," Lombardi told The Times. "The bottom line is that he's fine. Now the issue is what caused it.

"There are a myriad of things that can cause them."

Stoll, 31, suffered a concussion on a hit from San Jose Sharks winger Raffi Torres in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal playoff series. He sat out the rest of that series but returned for the first game of the conference finals against Chicago.

That was not the first concussion Stoll suffered. He also suffered one in the 2006-07 season while playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

—Lisa Dillman

LA Times: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Kings' Stoll hospitalized after seizure

Kings center Jarret Stoll was hospitalized Wednesday after suffering a seizure.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Stoll fell ill at his Hermosa Beach home.

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told the Times that he visited Stoll in the hospital and the "bottom line is that he's fine. Now the issue is what caused it."

The Kings did not immediately respond to an Associated Press email seeking comment on Stoll's condition Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Stoll missed all but the first game of the Kings' second-round playoff series against the Sharks after suffering a concussion following a hit by San Jose's Raffi Torres. He returned in time for the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Stoll also suffered a concussion during the 2006-07 season while playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Player evaluation: Ellerby

Posted by JonRosen on 3 July 2013, 2:58 pm

KEATON ELLERBY

This season: 35 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, 16 penalty minutes, plus-5 rating (with Los Angeles); 44 games, 0 goals, 3 assists, 3 points, 52 penalty minutes, plus-3 rating (total)

The good: Ellerby stepped into a challenging role with Los Angeles after he was acquired from Florida in exchange for a fifth round draft pick on February 8. There were very few options available via trade at the time, and Ellerby’s arrival from Florida represented the acquisition of a low-cost, low-risk player who could inherit minutes in the absence of Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. Considering Alec Martinez suffered an upper-body injury three days after Ellerby’s arrival, the timing of the trade worked well. Ellerby originally skated with Drew Doughty before Jake Muzzin’s emergence; the eventual shift appeared to work well for the team, as both Muzzin (alongside Doughty) and Ellerby (often alongside Martinez) played their best hockey throughout March. When Muzzin and Ellerby skated together at even strength in April, Ellerby skated as a right defenseman, which showed some versatility as it took him away from his preferred side. A mostly effective penalty killer, Darryl Sutter always appeared appreciative of Ellerby’s contributions and his attempts to play more “abrasive” and move pucks quickly. It often appeared as though Sutter was trying to build up Ellerby’s confidence in his praise of the fourth-year player during media availability. The former 10th overall pick from the 2007 NHL Draft brought with him a humble, blue collar attitude and fit in well in Los Angeles’ room.

The bad: Ellerby never received as much ice time as he did in the first three games he played with the Kings, and after the arrival of Robyn Regehr, it became difficult to define his contributions outside of the penalty kill. He struggled to defend against faster players and teams, and only appeared in one playoff game after the first four games of the St. Louis series. At 6-foot-4, he adequately used his size, but if we’re to grade his performance based on Sutter’s desire for him to play “abrasive,” it would be tough to assign him a grade above a “B”. Though he was occasionally turnover-prone, his ability to quickly step in to fill a need for the Kings while occasionally playing on his off-side in an unfamiliar conference was praiseworthy, and he always appeared to have a good attitude about his role and his contributions.

Going forward: Ellerby did not receive a qualifying offer from the Kings on Tuesday and became an unrestricted free agent. He shouldn’t have any trouble signing with an NHL team as a depth defenseman.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.04.2013


LAKings.com feature: Comfort Level


In his media availability after being selected 37th overall at Sunday’s NHL Draft, Valentin Zykov’s confidence and personality were illuminated along with the skill set that allowed him to score 40 goals in a CHL rookie of the year campaign with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, the runners up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

As it turns out, Zykov’s character was already well known by the organization, which had developed a level of comfort with the power forward through extensive scouting and pre-draft interviews.

Kings Director of Amateur Scouting Mark Yannetti:

“There was a comfort level we had with Kyle Clifford. There was a comfort level we had with Drew Doughty. There was a comfort level we had with Nic Dowd, a seventh round pick. And you start to learn what they are as kids – you learn what they are in terms of character, and character can mean a lot

of things. For me, character is the will to win. Being a nice kid – hey, that’s nice. But character for me is the will to win. So he shows that, and it comes out naturally.”

LAKings.com: Comfort Level

Other LA Kings Insider features on LAKings.com:

Getting There

Will to Win

Buying In

Fine Tuning

Battle Tested

Smooth and Selke

Up, Up and Away

In Their Eyes

Work in Progress

Committed

Scuderi’s Actions Speak

Brown’s Model a Path for Doughty



Stoll suffers seizure; taken to hospital


There was some scary news out of the Jarret Stoll household this morning, via this report and conversation with Kings GM Dean Lombardi by Lisa Dillman of the LA Times:

Lombardi said that a battery of tests was run on Stoll and that it was expected he would be released later in the day. He said Stoll was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance and Lombardi visited him there later Wednesday morning.

“Everything is OK. They’ve run some tests and they still had another one to run,” Lombardi told The Times. “The bottom line is that he’s fine. Now the issue is what caused it.

“There are a myriad of things that can cause them.”

Stoll turned 31 on June 24. He suffered a concussion in Game 1 of Los Angeles’ second round playoff series against San Jose on a hit from Sharks forward Raffi Torres.



I Was There #9: Quick passes Hrudey


Throughout the next month, LAKI will be reviewing the top 10 moments of the Los Angeles Kings season as a recurring feature entitled “I Was There.”

KingsCast recently finished a similar endeavor, complete with screen grabs, video highlights and commentary. Alex Kinkopf’s #TopTen list is recommended as a great account of the 2012-13 season.

I Was There #9: Quick passes Hrudey for first place in franchise playoff wins

Though I favor individual plays over the best “games” or “stretches of play” of the season, today’s moment is one of the exceptions. As Jonathan Quick has raised the quality of goaltending to levels the franchise had never experienced, his postseason impact has set him apart from all previous Los Angeles goaltenders, including Kelly Hrudey, whom the team honored with a Legends Night during the season.

The quality of goaltending had not yet risen to the level seen in the NHL today while Hrudey manned the crease at The Forum, so the comparison between Quick’s and Hrudey’s postseason numbers isn’t exactly the most useful comparison of their postseason accomplishments in Los Angeles.

Quick: 50 GP / 3,078 MP / 29-21 record / 2.03 GAA / .929 Sv% / 7 SHO

Hrudey: 57 GP / 3,519 MP / 26-30 record / 3.53 GAA / .883 Sv% / 0 SHO

Still, keep in mind that Quick’s career playoff numbers were even better at the time he passed Hrudey with his 27th career postseason victory courtesy of a 3-0 blanking of San Jose in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Quick had already moved into the team’s postseason shutout lead with a 4-0 win over New Jersey in Game 3 of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.

And while this I Was There entry is more of a celebration of Quick’s overall playoff achievements as a King, he was still able to do things like this in Game 5:

-courtesy KingsVision

There was a little bit of a leg to Quick’s head by Logan Couture on that last highlight, by the way.

Aesthetic beauty: It’s tough to gauge the “aesthetic beauty” of 24 overall saves, though this was clearly one of Quick’s top performances of the postseason. He also had a 35-save shutout in Game 1. The concentration he showed in making the adjustments on the deflected Dan Boyle shot in the third highlight above was remarkable, and also influenced the following #SadLogan tweet after Quick let in Duncan Keith’s goal on a long range slapshot in Game 5 of the Chicago series.

Really quickie. Where was this 10 days ago

— Logan Couture (@Logancouture) June 9, 2013

Lasting impact: Considering Quick moved into sole position of first place in a franchise statistic, I’d say “very high.” This is a record that will obviously endure. If you’re looking for a lasting image of Quick’s dominance in the Los Angeles-San Jose series, it’s likely this “larcenous” save on Pavelski late in Game 7, however.


683701 Minnesota Wild

Tom Gilbert buyout process will begin with Wild; Ryan Suter a First-Team All-Star

Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild off-season news, Wild player moves Updated: July 3, 2013 - 12:53 PM

The Wild has placed Tom Gilbert on unconditional waivers. That is the first necessary step to buy out the remaining one year of the veteran defenseman’s contract.

When Gilbert clears Thursday, the Wild plans to use one of its two allowable compliance buyouts on the 30-year-old native of Bloomington.

“Due to the NHL salary cap decreasing this season, we needed to make this difficult decision to give the team more flexibility,” said GM Chuck Fletcher in a statement. “We thank Tom for his time with the Wild and wish him the best going forward."

Gilbert will receive $1 million in each of the next two seasons (two-thirds of his $3 million salary), but it will free up an additional $4 million of salary cap space this summer for the Wild. This will be the second time Fletcher has bought out a player. Two years ago, he bought out Cam Barker.

The Wild won't necessarily just run to free agent Matt Cullen and re-sign him now. The move is designed to give Minnesota more flexibility this

offseason. One can assume the Wild will now need to add a defenseman or two this offseason.

Gilbert would be free to sign with any team other than Minnesota once free agency opens at 11 a.m. CT Friday.

The Wild has already begun making calls on potential replacements. Starting at 11:01 p.m. CT last night, free agents were free to receive calls from other teams.

Fletcher said after Sunday’s draft that he expects there could be bargains in free agency because so many players could lose the game of musical chairs with so little money in the system. Fletcher also believes some players may be willing to take two-way contracts (smaller salary in the minors) or accept pro tryouts.

Gilbert, acquired from Edmonton at the trade deadline two seasons ago for veteran defenseman Nick Schultz, scored three goals and 18 points in 63 games for his hometown Wild.

While this is a move that likely would not have occurred if the Wild didn’t need the cap space, Gilbert did struggle at times last season. He was minus-11 and had to endure a few healthy scratches and decreased ice time. Prior to the season, Gilbert and center Kyle Brodziak, who also had a rough season, each were hit with a type of pneumonia. While neither used the sickness as an excuse, both players lost a lot of weight and Gilbert himself was actually hospitalized.

In other news, Ryan Suter was named to the NHL's First All-Star Team. He led the NHL in average ice time (27:16), playing over 30 minutes 10 times. He was second amongst defensemen in assists (28) and third in points (32).

The news comes a few days after his partner, Jonas Brodin, was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team.

As you can see below, Alex Ovechkin made First and Second Team at different positions. First time this has ever happened and one reason why there was such a delay in the announcement.

2012-2013 NHL First All-Star Team

GP W L OT GAA SV% SO

G Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets 38 21 11 6 2.00 .932 4

GP Mins. G A Pts

D P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens 42 23:14 11 27 38

D Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild 48 27:16 4 28 32

C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins 36 21:06 15 41 56

RW Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals 48 20:53 32 24 56

LW Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins 48 18:01 22 30 52

2012-2013 NHL Second All-Star Team


G Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers 43 24 16 3 2.05 .926 2

GP Mins. G A Pts

D Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks 48 23:27 6 18 24

D Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins 35 25:38 5 33 38

C Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks 47 19:20 23 25 48

RW Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning 48 21:59 17 43 60

LW Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals 48 20:53 32 24 56

Star Tribune LOADED: 07.04.2013


A changing of the rearguard could be in the works for the Wild

Article by: Michael Russo

Star Tribune

July 3, 2013 - 11:21 PM

The salary cap-strapped Wild began the process of freeing up an additional $4 million to use this summer when it placed veteran defenseman Tom Gilbert on unconditional waivers Wednesday.

Once the Bloomington Jefferson product clears at 11 a.m. Thursday, Gilbert will be bought out from the final year of his contract. At the same time, Keith Ballard also will clear unconditional waivers so the Vancouver Canucks can buy out the remaining two years of his contract.

With the Wild suddenly in the market for a defenseman, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Wild inquires into signing the former Gophers defenseman. Both Gilbert and Ballard will become free agents when the market opens at 11 a.m. Friday.

Ballard, 30, who won national titles as a freshman and sophomore at the University of Minnesota, will be seeking a one- or two-year deal so he can re-establish his career as a quality two-way defenseman after three tumultuous years in Vancouver. Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher can’t call Ballard until Thursday. But in a new collective bargaining agreement wrinkle, teams could begin calling free agents at 11:01 p.m. Tuesday as part of a two-day recruitment window.

Other defensemen that might be of interest to the Wild include Andrew Ference, Rob Scuderi, bought-out Mike Komisarek and Michal Rozsival. The Wild also plans to give Matt Dumba, its 2012 first-round draft pick, a long look in training camp.

Veteran center Matt Cullen, who can become a free agent Friday, hasn’t ruled out the Wild but fielded a number of calls from teams Wednesday. “I’m just waiting to hear what Minnesota’s doing, but in the meantime, I’ve taken some calls from other teams,” Cullen said. “It’s a weird deal the way it’s set up now, and I’m just trying to go into this with as open a mind as possible. Chuck’s been very up front and honest with me, and I’ll continue to do the same thing with them and keep communicating.”

Despite Fletcher making and receiving “a ton of calls” Wednesday, it was a much less hectic day for the GM than exactly one year earlier when he and Wild owner Craig Leipold were sitting across a table in Madison, Wis., from Ryan Suter putting the final touches on a Suter-Zach Parise July 4 twin inking.

Coincidently on Wednesday, Suter became the first Wild player to be named an NHL First-Team All-Star. Four days earlier, Suter’s defense partner Jonas Brodin made the All-Rookie Team. Suter’s honor came after he led the NHL in average ice time (27 minutes, 16 seconds per game), finished second among defensemen with 28 assists and third with 32 points.

It’s fair to say Wednesday wasn’t as cheery for Gilbert, Suter’s fellow Wisconsin Badger who couldn’t be reached for comment. He will receive two-thirds of the $3 million owed to him ($2 million spread over two years) but suddenly is looking for work. Every team is allowed two amnesty buyouts (which free a team of cap hit) that can be used this summer or next.

“Due to the NHL salary cap decreasing this season, we needed to make this difficult decision to give the team more flexibility,” Fletcher said in a statement.

It’s Fletcher’s second buyout as Wild GM. Two years ago, he bought out defenseman Cam Barker. This buyout might not have occurred if the Wild was allowed to buy out Dany Heatley and his $7.5 million cap hit, but Heatley is considered an injured player because of season-ending shoulder surgery.

Gilbert, acquired from Edmonton at the trade deadline two seasons ago for veteran defenseman Nick Schultz, scored three goals and 18 points in 63 games for his hometown Wild. He struggled at times last season. He was minus-11, was scratched twice and saw his ice time decrease to an average of 19:19 a game. This was a player who logged more than 30 minutes six times after the 2012 trade.

Before last season, Gilbert and center Kyle Brodziak, who also had a rough season, each were stricken with pneumonia. While neither used the illness as an excuse, both players lost significant weight and Gilbert was hospitalized.



Matt Cullen fielding calls from teams, hasn't ruled out Minnesota

Post by: Michael Russo

July 3, 2013 - 7:17 PM

One year ago today, I was just getting back from St. Paul’s regional airport, where I was hiding in the bushes along the fence watching Wild owner Craig Leipold, GM Chuck Fletcher and coach Mike Yeo get off a plane with Ryan Suter’s agent, Neil Sheehy, and financial guy, Tom Sagissor.

Hands were shaken, and Sheehy got back on that plane for a return trip to International Falls, where he does his summer free agency deals.

The next morning, KaBoom! – the July 4 fireworks were set off early when that morning Suter and Zach Parise signed on the dotted line as a Minnesota Wild tagteam.

This July 4, I’m not anticipating adding 10,000 or more followers to my Twitter account again.

1) Free agency doesn’t officially begin until Friday at 11 a.m. and 2) Even with the $4 million that will be added by Thursday’s compliance buyout of Tom Gilbert, the Wild’s not going to be in the running for the heavy hitters in this free agency class.

Still, the Wild may tinker.

Fletcher had a less hectic day today than he did one year ago today, but he still made a “ton of calls” to agents to see what the landscape looks like. He called specifically on defensemen, as the Wild will at least be looking to add one this offseason. Read Thursday’s article for some names, including one high up I know they’re interested in.

The big question is whether or not Matt Cullen is re-signed by the home squad.

While it doesn’t quite have the luster of #PariseWatch and #SuterWatch, #CullenWatch is underway. He had some conference calls today with his agents, which just so happen to be – Parise’s agents. I joked with Cullen today that it’s a travesty that Newport didn’t hole him up in their Mississauga war room like Parise and Brad Richards.

Where’s the respect for the wily vet?

I’m told Cullen got “lots of interest” and had a handful of conference calls with teams as well.

Now, Cullen hasn’t ruled out re-signing with Minnesota if that’s even a possibility, but in this new collective bargaining agreement, teams get an early recruitment period and Cullen fielded calls because quite frankly, that’s his prerogative.

“I’m just waiting to hear what Minnesota’s doing, but in the meantime, I’ve taken some calls from other teams,” Cullen said. “It’s a weird deal the way it’s set up now and I’m just trying to go into this with as open as a mind as possible. Chuck’s been very up front and honest with me and I’ll continue to do the same thing with them and keep communicating.

“At the same time, I just have to field these calls and do that side of it too because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ll just see how many offers I have and see what I have for options here, and as the next couple days go on, I’ll get a clearer picture as to what they are and take a little time and figure out a decision.”

Fletcher has made it quite clear that the Wild will have a young roster next year, one that could include two-way forwards Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker, Nino Niederreiter and Mikael Granlund.

So that could very well mean that Fletcher is ready to move on from Cullen and try to maximize his available dollars in other areas, like the blue line. Guys like Mike Ribeiro and Stephen Weiss and Tyler Bozak should be too expensive.

If Cullen departs and the Wild doesn’t make any free-agent or trade pickups at center, Coyle or Granlund will be vying for the spot to replace Cullen.

That will be quite the chore for a second-year forward, albeit two talented ones. Cullen fills several roles on the Wild, but he could potentially be out of the Wild’s price range.

He is 36, and since this could potentially be his final contract, he is looking for at least a three-year deal and could get big money, even at more than the $3.5 million per year he earned on his last contract.

Think of it this way: At some point the Wild wants to pass that baton to one of its young kids, so while losing Cullen could potentially put the Wild in a tough position next year, if the Wild re-signs him to a three-year deal, that could potentially block one of its kids in future years.

Cullen is coming off a strong season, still has the legs of a 20-something and has won a Cup in Carolina. He has scored 202 goals and 562 points in 1,073 games in 15 seasons with Anaheim, Florida, Carolina, the Rangers, Ottawa and Minnesota.

Some of the teams that may (and I stress MAY for folks who plan to pick this out and say I’m reporting this) have interest include St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New Jersey and Phoenix. Nashville went after Vincent Lecavalier and is going after Daniel Briere, so they’re clearly looking for a center. Montreal went after Lecavalier. Buffalo is trying to get Briere back and Cullen opted for the Wild over Buffalo three years ago, so maybe there’s interest.

The teams that I definitely think need centers are St. Louis, Detroit, Columbus, Nashville and Dallas.

Selfishly, I hope the Wild re-sign Cullen because there’s few more accommodating athletes to cover. I say this as a Cullen expert because I got to cover him early in his career in Florida and later in his career in Minnesota.

But I do still think it’s less than 50-50. I think if Fletcher came to him with a quality contract, Cullen would like to stay. But in my history of covering the league, very rarely does it get this close to free agency and the player ends up returning.

Anyways, we shall see. I’ll be back with ya Thursday and Friday, so be sure to come back to startribune.com for Wild news.

Notes: In other news, the Wild’s development camp is July 9-14. Numbers will be low this year because none of their NHLers will be there, so instead of a scrimmage, the Wild plans a 3-on-3 tournament designed by Andrew Brunette and Brad Bombardir. That will be open to the public. More information should be out soon, like the date of the event.

--Center Zenon Konopka tweeted today (@zenonkonopka) Supporting @stopconcussions with our new wine out of Napa Valley "The Wild one" free shipping for a limited time. http://zkwines.com/wines-usa/

--Defenseman Ryan Suter (aka First Team All-Star) is on Twitter. I keep forgetting to tweet this…It’s @rsuter20. His web site is up and running, too, at www.rsuter20.com.



Wild waive defenseman Tom Gilbert

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have waived defenseman Tom Gilbert.

The team announced the move Wednesday. The 30-year-old Gilbert had one season left on his contract for $3 million.

If he goes unclaimed by another team, the Wild will use one of their two available compliance buyouts to keep Gilbert's money from counting against their salary cap. He would then become an unrestricted free agent Friday, eligible to sign with any team except the Wild.

Gilbert grew up in Bloomington, Minn., less than 20 miles from the Wild's arena, but he didn't make much of an impact with his hometown team. Acquired from Edmonton for defenseman Nick Schultz before the trade deadline on Feb. 27, 2012, Gilbert totaled three goals and 15 assists over 63 games with the Wild.



Minnesota Wild waive defenseman Tom Gilbert

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 07/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 07/03/2013 05:24:40 PM CDT

The Minnesota Wild have placed defenseman Tom Gilbert on unconditional waivers, the first step in using a compliance buyout on the 30-year-old defenseman from Bloomington, a source told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each team is allowed two compliance buyouts, which completely erase the cap hit from the player being bought out. The team pays the player two-thirds of his salary. In this case, using a compliance buyout on Gilbert will remove his $4 million cap hit and the Wild will pay him $2 million of his $3 million salary.

The Wild hadn't bought out a player since Mark Parrish, and that was under general manager Doug Risebrough. This compliance buyout is different. The Parrish buyout is in its last year of affecting the Wild's salary cap. They'll pay him $927,778 this year.

Without Gilbert on the roster, the Wild are down to five defensemen. Fletcher said talks with restricted free agent Jared Spurgeon have progressed, but no deal is set. Even if they sign Spurgeon, the Wild still will be in the market for defensemen when free agency begins at 11 a.m. Friday. Teams currently are allowed to be in contact with unrestricted free agents.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 07.04.2013


Minnesota Wild: One year later, signing Zach Parise, Ryan Suter still a big deal

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 07/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 07/03/2013 11:12:48 PM CDT

It seems as if everyone around it, involved in it or just following it remembers where they were they heard the news.

It was one of those moments in Minnesota sports history that you don't forget.

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter -- not one or the other, but both -- were coming to play for the Wild after agreeing to 13-year contracts worth $98 million apiece. The biggest free agents on the NHL market in 2012 were teaming up and heading to the State of Hockey. It was the marquee, game-changing signings the Wild had lacked since the franchise debuted in the 2000-01 season.

Wild owner Craig Leipold knew for sure that it was happening around 2 a.m. on July 3. With his family at their cottage in Wisconsin to celebrate the July 4 holiday, he was left in his St. Paul apartment to celebrate the big news with the family dogs.

Parise was at his agent's office in Toronto when he learned the deal was done. He hopped on the next flight to the Twin Cities.

When Wild coach Mike Yeo left the office the night before the deal, he knew it was a possibility, and he already was dreaming about line combinations and defensive pairings. The next morning, it became a reality.

Leipold says even now -- one year after the two biggest signings in Wild history became official -- fans tell him where they were when they heard the news.

His favorite story is of a father and son. The dad was on the dock of the family's lake house fishing when the son bolted out of the cottage.

He called his father inside and pointed to the television, which was reporting the news.

"It's just one of those moments," Leipold said.

One year later, the two are the faces of the franchise, which made the playoffs for the first time in five years in 2013.

By many measures, it was a successful season. The expectation was for the Wild to make the playoffs, and they did. But while the team did improve statistically, it won just one playoff game -- and had to fight to the last day of the

Parise and Suter regular season just to make it.

That was hardly the fault of Suter and Parise. Suter led the NHL in minutes in both the regular season and the playoffs. Parise scored just one goal in the playoffs but he helped shut down the vaunted Blackhawks' top line.

"Statistically speaking, we improved in just about every category, and in some cases dramatically," Yeo said. "Puck possession, shots, shots against, just about every category improved. I don't want to say it's all because of them, because a lot of guys put in great deal of work, but having them was a real growth for us."

Because of the lockout, players had days, not weeks, to prepare together for the season, and Parise said it took some time out of the gate for everyone to feel comfortable with each other. It's one reason he's optimistic about the 2013-14 season, when the schedule and routines return to normal.

In their first season together, Suter was a first-team all-star and a finalist for the Norris Trophy given to the league's best defender, and Parise led the team in nearly every major offensive category, including goals, points and shots.

"They are as good as we thought they would be," Leipold said. "They gave us everything we hoped they would give us."

When Leipold got the news the deal was done -- remember, it was at 2 a.m. -- he called Wild chief financial officer Jeff Pellegrom and told him the situation.

"It always shakes up your financial guy when you're making a commitment for $196 million," Leipold said.

Leipold and Pellegrom met the following morning to create a budget with estimations for what signing Suter and Parise would mean for ticket sales, merchandise sales and sponsorships.

"We had to be aggressive in our forecasting to make numbers work," Leipold said. "We thought we might have been too aggressive, but as it turns out we were fine."

In the end, the Wild lost money on the season, but that was because of the lockout. If the numbers held true for a full season, they would have "blown away" their projections, Leipold said.

"We feel the excitement is still out there, and it's obvious that it is because of the excitement of our fans," he said.

The Wild introduced their new duo to the Twin Cities on July 4, 2012.

There was plenty of stress within the organization leading up the signings. For much of the negotiations, the Wild were aiming to get Parise or Suter. But to get Parise and Suter?

"It never even occurred to me," Leipold said.

For Parise, it was a homecoming. He was born in Minneapolis, played hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's prep school in Faribault and the University of North Dakota and still lives in Orono.

After he signed with the Wild, Parise said it seemed like every time he went out in public, fans stopped him for an autograph or to talk. Several times, fans picked up the tab when he was out for dinner with his wife.

And the State of Hockey certainly was familiar territory to Suter. His wife is from Bloomington. And he grew up not so far away, in Madison, Wis., and played hockey at the University of Wisconsin.

"He had a good idea of what to expect here," Parise said.

Parise is spending most of this summer in Orono. He has begun skating again and is fishing in his free time. He even has attended a few Twins games.

After the craziness of last year -- he played in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals with the New Jersey Devils, signed his almost-$100-million deal with the Wild, got married at the end of July and then sat through the lockout -- he's enjoying time away from it all.

"I'm glad I don't have to do it all over again," he said. "But it was a lot of fun. My agents did a really good job of preparing me for it. But it was just stressful trying to find out where I was going to play the rest of my career."

Before free agency last summer, he spoke with Suter about what it would be like to play together. He envisioned it again when the contracts became official. But actually getting on the ice with the man with whom he signed an identical, multi-million-dollar contract ... well, that has been even better than he expected.

"I already knew that Suter was a good player," Parise said. "But once you get a chance to play with him, you appreciate how good he is and everything he does. We're lucky to have him."

Or, if you ask the Wild, lucky to have them both.



Minnesota Wild's Ryan Suter an NHL first-team all-star

By Chad Graff

[email protected]

Posted: 07/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated: 07/03/2013 05:20:50 PM CDT

Defenseman Ryan Suter became the first Wild player to be chosen an NHL first-team all-star when the league announced the team Wednesday.

Suter's defensive partner, 19-year-old Jonas Brodin, was named to the NHL's all-rookie team last week.

Suter, 28, led all defensemen in time on ice (27:16 per game) and ranked second in assists (28) and third in points (32) at his position. He led the Wild in assists and blocked shots in his first season with the team.

He is joined on the six-player first team by goalie Sergei Bobrovsky of Columbus, defenseman P.K. Subban of Montreal, center Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh, and wingers Alex Ovechkin of Washington and Chris Kunitz of Pittsburgh.


683708 Montreal Canadiens

Habs Development camp kicks off in Brossard

Posted by Brenda Branswell

July 3, 2013

Canadiens’ first-round draft pick Michael McCarron took part in the off-ice testing Wednesday morning in Brossard at the start of the Habs’ annual development camp.

Fifty-six players, including 28 drafted by the Canadiens, are at the camp, which ends on Sunday.

“The feeling is awesome,” said McCarron, a 6-foot-5 1/2, 235-pound winger who spent the past two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

“I know this crest is just so known throughout hockey. When you think of hockey you think of the Canadiens, the most winningest team. It’s nuts. I can’t believe I’m part of it. And I’ll certainly wear it proud.”

As a big guy, McCarron said he thinks he still needs to work on his quickness and consistency. “Being ready to play every night. Some nights I’m good and some nights I’m average. When you’re up here you need to be good every night.”

McCarron hasn’t decided where he’ll play next season. He has signed a letter of intent with the Western Michigan Broncos. The London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League hold his Canadian Hockey League rights.

“I still have to talk to the staff here to see what they think is best for me. I still haven’t made my decision,” McCarron told reporters.

He should make his decision next week and it’s going to be a tough one for him, he said.

McCarron hasn’t gone unnoticed. While at the airport in Toronto for his connecting flight to Montreal “a dozen guys came up to me and ‘hey, are you Mike McCarron?’”

“They wanted a picture…that was the first time I’ve ever been recognized outside the rink so it was pretty special.”

The group of players at the camp includes defenceman Jarred Tinordi, who finished the season with the Habs, Louis Leblanc, the Habs’ first-round pick in 2009, as well as right winger Christian Thomas who was acquired from the New York Rangers on Tuesday in exchange for former Habs’ prospect Danny Kristo.

Leblanc, who suffered a high ankle sprain, had a disappointing season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, the Canadiens’ farm team.

Asked what they want to see more of from Leblanc, Martin Lapointe, the Canadiens’ director of player development, said being injured set back the 22-year-old forward a bit.

“This year’s a new year. I’ve been talking to Louis a lot…I think for him it’s just having a fresh start. He did his tests today. He tested really well. He’s a kid that works hard.”

“I’m not worried about Louis bouncing back,” Lapointe said. “He’s a good kid that works hard.”

The first on-ice session was slated for Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public as are all other practices at the camp, which runs through Sunday in Brossard. There will be a scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. Sunday to wrap up the camp.

The NHL announced its 2012-13 all-star teams Wednesday and, not surprisingly, Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban of the Canadiens was named to the first team on defence along with Minnesota’s Ryan Suter. The first-team forwards were Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (centre), Pittsburgh’s Chris Kunitz (left wing) and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (right wing). Ovechkin also made the second all-star team as a left-winger.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.04.2013

683709 Montreal Canadiens

McCarron already living a Habs dream

By Dave Stubbs, The Gazette July 3, 2013

MONTREAL - When they know the background, Canadiens fans won’t have an issue with the fact that 2013 draft pick Michael McCarron loves Milan Lucic.

That would be the same Lucic who’s a battering ram for the detested Boston Bruins, a thorn in the side of the Habs and their disciples on every stride of every shift.

“I love him because he can play on the fourth line or first line,” McCarron said on Wednesday, in Brossard for the first day of the Canadiens’ five-day development camp.

“(Lucic) can bang or fight, or play on the first line because he has tons of skill and can create points. That’s the type of player I think I am and that’s why I love him. He’s an awesome player.”

On Sunday, McCarron became the 551st pick in Canadiens history, the team’s first choice (25th overall) in the entry draft held at New Jersey’s Prudential Center.

The 18-year-old from Macomb, Mich., up the road from Detroit, beamed with delight as he pulled on his Canadiens jersey, then charmed everyone — and perhaps even Lucic, had the Bruins forward been watching — with his refreshingly unscripted comments in interviews.

It was then that McCarron’s professional affection for Lucic first came to light. But after the shock of that wore off, this should have dawned on Habs fans: if the Canadiens can’t have the Boston wrecking ball in a CH sweater, what’s wrong with drafting a 6-foot-5½, 238-pound (and still filling out) player who seems he might become a reasonable facsimile?

On Twitter Sunday night, giddy Canadiens fan @93hockey4ever - Terrebonne's Chantal Leclair, a mother of three - addressed McCarron with: “If you can really kick Lucic’s ass, then we’re REALLY happy you’re coming here!”

And McCarron, on Twitter as @MacAttackUSA93, immediately retweeted it.

"I'm pretty sure (Lucic) has seen the tweets and is wondering, 'Who is this kid?' " McCarron said, grinning, the largest dressing-room media scrum he'd ever seen having drifted away 15 minutes after assembling.

"But I looked up to him as a player and I think that's helped shaped how I play."

Until now, and probably not for awhile yet, McCarron and Lucic have not met. When that day comes, if it's on the ice, their conversation won't be an exchange of good will.

"I'm not worried," McCarron said, grinning again.

The Canadiens newcomer wasn't quite 72 hours past his welcome into the Habs family and here he was Wednesday noon, towering over those who had horseshoed him into his dressing-room corner.

McCarron admitted he had "come back into myself" following the whirlwind of anticipation that preceded the draft and the madness that followed it.

"It was a little crazy right there," he said, "but it's finally hit me to see how cool it is to be drafted by such an awesome (organization)."

Hearing his name called from the arena stage by Trevor Timmins, the Canadiens' director of amateur scouting, was "a really cool moment, kinda a dream come true," McCarron said.

"The Canadiens talked to me the most (before the draft) so when they walked up there, I was like, 'This could be me, this could be me . . . ' The sweat started to fill up my palms and I was like, 'It's going to be me.'

"And then they called my name and it was just relief. I gave my mom a nice, long hug, and then my brother and sister and my dad."

This week is a return to Brossard for McCarron, who was here last month for the Canadiens' pre-draft talent testing/evaluation combine.

"I didn't know what to expect (then)," he said. "I didn't know how much they liked me or what-not. Now, I'm here. I was drafted by them and it's a really cool moment, my first time in front of all this media.

"I want to show my toughness (this week) and my skill, too. I don't want to be known as just a tough guy. Obviously that's a huge part of my game but I can bring the other part, too. I'm a good mixture."

As the team's top 2013 draft pick at this development camp, and as a colossal body with enormous potential, McCarron fully expects to be tested, even challenged with mitts dropped, before he returns home at week's end.

Fighting while wearing a cage in the United States Hockey League, in which he played last season with the U.S. national team development program, meant instant expulsion. Not this week.

"Absolutely," McCarron said, brightening at the prospect of a bare-knuckled Brossard dance. "I'd be thrilled if someone did that. Last year, not too many guys did. But if someone does it out here, I'll be happy. I'll be ready for anything."

He expects to make his playing decision for 2013-14 perhaps in the next week, balancing the scales between the Ontario Hockey League major-junior London Knights or the U.S. collegiate Western Michigan Broncos.

The rugged Knights, he says, play "my style of game. You can fight, you can bing."

College hockey, on the other hand, might be a better opportunity to work on his quickness, “which also will come with me maturing more as I get older, since I’m still growing into my body. Either way, it’s going to be good. It’s going to be a tough decision for me.”

McCarron is an impressive specimen even in street clothes, maybe a half-inch shorter than defenceman and fellow camper Jarred Tinordi but 10 pounds heavier based on team-advertised weights – 228 to Tinordi’s 218.

It was McCarron’s wonderful “I like food” quote that punctuated his post-draft remarks, on which he expanded Wednesday to say he puts away roughly 4,500 daily calories spread over six meals of “small portions.”

He wasn’t aware, yet, of Montreal’s place on the global map of gastronomic excellence, thus wasn’t aware of the dangers lurking for a voracious diner with two hollow legs.

“Hockey is becoming my profession,” McCarron said, “so I need to keep my body right.”

He expects he’ll break camp with guidelines from the Canadiens strength and conditioning staff on how to get bigger and stronger and fuel his body with the proper nutrition.

McCarron’s draft-day Canadiens jersey will still be on his bed when he gets home, exactly where he left it before flying in on Tuesday. His nameplate is stitched on the back, illustrating the Habs’ deep-rooted interest in him; many other Sunday draft picks pulled on NHL jerseys with their names hastily attached with Velcro, or without a plate at all.

“The feeling is awesome,” McCarron said of beginning to immerse himself in Canadiens customs, culture, history and brand. “This crest is so known throughout the game. When you think of hockey, you think of the Canadiens, the winningest team. It’s nuts. I can’t believe I’m part of it. I’ll certainly wear (the jersey) proudly.”

Fans will love this kid, whose embrace of social media has already endeared him. At 800 Twitter followers before the draft, he’s now at nearly 8,500.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said of the growth of fans now along for the Twitter ride. “My phone kept blowing up. After the draft, it literally didn’t work. I had to turn it off and on five times to get it to work.”

And if the Canadiens have an issue with the kick-Lucic’s-fanny retweet, they weren’t saying.

“We had a social-media meeting (Tuesday), about what to do and not to do, and they didn’t bring that one up,” said McCarron, who loved Max Pacioretty’s tweeted 2011 comparison of a long playoff game to the length of the nose of Bruins’ Brad Marchand.

The Habs newcomer hopes to learn some French, saying brightly that his Quebec-born grandmother “knows some words, obviously all the bad words, and I’m sure she’ll teach them to me.

“I know this is a city of hockey. I was told to expect this. I’m kinda an easy going guy. I like to reach out to fans and you (media) guys,” McCarron said, fully at ease as he was enveloped by attention. “I don’t think it will ever get old.”

At 18, on the grandest stage of a young man’s life, Wednesday’s room jammed tight with bodies and equipment smelled like the most heavenly perfume.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.04.2013

683710 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators, Sergei Kostitsyn closer to parting

Jul. 3, 2013 4:54 PM |

Written by

Josh Cooper

Predators forward Sergei Kostitsyn appears to be moving closer to the Kontinental Hockey League.

On Wednesday his agent Don Meehan indicated that the Russia-based league, not Nashville, was Kostitsyn’s likely location for the 2013-14 season.

“As it stands now, there is a good chance that he may go to the Kontinental Hockey League next year,” Meehan said in an email to The Tennessean. “We are in the process of determining this issue, but as I say, it is probably the likeliest option at this point.”

The split between the Predators and Kostitsyn appears to be mutual. Nashville put Kostitsyn on unconditional waivers Wednesday, and hasn’t said it would stand in the forward’s way if he decides to leave for Russia.

The unconditional waiver move could lead to the termination of Kostitsyn’s contract.

Gill clears waivers: Defenseman Hal Gill cleared waivers on Wednesday, meaning no team picked him up for his $2 million salary.

Though Gill remains Nashville’s property, the Predators indicated he was not part of their plans. It could pave the way for a buyout of Gill’s deal, which has one year remaining.

Development camp: Predators development camp is next week. There will be on-ice workouts at Centennial Sportsplex on July 9-10 and 12-13 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are open to the public.

Defenseman Seth Jones, this year’s first-round draft pick, is expected to attend, as is forward Filip Forsberg, a 2012 first rounder of the Capitals who was acquired in an April 3 trade.

Tennessean LOADED: 07.04.2013

683711 Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators to search for scoring in free agency

Jul. 3, 2013 4:22 PM |

Written by

Josh Cooper

The search seems almost unending for the Predators.

Every summer they look to add a top-six forward to bring scoring punch to a lineup that has been offensively starved for all but a few years of the franchise’s existence. This summer the Predators have stated they will look to add free agents when the market opens at 11 a.m. Friday.

Though the class for such a player is limited this offseason, there are some forwards who can at least give the Predators a chance to become bigger, stronger and more dynamic up front.

“We’ll try to get the best forward we can sign,” general manager David Poile said. “There will be certain characteristics that we will be looking for to get the best one at this position.”

The last couple of offseasons the Predators stayed in-house (2011) or missed out on some free agent or trade opportunities (2012), but the decision to draft defenseman Seth Jones last week put them in an enviable spot, however. It fulfilled one part of their offseason wish list — a top-four defenseman — and enabled them to concentrate solely on finally nailing down a forward.

The Predators have nearly $11 million of salary cap space, according to capgeek.com. The number goes to $13 million if Nashville buys out defenseman Hal Gill as expected. With 20 players signed, there is room to add a couple of pieces up front.

There are some free agents who would fit well into Nashville’s system, if the Predators are willing to pay. Here are some of the unrestricted free agent options at center and wing:

Center

Mike Ribeiro (Capitals) is considered the top pivot available, and he averaged more than a point per game last season. He’s 33, however, and will likely look for a deal larger than the $5 million he earned in 2013. The

Predators don’t have the luxury of handing out that kind of money to someone that age.

Derek Roy (Canucks) is 30 and has seen his numbers decline in recent years, but he still has some good hockey left in him. His career-high 81 points in 2007-08 is 18 more than the career high for any of Nashville’s current forwards.

Daniel Briere (Flyers) was a compliance buyout, appears to be slowing down (he’s 35) and has a history of concussions. But the Predators have shown interest in Briere, who posted 68 points just two seasons ago and is a proven playoff performer. He only had 16 points in 34 games last season.

Wing

Nathan Horton (Bruins) would be an excellent fit for the Predators. The 6-2, 215-pounder is 28, a big postseason scorer and a former 30-goal guy. There are some reports that he wants close to $6 million per year on a multiyear contract, however. That’s a lot to lavish on a player with a history of concussions, plays a rough style of game and is a bit of an injury risk. Still, for the Predators it’s a gamble that could be worth taking.

Viktor Stalberg (Blackhawks) could be a nice fit. Buried on the depth chart, he still scored 43 points and 22 goals two seasons ago. The 6-3, 209-pounder is an excellent skater. He could also come at some decent value — his last contract was for two years at $1.75 million. He was a healthy scratch at times during Chicago’s run to the Stanley Cup, which does raise a few red flags.

Ryane Clowe (Rangers) always gave the Predators fits when he with the Sharks. Though the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is coming off a bit of a down season, he is just two years removed from a 62-point campaign. He’s only 30 and is coming off a four-year, $14.5 million contract.

Michael Ryder (Canadiens) is another power winger with a recent track record of success. He has scored 30-plus goals more than three times, most recently two seasons ago. The problem is that he’s also over 30 in age and stands to get a decent payday. His last contract paid him $3.5 million per season, and he’ll probably get more than that in his next deal.

Reach Josh Cooper

Tennessean LOADED: 07.04.2013

683712 New Jersey Devils

Devils' Johan Hedberg on Cory Schneider trade: I was caught off guard for sure

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger


Devils goalie Johan Hedberg, back home in Sweden, spoke with general manager Lou Lamoriello today but said he did not know whether the club planned to buy out the remaining one year on his contract.

If the Devils plan to use a compliance buyout for the one year remaining on Hederg's contract $1.4 million), they would have to place him on unconditional waivers by noon Thursday.

"We're trying to get something worked out," Hedberg told The Star-Ledger. "We'll see what it will be. I'm not sure what is going to happen."

Asked if it is a possibility that he could play for Albany in the AHL, Hedberg said: "That is not my preference."

Hedberg was in Prudential Center when the trade for Cory Schneider was announced during the NHL draft on Sunday.

"I was probably one of the most shocked. I was caught off guard for sure," Hedberg said.

New York Times LOADED: 07.04.2013


Devils, Sabres, Canadiens pursuing Danny Briere

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger


The Devils are among at least three teams that continue to pursue veteran forward Danny Briere, whose contract was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers last month.

NHL clubs, allowed to interview free agents since 12:01 this morning, cannot sign them until noon on Friday. However, Briere can be signed immediately because of the buyout.

In addition to the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, the Devils have remained in the hunt for Briere, who will turn 36 on Oct. 6. There are also reports that the Islanders have interest.

The Flyers bought out the remaining two years on Briere's eight-year, $52 million contract and the 5-10, 180-pound native of Gatineau, Quebec, has been talking to several clubs in the east.

Briere did not want to leave the Flyers, who paid him $3.3 million for the two years left on his contract. He would have been a $6.5 million (per season) cap hit.

“It’s sad, but at the same time, hopefully it’s new doors that open. New opportunities,” he told reporters after the Flyers announced the buyout. “Obviously, I’m not very happy with the way last season went. But it’s also extra motivation moving forward, to prove that I can still play, and hopefully I still have a few more years.”

Briere said he plans to keep his home in southern New Jersey.

“Obviously, I’ve been here a long time,’’ said Briere. “This is home now for me and my family (three sons). “Wherever I’m going to end up, the kids are staying here and I’m coming back here. Yeah, this is my home. This is what we consider home now.”

General manager Lou Lamoriello has acknowledged the Devils are in need of adding some offense. Although Briere's numbers have dipped over the last two seasons, he is still regarded as a goal-scoring threat.

During the NHL lockout last year Briere played for Eisbaren Berlin in Germany and scored 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) in 21 games. In 34 games for the Flyers he had 16 points (six goals, 10 assists).

On Mar. 13 at Prudential Center, Briere hit Krys Barch from behind late in the game. He later apologized to Barch.

It has been several seasons since Briere scored 34 goals (along with 34 assists) in 77 games for the Flyers in 2010-11. He dropped off to 16-33-49 in 2011-12.

Star Ledger LOADED: 07.04.2013


NHL announces 2012-13 All-Star teams; Devils almost shut out in voting

Devils players were nearly shut out in the voting for the 2012-13 NHL All-Star team.

Defenseman Marek Zidlicky received one third-place vote and tied for 28th while right winger Ilya Kovalchuk got one third-place vote and finished in a tie for 15th.

Devils goalies, centers and left wingers did not get a single vote.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin was voted the first team right winger and the second team left winger.

2012-2013 NHL First All-Star Team


G Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus 38 21 11 6 2.00 .932 4

GP Mins. G A Pts

D P.K. Subban, Montreal 42 23:14 11 27 38

D Ryan Suter, Minnesota 48 27:16 4 28 32

C Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh 36 21:06 15 41 56

RW Alex Ovechkin, Washington 48 20:53 32 24 56

LW Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh 48 18:01 22 30 52

2012-2013 NHL Second All-Star Team


G Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers 43 24 16 3 2.05 .926 2

GP Mins. G A Pts

D Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim 48 23:27 6 18 24

D Kris Letang, Pittsburgh 35 25:38 5 33 38

C Jonathan Toews, Chicago 47 19:20 23 25 48

RW Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay 48 21:59 17 43 60

LW Alex Ovechkin, Washington 48 20:53 32 24 56

* * *

2012-2013 NHL ALL-STAR TEAM VOTING RESULTS

GOALTENDER

Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd) Career All-Star

Selections

1. SERGEI BOBROVSKY, CBJ 728

(129-24-11) 1 First Team, 0 Second Team

2. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR 220


3. Antti Niemi, S.J. 219 (9-43-45)

4. Tuukka Rask, BOS 174 (9-33-30)

5. Craig Anderson, OTT 157 (14-23-18)

6. Corey Crawford, CHI 32 (1-6-9)

7. James Reimer, TOR 10 (0-2-4)

8. Evgeni Nabokov, NYI 8 (1-1-0)

9. Jimmy Howard, DET 7 (0-1-4)

10. Ray Emery, CHI 6 (0-1-3)

11. Carey Price, MTL 5 (0-1-2)

12. Cory Schneider, VAN 4 (0-0-4)

13. Niklas Backstrom, MIN 2 (0-0-2)

14. Viktor Fasth, ANA 1 (0-0-1)

Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT 1 (0-0-1)

Braden Holtby, WSH 1 (0-0-1)

DEFENSE


Selections

1. P.K. SUBBAN, MTL 756 (121-47-10) 1

First Team, 0 Second Team

2. RYAN SUTER, MIN 713 (112-46-15) 1


3. Kris Letang, PIT 618 (71-82-17) 0


4. Francois Beauchemin, ANA 256


5. Duncan Keith, CHI 249 (10-48-55)

6. Zdeno Chara, BOS 214 (20-24-42)

7. Shea Weber, NSH 68 (1-14-21)

8. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, PHX 65 (4-11-12)

9. Drew Doughty, L.A. 48 (1-9-16)

10. Keith Yandle, PHX 40 (1-5-20)

11. Niklas Kronwall, DET 35 (2-3-16)

12. Alex Pietrangelo, STL 25 (2-2-9)

13. Dion Phaneuf, TOR 25 (0-6-7)

14. Andrei Markov, MTL 23 (1-2-12)

15. Dustin Byfuglien, WPG 12 (0-3-3)

16. Dan Hamhuis, VAN 10 (0-3-1)

17. Mike Green, WSH 10 (0-2-4)

18. Kimmo Timonen, PHI 10 (0-1-7)

19. Dan Girardi, NYR 7 (1-0-2)

20. Dennis Seidenberg, BOS 5 (0-1-2)

21. Erik Karlsson, OTT 4 (0-1-1)

Sheldon Souray, ANA 4 (0-1-1)

23. Slava Voynov, L.A. 3 (0-0-3)

24. Jason Garrison, VAN 2 (0-0-2)

Sergei Gonchar, OTT 2 (0-0-2)

Nick Leddy, CHI 2 (0-0-2)

Paul Martin, PIT 2 (0-0-2)

28. Kevin Bieksa, VAN 1 (0-0-1)

Brian Campbell, FLA 1 (0-0-1)

Christian Ehrhoff, BUF 1 (0-0-1)

Cody Franson, TOR 1 (0-0-1)

Ryan McDonagh, NYR 1 (0-0-1)

Lubomir Visnovsky, NYI 1 (0-0-1)

Marek Zidlicky, N.J. 1 (0-0-1)

CENTER


Selections

1. SIDNEY CROSBY, PIT 725 (115-44-18) 2


2. Jonathan Toews, CHI 404 (36-60-44) 0


3. Steven Stamkos, T.B. 235 (14-41-42)

4. John Tavares, NYI 193 (13-29-41)

5. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 22 (0-3-13)

6. Ryan Getzlaf, ANA 12 (0-0-12)

7. Eric Staal, CAR 6 (0-1-3)

8. Claude Giroux, PHI 5 (1-0-0)

9. Henrik Sedin, VAN 4 (0-1-1)

10. Henrik Zetterberg, DET 2 (0-0-2)

11. Patrice Bergeron, BOS 1 (0-0-1)

Matt Duchene, COL 1 (0-0-1)

Anze Kopitar, L.A. 1 (0-0-1)

RIGHT WING


Selections

1. ALEX OVECHKIN, WSH 591 (103-23-7) 6


2. Martin St. Louis, T.B. 440


3. Patrick Kane, CHI 437 (36-63-68)

4. Phil Kessel, TOR 68 (2-10-28)

5. Pascal Dupuis, PIT 22 (0-4-10)

6. Steven Stamkos, T.B. 10 (2-0-0)

7. Jakub Voracek, PHI 8 (0-1-5)

8. James Neal, PIT 6 (0-0-6)

9. Ryan Callahan, NYR 4 (0-1-1)

10. Alexander Semin, CAR 4 (0-0-4)

11. Jeff Carter, L.A. 3 (0-1-0)

Rick Nash, NYR 3 (0-1-0)

13. Corey Perry, ANA 3 (0-0-3)

14. Chris Stewart, STL 2 (0-0-2)

15. Daniel Alfredsson, OTT 1 (0-0-1)

Ryan Getzlaf, ANA 1 (0-0-1)

Claude Giroux, PHI 1 (0-0-1)

Marian Hossa, CHI 1 (0-0-1)

Ilya Kovalchuk, N.J. 1 (0-0-1)

P.A. Parenteau, COL 1 (0-0-1)

Blake Wheeler, WPG 1 (0-0-1)

LEFT WING


Selections

1. CHRIS KUNITZ, PIT 519 (70-47-28) 1


2. Alex Ovechkin, WSH 217 (41-4-0) 6


3. Taylor Hall, EDM 205 (18-28-31)

4. Henrik Zetterberg, DET 179

(17-22-28)

5. Andrew Ladd, WPG 169 (11-28-30)

6. Rick Nash, NYR 154 (10-27-23)

7. Daniel Sedin, VAN 38 (4-4-6)

8. Thomas Vanek, BUF 36 (2-6-8)

9. Matt Moulson, NYI 24 (0-5-9)

10. Zach Parise, MIN 23 (1-3-9)

11. Brad Marchand, BOS 19 (2-2-3)

12. Patrick Kane, CHI 5 (1-0-0)

Martin St. Louis, T.B. 5 (1-0-0)

14. Pascal Dupuis, PIT 3 (0-1-0)

Patrick Marleau, S.J. 3 (0-1-0)

16. James Neal, PIT 1 (0-0-1)

Brandon Saad, CHI 1 (0-0-1)

Jakub Voracek, PHI 1 (0-0-1)

Star Ledger LOADED: 07.04.2013


The Record's guide to NHL free agency


The Record

The NHL free agent interview period got under way Wednesday. Teams can’t officially sign players until noon Friday. Staff writers Andrew Gross and Tom Gulitti take a look at this year’s market.

Top unrestricted free agent forwards

Daniel Alfredsson – The 40-year-old right wing is likely headed back to Ottawa, but was listening to offers Wednesday.

Nathan Horton – After helping Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reach the Finals again this past season, Horton, 28, is looking to play in a warmer climate. He needs shoulder surgery.

David Clarkson – There will be plenty of suitors for the 29-year-old Devils right wing, who scored a career-best 30 goals in 2011-12.

Jarome Iginla – Now 36, the former Calgary captain disappointed in the playoffs with Pittsburgh, but scored 32 goals in 2011-12.

Mike Ribeiro — The Capitals tried to re-sign the 34-year-old center, who had 49 points in 48 games this past season. His playmaking skills make him an asset on the power play and for the top two lines.

Top UFA defensemen

Andrew Ference – The Bruins don’t have the salary cap space to keep Ference, 34, who has been a key contributor on defense.

Rob Scuderi – The Kings would like to keep the two-time Cup winner, but the stay-at-home defenseman is still available.

Marek Zidlicky – The 36-year-old Czech finished fifth on the Devils last season with 19 points.

Ron Hainsey – Hainsey, 32, was a prominent figure on the players’ side during the lockout talks. Will that deter teams from going after the 6-foot-3, 210-pound stay-at-home defenseman.

Top UFA goalies

Tim Thomas – After sitting out last season to reset mentally, the 39-year-old former Vezina and Conn Smythe winner is having his agent explore his options to resume playing.

Ray Emery – Emery, 30, rebounded from injury problems to have a strong season as Chicago’s backup. Might be an option as a No. 1 for some teams.

Anton Khudobin – At 27, Khudobin finally established himself as a full-time NHLer in 2012-13 as Boston’s backup. A team might give him a chance as the starter.

Top buyouts

Ilya Bryzgalov – A weak market for free agent goalies makes the mercurial and inconsistent, 33-year-old Russian attractive after the Flyers ate the final seven seasons of his nine-year, $51 million deal.

Danny Briere – The Flyers extricated themselves from the final two seasons of his eight-year, $52 million deal. But the versatile Briere, while no longer a 30-goal scorer, has multiple suitors despite requiring an over-35 contract.

Mike Komisarek – The defenseman, a 31-year-old Long Islander, had just one year left on his five-year, $22.5 million deal with the Maple Leafs but played just four NHL games last season

Tomas Kaberle – The Canadiens became the second team to ditch Kaberle’s three-year, $12.75 million deal, initially signed with the Hurricanes in 2011, after the 31-year-old defenseman played just 10 games last season as the odd man out of the rotation.

Top restricted free agents

Ryan McDonagh – Blossomed into the Rangers’ best all-around defenseman at 24 and could quadruple his previous $1.3 million salary cap hit.

Alex Pietrangelo – The Blues defenseman has a solid combination of size at 6-3 and scoring ability – five goals, 19 assists in 47 games last season. He is coming off a three-year entry-level deal worth $2.625 million

Tuukka Rask – The Bruins made it clear they are looking to sign their 26-year-old franchise goalie to a long-term extension that could double his $3.5 million cap hit from last season

Derek Stepan – At 23, Stepan has become the Rangers’ No. 1 center. He is coming off a three-year entry-level deal worth $2.462 million and could be in line for a deal similar to the two-year, $10 million offer sheet the Avalanche had to match last summer for C Ryan O’Reilly.

Who’s buying

Blues – St. Louis is on the cusp of being one of the NHL’s elite teams and with nearly $16 million in cap space should be pursuing a top six forward.

Flames – GM Jay Feaster must rebuild and has about $17 million in cap space with needs at all three positions.

Maple Leafs – Having made the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and with approximately $19 million in cap space, Toronto should be aggressive, perhaps in pursuit of Clarkson.

Oilers – Edmonton is stocked with young talent up front and, with about $14 million in cap space, should be active seeking a top-flight defenseman.

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.04.2013


Devils: Get ready for start of free agency

Thursday July 4, 2013

BY TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

The first day of the NHL’s free agent interview period passed rather quietly Wednesday as teams, agents and potential free agents presumably were busy talking to each other and not letting much information about those conversations become public.

As of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, teams were permitted to talk to potential unrestricted and restricted free agents. They can agree upon the terms of a contract, but are not allowed to officially sign free agents (unless re-signing their own player) until noon Friday.

This interview window is new in the collective bargaining agreement. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello made it no secret this week that he planned to be active and try to add some scoring help up front. Of course, Lamoriello won’t specifically speak about any players he is pursuing, but called today’s process "different."

He speculated that lack of leaking news throughout the league probably is due to the fact that teams can’t officially sign players from other teams until Friday.

"I don’t think anybody’s going to talk about anything that’s going on because there’s nothing that can be finalized or completed before a certain time," Lamoriello said.

The interview period also takes some of the pressure off the players to make a decision right away or during a tight timeframe on contract offers they receive.

"It certainly takes the time pressure away," said Pat Morris, agent for Devils right wing David Clarkson. "You’re still prepared before then, but you welcome the opportunity to have more calm discussions."

As of Wednesday evening, there was no word on how many teams had expressed interest in the 29-year-old Clarkson. Lamoriello declined to discuss the status of his talks with Clarkson, who turned down a contract offer from the Devils last weekend.

The Devils still haven’t officially locked up left wing Patrik Elias. Lamoriello said, "It’s close, it’s getting closer" to a deal, but it wasn’t done yet. Without a signed contract, Elias, 37, also was free to listen to offers from other teams.

In the meantime, a source said the Devils still were in the mix of teams pursuing forward Danny Briere, who became an unrestricted free agent after his contract was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers last month. Briere, who will turn 36 on Oct. 6, was informed by the Flyers on June 20 that they would be using a compliance buyout on the final two seasons on the eight-year contract he signed with them in 2007.

Because he was bought out, Briere was able to begin talking to teams before the free agent interview period began. Lamoriello wouldn’t comment Tuesday when asked if he was interested in Briere.

A report from RDS in Canada said Briere had trimmed the group of teams he was considering to six. The Islanders, Buffalo and Montreal also reportedly were interested in signing Briere, but Newsday reported Wednesday that the Islanders were not among Briere’s finalists.


683717 New York Islanders

Oft-injured goalie says he’ll play again

By BRETT CYRGALIS

Last Updated: 4:06 AM, July 4, 2013

Posted: 12:48 AM, July 4, 2013

There was no waver in his voice, no second-guessing, no questioning.

Rick DiPietro wants to play hockey again.

“I’m still a young man,” DiPietro told The Post yesterday, the day the oft-injured goalie cleared waivers and was bought out by the Islanders, the only NHL team he has ever played for. “I think a lot of people think of me as an old, washed-up guy, but I’m only 31 and I haven’t gotten a chance over the past couple years here to get back being healthy.”

After a lengthy list of mostly knee and hip surgeries, DiPietro was able to play only 50 games for the Islanders the past five seasons. General manager Garth Snow placed him on waivers Tuesday, and when he cleared at noon yesterday, the team used its first compliance buyout to wipe off the salary cap the $32 million over eight years it still owed him. As per the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, DiPietro will receive $1.5 million annually for the next 16 years.

But that is not a retirement cushion for the netminder, whom the Islanders made the No. 1-overall pick in the 2000 draft. DiPietro has battled hard times during his injuries, but he feels like he’s not entirely removed from his lone All-Star appearance in 2008 or his job as the starting goaltender for Team USA in the 2006 Turin Olympics.

“I just want to be feeling good on the ice and have no reservations,” said DiPietro, who was working out in anticipation of returning to compete for the Islanders’ starting job. “I’m feeling that way now, so I’m excited for an opportunity. Hopefully something will come up and I’ll get back to where I want to be.”

Now the question is where that next opportunity will arise — if it arises at all. DiPietro was open to signing a two-way contract, meaning he could be sent back and forth from the minors. But he is also not about to start

predicting the future, having already traversed a fate that few would wish on their worst enemy.

“I think as an athlete you use every little thing for motivation and give you that edge to train and work,” “The last couple years, you can’t choose to get injured,” DiPietro said. or not get injured It’s just part of the sport and it happens. I’ve gotten to a point now where I feel good and I feel healthy and hopefully that translates onto the ice.

DiPietro played just three games for the Islanders last season before he was demoted to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. There, he played in 18 games and finished with a record of 9-9-0, a 2.93 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage.

“It was an extremely tough decision to use the compliance buyout on Rick’s contract,” Snow said in a statement. “His drive to win games and compete at the highest level for the New York Islanders was never questioned. With Rick back at 100-percent health, we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his career.”

Snow was the GM in name only when DiPietro was handed his landmark 15-year, $67.5 million contract by owner Charles Wang in September 2006. After that, there were some good times, but mostly bad.

Now DiPietro is left without a team, without a contract, and hoping to pick up the pieces. But just as has always been the case, when asked if he wants to keep going, the cocky kid from Winthrop, Mass., would not, could not, hesitate.

“No question at all,” he said, and so it goes.

New York Post LOADED: 07.04.2013

683718 New York Islanders

Rick DiPietro's contract bought out by Islanders

Originally published: July 3, 2013 1:49 PM

Updated: July 3, 2013 2:55 PM

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rick DiPietro is now a former Islanders goalie after he cleared waivers and had his long contract bought out by the team.

The Islanders used a compliance buyout Wednesday to remove the final eight years of the goalie's deal from the club's salary cap.

New York will pay the 31-year-old DiPietro $1.5 million for each of the next 16 years -- double the years left on his original 15-year pact with the Islanders.

The No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft, DiPietro has been limited to 50 NHL games since the 2008-09 season, plagued by multiple concussions and hip and knee injuries that required surgery.

In 318 career NHL games, all with the Islanders, DiPietro went 130-136-8-28. Only Billy Smith played more games in goal for New York. DiPietro was 2-7 in 10 career playoff appearances.

"It was an extremely tough decision to use the compliance buyout on Rick's contract," general manager Garth Snow said in a statement. "His drive to win games and compete at the highest level for the New York Islanders was never questioned. With Rick back at 100 percent health, we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his career."

Last season, DiPietro -- the first goalie ever chosen No. 1 in the NHL draft -- played in only three games with the Islanders before he was waived and sent to Bridgeport of the AHL.

DiPietro allowed 12 goals in his Islanders appearances and didn't earn a win. In 18 games with Bridgeport, he went 9-9-0 with a 2.93 goals against average and .893 save percentage.

DiPietro signed a 15-year, $67.5 million deal before the 2006-07 season, but he was never able to live up to the contract or his lofty status of being a No. 1 draft pick.

He played 62 games that season and 63 more the following campaign, winning a total of 42 games in that span. Since then, he has made double-digit NHL appearances only once, 26 games in the 2010-11 season.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.04.2013

683719 New York Rangers

NY Rangers stick with Brad Richards because GM Glen Sather believes veteran center just had a bad year

The Rangers' decision to keep Ricards severely limits their ability to upgrade their team in free agency.

By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Brad Richards scores just one goal in the playoffs and finds himself on the outside looking in.

Glen Sather elected to keep Brad Richards for at least one more season because he believes the veteran center will "be much better next year."

The Rangers general manager said Wednesday morning at the team's Greenburgh training facility that "probably the deciding factor" behind not using a compliance buyout on Richards' albatross contract was: "He's a really good player. I think he had an off-year, and we think he'll be much better next year."

Sather and the Rangers, however, have almost no choice but to buy out Richards' contract following the 2013-14 season even if he rebounds from a forgettable 2012-13 campaign. Potential cap recapture penalties loom if Richards retires before his deal expires.

That explains Sather's answer on whether potential penalties didn't deter him. "No. Not right now," he said.

Richards has seven years at an annual cap hit of $6.67 million. The Rangers' decision to keep him severely limits their ability to upgrade their team in free agency, which opens on Friday. They have about $13 million available to re-sign restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello before even addressing the open market.

Sather indicated that while he sees "some options" in free agency, the Rangers' plans are focused on giving their promising young players a chance to contribute now.

"We have lots of good young kids coming," Sather said. "I don't want to shut the door on them."

He also said that he is considering adding another assistant coach to Alain Vigneault's staff, which already includes former Ranger Ulf Samuelsson and former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Scott Arniel.

"I'm still looking at some other possibilities," Sather said. "We still have (assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld to evaluate from the press box). We're gonna talk about the other things. We've got some other irons in the fire."

Henrik Lundqvist was named second-team all-NHL on Wednesday, and now he'd better rest up, because the Rangers goaltender can expect to see more shots on his cage in the 2013-14 season.

Samuelsson, a former defenseman who is expected to coach the Rangers' blue line, summed up his "ideal defensive environment" as: "No one screening the goaltender, no one getting the rebounds."

The Blueshirts always have emphasized clearing loose pucks, but an emphasis on not screening the goalie will draw the Rangers away from their trademark, shot-blocking shell under John Tortorella. That certainly will be music to the ears of players used to taking that punishment, such as defenseman Dan Girardi, but it also will rely even more heavily on Lundqvist to make stops.

Playing a style that avoids screening one's goalie emphasizes three main strategic points: that the coaches have trust in their goaltender to make the saves; that they want their players to avoid surrendering defensive zone positioning by diving towards shots; and that they want to emphasize quick clears of the puck and counterattacks instead of being stagnant or relying on puck freezes.

New head coach Alain Vigneault, who will be back in town for the final day of development camp on Friday, is expected to cultivate a strategy that allows his skill players to operate and his defensemen to push up ice.

"I've had a lot of conversations over the last couple weeks here, and (Vigneault) seems to be very intelligent, very bright," said Samuelsson, an assistant with Phoenix from 2006-11 before spending one year as head coach of Modo in his native Sweden. "I was very impressed by the interview process he had, very thorough. So I'm really looking forward to start working with him."

New York Daily News LOADED: 07.04.2013


New Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson discusses his 'ideal defensive environment' and his path back to New York

BY Pat Leonard

July 3, 2013 1:03 PM

Here’s five minutes with new Rangers assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson, who spoke to a few reporters in Greenburgh on Wednesday after his hiring was made official:

On how he decided New York was his next step: “Going back to Sweden was part of my coaching education. I went back there, got some head coaching experience, and I knew I wanted to get back in some capacity in the NHL. This opportunity came about, and I’m really grateful that I’m now working with the New York Rangers … I think the last two years has been good for my coaching education.”

On what he was in charge of from 2006-11 in Phoenix and how he anticipates fitting in here: “Well in Phoenix I worked both with Wayne Gretzky and Dave Tippet and tried most areas, both power play and penalty killing, and pre-scouts and all that. So I’ve been kind of through it all with both coaches, so that was some valuable experience. Here we have our coaches’ meeting coming up here shortly, and we’re going to determine more specifically the role here then.”

SATHER, RANGERS BELIEVE RICHARDS WILL 'BE MUCH BETTER NEXT YEAR'

On head coach Alain Vigneault: “Obviously I’ve had a lot of conversations over the last couple weeks here, and he seems to be very intelligent, very bright. I was very impressed by the interview process he had, very thorough. So I’m really looking forward to start working with him.”

On whether he had a pre-existing relationship with Vigneault: “No, not really, no.”

On what his emphasis is on coaching defense: “I think there’s a combination there. You have your ideal sort of defensive environment, but you also have a lot of individual skill and a lot of different type(s) of player in a game. So it’s really up to us the coaching staff to get the most out of each player and the talent they have.”

What’s his ideal defensive environment?: “No one screening the goaltender, no one getting the rebounds.”

On how well he knows this Rangers team: “I’m not at all where I want to be on a technical and the knowledge of the Rangers, so I’ll look at a computer here loaded with stuff. So it’s going to be a very busy summer for me to catch up. But since I played here, I always had a special interest and kept an eye on the Rangers, so I have a decent idea about where all the players are.”

On whether he ever foresaw his post-playing career in coaching: “You know what? At the end of my career, I was to the point where I’d almost had enough of hockey. So I got out of the game, and I stayed out for about four years, and I got involved in some different ventures in the business side of it. So they were fun, but after a few years, I missed the compete part, and I just had to get back.”

On what it means to be back with the Rangers, after playing in New York from 1995-96 through most of 1998-99: “Obviously special since I played here. It’s a great city, great fans. But it’s a really good group of people to work with. I mean it’s always been a family kind of feel in my opinion to this

organization even though it’s a big, busy place. So you see a lot of people come here and stay for a long time, work for a long time because it’s a good working environment. Obviously as a coach you look at the team and I think this is a team that has great potential, I think it could be a very successful few years for me here, looking at this roster.”

New York Daily News LOADED: 07.04.2013


Ulf Samuelson ready for Rangers ‘D’

By LARRY BROOKS

Last Updated: 4:06 AM, July 4, 2013

Posted: 12:44 AM, July 4, 2013

When assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson begins working with the Rangers at training camp, the veteran of 16 NHL seasons will impart two fundamental principles to his defensemen:

“No one screening the goaltender and no getting rebounds,” is how the one-time Blueshirt described his “ideal defensive environment” Wednesday after the third day of the club’s prospect camp.

Samuelsson, who spent the last two seasons as head coach of Modo Hockey in Sweden after four years as an assistant in Phoenix under first Wayne Gretzky and then Dave Tippett, will join former Winnipeg head coach Scott Arniel, and perhaps another aide as well, on Alain Vigneault’s staff.

“I’m not at all where I want to be on tactical and knowledge of the Rangers, but I have my computer loaded and it’s going to be a busy summer,” said Samuelsson, who played nearly four seasons for the Blueshirts in the late-’90s. “I think there’s great potential here and can be a very successful few years for me here, looking at the roster.”

It is incumbent on the Rangers to keep Ryan McDonagh on the roster in order to fulfill the team’s potential. The 24-year-old first-pair defenseman appears on his way to restricted free agency and will thereby become eligible for an offer sheet when the market opens at noon Friday.

“There’s nothing new to report,” Ben Hankinson, McDonagh’s agent, told The Post via email. “We met at the draft but there’s still some work to be done before a deal is made.”

McDonagh is likely to sign a deal worth between $4.5 and $5 million for anywhere from three to five years, with the price escalating as does the term. If the defenseman goes to arbitration,— the player can file by July 10; if he does not, the club can file the following day — he would be liable for a two-year contract.

The offer-sheet business gets tricky. Though the Rangers have approximately $13.3 million of space with which to accommodate signing McDonagh and fellow Group II’s Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello and recently acquired Justin Falk, that number swells to about $19.7 million with the 10 percent summer allowance.

So if a team were to come in with an offer sheet worth, say, $6.728 million per to McDonagh — which would equate to signing compensation of a first, a second and a third-round draft pick —, the Rangers would have the ability to match, though it would definitely cause some pain.

The chance of McDonagh getting an offer-sheet seems remote, but what if the Islanders, who have an immense amount of available cap space and need to use a fair amount of it in order to reach the floor, decide to make mischief?

The Blueshirts, in that case, probably wouldn’t be able to sign Zuccarello, whom they have slotted at somewhere around $1.25 million, and they would then have to play hardball with Stepan, who is not eligible for arbitration.

They would likely also have to waive both Darroll Powe and Arron Asham at the start of the year, cutting their combined $2.067 million cap hit to $217,000 as members of the AHL Wolf Pack.

Complicating the Rangers’ cap issue is the expectation that top-six wingers Ryan Callahan and Hagelin will miss the opening few weeks of the season

while recovering from labrum surgery. The Blueshirts could get relief by placing either or both on long-term injury reserve at the start of the year, but doing so would make them ineligible for the first 10 games and 24 days of the schedule.

Wrapping up the “Goes Without Saying” Award for 2013, general manager Glen Sather said, “We think he’ll be much better next year,” in explaining the decision not to use an amnesty buyout on Brad Richards.

New York Post LOADED: 07.04.2013


Glen Sather: 'We think Brad Richards will have much better year'

12:50 PM By Steve Zipay

The deciding factor in not using a compliance buyout on Brad Richards, Glen Sather said today, was because he believes the veteran center is “a really good player. I think he had an off-year, and we think he’ll be much better next year.”

Sather, the Rangers president and general manager, said the seven-year term did not have an impact “right now” on the decision to keep his annual cap charge of $6.67 million on the books for another year. The Rangers can use their second and final compliance buyout, which erases cap charges, next summer.

Keeping Richards, 33, who struggled through his worst season and was benched for the final two playoff games against the Bruins by former coach John Tortorella, eliminates a large chunk of space that the Rangers could have used in acquiring free agents starting on Friday.

But Sather said there might be some options on the market, without going into detail, but also noted: “We have lots of good young kids coming,” Sather said. “I don’t want to shut the door on them.”

Sather, speaking during a prospects scrimmage in Westchester, said that despite the hires of Ulf Samuelsson and Scott Arniel as assistants to head coach Alain Vigneault, “there are still some irons in the fire”, and could add to the staff.

He also said that negotiations between Henrik Lundqvist and his agent, Don Meehan, on a contract extension for the goaltender, who was voted to the NHL’s second All-Star team today, were continuing.



Rangers sketching new blue


BY ANDREW GROSS

STAFF WRITER

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – The Rangers will have little salary cap flexibility when the free agent market opens Friday, given their need to re-sign their own restricted free agents and to work out a lucrative contract extension for franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

They could have freed up an additional $6.67 million annually for the next seven seasons had they chosen to buy out Brad Richards, 33. Instead, general manager Glen Sather said he is counting on the veteran center to rebound from a sub-par performance, while hinting a buyout is possible next summer.

"There were lots of factors," Sather said while observing Day 3 of the Rangers’ prospect camp. "He’s been a good player. He had an off year and we think he’ll be much better next year. That’s probably the deciding factor."

The Rangers cannot use their compliance buyout on Richards — who had 11 goals and 23 assists in 46 regular-season games, then had his

postseason playing time whittled down until he was a healthy scratch the last two games — next summer if he is injured.

But not even that or, perhaps more importantly, the severe "cap recapture" charge should Richards retire before the end of his deal deterred Sather this off-season.

"No, not right now," Sather said.

The Rangers have approximately $14 million available with the salary cap set at $64.3 million for 2013-14, though the ceiling is expected to rise, perhaps dramatically, in the coming seasons.

But Lundqvist, 31, is looking for a substantial raise over his $6.875 annual cap figure with one season remaining on his deal. That could be in the neighborhood of an eight-year, $76 million contract.

Sather said talks with Lundqvist’s agent Don Meehan are "continuing."

Top defenseman Ryan McDonagh and No. 1 center Derek Stepan also will require significant chunks of the salary cap. McDonagh could command something in the $5 million range, with Stepan more than $4 million.

Forwards Carl Hagelin, who has played regularly in the top six, and Mats Zuccarello, along with newly acquired defenseman Justin Falk also have been extended qualifying offers.

With plenty to accomplish internally, Sather isn’t necessarily looking to the free agent market for help. Sather said the organization wants to leave roster spots open for younger talent. In general, Sather added he believes, league-wide, many veteran free agents may be shut out of contracts.

"I think there’s going to be an awful lot of guys who aren’t going to get jobs," Sather said. "There’s a lot of guys around this year. The cap has dropped and people are making changes and signing kids and you want to give them a chance."

Sather also said the Rangers may be looking to hire another assistant coach after officially naming ex-defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and ex-Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel to Alain Vigneault’s staff on Wednesday.

"We’ve got some irons in the fire," Sather said.

Sather said having assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld continue in a dual role, as he did under former coach John Tortorella, was a possibility.

BRIEFS: Lundqvist was named a second-team NHL All-Star. … Tortorella, speaking on ESPN Radio, said he was surprised by his firing, defended his relationship with Lundqvist and said he regretted some of his interactions with the New York media. As for Richards, Tortorella said, "I still think there’s plenty of hockey left in Brad Richards." … Samuelsson seemed to indicate the new coaching staff would not emphasize shot blocking to the degree Tortorella did.



Rangers' Sather: 'Lots of factors' in decision not to buy out Brad Richards' contract

Originally published: July 3, 2013 8:01 PM

Updated: July 3, 2013 9:55 PM

By STEVE ZIPAY [email protected]

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- For NHL teams, July is a time to look ahead, not behind, but Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said Wednesday that Brad Richards' career and the front office's belief that the veteran center can rebound led to the decision not to buy out the final seven years of Richards' $60-million contract.

"There were lots of factors," Sather said in his first remarks since the decision was made last week. "He's been a good player. He had an off-year and we think he'll be much better next year. That's probably the deciding factor."

With the opening of the free agent market at noon tomorrow, and having Richards and his $6.67 million salary cap charge on the books, the

Blueshirts are left with about $14 million to spend, most of which is needed to sign five of their restricted free agents: Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello, and Justin Falk. Combined, their salary cap hit in 2012-13 was about $4.75 million. The number this season is expected to be closer to $12 million.

Richards can still be bought out next summer, but the Rangers, handcuffed without shedding salaries in a trade, are expected to be fairly quiet, at least on the first day, when the most expensive free agents are traditionally signed. "There's some options, it depends what's available,'' Sather said. "We have lots of good kids coming and I don't want to shut the door on them."

The Rangers, like many teams, could use some size on the wings and an experienced defenseman, and Sather believes a range of players will be available beyond the top tier. "There's a lot of guys around this year," he said. "The cap has dropped and people are making changes and signing kids, and you want to give them a chance. You don't want to eliminate anybody that's good enough to play."

Teams can exceed the $64.3 million cap by 10 percent during the summer, but must be compliant by the season opener.

The Rangers also officially announced that assistant coaches Ulf Samuelsson and Scott Arniel, as reported Tuesday, were in the fold, and another assistant could be added, Sather said. "We still have some irons in the fire," he said.

Samuelsson, a tough defenseman for the Penguins and Rangers who was head coach of MoDo in Sweden and an assistant for six years in Phoenix, favors less shot-blocking than in the John Tortorella regime, which demanded it.

Asked yesterdayWednesdayNotes & quotes: Discussions between Sather and Henrik Lundqvist's agent, Don Meehan, are continuing on a long-term contract extension for the goaltender, who was named a second-team All-Star.

The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Rangers, Madison

Square Garden and Cablevision.

Cablevision owns Newsday.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Happy Independence Day!!!!

04 July 2013, 3:03 am by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 3 Comments

Happy Fourth!

Enjoy the holiday, and save some agita for tomorrow, when the Rangers and the few dollars they have left sit on the sidelines during free agency.

Or maybe Glen Sather has a trick up his sleeve?

Anyway, enjoy the fireworks (not to be confused with firetorts) and the Empire State Building being lit in orange and black to honor Mr. Snider and Vinny Lecavalier.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 07.04.2013

683726 NHL

With Seattle standing by, desert dogs enter last-chance saloon

ERIC DUHATSCHEK

The Globe and Mail

Published Wednesday, Jul. 03 2013, 10:00 PM EDT

Last updated Wednesday, Jul. 03 2013, 10:02 PM EDT

First things first:

No matter how the Phoenix Coyotes ownership saga unfolded, there was zero chance the NHL team would have been relocated to Quebec City. That long-suspected fact was confirmed by a member of the NHL board of governors.

Quebec may be in line for a franchise some time down the road, but Seattle would have landed the Coyotes if Glendale’s city council had rejected a new lease deal for the team during a lengthy, contentious and sometimes wildly entertaining council meeting Tuesday night.

Instead, by a 4-3 margin, city council for the financially strapped community approved a 15-year, $225-million (all currency U.S.) subsidy (in the form of a favourable arena-lease agreement) to keep the Coyotes in Glendale, paving the way for them to stay under new ownership.

Renaissance Sports and Entertainment (RSE), a group headed by Canadian businessmen George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc, have until Aug. 5 to complete the purchase of the team from the NHL, but that is considered mostly a formality at this stage.

The single biggest hurdle – an arena deal to help cover the projected losses for a franchise bleeding red ink – was overcome.

RSE protected itself by negotiating an out clause in case the franchise remains a fiscal black hole. If losses accumulate to $50-million over five years, it has the right to move the team.

So consider this a stay-of-execution only, a chance for the metropolitan Phoenix area to prove once and for all it is a hockey town.

The Coyotes actually drew pretty well in the early days, when they shared space in the downtown U.S. Airways Center with the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns.

But on the western outskirts, in Glendale, despite a state-of-the-art building (Jobing.com Arena), it is still difficult for many potential customers in the area to attend weeknight games.

In June, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman insisted the team’s inability to draw spectators was largely the result of the uncertainty over the franchise’s future in the marketplace. As recently as his Stanley Cup press conference, Bettman contended ownership stability would permit the team to be marketed properly.

“If there was certainty surrounding this franchise, its fortunes would improve dramatically just by virtue of putting in a real owner,” he said.

Perhaps.

Bettman received a standing ovation when he walked into Tuesday’s council meeting, an acknowledgment he has stood by the team through a lot of lean years. As part of his operating philosophy, Bettman stubbornly resists relocation and sees it only as a measure of last resort.

In other markets – Pittsburgh and Buffalo are examples – his persistence in keeping the Penguins and Sabres in place was rewarded. Both franchises made complete financial aboutfaces, going from weak financial links to strong solid businesses.

On Tuesday, RSE added a new partner to its ownership group, a company called Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectacor which manages more than 100 sports and entertainment facilities around the world.

The thinking is Global Spectrum’s presence will help attract additional live events to Jobing.com Arena and thus make the proposition more fiscally sound by creating additional secondary revenue streams beyond what 45-plus NHL home dates provide.

The Coyotes franchise has been run on a financial shoestring since the NHL seized control from former owner Jerry Moyes in 2009, But general manager Don Maloney and head coach Dave Tippett have done remarkable jobs in keeping the team competitive.

Two years ago, the Coyotes made it to the Stanley Cup semi-finals and filled the building with enthusiastic fans. So there is some potential there. But in the end, the Coyotes will need to fill the building for mid-week games against teams not named the Detroit Red Wings or Chicago Blackhawks to succeed long-term.

For now, the NHL’s longest-running soap opera is finally, blessedly, over.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.04.2013

683727 Ottawa Senators

67’s fill out blue-line corps in import draft

Olympiques select high-scoring forward

By DON CAMPBELL, Ottawa CitizenJuly 3, 2013 4:06 PM

OTTAWA — After giving up a league-high 323 goals last season, short of selecting the second coming of Petr Mrazek to play goal, the best plan for the Ottawa 67’s in the Canadian Hockey League import draft was to find a couple of instant fixes for an all too generous defence.

The rebuilding 67’s thought Wednesday they might have done just that after drafting a pair of six-foot-plus, left-handed-shooting defenceman from Finland and Slovakia.

They landed Alex Lintuniemi, 6-2 and 205 pounds, with the second pick in the draft involving teams from all three major-junior hockey leagues. Sixty picks later, the 67’s claimed 6-0, 180-pound Slovak Adrian Sloboda, who turns 17 in August.

The Red Line Report, an independent scouting service, has Lintuniemi rated 45th among European skaters for the 2014 National Hockey League draft. The Helsinki native doesn’t turn 18 until late September.

67’s brass first laid eyes both players at the world under-18 championship in Sochi, Russia. Lintuniemi really impressed as Finland won bronze, and the 67’s quickly set about getting him to agree to come to Ottawa.

“He’s a big D who plays very solid in his own zone and, as we talked to him, both he and his agent said he would be excited about coming to Ottawa,” said 67’s head coach and GM Chris Byrne, who had travelled to Russia with assistant GM Pat Higgins.

“He is a good all-around defenceman and we liked what we saw on him.”

The Gatineau Olympiques snared right-winger Vaclav Karabacek, who racked up an amazing total of 79 goals in 54 games in the Czech under-16 league, at 18th overall.

He was no less proficient in the under-18 league this past season, with 41 goals in 45 games, and he’s listed at six feet tall and 179 pounds.

“He has good skills, great hands,” said Benoît Groulx, the Olympiques’ head coach and general manager. “He has the ability to score lots of goals in our league.”

Karabacek has the same agent as former Olympique Tomas Hyka, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League club received great reports from contacts in Europe. Karabacek will report to Gatineau after the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in August.

The Olympiques only made one pick in Wednesday’s import draft because they already have Martin Reway. Drafted by the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round on Sunday, the Slovak forward had 22 goals and 28 assists in 47 QMJHL games last season.

As for the 67’s, the defence remains a work in progress after the graduation of Michal Cajkovsky and a trade that sent Sean Callaghan to the Saginaw Spirit.

Three-year veteran Mike Vlajkov will return to the Ontario Hockey League club, backed by 2014 NHL draft-eligible Jacob Middleton, who was acquired in the deal that sent Senators prospect Cody Ceci to the Owen Sound Attack.

Also returning on defence are sophomores Jonathan Duchesne, Taylor Davis, Nevin Guy and Matthieu Desautels, that group will be pushed by Troy Henley, the 20th-overall pick in this year’s OHL draft.

Given the CHL limit of two imports per team, adding Lintuniemi and Sloboda mean the end of the line for Russian winger Sergei Kuptsov.

Kuptsov gave the 67’s just four goals and 10 assists in 28 games after being acquired from the Belleville Bulls. His overall season totals of 10 goals and 28 points in 61 games, virtually the same as his 13 goals and 26 points as an rookie in 2011-12.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 07.04.2013


Ottawa Senators should do whatever it takes to re-sign captain Daniel Alfredsson

By Tim Baines,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 05:32 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 05:51 PM EDT

The game the Senators are playing with Daniel Alfredsson is dangerous ... potentially disastrous.

If the team allows its captain to hit unrestricted free agency on Friday, it'll be a public relations trainwreck, one that certainly could affect the number of butts in the seats at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Does Alfredsson want $4 million for one year? Give it to him.

$5 million? Done deal.

$6 million? Sign the papers.

$7 million? Suck it up and get 'er done.

There are rumblings he may want a two-year deal. Geez, if the ageless wonder thinks he can play two more years ... sign on the dotted line.

What's the holdup? Why the delay?

Once a salary-cap team, the Senators are drawing a hard line with owner Eugene Melnyk keeping one hand on his wallet. Melnyk's team will be more prudent; they won't spend to the max.

As fans, we understand and appreciate fiscal responsibility.

As fans, we would have a hard time stomaching the exit of the team's heart and soul.

He's 40 years old, an elder in the NHL. But this is Alfie, a guy who's gone to war in a Senators uniform since 1995 when he won the NHL's Calder Trophy as its top rookie.

For years, Alfredsson was underpaid, a bargain. He didn't complain. He didn't sulk. He didn't Heatley or Yashin the Senators.

OK, he did miss a couple of weeks at the beginning of the 1997-98 season due to a contract dispute. But he returned seven games into the season with a four-year, $14-million deal. He was greeted back to the lineup with a standing ovation. And other than chiding from a few drunk, obnoxious Leafs fans, Alfredsson has been getting ovations and cheers ever since.

This past season, Alfredsson played for $1 million. He lived up to the terms of his contract. He didn't quibble. It was who he is and what he is ... a hockey player who cares about his team, his teammates, the fans and the community.

He checked his ego at the door long ago and spends plenty of hours doing charity work, giving back as much as he takes.

Alfredsson wants more than $1 million to play the upcoming season. He deserves it.

Alfredsson has played 1,178 regular-season NHL games, with 426 goals and 682 assists, all as a Senator.

It would be not only be a shame, but a horribly miscalculated mistake if those are his final statistics wearing a Senators uniform.

A sixth-round draft choice, taken 133rd overall at the urging of John Ferguson in 1994, No. 11 has exceeded original expectations many times over.

The Boston Bruins, with an experienced right-winger on their shopping list, are hovering around, waiting, hoping Alfredsson hits the market.

And if it's not the Bruins, the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks are other possible destinations.

"You think about what ifs and what could happen, but if I win a Cup I want to do it (in Ottawa)," Alfredsson said on the Jim Rome Show during the Round 2 playoff matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's obvious Ottawa has become home and he wants to stay. He should retire a Senator. He wants to retire a Senator.

So, what's he worth? Five million would seem like a ballpark figure.

Fiscal sanity be damned, Eugene. You owe it to Alfie. You owe it to the fans. Get it done. Now.

DOLLAR DAYS

Daniel Alfredsson's salary

2005-06: 4,662,894

2006-07: 5,450,700

2007-08: 4,705,400

2008-09: 3,800,000

2009-10: $7,000,000

2010-11: $7,000,000

2011-12: $4,500,000

2012-13: 1,000,000

(numbers from capgeek.com)

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.04.2013


Ottawa Senators top pick Curtis Lazar livin' the dream at development camp



For years, Curtis Lazar dreamed about playing in the NHL.

On Sunday, he took a huge leap forward when the Senators made him their first-round pick in the NHL draft, snagging the Edmonton Oil Kings centre 17th overall.

The 18-year-old's NHL odyssey took another step ahead Wednesday when he got on the Bell Sensplex ice for Day 1 of Senators rookie camp, alongside plenty of new faces, but also some familiar ones to Senators fans -- with Mika Zibanejad, Cory Conacher and Jean-Gabriel Pageau on hand.

For a fearless kid that's already shown plenty of fire in his belly (he stood up to, challenged and fought 6-foot-5 Darnell Nurse at January's CHL Top Prospects game), Lazar is doing and saying all the right things.

When talk of comparable NHLers comes up, Lazar's name is tossed in there with Los Angeles Kings' Dustin Brown. If he falls into that mould, the Senators have struck gold. The kid, they say, has plenty of character.

He admits to being a bit shaky in the early going Wednesday, but he obviously has some offensive flair. He found the net 38 times for Edmonton last season, with 23 assists.

"When I first got out there, I was pretty bad," he said. "I couldn't stickhandle or anything. My hands are really rusty and people were probably saying, 'We really picked this kid?'

"But as the nerves went away and I got more comfortable, then I started doing my thing."

Lazar was ranked as a mid first-rounder in many mock drafts. Happy he landed where he did, the moment his name was called is still surreal.

"As soon as I heard them say, 'We're proud to select from the Edmonton ...' that's when I blanked out," he said. "You almost forget to breathe. You don't want to make a fool of yourself falling down the stairs or something.

"When you get up and shake Gary Bettman's hand and he says, 'Welcome to the NHL,' that's when it sinks in. It's a moment I'll never forget."

Once the business of getting drafted was over, Lazar and his family celebrated in a quiet sort of way in New Jersey.

"I hung out with my family," said Lazar. "Across the street, there was a good cheesecake place so I had a piece of cheesecake and got to bed early, knowing I was at the airport the next day pretty early. It's been a whirlwind since Sunday, but that's how I like it."

His equipment arrived just in time for Wednesday's workout, a day which started with various forms of fitness testing. The Senators got a handle on what kind of shape their prospects are in and will measure that against further testing in a couple of months.

During the afternoon skate, the players skated with parachutes strapped to their back.

"It's really different. It throws your balance off," said Lazar, who was willing to do whatever was asked Wednesday and plans to do whatever the team asks along the way. He wants to play in the NHL, as a Senator.

"I look back and can say my first day as a professional hockey player is out of the way," he said. "I'm glad to be part of this team.

"Everyone's goal is to the play in the National Hockey League. I know I have a lot of hard work to do. It all starts with little details in practice ... skating with the parachute for example. It will all make me a better player down the road."



Ottawa Senators prospect Vincent Dunn excited to be playing near home at development camp



Gliding around the ice at the Bell Sensplex Wednesday at Senators development camp, Vincent Dunn looked right at home.

In Day 1 of his journey to play in the NHL after being drafted in the fifth round (138th overall) of Sunday's draft, Dunn was excited to be there.

As a kid from Gatineau, the son of Nathalie and Roch knows a bit about the Senators. He says he'll do whatever it takes to play close to home.

"I'm a grinder. I go into the corners, said Dunn, who likes watching Chris Neil and Brad Marchand play. "The draft is a bus ticket. It's a ticket to come to the camp. After that, you have to make your own way to the show, whether you're a first-round pick or a seventh-round pick.

"I'll make the sacrifices. If they want me to fight 30 times, I'll fight. I'm not a tough guy, but I'll do whatever it takes to make it to the show."



Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson being courted by several NHL teams

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun


It is about to be July 4 south of the border, but there were plenty of fireworks in Canada's capital Wednesday.

With the window open for NHL GMs to speak with unrestricted free agents, sources confirmed to the Sun "multiple teams" — including the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks — have contacted the camp of Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson.

It seems doubtful Alfredsson, 40, would sign elsewhere, but he'll have no shortage of options if he does decide to shop himself around should he not get a deal done with Ottawa before Friday at noon.

A league source said Alfredsson could decide his future as early as Thursday. He is focused on staying with the Senators but intrigued by what he could get on the open market. The belief is since he's willing to take a one year deal he could be offered as much as $6 million.

Senators GM Bryan Murray wasn't available for comment, but he spoke with Alfredsson's agent J.P. Barry of CAA Sports a couple of times Wednesday and the two sides have agreed they will focus on a one-year extension.

The parties were trying to find common ground on what Alfredsson, who made $1 million last season, will sign for after he confirmed last Friday he planned to return. The Senators would like a deal in the $4-million range, while many believe he'd get $6 million on the open market.

The pot officially started stirring when Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli, a former Senators assistant GM who has always coveted Alfredsson, confirmed Boston had held talks with Barry. Apparently, they weren't alone on that front.

Chiarelli said on a conference call with reporters the Bruins are looking to rebuild their right side. He said they could be an attractive option for veterans that want a chance to win because the club wants to stay a contender.

"We've got to look to our right side and see how we're going to re-construct our right side," said Chiarelli. "We've got some players from within that may be able to fill. I want to do a sweep of these players that will be available in trade and free agency.

"I'd like to think that we're a destination for an older player -- older relatively speaking -- that wants a chance to win. I've got to canvas that. It's about turning over all the stones, Going through the free agent list player by player."

The two-day interview window is new this year under the collective bargaining agreement. Chiarelli hadn't set up a phone call with Alfredsson, but he noted after losing in the Stanley Cup final the club plans to keep on being a contender.

"We have a lot of things that we're looking at. We're going to interview a few guys in the next couple of days in this new interview period," said Chiarelli.

"It's early on in the process. I'd like to think that we can be creative in filling these holes. We've got a really good core. We plan to contend for a Cup again. I think we would attract some pretty good players. It takes two sides to be creative."

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has insisted the club will no longer be a cap team. Getting Alfredsson signed is Murray's No. 1 priority and even the teams that contacted Barry don't honestly believe he's going anywhere.

Asked if Alfredsson's price had gone up because he's about to become a UFA, Chiarelli said he doesn't think Alfredsson is motivated by dollar signs.

"I don't know if his price goes by the market activity. He's, from what I know, about him, I mean, he's a pretty principled guy," said Chiarelli. "In the sense that he is a very focused guy, if he wants to go somewhere and play or stay in Ottawa, it's not about the money."

Yes, Alfredsson can probably get bigger money elsewhere and all this interest from other teams is doing is giving his camp leverage in contract talks. Nobody can fathom him playing elsewhere.

But until he signs on the dotted line, Ottawa hockey fans will be forced to play the waiting game.


683732 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers development camp 2013 roster release; Camp to open July 8

Travis Hughes, SBNation

SB Nation

Posted: Wednesday, July 3, 2013, 4:18 PM

The Flyers have already announced their pre-season schedule, but on Wednesday they announced that they've invited 31 players to their 2013 Development Camp, which will open July 8 at Skate Zone in Voorhees. Here's a full look at those invited:

Forwards (13): Brandon Alderson, Tyler Brown, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Tyrell Goulbourne, Stephen Harper, Andrew Johnson, Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Derek Mathers, Marcel Noebels, Andrew Ryan, Petr Straka.

Defensemen (12): Mark Alt, Terrance Amorosa, David Drake, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Matt Konan, Maxim Lamarche, Frederic Larsson, Nick Luukko, Eamonn McDermott, Samuel Morin, Reece Willcox.

Goaltenders (6): Carsen Chubak, Cal Heeter, Merrick Madsen, Ryan McKay, Matt Skoff, Anthony Stolarz.

Every 2013 Flyers draft pick will be in attendance, including first-round pick Samuel Morin and second-rounder Robert Hagg. Phantoms goaltender Cal Heeter will be the elder statesman at camp. Most players at camp are property of the Flyers: nine were picked up as free agents, one via trade and 16 via the draft.

Colorado College defenseman Eamonn McDermott, Erie Otters winger Stephen Harper, Halifax Mooseheads winger Andrew Ryan, Miami goaltender Ryan McKay and Penn State goalie Matt Skoff are all players who aren't property of the team but were invited to camp.

The prospects will take the ice from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Monday, July 8, Tuesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 11. On Wednesday, July 10 they'll be in Stone Harbor for the annual Trial On The Isle. All events are free.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.04.2013


Vincent Lecavalier signing: How does he fit in to the lineup?

Kurt R., SBNation

SB Nation

Posted: Wednesday, July 3, 2013, 10:15 AM

Vincent Lecavalier is a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and will be for the next five seasons.

You can argue whether it's necessary given the state of the team, or whether five years and a no-move clause are good things to give a 33-year old forward. What you really can't argue is that Vincent Lecavalier is currently a very, very good hockey player, and one that will definitely improve this team's already-good group of forwards.

But how does he fit in? Lecavalier's a natural center and has been for his entire career in Tampa. The Flyers do already have a few centers, with Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier and Max Talbot and Matt Read and Scott Laughton and crap that's a lot of them.

We'll make it work. The team's shifted centers to the wing and been successful in the past, so they can do it again. Let's assume no forward gets dealt in a trade and proceed.

First, here are the 11 forwards that we pretty much know will be on the Flyers next year.

Claude Giroux

Jakub Voracek

Vincent Lecavalier

Scott Hartnell

Wayne Simmonds

Brayden Schenn

Sean Couturier

Matt Read

Max Talbot

Zac Rinaldo

Jay Rosehill

Let's also assume that Rosehill is your healthy scratch who occasionally plays against the Leafs or whatever. Or that he's Kris Newbury, who does the same. He's your 13th forward. We're more worried about the 12 guys ahead of him.

In addition, we'll guess that -- given the fact that it'll probably be a tight fit on the cap -- the team isn't bringing in any more free agents and will use some internal options to fill those last two spots. If Simon Gagne is willing to take a deep discount, he may be an option, but at this point it looks unlikely. Sad.

But we'll move ahead with Scott Laughton and Tye McGinn taking those other two spots.

So your first option is the one that makes the most sense: that Vincent Lecavalier is your second-line center. Playing center is what he's done forever, it's what he just did in Tampa behind Steven Stamkos, and he's very good at it. So how does the lineup look from there? Let's examine (the wings are obviously guesses and up for debate):

Hartnell / Giroux / Voracek

Schenn / Lecavalier / Simmonds

Read / Couturier / McGinn

Talbot / Laughton / Rinaldo

Damn, is that a nice top-9. But it's not a perfect one, for a couple of reasons. Namely, it brings back some of the same problems we had this year, with Brayden Schenn on the wing (where he doesn't seem to be as comfortable as he was at center) and Sean Couturier on the third line (where he may not get as many minutes as we'd like him to). Scott Laughton only getting fourth-line minutes isn't ideal, either, but they could put him on third-line wing, move McGinn to the fourth line and shift Talbot over to center. (Or we could send him back to Oshawa and put Ben Holmstrom or someone like that in his place.)

Meanwhile, those other problems are also workable. On the third line, Read and McGinn are definitely capable wingers who can both hold their own on possession and chip in with scoring. As for Schenn on the wing, it's pretty much been a foregone conclusion that one of these young centers was going to have to make that shift if they were all going to stay around, so it's worth experimenting with anyways.

So that's one possibility -- and it's the most likely one. Shift a few wingers around if you'd like, but chances are that Lecavalier is going to be this team's second-line center. It makes sense, and when I posed the question of "what would you like the lines to look like?" on Twitter last night, just about every answer I got had a top line of Hartnell/Giroux/Voracek and had Lecavalier centering the second line.

I'm also not a huge fan of it. Though he's been surrounded by a pretty bad team for the past two seasons, Lecavalier's possession numbers in recent seasons haven't been great in that time. And while Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds both took steps forward in Corsi and such this year, they still aren't notably strong at it. I think that's a unit that could score, but could see a decent amount of time in its own end of the ice with the other team holding the puck.

So let's look at some of the other options. For instance: Lecavalier on the first line as a winger. In that case...

Lecavalier / Giroux / Voracek

Simmonds / Schenn / Hartnell



Lecavalier bumps up to Hartnell's spot, Hartnell to Schenn's spot, and Schenn to Lecavalier's. Not a huge shift, but it probably puts more offensive firepower on the top line (due respect to Hartnell, who I think will bounce

back this year, but Lecavalier's a more dynamic offensive threat) and puts Schenn back at the center of the second line. Do those benefits outweight any possible problems with Lecavalier moving over to the wing? Who knows. But man, the thought of those three guys on the first line makes me really want to give this one a shot at some point.

From a possession standpoint, you're not as worried about Lecavalier with Giroux and Voracek (two strong possession players) on his line, and the second line gets a respectable possession winger in Hartnell to help out the two young guys.

Other ideas? Let's say the Flyers do, in fact, see Sean Couturier as more than a third-line center, and want to see his minutes reflect that. If they want him in the top-6 next year, I imagine the result would look something like this:

Lecavalier / Giroux / Voracek

Schenn / Couturier / Hartnell

Simmonds / Read / McGinn


Switch Hartnell and Simmonds if you'd like. In any case, this one's interesting to me, and though I doubt it happens, it may be my favorite one out of all of these. It puts Couturier with two players who are both capable offensively and range from somewhat competent to good at possession. He likely wouldn't be doing as much defensive heavy lifting, but we'd get to see what he can do in terms of point production.

Meanwhile, the third line that features two guys (Simmonds and Read) who have scored a combined 78 goals over the last two seasons, along with a player who was a possession dynamo in limited minutes last season (McGinn). That's a line that could do very well against fellow third lines while the top two split the responsibilities against other team's top-six units.

For fun, here's one last crazy one:

Giroux / Lecavalier / Voracek

Simmonds / Schenn / Hartnell



OK: this isn't going to happen except for some time where Peter Laviolette is inevitably trying to shake up the lines to get them out of a slump. But Giroux used to be a winger (NHL.com still considers him one, in fact!) and this allows Lecavalier to take over as his natural position while still having Giroux somewhere where he can be successful. Rest of the lineup stays the same. Like I said, it won't happen except in certain moments or games, but it's a thought in the event that they want to get Lecavalier's talent on the top line without taking him out of position.

***

There are other possibilities. Laviolette has his work cut out for them figuring out what the best one is, not to mention there will be injuries and he'll have to mix it up at some point. Plus, we could also see some sort of trade or move that shakes up that personnel before the offseason ends, and we'd start this whole exercise over.

But we'll have time to worry about this all in the future. This exercise boils down to this: the pessimist would say that this move is going to lead to guys playing out of position and good players not getting enough ice time. The optimist would say that's a good problem to have and that there are going to be potent forwards on the ice almost every second of the game.

For now, I lean closer to the optimist's side. All of those combinations above, and pretty much any combination you can come up with, consists of three lines that have scoring threats and a fourth line that's responsible defensively and can probably chip in at least a little bit on offense. I'm also not too worried about chemistry or anything like that, given that everyone but Lecavalier was on the team at some point last year.

I understand concerns about making guys fit in certain places. But the amount of talent in that top-9 makes me not worry about it much. There are questions about the specifics of how they'll look, but this is going to be a very, very good group of forwards next year.



Flyers issue four qualifying offers

POSTED: Wednesday, July 3, 2013, 11:28 AM

Marc Narducci

The Flyers have issued qualifying offers to four restricted free agents - defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Oliver Lauridsen and Brandon Manning and forward Eric Wellwood. That means they will retain their negotiating rights. The Flyers didn’t make qualifying offers to defenseman Blake Kessel and forward Mitch Wahl, making them unrestricted free agents. According to capgeek.com, these were the qualifying offers the Flyers had to make to the following players: Gustafsson, $850,000; Lauridsen, $643,500; Manning, $715,000 and Wellwood, $594,000.



Vincent Lecavalier deal with Flyers isn't typical Paul Holmgren insanity

Travis Hughes, SBNation

Posted: Tuesday, July 2, 2013, 9:04 PM

At this point, it's easier to make fun of Paul Holmgren, the Flyers and their insane roster moves than just about anything in professional sports besides the New York Mets. These jokes are easy, and our instinct whenever Holmgren makes some sort of big move is to sit back and hurl them with reckless abandon.

It's a lazy instinct, and if you're making those jokes in the aftermath of Vincent Lecavalier signing a five-year, $22.5 million contract worth $4.5 million against the cap each year, you're wrong and probably being lazy. This is not a bad signing for the Flyers. It's weird and out of left field, but it's not bad at all. In fact, it's hard to argue it's anything but good.

You can look at this signing from a lot of different perspectives.

The simplest way: Danny Briere was going to make $6.5 million against the cap next season, and instead the Flyers got a younger, better version of him with $2 million in savings per year. That's nothing but awesome.

It's true that adding Lecavalier puts the Flyers above salary cap yet again this summer -- according to CapGeek, they're $318,522 above the cap right now. That, however, is with 14 forwards on the roster and nine (!) defensemen. They need to add a starting goaltender, yes, but they can easily acquire savings somewhere on the roster.

Here's what we have now, adding a slight $200,000 raise for RFA Erik Gustafsson to the mix:

--------------

FORWARDS

Hartnell ($4.750m) / Giroux ($3.750m) / Voracek ($4.250m)

B. Schenn ($3.110m) / Lecavalier ($4.500m) / Simmonds ($3.975m)

McGinn ($0.775m) / Couturier ($1.375m) / Read ($0.900m)

Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Talbot ($1.750m) / Akeson ($0.900m)

Laughton ($1.107m) / Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN

Timonen ($6.000m) / L. Schenn ($3.600m)

Coburn ($4.500m) / Streit ($5.250m)

Grossmann ($3.500m) / Meszaros ($4.000m)

Gustafsson ($0.851m) / Gervais ($0.825m)

Bourdon ($0.613m) / Pronger ($4.941m)

GOALTENDERS

Mason ($1.500m)

Buyout: Bartulis ($0.100m)

------

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $68,429,022; BONUSES: $2,960,000

CAP SPACE (25-man roster):- $1,169,022

(We're pretty sure Pronger has to be on the roster on Day 1 before he can be placed on LTIR, so the Flyers have to account for that. There's a chance that this has changed in the new CBA, but until we know for sure otherwise, we're going to assume this is the case. They can't be over the cap on Day 1, so for accounting purposes right now, he counts. He will free the Flyers up with some space once the season starts, however, in case they need an injury call-up or whatever.

Far too many defensemen. I've advocated at least twice this week for dishing Andrej Meszaros for a bag of pucks, and I think there are teams that would take him for a late-round draft pick despite his injury woes and his bad contract. It's only one year before he's a free agent, and Meszaros is still a capable defenseman. Worst-case: waive the dude and at least get a little savings before exploring other options.

There's $4 million in cap savings right there. The Flyers have also been rumored to be shopping Braydon Coburn, and while that's not a move I'd make given the teams depth on defense, it's a possibility. They'd get some cap savings there as well, obviously depending on the pieces coming back in a Coburn trade, but let's pencil in $3.5 or $4 million saved against the cap with Mesz or Coburn even Nicklas Grossmann gone.

Beyond that, you can remove Marc-Andre Bourdon or Bruno Gervais from the roster -- one will be the seventh defenseman and the other will be in Glens Falls for an additional $600,000 to $800,000 in savings.

There are still a few question marks up front, most notably whether or not Scott Laughton makes the team out of camp and whether or not Jason Akeson and Tye McGinn make the team as well. Let's go with the most expensive possibility for our purposes right now. That means Akeson and Laughton make the opening night roster.

These moves would give the Flyers about $4 million in space. That's more than enough money to spend on a goaltender who can play half or more-than-half of the season with Steve Mason next year. Given that basically nobody is looking for a starting goalie at this stage, I can see the Flyers getting Tim Thomas for around $3.5 million.

If that happens, here's roughly what we'll have:

--------------

FORWARDS

Hartnell ($4.750m) / Giroux ($3.750m) / Voracek ($4.250m)

Lecavalier ($4.500m) / B. Schenn ($3.110m) / Simmonds ($3.975m)

Talbot ($1.750m) / Couturier ($1.375m) / Read ($0.900m)

Rinaldo ($0.750m) / Laughton ($1.107m) / Akeson ($0.900m)

Rosehill ($0.675m)

DEFENSEMEN

Timonen ($6.000m) / L. Schenn ($3.600m)

Coburn ($4.500m) / Streit ($5.250m)

Grossmann ($3.500m) / Gustafsson ($0.851m)

Gervais ($0.825m)

Pronger ($4.941m)

GOALTENDERS

Thomas ($3.500m)

Mason ($1.500m)

Buyout: Oskars Bartulis ($0.100m)

------

SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $66,541,522; BONUSES: $2,960,000

CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $718,478

It's tight, but completely workable. And maybe I'm crazy, but that's probably a playoff team if the injuries from last year don't repeat themselves and the younger guys continue to grow. (Playing with Vincent Lecavalier should help in that regard!)

Better in goal, better on defense, better up front. It's not a Cup contender, but it's a good improvement on a team that probably would've been a playoff team last season had they played 82 games.

***

That's 2013. What about next 2014 and beyond? Shouldn't we be worried about the need to sign Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn, who are all restricted free agents a year from now?

The salary cap under the new CBA is still tied directly to league revenues, and considering that the NHL made a reported $2.4 billion in this lockout-shortened season, and that they'll have the beef of SIX outdoor games next season, revenues are going to friggin skyrocket. Bruins stupid jerk owner Jeremy Jacobs expects the cap will jump up substantially next year. Obnoxious player agent Allan Walsh thinks it'll be around $70 million as it was this past season. These are people who would know, and they are also people who don't agree with each other much.

Let's say it'll be back at $70.2 million as it was in 2012-13. That might be a low estimate actually, but let's roll with it. If that's the cap situation, the Flyers will have 13 players under contract for $43.5 million in 2014-15, leaving $26.7 million in cap space. Giroux will take roughly $7-8 million of that. Schenn will get a raise in actual dollars, but considering his high bonuses but his cap hit at $3.1 million already, we don't need to account for much more of a raise against the cap. Couturier will get a slight raise in his next contract, probably somewhere around $3 million against the cap.

So let's pencil in Giroux at $8 million, Schenn at $3.5 million and Couturier at $3.2 million. (For comparison, consider Giroux got paid $3.75 million against the cap on his second contract.) All loose estimates, but we're still a year out from them hitting the market. That'd put the Flyers at about $12 million in cap space with 16 players under contract including Pronger.

It's hard to forecast any further than that really, but that's not the salary cap doomsday all the lazy pundits on Twitter seem to be talking about.

In the scenario that it does become cap hell, it's not as if the Vincent Lecavalier contract is what's put them there And if push comes to shove and they need to ditch it, a $4.5 million salary cap hit is insanely friendly. He has a no-trade clause, but that doesn't mean he's not tradable. It means he has to approve a trade. I'm sure Tampa Bay would love him back at a $4.5 million hit a calendar year from now.

***

The Flyers signing of Vincent Lecavalier was not crazy. It makes them a better team next year and likely won't hurt them much if any down the road. And if they determine it will hurt them down the road, it won't be difficult rid from their books.

You know what's actually crazy? Having $45.2 million wrapped up in just eight players for 2014-15. Maybe we should talk about that sometime.



Agent: Lecavalier chose Flyers over dozen suitors

Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, July 4, 2013, 1:08 AM

The agent for newly acquired Flyers free-agent center Vincent Lecavalier said the appeal of the franchise had much to do with the player's decision to move to Philadelphia.

Lecavalier, after being let go through a compliance buyout by the Tampa Bay Lightning, agreed to terms of a five-year, $22.5 million contract with the Flyers on Tuesday. He can't technically sign the contract until Friday.

"We could have had a much more significant contract if he made the decision solely on money," agent Kent Hughes said Wednesday in a phone interview. "But we didn't solicit offers from everyone. We kind of narrowed it down."

Hughes said he didn't know the exact number but estimated that he met with more than a dozen teams concerning Lecavalier, who was paid $32 million in his buyout.

"What tipped it for Vinny was the chance to play for a hockey market with passionate fans," Hughes said. "He is really impressed with the rich tradition of the Flyers."

And some observers are impressed with what Lecavalier could do for the Flyers. One of them is Bobby Taylor, the former Flyers goaltender and broadcaster. Taylor joined the Tampa Bay Lightning in their second season during the fall of 1993 as an announcer, so he has seen Lecavalier's entire career.

While Taylor acknowledged that Lecavalier isn't the same player who led the Lightning to the Stanley Cup championship in 2004, he said the 33-year-old center has plenty left.

"He is getting a little older, and sometimes these nagging injuries he didn't have when he was younger come up, like every player," Taylor said Wednesday in a phone interview. "He has really become a force on faceoffs and really a much more complete player who is more responsible defensively in his own end, more than in his early days."

Last season, Lecavalier had 10 goals and 22 assists in 39 games for Tampa Bay. He also had a 54.4 percent success rate on faceoffs, just behind the 54.5 percent rate of Flyers captain Claude Giroux.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound Lecavalier will give the Flyers a physical presence, according to Taylor.

"He is not as prolific a scorer as before, but he is still devastating on the power play, a big wide body who protects the puck," Taylor said. "He plays a physical game and is hard to knock off the puck."

While Taylor said Lecavalier has plenty left as a player, he said the center is off the charts as a person. Lecavalier was known for his charitable efforts while a member of the Lightning.

"He never big-times anybody," Taylor said. "He is a little on the shy side and not an outgoing extrovert, but he is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet and he is just a great citizen."

With the addition of Lecavalier, the Flyers said they feel good about their offseason transactions. Earlier, they traded for the rights to 35-year-old New York Islanders defenseman Mark Streit and then agreed to a four-year, $21 million deal.

"The defenseman was on the top of the list, and Vinny kind of came out of nowhere," said a Flyers official who requested anonymity since free-agent movement does not become official until Friday. "We weren't betting on it."

The official added, "We expect Vinny to come in and fit in our power play and be our No. 2 center, and that is a good fit for him at this point of his career."

Offers made. The Flyers have issued qualifying offers to four restricted free agents - defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Oliver Lauridsen, and Brandon Manning, and forward Eric Wellwood. That means they will retain their negotiating rights.

The Flyers didn't make qualifying offers to defenseman Blake Kessel and forward Mitch Wahl, making them unrestricted free agents.

According to capgeek.com, these were the qualifying offers the Flyers had to make to the following players: Gustafsson, $850,000; Lauridsen, $643,500; Manning, $715,000; and Wellwood, $594,000.

Camp set. The Flyers have announced a developmental camp for 31 players that will begin Monday at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. Included in the camp are 2012 first-round pick Scott Laughton, a center, and this year's first-round choice, defenseman Samuel Morin.

The camp consists of on-ice sessions from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 2:30 p.m.

next Thursday at the Skate Zone. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public.

On Wednesday, the camp moves to Stone Harbor, N.J., for the Flyers' annual "Trial on the Isle," a day of conditioning and team activities.



Flyers land center Lecavalier

Posted: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 6:46 am, Wed Jul 3, 2013.

By Wayne Fish Staff writer

Having lost out on big free agents like Shea Weber and Zach Parise last summer, Paul Holmgren wasn’t about to sit through another quiet offseason.

The Flyers’ general manager knew he was up against about eight other teams for the services of Vinny Lecavalier, the free agent who was a recent compliance buyout by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This time Holmgren wasn’t taking no for an answer, offering up a reported five-year, $22.5 million contract to the 33-year-old center.

Lecavalier accepted and the Flyers, for better or worse, now have another big-name scorer on their front line.

Holmgren was not commenting on the deal as of early Tuesday night, other to confirm that a “multi-year’’ contract agreement had been reached.

Mike Knuble, who began play in the NHL a few years before Lecavalier, approved of the move and indicated the “French connection’’ with youngsters like Sean Couturier and even Claude Giroux could prove invaluable.

“I think it’s a great addition,’’ Knuble said. “Guys like that don’t usually become available.’’

And with Danny Briere gone, plus Simon Gagne’s status uncertain, the Lecavalier fit along cultural lines could be a good one.

“It’s the first time he’s been traded and he’s probably a little (surprised) right now,’’ Knuble said. “He’s just off a team that he helped build. They built that team around him and won the Cup.

“He probably thought he would be there for life, but it was a move (the Lightning) felt like they had to make. The Flyers moved up quickly and Philadelphia is moving fast.’’

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound Lecavalier was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft. He later was named captain of the team at age 19 (youngest in NHL history at the time).

Lecavalier didn’t flourish in the role of captain and relinquished the title before leading the Lightning to the Stanley Cup in 2004, a run which included an Eastern Conference finals victory over the Flyers in seven games.

The Flyers’ recent buyouts of the Ilya Bryzgalov and Briere contracts helped make salary cap space for the Lecavalier signing, although there are some who believe the Flyers might have to part ways with one of their high-priced defensemen, such as Braydon Coburn or Andrej Meszaros.

Lecavalier played 14 seasons for the Lightning, accumulating 1,037 games, 383 goals and a total of 874 points.

His best season was 2006-07 when he set career highs with 52 goals and 108 points.

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, Lecavalier has 63 games, 24 goals and a total of 52 points.

His most serious injury occurred in 2009, when he need season-ending surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist.

Lecavalier hails from Ile Bazard, Quebec, and is best friends with Brad Richards of the New York Rangers, a friendship that dates back to their Lightning days together.

Several Flyers expressed their happiness with the move, including defenseman Bruno Gervais, who tweeted: “Welcome my friend! I know who is buying the first team dinner.’’

Knuble has seen what Lecavalier can do.

“I don’t think there’s a player in the league who doesn’t respect the guy,’’ Knuble said. “He’s won internationally, he’s won the Cup, he’s an all-star. Everyone respects the way he plays the game. He’s still a ‘young’ guy with a ton of experience.’’

Perhaps Lecavalier can fill some of that leadership role left vacated by the departure of Jaromir Jagr last summer.

“He’s done everything, he’s a terrific player,’’ Knuble said. “Losing a Jagr or a Danny Briere, you have to replace him with somebody.’’

Wayne Fish: 215-345-3070; e-mail: [email protected]; twitter: @waynefish1

Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.04.2013


Flyers release developmental camp roster

All six of the Flyers' 2013 draft picks will be with the team when developmental camp starts on July 8.

First-round selection Sam Morin highlights the list of names along with second-round pick Robert Hagg and goalie prospects Cal Heeter and Anthony Stolarz.

In all, 31 players will take part in the four-day camp from next Monday through Thursday (July 11).

On-ice sessons on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday will be open to the public. On Wednesday, camp breaks and moves to Stone Harbor, N.J. for the annual Trial on the Isle.

The complete 2013 developmental roster can be found below:

Forwards (13): Brandon Alderson, Tyler Brown, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Tyrell Goulbourne, Stephen Harper, Andrew Johnson, Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Derek Mathers, Marcel Noebels, Andrew Ryan, Petr Straka

Defensemen (12): Mark Alt, Terrance Amorosa, David Drake, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Matt Konan, Maxim Lamarche, Frederic Larsson, Nick Luukko, Eamonn McDermott, Samuel Morin, Reece Willcox.

Goaltenders (6): Carsen Chubak, Cal Heeter, Merrick Madsen, Ryan McKay, Matt Skoff, Anthony Stolarz.



Sources: Tim Thomas' agent contacts Flyers

As expected, Tim Thomas would like to play goal for the Flyers.

Sources confirmed on Wednesday that his agent, Bill Zito, contacted the Flyers. Thomas is said to be “intrigued” about the Flyers, who just added Vinny Lecavalier to their payroll on Tuesday.

Thomas, the ex-Boston Bruin, did not play during the 2012-13 lockout shortened season after his rights were traded to the Islanders, but he would like to return to the NHL after a year off.

Though suspended by the Isles, they elected not to toll his contract, allowing Thomas to become an unrestricted free agent this Friday (July 5).

Right now, the Flyers aren’t that keen on Thomas only because they don’t have the salary-cap space to sign him.

Thomas is likely looking for at least $3 million while the Flyers are seeking to spend about half that much.

One goalie who fits that bill is New Jersey’s Johan Hedberg ($1.4 million). The Devils now have three goalies: Marty Brodeur, Cory Schneider and Hedberg. Someone has to go.

Thomas, on the other hand, has the right credentials -- a Stanley Cup and two Vezina trophies.



Former Flyers weigh in on Lecavalier signing

The reaction amongst some rather famous ex-Flyers to the acquisition of Vinny Lecavalier was mostly positive.

And pride very well might be the single, biggest motivation for the 33-year-old centerman after being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning last week.

“When you get bought [out], there is that pride factor,” said Rick Tocchet, who coached Lecavalier for two seasons in Tampa and now does work for Comcast SportsNet. “One thing I like is he will be motivated to come here now. He still has a very good shot. He’ll play to his size, but you need to put him with faster players. He’ll struggle with slower, big guys.”

NBC hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick said Tocchet is dead on.

“It is embarrassing to be bought out, and Vinny is a proud guy,” Roenick said. “It’s time for Vinny to show the hockey world that he can again play the game at a high level. He does that and it’s a great deal.”

Fellow NBC hockey analyst Keith Jones thinks this signing will rejuvenate Lecavalier.

“I like it,” Jones said. “You didn’t have to give up anyone off your roster and you got him for $2 million less you were paying [Danny] Briere with the cap hit. He’s better than Briere at this point in his career. He’s bigger and he will drop the gloves like he did this season with Luke Schenn.”

No one had higher praise than Flyers coach Peter Laviolette.

“He is going to be great,” Laviolette predicted.

Laviolette’s Flyers play a very up-tempo style. Lecavalier is not as fast as he once was. Pace could be an issue if he’s logging 18 to 20 minutes of ice time a night. On the plus side, he's 6-foot-4. The Flyers have not had a centerman of that size since Keith Primeau (6-5).

“His pace is not an issue,” Laviolette assured. “He will help in many areas -- on the power play, his experience and his size, his leadership. He has top-six skill. We are, I am, very happy he is in orange and black.”

Tocchet and Jones said that pairing Lecavalier with faster players, such as Wayne Simmonds, will force Lecavalier to keep his feet moving on the ice.

“There was time when Lecavalier was in top 10 players in league,” Jones said. “Things got stale for him in Tampa. It wasn’t [a] money signing here. He looked at the roster, and playing with [Claude] Giroux, and [thought] the Flyers are real hungry to get things turned around.”

Lecavalier has had a fair number of injuries late in his 14-year NHL career, making the five-year deal rather risky:

• left wrist surgery after 2006-07 season (cartilage)

• right shoulder surgery after 2007-08 (labrum)

• right wrist at end of 2008-09 (cartilage)

• right knee arthroscopic in Aug. 2010

• broken hand (2011-12)

• broken foot (2012-13)

Injuries even bit Lecavalier during the lockout, although he was healthy at season’s end. If you throw out the lockout year (10 goals, 32 points) which was awful for many NHL players, and take the previous five years, Lecavalier has averaged 28 goals and 66 points.

Can he be that kind of player again?

“I like Vinny, he’s still a very good player,” Roenick said. “He has dealt with some injuries the last couple of years. He has a reputation of not being consistent.

“Vinny has to decide what kind of player he wants to be remembered as. Does he want to be known as tough, talented goal scorer who was great as a power play specialist and who had a mean streak about him?”

Roenick said Lecavalier would be a good “commodity” for the franchise. Lecavalier was beloved in the Tampa community because of his off-ice charitable endeavors. That should translate over to the Flyers Wives Fight for Lives campaign, which is the largest in all of professional sports.

“He has to step up his dedication to the game and make the Flyers proud that they brought him on after his team didn’t want him,” Roenick said.

Incidentally, our panelists -- minus Laviolette -- are all concerned about the Flyers' cap situation and how that translates into getting a good, veteran goalie when free agency begins on Friday.

Loose pucks

Lecavalier will wear No. 40 with the Flyers since No. 4 is retired. Mark Streit will wear No. 32.



Bob on Bryz: Philly is a 'severe city' for goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky spent one season with Ilya Bryzgalov in Philadelphia, which was apparently enough time to understand him -- even if the fans couldn't accomplish the same in two seasons.

Bobrovsky, the 2013 Vezina award winner, agreed to a two-year, $11.25 million deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this week.

And on Thursday, at a press conference announcing the deal, Bobrovsky addressed his former teammate's buyout. It's unclear what Bobrovsky was asked specifically, but these quotes come courtesy Sports.ru's Igor Eronko on Twitter:

Bobrovsky played 54 games for the Flyers as a rookie, posting a 2.59 GAA and .915 save percentage, one season before the Flyers signed Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million deal. Bobrovsky languished on the bench as Bryzgalov's backup the following year and was traded during the 2012 offseason for draft picks.

Bobrovsky finished this season with a 2.00 GAA, a .932 save percentage and the Vezina. Bryzgalov meanwhile, will be paid the remainder of his contract with the Flyers over the next 14 years.



Flyers sign Lecavalier to 5-year deal

Jul. 3, 2013 8:11 AM |

Written by

Randy Miller

Flyers chairman Ed Snider made himself a presence at the team’s draft table last Sunday in Newark because he wanted to be part of a turnaround from a rare non-playoff season.

Just days later, the Flyers seemingly are on their way after making a bold offseason move.

Vincent Lecavalier, probably the biggest fish in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market, will have a new winter home in Philadelphia.

By this weekend, former Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Tim Thomas may follow.

A four-time All-Star center, Lecavalier was coveted by almost a third of the league after having his contract bought out last week by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Three days after meeting in New York with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren and head coach Peter Laviolette on the eve of the NHL Draft, Lecavalier agreed to a five-year, $22.5-million contract.

The deal can’t become official until Friday when unrestricted free agents can begin signing with new teams.

Lecavalier, 33, reportedly met with nine teams last weekend — seven on Saturday and two Sunday — then narrowed the field before choosing the Flyers over Dallas, Detroit and Montreal.

“I think the Flyers got closer to being a playoff team, no question,” said former Flyer Jeremy Roenick, now a hockey analyst for NBC Sports. “I’m a Vinny Lecavalier fan, but he’s gotta decide that he wants to be a hockey player for 82 games and not 50. The knock on him is his inconsistency.”

Lecavalier has scored 383 goals and 874 points in 1,037 NHL games, all with Tampa Bay from 1998-2013, but had a career-low 10 goals and 32 points in 39 games last season. He missed nine games with a broken bone in his foot.

Lecavalier is expected to become the Flyers’ second-line center behind captain Claude Giroux, possibly on a line with Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn. The 6-foot-4, 208-pounder also figures to be a fixture on the Flyers’ top power-play unit.

“Vinny’s had some injuries the last couple of years, but is a dynamic player, a great power-play guy and a good locker room guy,” Roenick said. “It’s a good move, but that’s a lot of money to pay somebody that gets bought out. I think the Flyers showed a little bit of loyalty to him and now Vinny Lecavalier has to make sure he shows it back by giving them the best of Vinny Lecavalier.”

The signing, which carries a $4.5 million cap hit, puts the Flyers $318,522 over next season’s $64.3 million salary cap, according to gapgeek.com.

That’s allowed for the offseason, because starting Friday teams can exceed the cap by 10 percent ($6.3 million) until the 2013-14 NHL season opens. The day after the league’s first games, the Flyers can free up $4.94 million more in cap space by placing defenseman Chris Pronger on long-term injured reserve.

The Flyers are able to fit Lecavalier in for the time being due to recent buyouts to goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and forward Danny Briere.

If the Flyers made a move this weekend to free up more money, a candidate to go is defenseman Braydon Coburn, rumored last weekend to be going to Edmonton in a trade for a second-round draft pick. Coburn’s $4.5 million cap hit probably would give the Flyers enough money to fit in Lecavalier and Thomas, who would likely sign a one-year deal if he agrees to come to Philadelphia.

Lecavalier reportedly will earn $6 million the next two seasons, then $4.5 million in 2015-16 and $3 million the following two seasons. He had seven years and $45 million left on his Tampa Bay deal and will receive $32 million of it over the next 14 years from the buyout.

Meantime, Holmgren probably will look to dump a salary by Friday because the Flyers still have other needs, first and foremost adding a goaltender to either share duties with, or be a backup to, Steve Mason.

The top candidate is Thomas, who sat out last season and was uncertain about next season until telling his agent on Monday to scout out potential teams for a signing.

Thomas, 39, has spent his entire eight-year NHL career with Boston, posting a 2.48 goals-against average and .921 save percentage. His best season was 2010-11, when he had a career-low 2.00 GAA in the regular season and led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup.

Thomas to the Flyers would be a good fit, Roenick said, but added, “If I was the Flyers I wouldn’t sign him to huge money because you don’t know what you’re getting from an elder statesman that misses a year.

“I do think he’s got the mentality of a Philadelphia player. I think he’s got the grit, the competitiveness, the fight to be a Flyer, but I’d be very careful for how much money you’re going to put him in the net for. The last thing you want to do is make a commitment to a goaltender like they did with Ilya Bryzgalov and not have it work out.”

Empty netter:

The Flyers released their seven-game 2013-14 preseason schedule. They open with a neutral-site game against Toronto in London, Ontario on Sunday, Sept. 15. The next night, the Flyers will play split-squad games against the Washington at Wells Fargo Center and the Maple Leafs in Toronto. (Get the full preseason schedule at cpsj.com/flyersblog)

Courier-Post LOADED: 07.04.2013


Defending my NHL awards ballot

May 19, 2013 |

Written by

Dave Isaac

From the moment the NHL and NHL Players’ Association came to an agreement on a shortened, 48-game season it was abundantly clear that the 2013 campaign would be a murky mess.

At the end of the season, the already daunting task of choosing awards was more confusing than ever. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association provide their top five selections for each award.

Here, I defend my ballot and include the finalists that were recently announced.

• Hart Trophy (Awarded to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team)

1. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus

2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh

3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington

4. John Tavares, NY Islanders

5. Patrick Kane, Chicago

Finalists: Crosby, Ovechkin, Tavares

The former Flyers goalie wasn’t going to be a popular pick, but he carried the Blue Jackets to the brink of the playoffs. They lost a tiebreaker to the Minnesota Wild, but “Bob” was phenomenal even when his teammates weren’t. The team’s goal differential was plus-1 on the season. Former Flyer Vinny Prospal had the most points on the team with a mediocre 30. Bobrovsky is the reason they were even in the postseason conversation and was by far the team’s most valuable player.

If Crosby were healthy the whole season, he would have run away with everyone’s ballot. The Penguins ran the table on the Eastern Conference, including a six-game winning streak, while he was out with a broken jaw.

• Norris Trophy (Awarded to the defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position)

1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix

2. Ryan Suter, Minnesota

3. P.K. Subban, Montreal

4. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh

5. Duncan Keith, Chicago

Finalists: Letang, Suter, Subban

I know, I know. “What are you thinking?!”

Hear me out.

Ekman-Larsson was everything to the Phoenix Coyotes this season, including team MVP. He led them in average ice time at 25:05 per game and played predominantly against the opponent’s top line. I’m not a big advocate of “advanced stats,” but it’s telling that he led the league among players who played more than 10 games in “Corsi Rel QoC,” which hockeyprospectus.com defines as “a measure of competition quality using

relative Corsi as its basis.” He also finished six off the mark for the team lead in overall points.

He obviously won’t win the title this year, as he wasn’t even a finalist, but he will some day.

• Calder Trophy (Awarded to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition)

1. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida

2. Cory Conacher, Tampa Bay/Ottawa

3. Brendan Gallagher, Montreal

4. Jonas Brodin, Minnesota

5. Brandon Saad, Chicago

Finalists: Gallagher, Huberdeau, Saad

I had the easiest time with this award. Huberdeau was dazzling this year and even though he was second on his team in points with 31 (Tomas Fleischmann had 35) he was the highlight of the Panthers’ disappointing season.

• Lady Byng Trophy (Awarded to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability)

1. Matt Moulson, NY Islanders

2. Patrick Kane, Chicago

3. Logan Couture, San Jose

4. Brandon Sutter, Pittsburgh

5. Jason Pominville, Buffalo/Minnesota

Finalists: Kane, Moulson, Martin St. Louis

This is basically the best player with the lowest number of penalty minutes. Last year it belonged to Florida’s Brian Campbell. It’s generally a toss-up, but Moulson might be able to benefit from a greater body of work even though the award is supposed to just be the 2013 regular season. He has 10 penalty minutes in the last two seasons combined and was second on the Islanders in points this season.

• Selke Trophy (Awarded to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game)

1. Jonathan Toews, Chicago

2. Patrice Bergeron, Boston

3. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit

4. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles

5. David Backes, St. Louis

Finalists: Bergeron, Datsyuk, Toews

Toews, Chicago’s captain, is their best penalty killer and logged 1:25 shorthanded per game, third among Blackhawks forwards. He tied with Datsyuk for the league lead in takeaways with 56. He’s also very good on faceoffs at 60 percent.

The NHL’s general managers vote for the Vezina Trophy winner, awarded to the league’s best goalie, and broadcasters pick the Jack Adams Trophy winner, given to the best coach. Just for kicks, I would bet on Bobrovsky for the Vezina and Ottawa’s Paul MacLean for Jack Adams.

Here were my picks for the All-Star and All-Rookie teams:

• NHL All-Star Team

Center: Steven Stamkos, Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews

Right wing: Martin St. Louis, Alex Ovechkin, Jakub Voracek

Left wing: Chris Kunitz, Rick Nash, Henrik Zetterberg

Defense: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ryan Suter, P.K. Subban, Kris Letang, Duncan Keith, Andrei Markov

Goaltender: Sergei Bobrovsky, Craig Anderson, Tuukka Rask

• NHL All-Rookie Team

Forward: Jonathan, Huberdeau, Cory Conacher, Brendan Gallagher

Defense: Jonas Brodin, Jake Muzzin

Goaltender: Jake Allen

In the interest of completeness, here is Flyers beat writer Randy Miller’s ballot:

• Hart Trophy

1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh

2. John Tavares, NY Islanders


4. Alex Ovechkin, Washington

5. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus

• Norris Trophy

1. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh

2. Ryan Suter, Minnesota

3. P.K. Subban, Montreal

4. Duncan Keith, Chicago

5. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix

• Calder Trophy

1. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida

2. Brandon Saad, Chicago

3. Brendan Gallagher, Montreal

4. Cory Conacher, Tampa Bay/Ottawa

5. Nail Yakupov, Edmonton

• Lady Byng Trophy



3. Brandon Sutter, Pittsburgh

4. Logan Couture, San Jose

5. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay

• Selke Trophy



3. Jordan Staal, Carolina


5. David Backes, St. Louis

• NHL All-Star Team

Center: Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares

Right wing: Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Martin St. Louis

Left wing: Chris Kunitz, Andrew Ladd, Thomas Vanek

Defense: Kris Letang, P.K. Subban, Ryan Suter, Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky, Tuukka Rask, Antti Niemi

• NHL All-Rookie Team

Forward: Jonathan Huberdeau, Brandon Saad, Nail Yakupov

Defense: Justin Schultz, Jake Muzzin

Goaltender: Jake Allen

Courier-Post LOADED: 07.04.2013

683744 Phoenix Coyotes

Next goal for Phoenix Coyotes: Making sure relocation doesn’t become reality in 2018

By Scott Bordow, columnist azcentral sports Wed Jul 3, 2013 1:36 PM

Immediately after mayor Jerry Weiers pounded his gavel to begin Tuesday’s Glendale City Council meeting he warned the 200 or so Coyotes’ fans in attendance not to cheer or boo during the proceedings.

Silenced by his warning, the fans gave a thumbs up every time they heard something they liked. Only after Weiers pounded his gavel and called the meeting to an end did they erupt in howls.

Why not celebrate? The council had put an end to four years of uncertainty, four years of prospective owners coming and going, four years of wondering if the moving vans were going to pack up the pucks and sticks and take off for Seattle or Quebec or Kansas City.

Finally, there was resolution.

“Anybody who has followed this saga just said, ‘Uncle. Decide something,’ ” Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said. “Fortunately we got the result we needed.”

Now comes the hard part: making sure the relocation rumors don’t turn into reality in 2018.

The city council’s decision — by a 4-3 vote — to OK an arena lease deal with Renaissance Sports and Entertainment didn’t put an end to the story. It was a temporary reprieve. If Renaissance’s losses total more than $50 million after five years it can opt out of the agreement and move the franchise to, yes, Seattle, Quebec, Kansas City or some other city desperate for the NHL.

“We are here for the long term,” insisted Anthony LeBlanc, one of Renaissance’s principal investors. “We are focused on keeping the Coyotes here in the Valley and making this a long-term success.”

That’s all well and good but, really, what else would you expect him to say? The truth is, if in five years Renaissance has done everything it can to market the team and put a winning product on the ice and the losses have spiraled past $50 million, no one should be surprised if the Coyotes disappear.

After all, that’s why Renaissance insisted on the out clause in the first place.

“We’re not buying the New York Yankees,” LeBlanc reminded the council.

The $50 million question, then, is this: Can hockey work in the Valley and, in particular, the West Valley?

For years, all we’ve heard from Coyotes’ faithful is that the market will support the NHL. Just give us stable ownership, a playoff team and we will come, they said.

Those beliefs are about to be tested.

“Frankly, the support the franchise has gotten under very difficult circumstances over the last four years … fans have responded,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Attendance has gone up each year and with all the uncertainty the team has done remarkably well.”

The team, yes. The franchise, not so much.

“This is no different than any other southern market,” Maloney said. “You have to have a good team. You don’t have to win the Stanley Cup every year but you have to give people hope. You have to get to the playoffs once in a while and win some playoff rounds. We saw that happen two years ago (when the Coyotes reached the Western Conference finals). People came out to support us.”

But will they do it consistently, even when the team is struggling?

Fortunately, with Maloney and coach Dave Tippett locked up for the next few years, the Coyotes have one of the best front-office duos in the NHL. But they still need help. Think about how many elite NHL free agents ignored the Coyotes the past four years because the franchise A) couldn’t afford to pay them and B) didn’t know what its address would be.

With those constraints lifted — LeBlanc said the payroll will rise but didn’t specify how much — imagine the work Maloney and Tippett might do. Or the Cup they could lift.

The first order of business, though, is to make the business of hockey work.

Renaissance doesn’t need to win over the 10,000 or so hard-core fans who go to every game, no matter how bad the product, how unstable the ownership or how inconvenient the location. They’re already sold.

But that won’t save the Coyotes in five years, just as it hasn’t made the franchise financially viable the past five.

No, the base has to broaden. Sponsorships and luxury suites have to be sold. The franchise needs to convince the casual fan to come out, and not just when their hometown team pays a visit to Jobing.com Arena.

Do that, and maybe the Coyotes will be here, as LeBlanc insists, for the long haul. But make no mistake: The ice under the franchise still has cracks.

“This is a great hockey town,” Maloney said.

We’ll see.

And in five years, we’ll know.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.04.2013

683745 Pittsburgh Penguins

No offer, but Pens still targeting Adams

By Rob Rossi

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Negotiations between the Penguins and forward Craig Adams have yet to produce a contract offer, agent Neil Sheehy said Wednesday.

“They said they're still interested in getting him signed, but nothing is definitive,” Sheehy said.

Adams is one of six Penguins players set to become an unrestricted free agent at noon Friday. Another is left winger Matt Cooke, who is open to returning but has touched base with other interested clubs.

Potential free agents were permitted to speak with other clubs at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The new NHL labor contract allows for a two-day interviewing window, though agreements cannot be reached until Friday.

General manager Ray Shero said previously his plan for the two-day window would be altered by negotiations with his own players. The Penguins have about $4.1 million in cap space available for next season, but they generally like to keep $1 million free for in-season moves.

• Right winger Pascal Dupuis' new contract contains a limited-movement clause. Each year, Dupuis will be allowed to supply the Penguins with a list of teams to which he could be traded. Limited-movement clauses also were given to left winger Chris Kunitz and defenseman Kris Letang.

• Coach Dan Bylsma will spend a few days next week with Ron Wilson, the previous Team USA Olympic coach. Bylsma was named coach for the United States' men's Olympic squad this past Saturday.

• Bylsma is on track to hire a goaltending coach this month. He informally interviewed a few candidates over the NHL Entry Draft weekend. Gilles Meloche, the Penguins' previous goalie coach, has taken on another role with the organization that will require less travel.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.04.2013


Penguins’ Crosby, Kunitz named postseason All-Stars

By Josh Yohe

McKeesport Daily News

Penguins center Sidney Crosby and left wing Chris Kunitz were named first-team NHL All-Stars on Wednesday.

Now consider what Washington right wing Alex Ovechkin did.

Ovechkin was named the first-team right wing after leading the league in goals while playing a new position under coach Adams Oates.

However, some voters picked Ovechkin as a left wing, his former position. He received enough votes that he was voted to the second team as a left wing.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote in a poll taken at the end of the regular season.

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, who signed an eight-year, $58 million deal Tuesday, was named a second-team all-star.

Crosby finished with 56 points and held a large lead in the NHL scoring race before sustaining a broken jaw that forced him to miss his final 12 regular-season games.

Kunitz was named to a postseason all-star team for the first time.



Farewell, Tyler Kennedy

By Joe Starkey

Could we at least say a proper goodbye?

Tyler Kennedy did.

“Pittsburgh's been a second home to me,” Kennedy said a few days after his trade to the San Jose Sharks last weekend. “I'm dating a girl from Pittsburgh now. It's a great town, and it'll always be a part of me.”

It was, quite obviously, time for Kennedy to go. Once the right winger on the best third line in hockey, he had become an expensive afterthought. Other players had to be signed.

General manager Ray Shero handled the situation classily, as he always does. He and Kennedy met after the season, Shero indicating he would look for a decent landing spot.

“Ray and I had a good talk,” Kennedy said. “He's been very respectful, and he put me in a great situation. He kind of knew I had to move to a place with a little better of a chance. I kind of fell off the map here.”

Look, I know Kennedy hit the goalie's logo too often. I know he drove fans crazy by shooting too much (likely the same fans who scream at players for shooting too little. And I know he scored just six goals in 46 games in reduced ice time last season.

It just seemed like his departure merited more than a few buried mentions in the news cycle and what felt like a collective “good riddance” from the fan base.

Certainly, Kris Letang's contract saga and another dramatic Pirates victory were the stories of the day Sunday. But this wasn't Nils Ekman leaving. This was a guy who scored three game-winning goals on the Penguins' march to a Stanley Cup in 2009 and has six playoff game-winners overall (one more than Sidney Crosby).

This was a player who had seven goals and 14 points in his final 22 playoff games here — covering the past three seasons — and poured his heart into every shift. Kennedy was the rarest of Penguins — one who consistently earned his keep in the postseason.

So how do you say goodbye? You pull out the photo album. Three snapshots that will stay with me:

• Kennedy's third-period jam shot in Game 6 against the Red Wings in 2009, one of the great home wins in franchise history.

With Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the midst of going goal-less over the final three games, the third line stole Game 6. Jordan Staal (Kennedy first assist) scored the Penguins' first goal. Kennedy netted the eventual winner in a pulsating, 2-1 victory.

“My biggest one, by far,” he said.

• Kennedy's season-saving effort against the Flyers in Game 5 last year.

With the Penguins desperately trying to stave off elimination, trailing 2-1 after two periods and getting nothing from their stars, Kennedy came through. He set up Staal's tying goal and ripped the game-winner past Ilya Bryzgalov (did the Penguins really lose to him?) three minutes later.

• Kennedy scoring what might have become a legendary goal against the Islanders two months ago.

I spoke with Kennedy earlier in the series, when he was a healthy scratch, and he said, “I'll be ready when they call my name, and I'll play great.”

He was right. He might have saved that series — not to mention Dan Bylsma's job — with his liberating, tension-busting breakaway goal in the second period of Game 5.

One other notable Kennedy goal: He notched the Penguins' first at Consol Energy Center. Kennedy's best season doubled as a set-up for a letdown. With Crosby and Malkin injured in 2010-11, he scored a career-best 21 goals, including seven on the power play.

The Penguins signed him to a two-year, $4 million contract — a good deal if you measure it by Kennedy's playoff production. He was not going to score 21 goals again, because his power-play time understandably shrank to nothing.

In the end, Kennedy wasn't the same player without sidekick Staal, but he does go down as an excellent fourth-round pick (99th overall) by the Craig Patrick regime in 2004.

“Obviously, it's sad being traded,” Kennedy said. “But not many players get through their whole career without going through it.”

Farewell, Tyler Kennedy (Kenneddeeeeee!). Fare well.



Minor pieces will be added to complement Pens’ high-salaried core

By Rob Rossi

Blow up the Penguins.

Indeed, general manager Ray Shero heard that suggestion.

He has taken a different approach: Bring back the Penguins.

“But I don't see us coming back as the same team,” Shero said.

There is truth in that statement.

Second-year players Beau Bennett (top-six winger) and Simon Despres (top-four defenseman) will take on greater roles next season. Two new wingers could flank center Brandon Sutter on the third line. Assistant coach Todd Reirden may assimilate a couple of different defensemen into his top six. The penalty kill could consist of as many unfamiliar faces as well-worn ones.

The NHL turns over its calendar Friday with the start of its free-agent season at noon. Shero projects to have about $4 million in salary-cap space — excluding offers tendered to restricted free agents — to flesh out the Penguins' squad. He has 19 players under contract, though winger Steve MacIntyre ($625,000 cap hit) is ticketed for a spot with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Precedent is for Shero to keep around $1 million in cap space free for potential in-season roster moves, so his options on the free-agent market should not prove plentiful.

Shero's roster is stocked with proven players, ones that helped the Penguins win multiple playoff rounds for the first time since the Stanley Cup win in 2009.

“Our season ended in disappointment,” left winger Chris Kunitz said. “But we did some good things. We started to learn how to win in the playoffs again. That's something we needed to do. It had been a while, and that is why you hope to get another shot with this group.”

The Penguins opened the postseason as prohibitive Cup favorites and finished it with only two goals in a four-game sweep at the hands of Boston. Shero's reaction was to extend coach Dan Bylsma and his staff, then re-sign center Evgeni Malkin, Kunitz, defenseman Kris Letang and right winger Pascal Dupuis to multiyear deals — Kunitz, at three years, is shortest — that total $160.55 million and will after next season combine to count $24.35 million against the cap.

Letang said he never understood public calls for Shero to trade him for a handful less expensive players or let Dupuis walk as an unrestricted free agent.

“If you change just to change, because we didn't win enough, what does that accomplish?” Letang said. “New every year doesn't work. Look at Chicago.”

The Blackhawks, strapped by the salary cap, underwent significant changes after winning the Cup in 2010. They won it again in June, but only after committing to move forward last summer with their core and complimentary players, even after a second consecutive disheartening postseason.

Shero's decision to resist change for the sake of change was based on several factors:

He knew replacements, either by free-agent signings or trades, would prove more costly than raises for his own players.

He liked the potential mix going forward, with younger players naturally finding their roles in the lineup.

His best players — captain Sidney Crosby, Malkin and Letang — are in their primes, with Malkin, soon to be 27, the eldest.

In four years, when the contracts of Dupuis and Kunitz are set to expire and Bennett and Despres will be helping to bring along another batch of younger Penguins, Shero's “Big Three” should still be producing at a very high level.

Crosby, Malkin and Letang are elite right now, though, and Shero has decided provide them proven support.

“Everybody in life faces decisions,” Letang said. “Ray decided to bet on us. I think it's the right one. We know the system, the coaches, and each other. We know what we have to do. We have to win again.

“But look at this team. Do you think we can't? I will bet on us.”



Should the Penguins worry about the 'Taylor Swift curse'?

July 3, 2013 1:43 pm

By Sharon Eberson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Mikey and Big Bob of KISS 96.1's "Morning Freak Show" called out Taylor Swift as a potential "Penguin killer" in June of last year, and the San Jose Sharks gobbling up Tyler Kennedy sealed the deal.

An October 2009 image on the Penguins website features the chart-topping singer being given a team jersey by then-Penguins Max Talbot, Jordan Staal, Alex Goligoski and Kennedy. When the first three became ex-Pens, the "Freak Show" guys planted the idea of "The Taylor Swift Curse," and fans posted online warnings to "Run TK," But alas, the Penguins forward was acquired by the Sharks recently for a second-round pick, and the quartet with Swift that day has now left the building (Consol Energy Center, that is) for other icy shores.

With Swift returning to Pittsburgh for a concert Saturday at Heinz Field, fans seemed relieved to note the end of the curse on Twitter. "How to solve the Taylor Swift curse: A Bruno Mars concert. Got Letang and Duper on the same day," read one tweet, referring to the signings of Kris Letang and Pascal Dupuis.

In April, a photoshopped image that showed Swift with Sidney Crosby was posted online and started rumors that the singer and Penguins star were dating. The pic was declared a fake and there was a sigh of relief in some quarters -- not that we believe in curses or anything.

Post Gazette LOADED: 07.04.2013


Crosby, Kunitz, Letang named NHL All-Stars

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins center Sidney Crosby and left winger Chris Kunitz have been named first-team all-stars by the NHL.

Defenseman Kris Letang was a second-team selection.

The rest of the first team is Washington right winger Alex Ovechkin, Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban, Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter and Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

In addition to Letang, the second team consists of New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Anaheim defenseman Francois Beauchemin, Chicago center Jonathan Toews, Tampa Bay right winger Martin St. Louis and, oddly enough, Ovechkin, who received enough votes at his former position, left wing, to claim a spot.

Crosby is a first-team all-star for the second time in his career, while Kunitz and Letang are being honored for the first time



Cooke's return to Penguins looking unlikely

July 4, 2013 12:11 am

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It's not official yet and can't be for another day, at least.

But the evidence is accumulating that Matt Cooke won't be with the Penguins in 2013-14.

Cooke, a blue-collar winger, is on the cusp of unrestricted free agency, and will be eligible to sign with any team Friday.

General manager Ray Shero acknowledged Wednesday evening that precedent strongly suggests that, now that Cooke is about to be free to move on, he almost certainly will do so.

"Most guys, if they get [to unrestricted free agency], there's more money, or they want a change," Shero said.

Cooke's agent, Pat Morris, could not be reached for comment.

The Penguins' other unrestricted-free-agent-to-be, forward Craig Adams, might be more likely to return, if only because he will command a lower salary than Cooke.

Cooke's cap hit under his expiring contract was $1.8 million while Adams' was $675,000.

The Penguins already have a little more than $60.1 million of cap space committed to players for the 2013-14 season, when the ceiling will be $64.3 million.

Enforcer Steve MacIntyre, who is expected to play primarily in the American Hockey League, accounts for $625,000 of that, so a more realistic figure probably is closer to $59.5 million.

That total, however, does not include an estimated $1.9 million worth of qualifying offers extended to defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and forwards Dustin Jeffrey and Harry Zolnierczyk, all of whom figure to be on the major-league depth chart this fall.

Shero said that he and Morris "exchanged offers a few weeks ago," but confirmed that he still hasn't put a contract proposal on the table for Adams.

"Pittsburgh is interested [in Adams], but could not offer yet," agent Neil Sheehy said Wednesday. "We will speak later. In the meantime, we are open to other opportunities."

Wednesday was the first of two days in which teams could have contact with prospective free agents, even though they're not allowed to sign them until Friday.

The interview period, which was introduced by the NHL's new labor agreement, also allows agents and players to gauge the level of interest clubs have.

The Penguins kicked the tires on a players who might fit in at various levels on their organizational depth chart.

"We checked in with some people, both NHL and two-way contract guys," said Shero, who described the day as "our first kick at the can."

He added that he expected Cooke to "go out, look around and see what's there," although he did not know whether Cooke and Morris actually had done so Wednesday.

While the front office continues to try to assemble the final pieces of the 2013-14 roster -- the early-July version of it, anyway -- two key players who got new contracts Tuesday insisted that looking for work elsewhere never was a serious consideration.

"I never thought about going to free agency [next summer] at all," said defenseman Kris Letang, whose eight-year, $58 million deal will take effect in 2014-15.

"I made it clear with Ray and the owners that I wanted to stay."

Right winger Pascal Dupuis never tried to hide his desire to remain with the Penguins and said that while he might have been tempted to see what he could get on the open market as an unrestricted free agent -- "It's human nature, that curiosity to know what you're really worth" -- he didn't regret accepting his four-year, $15 million contract.

"I feel like I'm getting a fair deal here and staying in a place where I want to play," he said. "What I have in Pittsburgh is special. ... It came down to, you don't mess with happiness."

Dupuis will be 38 when his new deal runs out, but isn't ready to concede that retirement would be his next logical step.

"I take good care of my body and work hard," he said. "It may not be my last contract."

For Letang and Dupuis, the stresses that go with trying to get a new contract have passed. Not so for players such as Cooke and Adams, who remain uncertain about where they will be working in the fall.

The closest thing to a safe bet at this point is that there will be personnel moves over the next few days that few, if any, people saw coming.

"There are always some surprises," Shero said. "We'll see what [today] brings."



Penguins notebook: Three players earn All-Star honors

July 4, 2013 12:10 am

By Shelly Anderson / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins center Sidney Crosby and his left winger, Chris Kunitz, are on the first team and defenseman Kris Letang is a second-teamer in postseason NHL All-Star voting, the league announced Wednesday.

Crosby won the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding player as determined by fellow players and was a finalist for the Hart (MVP) Trophy, and Letang was a finalist for the Norris Trophy for top defenseman.

But Penguins coach Dan Bylsma figures the All-Star honor was extra special for Kunitz, a first-time All-Star at age 33. Kunitz led all left wingers with 22 goals and 52 points and finished tied for seventh overall in scoring.

"Chris Kunitz, in particular, is a guy who ... stepped into the top echelon this year in terms of wingers and production," Bylsma said. "He was right up there for two-thirds of the year in goal-scoring and points."

Bennett set for new role

Bylsma sounded as if he is leaning toward trying Beau Bennett, a right winger by trade, as a full-time left winger on a line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.

"Beau has played on the left side a lot, so he's comfortable there and he's done a really good job, at the beginning of this year, proving he can play on the left side," Bylsma said. "That's really not an issue."

Bennett, a 2010 first-round draft choice, had three goals, 14 points in 26 games with the Penguins in his first pro season.

"Skill set-wise, the ability to play with high-end players, read the plays, hockey sense and the ability to make plays to and from those players, I think he has shown that. He has grown into that," Bylsma said. "I look at some of the games he played right at the end of the hockey season when we had some injuries, what he did on the power play when Sidney was not in the lineup and Malkin was not in the lineup. He really showed what he could do.

"Over the course of a full season, I think you're going to see him be able to play with those type of players, whether it is a power-play situation ... or a with Malkin and Neal. I think he's got that ability."

Salary cap realities

Bennett will still be playing under his entry-level contract this season, and Bylsma said that the NHL salary cap will force the Penguins to at times rely considerably on other young players because it's expensive to keep core players locked in.

"As you go down the road with the young players and prospects we have coming in -- particularly the ones on defense -- they are going to be playing roles for us," Bylsma said, adding that some prospects might get a shot to play this season.

Among the top prospects on defense, Bylsma pointed to Brian Dumoulin, Olli Maatta, Scott Harrington and Derrick Pouliot.

Dumoulin, Bylsma noted, "had a good first year of pro hockey, excelled in the second half of the season and the playoffs."

Dumoulin, obtained last summer in the Jordan Staal trade, had six goals and 24 points in 73 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and another two goals, eight points in 15 AHL playoff games.

Beyond him, Bylsma said, "You're talking about Maatta and Harrington, Pouliot, guys that project to be very big players for us down the road on their entry-level contract. I think it's going to be a must."

Maatta and Pouliot were first-round draft picks a year ago, Harrington a second-round pick in 2011. All three played in junior hockey last season.

Bylsma's Olympic memories

Bylsma last weekend was named coach of the United States Olympic team for the 2014 Sochi Games. That is contingent upon an agreement to continue to send NHL players to the Olympics, something that seems close but isn't finalized.

"The preliminary [NHL] schedule this season has got the break for the Olympics in it. ... We're talking about it as if the NHL players are available," Bylsma said.

Bylsma's appointment brought to mind childhood memories of the American hockey gold medal in 1980, including the "Miracle on Ice" upset of the Soviet Union, which was televised only on tape delay.

"My first recollection of the Olympic Games is in 1980," Bylsma said.

"I remember very clearly the [TV] screen and the roll across the bottom of the screen. My memory is that I was watching 'The Joker's Wild' on Saturday night and that came across the screen, that USA beat the Russians in that semifinal game. And then getting to stay home from church -- which is something that never happened in my household -- to watch on Sunday and see how that unfolded."


683753 San Jose Sharks

Sharks deal T.J. Galiardi to Flames for draft pick

Will Sharks dip into free agency waters?

The unrestricted free agent market opens Friday, July 5, and as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, NHL teams have already started conducting interviews with players that are potentially looking for new teams.

(Incidentally, why the NHL would choose to make free agency day the Friday of a major holiday weekend in the United States, when exposure is at its absolute low point, is unbelievably foolish from a PR standpoint – and that’s being nice. But, that’s a complaint for another day…)

Could the Sharks be looking to add to their roster via the open market?

Maybe. But, probably not.

History, the Sharks’ current roster, and their moves at the NHL Draft last weekend all point to a quiet weekend for the front office, much like last summer, when the club added fourth line winger Adam Burish and nothing else. Not to mention, a valid argument can be made that San Jose only needs to make minor tweaks to its roster – something that’s started already – after finishing the regular season strong and advancing to Game 7 of the second round against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

According to CapGeek.com, the Sharks have just $2.64 million of cap space with Tyler Kennedy and a backup goaltender still left to sign. That includes Marty Havlat’s $5 million cap hit on the books. If the Sharks do decide to add another player, they would have to assume (hope?) that Havlat remains on long term injured reserve for the duration of the season, freeing up cap space, or they would have to move salary elsewhere. GM Doug Wilson has already suggested that Havlat won't be healthy to start the season.

It all adds up to what should probably be a fairly quiet offseason for the Sharks from here on out, provided there aren’t any major shake-ups.

Here’s a look at the state of the roster with a couple days to go before the league-wide madness begins.

Forward

The Sharks’ top nine could be set now that Kennedy is in the fold and TJ Galiardi is packing for Calgary. The team has all but publically stated that Brent Burns will remain as a forward, while rookie Tomas Hertl looks primed to start the season on the opening night roster. Logan Couture, Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski are your centers for the top three lines, and are joined by Burns, Hertl, Kennedy, Tommy Wingels, Patrick Marleau and Raffi Torres. The fourth line shapes up as Andrew Desjardins between Burish and James Sheppard. Scott Gomez is highly unlikely to return.

Havlat’s status for next season is in doubt after he had major surgery in the offseason, but I still believe he has played his last game with the organization, which is probably better off without the winger who doesn’t fit the identity of the team anyway. Even if Havlat becomes healthy at some point, the Sharks may be better off keeping the oft-injured winger out of game action for the purposes of buying out the final year of his contract next summer.

If there’s one area in which the team could use more depth, though, it’s forward, or more specifically at wing. Hertl, for as much potential as he has, is still a wild card at 19 years of age. Kennedy was a healthy scratch for the Penguins in several playoff games as he seemingly fell out of favor with the team late in the year. Torres’ suspension issues are well documented, and one wrong move could land him in the league doghouse for a long stretch once again. Wingels, as hard-nosed, tough and feisty as he is, still has just

eight goals in 80 career NHL games. Furthermore, the Sharks’ fourth liners haven’t shown an ability to jump up and contribute on scoring lines.

If there’s one primary area of concern regarding the current roster, it’s at the wing position. The Sharks could use more help here.

Defense

Since the day I arrived in San Jose in October, 2011, it seems that defenseman Dan Boyle’s name has been tossed about in trade rumors. The latest surfaced on Tuesday in the Ottawa Sun, which said: “veteran defenceman Dan Boyle is also a possibility to be moved. He has $6.6-million cap hit in the final year of his contract and it’s believed he submitted a list at the February deadline of the eight teams where the club couldn’t deal him.” (The trade deadline was actually in April).

Moving Boyle, though, continues to make zero sense for the Sharks, especially now that Burns is expected back at forward. Boyle may be getting older (he turns 37 on July 12), but players will his skill set, work ethic, veteran leadership and power play prowess are rare. The Sharks cut down on Boyle’s minutes in the shortened 2013 season (primarily on the penalty kill), and he was, again, arguably their most valuable defenseman. Boyle joked early in the 2013 season, “this is not the oldest body in this locker room, by far.” He’s right, and he still has gas left in the tank.

The defense corps, as it stands now, includes Boyle, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Brad Stuart, Matt Irwin, Justin Braun, Jason Demers and rookie Matt Tennyson. It’s a young, solid group, and only Boyle would be an unrestricted free agent next summer. They have a chance to grow together as a unit after a successful 2013 that saw them finish sixth in the league in goals-against (2.33).

Just like at forward, though, the Sharks could probably benefit from a bit more depth. I still wouldn’t be surprised if San Jose looks to shed Demers’ $1.5 million, one-year contract extension, after the 25-year-old has failed to remain healthy and has had back-to-back inconsistent seasons. The club could use that money to bring in a cheap veteran – maybe even Scott Hannan, who played well after settling in with the team following a trade deadline deal with Nashville.

Goalie

The Sharks are obviously set with Vezina finalist Antti Niemi locked up for the next two years, but it’s uncertain who Niemi’s backup will be on opening night. The Sharks still have not agreed to anything with Alex Stalock, a pending UFA that acted as the emergency backup in the postseason. Harri Sateri and Troy Grosenick were recently re-signed, but it’s hard to imagine either of those two 23-year-old players is ready for NHL duty.

Stalock, 25, is a familiar face in the locker room and is still the best option here, and the Sharks would be wise to get him locked up.


683754 St Louis Blues

Updated: Leopold, Blues agree on 2-year extension

5 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

The Blues and unrestricted free-agent defenseman Jordan Leopold have agreed on a contract extension.

Leopold, 32, will sign a two-year extension worth $4.5 million for an annual average value of $2.25 million per season. That is a paycut for the defenseman who is coming off a three-year, $9 million ($3 million AAV).

Leopold, who was acquired last March from Buffalo, had two assists in 15 regular-season games with the Blues. He would have hit the free-agency market Friday at 11 a.m. (St. Louis time).

"He was here for a short period of time, and I thought that his experience was something that was beneficial to our team," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "I thought he and (Kevin) Shattenkirk found a comfort level with each other. I think now with (Jay) Bouwmeester, (Jordan) Leopold, (Barret) Jackman on that left side ... and our right side, I think, is our strength... I think that gives us maybe one of the strongest defenses in

the league with both experience and youth, and it's something that is a good fit for us."

The Blues have gained a defenseman, and meanwhile they learned that another won't be leaving.

Restricted free-agent Kris Russell, whom the Blues have undoubtedly attempted to trade, was placed on waivers Tuesday and went unclaimed.

The Blues have maintained Russell's rights by giving him a $1.3 million qualifying offer. He does possess arbitration rights.

But even when Russell and the club do reach an agreement, or receive one from an arbitrator, Armstrong said he is not committed to him as one of the Blues' top-seven defensemen: Alex Pietrangelo, Jay Bouwmeester, Jordan Leopold, Kevin Shattenkirk, Barret Jackman, Roman Polak and Ian Cole.

"Right now, we're talking to Kris," Armstrong said, "We talked earlier about trying to see if we could come up with a compromise to keep him here right when the season ended and we just couldn't agree on the compensation. That then took me to a different area with Jordan. So Kris is here...

"Worst-case scenario or best-case scenario — however you want to look at it — we'll come to training camp with eight defensemen. Kris has shown the versatility to play left wing also, so right now I have Kris on the left side as a forward. We have 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. If there's an ability to find Kris a spot where he can flourish in his career, we'll certainly work with him to do that."

Other tidbits from today's conversation with Armstrong:

• The Blues made a strong pitch to free-agent center Vincent Lecavalier, but were informed Tuesday, along with several other suitors that he was headed to Philadelphia on a five-year, $22.5 million contract.

"Myself, Al MacInnis, Ken Hitchcock and two of Vinny's former teammates — Rob DiMaio and Tim Taylor — met with Vinny and his agent at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on Saturday. We probably spent the better part of an hour with him, describing our team, Ken described the structure of our play...Al was very strong and passionate about the city of St. Louis. I thought we hit all the things that were important, that Vinny wanted to hear. I actually talked to Vinny two days ago and he said he thought that our presentation was (one) of the tops of the people that made them. His agent (Kent Hughes) echoed that too.

"We're disappointed that we didn't get the player, but I'm very appreciative of the work that went into it by the rest of our staff and the opportunity to meet with Vinny. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He is a big centerman and I thought he would fit into our group at no (trade) cost, and he ended up choosing the Philadelphia Flyers. But at the end of the day, I'm glad we went through the process."

• After exploring the trade market for Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott and coming up empty, the Blues' GM believes that both will be in training camp, along with Jake Allen.

"I would say now that all indications are that Jaro, Brian and Jake will be the three games at camp," Armstrong said. "And that's an interesting one. When the season ended, and the emotion subsides....I talked to Ken probably about this situation more than anything....where we would have been if we didn't have one of these three guys last year? So if there's something that's a way to improve our team, we always look at doing that. But it's a strength, for me, after a time of reflection."

• Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forward Chris Stewart, both restricted free agents, remain unsigned. Armstrong was asked whether he expects either of the two to come to terms with the team before the start of free agency. "No," replied Armstrong, who said that he didn't think those unresolved situations would affect his awareness of what he could spend in free agency. "We've got some other guys signed now.

"We have a number in place for (Pietrangelo and Stewart). Stewy, we have an arbitration number. (Blues caplogist) Ryan Miller has done very good work at giving us the high and the low end of that. There's enough contracts out there for Petro that I know the high and the low end of that. So we're comfortable that we're going to get these guy in the ranges that we have budgeted. Whether it's now, September, October or November, I don't know that answer. But I'm comfortable we'll get them in in the areas that we and they believe are fair."

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.04.2013


Pietrangelo, Stewart still unsigned with free agency looming

4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

The Blues are expected to go into free agency with their No. 1 defenseman and leading scorer from last season still unsigned.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and right winger Chris Stewart are restricted free agents, and thus the Blues could match any outside offer sheets. But nonetheless they will be exposed to the market if they fail to reach an agreement with the club before Friday at 11 a.m. (St. Louis time).

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong had a succinct answer when asked Wednesday if he anticipated either Pietrangelo or Stewart to be re-signed before then: “No.”

Armstrong and Pietrangelo’s agent, Don Meehan of Newport Sports Management, have been unable to come to terms on an extension for the defenseman, who recently wrapped up his three-year, entry-level NHL contract.

“Nothing new to report on Alex Pietrangelo,” Meehan wrote to the Post-Dispatch in an email Wednesday. “Doug indicated to me at (last week’s) draft that he would be in touch with us within the near future.”

Pietrangelo, 23, has received a base contract of $787,500 the past three years and is due a sizeable raise. After netting 12 goals and 51 points in 2011-12, leading to Norris Trophy consideration, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft appeared headed for a contract that could reach as much $7 million per season.

But then Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson, who was the No. 15 pick in the ’08 draft, posted 78 points in ’11-12. Karlsson signed a seven-year, $45 million contract ($6.5 million annual average value) and validated his credentials a day after the extension by winning the Norris.

A year ago, albeit in an abbreviated 48-game schedule, Pietrangelo didn’t measure up to his previous performance, posting five goals and 24 points. His plus-minus rating fell to even from a plus-16 in ’11-12.

The Blues appear to be big believers in Pietrangelo but as Armstrong said recently, “he has the best opportunity to be an elite (player) of anyone on our team right now. But opportunity has to cross-sect with the final result.”

Under terms of the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement, a free agent’s current club has an advantage in that it can re-sign a player for a maximum of eight years, whereas other teams are limited to seven years. Term doesn’t seem to be an issue between the Blues and Pietrangelo, but whether he can fetch $7 million, or even $6 million, is being negotiated. He does not have arbitration rights.

Meanwhile, Stewart still sits unsigned.

After agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract last summer, Stewart, 25, led the Blues with 18 goals and 36 points in ’12-13. But nine of the right winger’s 18 goals and 17 of his 36 points came during a 13-game stretch, so there are still questions about his consistency. That appears to be playing a role in whether Stewart, who does have arbitration rights, is approaching a $5 million player in the league or $4 million.

Despite having Pietrangelo and Stewart unaccounted for, Armstrong said it wouldn’t affect his awareness of what the club has to spend in free agency.

On Wednesday, the Blues re-signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Jordan Leopold to a two-year, $4.5 million extension, which comes on the heels of deals for restricted free agents Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrik Berglund.

“We’ve got some other guys signed now,” Armstrong said. “We have a number in place for (Pietrangelo and Stewart). There’s enough (NHL-wide) contracts out there for ‘Petro’ that I know the high and the low end of that. So we’re comfortable that we’re going to get these guy in the ranges that we have budgeted.”

The return of Leopold, 32, wasn’t a surprise, but the fact that he re-signed for $2.25 million per season — a paycut from his previous $3 million annual salary — was an eye-opener.

Acquired in March from Buffalo, Leopold had two assists in 15 regular-season games with the Blues.

“His experience was something that was beneficial to our team,” Armstrong said. “I thought he and Shattenkirk found a comfort level with each other.”

So the Blues gained a defenseman on Wednesday, and they learned that another won’t be leaving. Restricted free-agent Kris Russell was placed on waivers Tuesday and went unclaimed.

Russell remains property of the Blues after the club made him a qualifying offer of $1.3 million. But even when there is an agreement reached with the defensemen, who does possess arbitration rights, Armstrong said that he is not committed to Russell as one of the Blues’ top-seven blueliners: Pietrangelo, Leopold, Shattenkirk, Jay Bouwmeester, Barret Jackman, Roman Polak and Ian Cole.

“We talked earlier about trying to see if we could come up with a compromise to keep (Russell) here right when the season ended, and we just couldn’t agree on the compensation,” Armstrong said. “That then took me to a different area with Jordan.

“Kris has shown the versatility to play left wing also, so right now I have Kris on the left side as a forward. We have 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. If there’s an ability to find Kris a spot where he can flourish in his career, we’ll certainly work with him to do that.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.04.2013


Blues and Leopold agree to a 2-year contract extension

Published: July 3, 2013 Updated 5 hours ago

0 Comments E-mail

By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat

The St. Louis Blues took another big step toward solidifying their defense unit by agreeing to terms with veteran Jordan Leopold on new two-year contract extension worth $4.5 million.

Two of the major attributes Leopold brings to the team are "His professionalism, but also his ease in the locker room," Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong said. "He has that personality that I'm starting to understand, he's just asn easy guy to talk toand easy to be around.

"(Blues assistant coach) Brad Shaw told me that he's an excellent commnuicatior on the bench, knows what it's going to take for us to get to the next level."

The 32-year-old Leopold was an unrestricted free agent who had two assists in 15 games with the Blues last season after coming over in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres.

"He was here for a short period of time and I thought that his experience was something that was beneficial to our team," Armstrong said. "He and (Kevin) Shattenkirk found a comfort level with each other."

In 10 NHL seasons and 625 games, Leopold has 65 goals, 204 points and 268 penalty minutes. He was coming off a three-year, $9 million deal with the Sabres.

Assuming the Blues will sign restricted free agent Alex Pietrangelo to a long-term deal, their deep defense corps includes Leopold, Shattenkirk, Barret Jackman, Roman Polak and Ian Cole.

"I think that gives us maybe one of the strongest defenses in the league with both expeience and youth," Armstrong said. "It's something that's a good fit for us. Having (Leopold) for the next couple years just solidified that group."

Veteran Blues defenseman Kris Russell was placed on waivers Tuesday after he received a qualifying offer from the Blues. He cleared waivers Wednesday, so the Blues retain his rights.

"Right now we're talking to Kris," Armstrong said. "We talked earlier about trying to see if we could come up with a compromise right when the season

ended and we just couldn't agree on the compensation. That took me to a different area with Jordan."

The Blues could try to trade Russell, or keep him and head to training camp with an even deeper defense corps.

"Worst-case scenario or best-case scenario, however you want to look at it, we'll come to training camp with eight defenseman and he's show the versatilty to play left wing also," Armstrong said.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 07.04.2013


Blues hope free-agency shopping leads to a center addition

Published: July 3, 2013

By NORM SANDERS — News-Democrat

After making an unsuccessful pitch to land free-agent center Vincent Lecavalier, the St. Louis Blues have reloaded for what could be a wild weekend of NHL free agency and potential trades.

Current league rules allowed teams to begin talking to prospective free agents ahead of the 11 a.m. Friday kickoff. The Blues were involved with several centers according to general manager Doug Armstrong.

"We're going to make a deal that will stand the test of time economically," Armstrong said. "Sometimes you make these deals the first or second day of free agency...you feel really good about them and sell some tickets, then you spend five years trying to get rid of the guy. We're not going to do something like that."

Lecavalier, whose previous contract was bought out by Tampa Bay, wound up with a new five-year deal worth a reported $22.5 million from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Does Armstrong like the new setup for early free-agent talks?

"To me it's just legalized tampering right now," he joked. "I was always amused that on July 1 at 11:01 Central time somebody signed for $45 or $50 million dollars. This just cleans up the process; it seems to be much more above board."

After gauging the trade market for goaltenders, Armstrong said Wednesday he is prepared to bring Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott and Jake Allen to training camp if necessary.

Earlier it seemed the Blues were likely to trade one of the goalies. They still could move one before the season begins.

"I would say now that all indications are that Jaro, Brian and Jake will be the three guys in camp," Armstrong said. "When the season ended and the emotion subsides -- and I talked to Ken (Hitchcock) about this more than anything -- ... I kept coming back to a year ago we won the Jennings (Trophy).

"Where would we have been if we didn't have one of these three guys last year? If there's something as a way to improve our team you always look at doing that. But it's a strength, again, for me after time of reflection."

Armstrong felt confident he would be able to sign restricted free agents Alex Pietrangelo and Chris Stewart to contract extensions. Stewart is also arbitration eligible.

"We've got some other guys signed now and we have a number in place with both of those guys, and with Stewie we have an arbitration number," Armstrong said. "There's enough contracts out there for Petro that I know the high and low end of that. We're comfortable that we're going to get these guys in the range that we have budgeted.

"Whether it's in, September, October or November, I don't know. But I'm comfortable we'll get them in areas that we and they believe are fair."

The Blues continue to surface in trade rumors involving several forwards.

Armstrong said that he and Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, adviser Al MacInnis and Blues staffers and former Lecavalier teammates Rob DiMaio and Tim Taylor all met with Lecavalier last Saturday in New York.

Among the selling points were MacInnis moving to St. Louis late in his Hall of Fame career and then staying there, the region's undervalued surroundings and lifestyle, plus the Blues' young nucleus of puck-moving defensemen that excel in the transition game.

Armstrong said he's using the same sales pitch with other free-agent centers the club has targeted.

"Ken described the structure of our play and Al was very strong and passionate about the city of St. Louis," said Armstrong, who added Lecavalier told him the Blues' presentation was among the best he encountered. "I thought we hit all the things that were important. At the end of the day I'm glad we went through the process."

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 07.04.2013

683758 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning's St. Louis is second-team NHL all-star

TAMPA - Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Marty St. Louis was named a second-team All-Star, the NHL announced on Wednesday.

St. Louis led the league in scoring with 60 points in the lockout-shortened 48-game season to capture his second Art Ross Trophy. St. Louis, the all-time Lightning leader with 892 points, also won the Lady Byng Trophy and was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award last season.

This is the fifth time St. Louis was named an NHL All-Star. He was a first-team selection in 2004, when he also was named league MVP, and a second-team selection in 2006-07, 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, the league MVP last season, was named to the first team in his first season at right wing after playing left wing his first eight NHL seasons.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 07.04.2013

683759 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning re-signs G Cedrick Desjardins, D Matt Taormina

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, July 3, 2013 5:18pm

The Lightning re-signed goaltender Cedrick Desjardins and defenseman Matt Taormina to one-year, two-way contracts.

Here is the announcement from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed goaltender Cedrick Desjardins and defenseman Matt Taormina to one-year, two-way contracts, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Desjardins, 27, appeared in three games with the Lightning last season, compiling a record of 0-3-0 to go along with a 3.00 goals-against average and .890 save percentage. The Edmundston, New Brunswick native played in 36 games in the American Hockey League last season, splitting the season between the Hamilton Bulldogs and Syracuse Crunch, registering a record of 15-18-3 to go with a 2.61 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. During the 2012-13 AHL season, Desjardins recorded five shutouts, including three in just 14 games while with the Crunch. He appeared in 18 Calder Cup playoff games with Syracuse, posting a record of 13-5-0 to go along with a 2.30 goals-against average and .908 save percentage.

The 6-foot, 192-pound goaltender has appeared in five career NHL games, all with the Lightning, during the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons, notching a record of 2-3-0 with a 2.14 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. He has also played in 184 career AHL games with the Bulldogs, Norfolk Admirals, Lake Erie Monsters and the Crunch, compiling a record 95-62-12. Desjardins was the recipient of the AHL’s Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award for recording a 2.00 goals-against average during the 2009-10 season, given annually to the goalie with the lowest goals-against average. That same season he also appeared in the 2010 AHL All-

Star Classic, in which he was named top goaltender during the skills competition, as well as being named on the 2010 AHL Second All-Star Team following the season.

He was acquired by the Lightning on February 14, 2013 from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for goaltender Dustin Tokarski.

Taormina, 26, skated in two games with Tampa Bay last season and was held scoreless. He made his Lightning debut on April 6 at the New York Islanders. He also skated in 55 games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, collecting four goals and 24 points to go along with 21 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating. The Warren, Michigan native ranked second on the Crunch defense for points and assists. Taormina has skated in 254 career AHL games with the Binghamton Senators, Lowell Devils, Albany Devils and the Crunch, collecting 18 goals and 74 points, including a career-high 10 goals and 50 points in 2009-10.

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound defenseman has appeared in 49 career NHL games, with the New Jersey Devils and Lightning, recording four goals and 12 points with a plus-3 rating. He made his NHL debut with the Devils on October 8, 2010 against the Dallas Stars.

Taormina went undrafted and was signed as a free agent by the Lightning on July 6, 2012.

In addition, the Crunch signed forward Eric Neilson and defenseman Joey Mormina to minor-league deals.

Neilson, 28, had a goal and 135 penalty minutes in 39 games last season for Syracuse. Mormina, 31, who is 6 feet 7, 220 pounds, had three goals, 10 points in 54 games with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.04.2013

683760 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs name Steve Spott to coach Marlies

By Lance Hornby,Toronto Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 04:08 PM EDT

TORONTO - Steve Spott will have the task of replacing the popular and accomplished Dallas Eakins as coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs farm team.

Spott has resigned as general manager and coach of the Kitchener Rangers after interviewing for the vacant Marlie position during draft weekend in New Jersey.

The 45-year-old Spott made the Kitchener Rangers a force in the OHL having previously worked under Peter DeBoer before the latter went to the NHL with the Florida Panthers. Spott fit Nonis’s criteria of a coach who could work best with what will be a younger Marlie lineup, starting in 2013-14.

“That will be one of the things that goes into the thinking of the replacement for Dallas,” Leaf head coach Randy Carlyle had said Sunday.

“Obviously, it’s going to be someone they feel can develop young kids and give them the best opportunity to make the NHL and teach them the ins and outs, as Dallas did.

“The young players available to us are going to get a fair shake (at Leaf camp). We did the same thing last year. Obviously we have things in our mind that we’re set with, but we’re looking for young kids to step up and have an impact. We have some young kids who have played very well in the AHL and they’ve been there a couple of years. Now it’s time for them to spread their wings a little bit.”

Spott coached the last Canadian national junior team, which lost the bronze medal match to Russia. Raised in Toronto, a childhood friend of NHLer Adam Graves and an ardent Leaf fan, he played 20 games for Toronto’s one-time farm team in Newmarket in 1990-91 after an NCAA career at Colgate. Spott also played in the East Coast League and in Holland before launching a coaching career at Seneca College in Toronto. He and DeBoer first hooked up with the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers in 1997.

Also seen in the Leafs’ suburban Newark hotel on the weekend was Glen Gulutzan, former coach of the Dallas Stars. Eakins, who brought the

Marlies as far as the Calder Cup final in 2012, was wooed by the Edmonton Oilers in June.

Eakins’ assistants Derek King and Gord Dineen have a year remaining on their contracts.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.04.2013


Grabovski and his big contract don’t fit into Leafs GM’s plans

By Steve Simmons,Toronto Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 11:39 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 12:10 AM EDT

TORONTO - No matter what Dave Nonis tries to do, no matter where he attempts to go with this Maple Leafs roster, he finds himself tripping over Mikhail Grabovski’s contract.

It is not an easy or comfortable piece of business, especially when you view the hockey world the way in which Nonis does.

He is unemotional, and as the new James Reimer-Jonathan Bernier pairing has demonstrated, he is unattached and non-romantic in a way the best general managers are unattached and non-romantic.

But somehow Grabovski gets in the way of almost anything he will try to do between now and the opening days of free agency come Friday.

Grabovski is paid like a front-line centre, producing like a run-of-the-mill third- or fourth-line centre last season, and is signed long-term, a present left behind from Nonis’ good friend Brian Burke.

So what do you do with Grabovski now?

Nonis would like to add a centre of some kind in free agency or trade.

Nazem Kadri, ideally, would be the Leafs’ second-line centre, unless Randy Carlyle decides to promote him alongside Phil Kessel and either James van Riemsdyk or Joffrey Lupul.

Grabovski can’t play with Kessel. He’s a lone wolf. When he creates offence, he creates his own offence. And at his best, he can put up numbers. But he has never been a traditional playmaking centre, never will be. Which puts him and the Leafs in this strange situation.

Should Nonis come up with a centre — say Stephen Weiss, for example — you assume Weiss would play with Kessel and the designated left winger. That puts Kadri, who was just behind Jonathan Toews and Sidney Crosby in even strength-points scored, which isn’t to say he is a Toews or a Crosby, just that he can put up points if used in the right situation. Kadri did tie Patrick Kane in even-strength points scored, a statistic coach’s value high, in a second-line spot.

Which brings us to David Bolland, who is the ideal No. 3 centre for Randy Carlyle, who quietly complained a lot last season that he wasn’t able to put together a traditional checking line to play against his opponents’ first line. His attempt at a checking centre: Grabovski.

Bolland can give you the traditional checking centre and a little offence along with that.

Which again raises the question: Where does Grabovski fit with the Leafs? He doesn’t bring the value Nonis wants from his players. He has $22 million coming over the next four years in a deal that seemed odd at the time, worse in retrospect.

I’m certain a compliance buyout was talked about in Grabovski’s case. It had to be. It would have cost the team $1.82 million a year for eight years, while at the same time freeing up $5.5 million in cap space. The cost in all would have been $14.6 million had the Leafs gone this route. But the challenge for Nonis now is try to find a way to make this work.

Not that long ago, Grabovksi was one of the Leafs’ better forwards. He scored a high of 58 points one year, centring what was then a powerful line of Clarke MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin. But all three over time saw their offence diminish.

If left on his own, in an offensive role, Grabovski can probably produce somewhere between 45 and 50 points. That’s nothing to discredit. But on a Leaf team looking to step forward, and considering the large step Kadri took in his first full season, Grabo can’t play on the Leafs first two lines (assuming they get another centre or sign Tyler Bozak, but not to that insane eight-year contract his agent is pushing), he can’t play ahead of Bolland and he’s way too expensive and ill-suited to be a fourth-line player.

In all likelihood, the Leafs are going to have to trade him, probably give him away and pay a little salary along with it, or take some back, in order to move Grabovski, who has become a square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

There is a lot about Grabovski to like: He can be tenacious. He genuinely wants to get better as a player. He is skilled. He’s a good person on a team.

But at the end of the Boston playoff series, when he played hard, didn’t score, and was the only double-digit minus-player — an almost impossible negative statistic for a seven-game series — Chicago’s Nick Leddy was minus-8 in 23 games played — it became apparent how overmatched the Leafs were at centre ice.

Nonis knows that has to change. Finding a new home for Grabovski would represent a start.



Front office role for Gretzky with MLSE might come true

By Lance Hornby,Toronto Sun

The Maple Leafs went into Wednesday night trying to figure out what Friday morning is going to look like.

Toronto and 29 other clubs were granted permission to start talking to potential free agents, but there were still some compliance buyouts to be settled around the league and free agency decisions elsewhere that could change the marketplace when official UFA shopping starts Friday.

With the Leafs keeping an eye on their own cap space and eyeing trades to further reduce the payroll, general manager Dave Nonis and his staff have a phone in one hand and a calculator in the other. Names such as forwards Stephen Weiss and David Clarkson are being considered, but Nonis did scoop centre David Bolland in a draft day trade in case prices get too crazy, too quickly on Friday.

Weiss, it turns out, is a nephew of new farm team coach Steve Spott, but that’s unlikely to make the difference in his signing - unless Weiss wants to give the Leafs a hometown discount. The Leafs have made two good depth moves with Bolland and new goalie Jonathan Bernier, but the next move will be tricky.

GREAT ONE, GREAT RUMOUR

Here’s more kindling to keep the Wayne Gretzky-to-Toronto rumours smoking.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Wednesday that new Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke has chatted with Gretzky about an executive post as the hierarchy continues revamping in the Rogers-Bell merger era. Those discussions did not lead to anything specific, but the report added there is the possibility of Gretzky having a role down the road.

Leiweke, former chairman of sports and entertainment for the Anschutz Entertainment Group (owner of the Los Angeles Kings), already tried convincing Phil Jackson to join the Toronto Raptors’ masthead. Leiweke was not in place in January of this year when a prominent Toronto radio talk show host brought up Gretzky as a possible replacement for Brian Burke as Leafs president, right after Burke was turfed.

Gretzky had to quell those rumours himself, but did say the Kings had talked to him about a job. Leiweke was still with L.A. at that time.

A SWISS NOT TO MISS

The Leafs’ North American scouts could be able to keep closer tabs on fifth-round selection Fabrice Herzog, after the Quebec Remparts selected the

aggressive Swiss forward in the Canadian Hockey League import draft on Wednesday.

There’s already a Leafs connection to Herzog, who was coached in Zug by former Leafs player and AHL St. John’s headmaster Doug Shedden. The Leafs had two picks from the emerging QMJHL on Sunday, first-rounder Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski) and goalie Antoine Bibeau (PEI Rocket).

SPARKS FLY ON TWITTER

Marlies goaltender Garret Sparks took to Twitter to defend Mike Komisarek, whose compliance buyout on Tuesday generated plenty of shots at the blueliner’s ability and the Leafs paying him $22.5 million US in the first place. Tuesday’s move took care of the last of his $4.5-million cap hit after Komisarek ended the year on the farm, at his own request to help rejuvenate his career.

“Maybe he wasn’t paid $4 million to be a Marlie,” Sparks tweeted, “but you will realize the value of his stay when the (defence) prospects find their way to the big club. Any fan praising Komisarek’s buyout doesn’t understand the incredibly positive impact he had on the (Marlies) this season.”

SNOW TIRES REQUIRED

In answering questions from curious fans on the Leafs web site, Bernier was asked if he had any extravagances.

“I like watches and I’m a car guy,” Bernier said. “I drive an Audi R8. It was great in L.A. but now in Toronto ... I don’t know how it would do in the snow.”

LOOSE LEAFS

While the Leafs now know there won’t be any major scheduling changes with Phoenix staying put, the full regular-season slate is not expected to be available until around July 17 ... Don Meehan, agent for UFA winger Clarke MacArthur, said there is little progress with his possible return to the Leafs. ... When that happens, coach Randy Carlyle will be looking forward to finding out when he’ll face the Edmonton Oilers and ex-Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who sent him so many NHL-ready players last year. “It’s great for Dallas, an opportunity to run an NHL bench and I’m sure he’ll have some butterflies (playing the Leafs),” Carlyle said. “It will be ‘good luck’ to him (that night), but we’re not here to give points away.” ... Toronto players earned a bit of support for the NHL all-star team. Phil Kessel, who was tied for seventh in NHL scoring with 52 points, ended up fourth at right wing behind Alexander Ovechkin, Martin St. Louis and Patrick Kane. He was named on two first-place ballots, though the majority were third-place nods. James Reimer ranked seventh in goalies with two second-place and three third-place votes. Dion Phaneuf was 14th among defencemen based on second and third-place votes and Cody Franson had a single third-place vote.


683763 Washington Capitals

Capitals buy out Jeff Schultz

By Katie Carrera, Updated: July 3, 2013

Defenseman Jeff Schultz cleared waivers, allowing the Capitals to buy him out Wednesday afternoon. Washington will owe him $1 million each of the next two years under the terms of the compliance buyout, which will not count against the salary cap.

The Capitals have one compliance buyout remaining. They aren’t expected to use it before the current window closes at 5 p.m. Thursday but will have an opportunity to do so again next offseason.

With the move to buy out Schultz and the re-signing of Tomas Kundratek Tuesday, the Capitals now have just over $8.4 million in room under the $64.3 million salary cap much of which will go to re-signing restricted free agents Karl Alzner and Marcus Johansson.

Here’s more on the Schultz buyout and why this became an inevitable course for the Capitals.

>> In an unrelated note, the Capitals’ first-round draft pick in last weekend’s 2013 draft, Andre Burakovsky, was selected Wednesday in the Canadian Hockey League import draft. Burakovsky, 18, was selected fifth overall by the OHL’s Erie Otters, but it’s unclear whether the young winger will opt to leave Sweden.

At the draft, General Manager George McPhee and Ross Mahoney, the team’s director of amateur scouting, said they would be supportive of either route for Burakovsky. Playing in the CHL would allow him to adapt to the North American game and ice size and face his peers, while in Sweden Burakovsky would be able to continue progressing through the men’s leagues.

“If he ever wanted to [play in the CHL], sure we’d support him,” McPhee said at the draft. “We’d understand if he wants to spend a year over there and come over, two years he’s going to take some time to develop. We’re going to take our time and do it right, but the end product could be pretty good.”

Washington Post LOADED: 07.04.2013


Alex Ovechkin named NHL all-star at two different positions


The NHL released the end-of-year all star teams Wednesday and because of a voting error, Alex Ovechkin managed to make the first and second team at two different positions.

Ovechkin was named first-team right wing and second-team left wing. It’s an embarrassing gaffe by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, which votes on various league awards and the end-of-year all star teams. I’m a member of the PHWA but don’t vote on awards because of Washington Post policies.

As anyone who follows the Capitals even remotely knows, Ovechkin made a high-profile and well documented switch to right wing this season at the suggestion of Coach Adam Oates after playing the first seven years of his NHL career on the left side. Ovechkin played only four games at left wing during the lockout-shortened season.

When ballots were sent out this year, the PHWA sent out an email to voters regarding position changes and telling them to list Ovechkin as right wing if they included him. Apparently not enough voters took note of the change as 45 of them still listed Ovechkin as a left wing.



Alex Ovechkin voted NHL All-Star — at two different positions

By Marc Lancaster

The Washington Times

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Alex Ovechkin's transition to right wing under new coach Adam Oates was one of the Washington Capitals' top storylines this season. But dozens of members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association apparently didn't get the memo.

The NHL announced its postseason All-Star teams Wednesday, and Ovechkin was a runaway choice as the top right wing in the NHL, garnering 103 first-place votes and 591 total points to easily outdistance Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis (36, 440). Those totals mean St. Louis is officially part of the "second All-Star team" at right wing.

And wouldn't you know, Ovechkin somehow earned second billing at left wing. Chris Kunitz of the Pittsburgh Penguins again was an easy first choice there, with 70 first-place votes and 519 points. But 41 voters listed

Ovechkin first on their ballots, helping him to 217 points and a second-place finish at a position he played only a few times in the lockout-shortened 2013 season.

Old habits die hard, apparently; Ovechkin had been a first-teamer at left wing on five occasions. He becomes only the second NHL player to make the first team at two different positions in his career. Mark Messier took the honors twice as a left wing and later twice as a center.

The embarrassing results immediately caused an uproar on Twitter, with calls to revamp the voting process. Ballots were due at the end of the regular season.

Former Washington Times hockey writer Stephen Whyno, now with the Canadian Press, previously posted his award ballot, which included Ovechkin as the first-team right wing and the Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg as the first-team left wing. (Zetterberg placed fourth in the voting.)



Capitals’ development camp schedule


Capitals’ development camp runs next week from July 8-13 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. All practices and scrimmages are free and open to the public so if you’re looking for a mid-July hockey fix, be sure to check out the full schedule below and plan accordingly.

Monday July 8

9 a.m. Team White on-ice testing

10:45 a.m. Team Red on-ice testing

2:30 p.m. Team White practice

4 p.m. Team Red practice

Tuesday July 9

9:15 a.m. Team Red practice

10:50 a.m. Team White practice

Wednesday July 10

9 a.m. Team Red practice

10:30 a.m. Team White practice

3:45 p.m. Intrasquad scrimmage

Thursday July 11

9 a.m. Team White practice

10 a.m. Team Red practice

3 p.m. Intrasquad scrimmage

Friday July 12

11 a.m. Intrasquad scrimmage

Saturday July 13

Capitals Fan Fest

10 a.m. Intrasquad scrimmage

Capitals prospects expected to attend

No., Pos., Name

17 F Chandler Stephenson

28 D Jaynen Rissling

39 D Garrett Haar

43 F Tom Wilson

44 F Riley Barber

51 D Patrick Koudys

53 F Travis Boyd

55 D Madison Bowey

56 D Patrick

57 G Sergei Kostenko

58 D Connor Carrick

60 D Blake Heinrich

65 F Andre Burakovsky

72 F Caleb Herbert

73 D Christian Djoos

77 D Tyler Lewington

78 G Brandon Anderson

80 F Brian Pinho

82 F Zach Sanford

88 D Nate Schmidt

96 D Taylor Stefishen


683767 Winnipeg Jets

Jets ink Clitsome

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 1:00 AM

SCRATCH Grant Clitsome's name off the list of Winnipeg Jets who were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this week.

The Jets announced late Tuesday night they have agreed to terms with the 28-year-old defenceman, who played in 44 games last season and picked up 16 points on four goals and 12 assists. His plus-10 rating was also the highest among all Jets' defencemen. The Jets did not disclose the terms and value of the contract, but multiple media outlets are saying it is a three-year extension worth $6.2 million.

Originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2004, the Clarkson University product was scooped up off waivers by the Jets in 2012. Both Clitsome and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will speak to the media Wednesday morning.

-- Ed Tait

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.04.2013


Signing with the Jets a priority for Clitsome

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 07/3/2013 10:39 AM |

Grant Clitsome is big on loyalty. And so when he was scooped up by the Winnipeg Jets off waivers and given a chance to grow his game here, he wanted to repay that faith with a little of his own.

Of course, it helped that the Jets put a three-year deal worth $6.2 million in front of the 28-year-old defenceman – who was scheduled to become a free agent on Friday – in front of him that he agreed to late Tuesday night.

"From Day 1 it was a priority for me to get a deal done with Winnipeg," said Clitsome in a media conference call today. "They took a chance on me when they picked me up on waivers and gave me an opportunity to show I can play in the league. I really enjoyed my time there, I like the coaching staff and the management and you’re treated first class all the way. The whole time it was definitely a priority to sign with Winnipeg."

Clitsome’s game steadily improved with an increased workload last winter and that was a huge factor in the club’s decision to bring him back. With the defensive corps ravaged by injuries, Clitsome’s ice time jumped to around 21 minutes a game and he finished with 16 points on four goals and 12 assists while posting the best plus/minus rating among the team’s defencemen at +10.

"As a 28-year-old defenceman, younger than most of the defencemen in free agency that we had looked at and the potentials of what they might cost versus their age, Grant was a good fit," said Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. "He’s a tremendous person who works very, very hard. He’s very physically fit and he’s someone we think as his ice time and responsibilities continue to grow his game is going to grow."

Cheveldayoff said the Jets have also had a couple of chats this week with the agent for goaltender Al Montoya, another unrestricted free agent who could hit the market on Friday.



Jets ink Clitsome

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/3/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

SCRATCH Grant Clitsome's name off the list of Winnipeg Jets who were scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this week.

The Jets announced late Tuesday night they have agreed to terms with the 28-year-old defenceman, who played in 44 games last season and picked up 16 points on four goals and 12 assists. His plus-10 rating was also the highest among all Jets' defencemen. The Jets did not disclose the terms and value of the contract, but multiple media outlets are saying it is a three-year extension worth $6.2 million.

Originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2004, the Clarkson University product was scooped up off waivers by the Jets in 2012. Both Clitsome and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will speak to the media Wednesday morning.

-- Ed Tait



Give the kid a chance, Jets fans

By Ken Wiebe,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Monday, July 01, 2013 09:51 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 12:27 PM CDT

NEWARK, N.J. -- So it's apparent that the Winnipeg Jets selection of Josh Morrissey with the 13th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft is garnering similar reaction on social media to Mark Scheifele going seventh overall in 2011.

Many members of Jets Nation are up in arms that a team in dire need of adding scoring throughout the lineup chose to take another defenceman in the first round higher than he was ranked by many.

While I understand where they're coming from, it's important to note that based on those who were available, there are not many (if any) high-scoring forwards who project to be in the NHL for another season (or two).

Based on some conversations during the past few days here, the book on Morrissey is that he's incredibly smart, is an excellent skater and has very good offensive upside.

The Prince Albert Raiders blue-liner has strong character, likes to take the body and is working hard to improve his defensive game.

It's not hard to imagine Morrissey lining up on a pairing with 2012 first-rounder Jacob Trouba a few years down the road.

Before you dismiss the pick outright, give the kid a chance to show what he can do.

Subjects of interest

After all, how many times have you watched him on TV or in person?

Here are a few other subjects of interest that caught my attention while assessing the Jets' 2013 NHL Entry Draft:

— Men in the middle -- The importance of being strong at centre is a staple for most teams. With that in mind, the Jets went with three pivots, including Jimmy Lodge of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), who can also play the wing and had an excellent season offensively, hard-working Andrew Copp of the Michigan Wolverines and diminutive Nic Petan of the Portland Winterhawks. Petan produced 120 points on a powerhouse team, leaving him tied with linemate and Winnipegger Brendan Leipsic for the most in the Canadian Hockey League this season. Petan plays with a chip on his shoulder and wants to show he can thrive at the next level despite being small in stature. No shortage of skill.

— Another masked man -- Personally thought the Jets might ignore goalies on Sunday after choosing four guys during the past two drafts and signing college free agent Juho Olkinuora in the spring to help increase their depth between the pipes. But when Tri-City Americans goalie Eric Comrie was still there at 59, the Jets snapped up the guy ranked second among North American netminders by Central Scouting behind Zach Fucale of the Halifax Mooseheads, who went to the Montreal Canadiens after capturing the Memorial Cup in May. Comrie was limited to 37 games this season because of hip issues, but he's eager to follow in the footsteps of brothers Mike and Paul and make it to the NHL. There's nothing wrong with competition in the crease.

— Chipping away at the myth -- During the first two drafts since the Jets returned to the NHL, they only chose North Americans, which led some to speculate the Jets had something against European players. Marcel Comeau scoffed at the suggestion on Friday, saying it was merely a coincidence. The Jets took Czech defenceman Jan Kostalek and Swedish blue-liner Marcus Karlstrom on Sunday, so let's put that theory to rest. Kostalek was also the first player chosen from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League by the Jets.

— The wild card -- The selection of Spokane Chiefs defenceman Brenden Kichton got my attention, since he went back into the draft after failing to come to terms with the New York Islanders, who selected him in the fifth round (127th overall) in 2011. Kichton put up 23 goals and 89 points in what was his fifth season in the WHL. We'll see how that translates to the pro game in the American Hockey League and go from there. No doubt he's a sleeper pick with talent and experience.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.04.2013


Jets draft pick hopes to make name for himself in net


First posted: Monday, July 01, 2013 09:58 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 12:26 PM CDT

NEWARK, N.J. -- Being the youngest of three hockey-playing brothers, you could say that Eric Comrie became a goalie out of necessity rather than his own volition.

But the Winnipeg Jets second round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft learned to love the position and has flourished between the pipes.

"I was kind of forced into it," Comrie said moments after putting on the Jets' jersey for the first time. "My two older brothers needed someone to shoot on, so they said 'you're in net.'

"They stuck me in there when I was young. I was probably three-years-old and they said 'try to make a save.' I was just a target for them. When I started playing goal full-time, I was probably eight-years-old."

But what kept him playing goalie tells you a bit about why the Jets made him the 59th overall pick.

"I like the pressure. Whether you win or lose, it's up to you," said Comrie. "It's a goalie's job to win games and if you lose, it's the goalie's fault. The goalie is supposed to win the game for the team."

Comrie, who was the second-ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting, described his style this way.

"I'm going to be an athletic goalie but have a strong technical base at the same time," said Comrie, whose father is the founder of The Brick furniture store chain. "I want to have a strong positional game but still be able to throw myself (at pucks) to make the big save when (necessary).

"My work ethic (is his biggest strength). Every single day I work as hard as I possibly can to become the best in the world."

Playing for Tri-City Americans of the WHL meant having a a nice stable of experienced goalies to lean on, as former NHL netminder Olaf Kolzig is part-owner of the club and other alumni includes Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who spent time around the team during the NHL lockout.

"He offered me great advice," said Comrie, who appeared in 37 games this season and posted a 20-14-3 record with a 2.62 goals against average and. 913 save percentage. "Just seeing how he handled himself off the ice, how humble he was and respectful he was to everyone was really a big testament to NHL players along the league."

Having older brothers (Mike and Paul) who made it to the NHL is another great resource on his own personal journey.

"It really makes it easier to show how hard you have to work every single day and it shows you the amount of dedication it takes to make it to the NHL," said Eric.

The Jets have now chosen five goalies during the past three drafts and added college free agent Juho Olkinuora, bolstering a position that had limited depth when the franchise relocated from Atlanta.

"A very technically-sound goaltender who unfortunately had some (hip) injuries this year later on in the year and had to have those corrected," said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. "But a real student of the game when it comes to goaltending and a real workhorse for his team, prior to his injuries."



Winnipeg Jets take defenceman Josh Morrissey with 13th overall pick of NHL entry draft


First posted: Sunday, June 30, 2013 03:37 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 12:25 PM CDT

NEWARK, N.J. — The Winnipeg Jets took plenty of time to get to know Josh Morrissey.

After four meetings before Sunday’s NHL Entry Draft, the Jets chose the Prince Albert Raiders defenceman with the 13th overall selection.

The Calgary product had 15 goals and 47 points this season and admits he was curious why the Jets kept calling him back.

“I’m going to have to ask them that myself and see what they’re looking for in those other times,” said Morrissey. “I like to compete hard and my biggest

assets are my skating and my hockey sense. A player that I admire or try to pattern my game after is Kris Letang.”

Letang was a Norris Trophy candidate with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, so if Morrissey can follow a similar career path, the Jets will be thrilled.

Morrissey has a high hockey IQ, a competitive spirit and also brings some book smarts to the table as the 2013 Canadian Hockey League scholastic player of the year.

“School is important to me and my family,” said Morrissey, noting English is his strongest subject. “It’s something I’ve always taken pride in and I’m definitely proud of my accomplishments.”

It’s the second time in three years the Jets selected a player with ties to the original organization, as Raiders head coach and former Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dave Manson has passed plenty of knowledge down to Morrissey.

“It has been huge. Obviously, he spent a lot of time in Winnipeg and he’s really taught me a lot of the little details that you learn when you’re in the NHL for so long, like he did,” said Morrissey. ‘I can’t say enough great things about him.”

In 2011, the Jets chose Mark Scheifele of the Barrie Colts and he’s been under the tutelage of former Jets superstar Dale Hawerchuk.

“(Morrissey) has the elements that we think it is what it takes to play at the NHL level and be an impact player on defence,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “He is someone that has tremendous character. He’s real genuine, hard-working. Just can’t say enough about those aspects. That’s all part of it. His play out on the ice really speaks for itself.”

Speaking of Jets version 1.0 connections, London Knights centre Max Domi was chosen 12th by the Phoenix Coyotes and a source said Cheveldayoff was trying to trade up to select the son of former Jets tough guy Tie Domi but couldn’t pull it off.

“It’s hard to really speculate,” said Cheveldayoff, when asked directly about Domi. “Obviously, there’s lots of different things, (when) you go to move but with respect with where we tried to get and who we tried to get, that’s all speculation.”

In the second round (43rd), the Jets went with slick centre Nic Petan of the Portland Winterhawks.

Petan tied for the WHL scoring title, piling up 120 points this season and helping his club reach the Memorial Cup final.

He’s no stranger to battling the perception that he’s too small to succeed.

“I use my smarts and my skill to my advantage,” said Petan. “I definitely use my size as motivation out there. It doesn’t matter how tall you are or how big you are, you’ve got to make things happen and work hard.”

Rounding out the Jets picks were goalie Eric Comrie of the Tri-City Americans (59th), Saginaw Spirit centre James Lodge (84th), right winger J.C. Lipon of the Kamloops Blazers (91st), Michigan Wolverines centre Andrew Copp (104th), defenceman Jan Kostalek of the Rimouski Oceanic (11th), Omaha Lancers defenceman Tucker Poolman (127th), Spokane Chiefs defenceman Brenden Kichton (190th) and Swedish defenceman Marcus Karlstrom (194th).

The Jets also made a deal for a roster player, acquiring forward Michael Frolik from the Chicago Blackhawks for a pair of 2013 draft picks.



Jets sign Clitsome to $6.2-million deal

By Kirk Penton,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 11:48 AM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 07:21 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets are paying Grant Clitsome some good coin to play defence for them for the next three years.

In a way, Clitsome is paying the Jets back for believing in him when no one else would. The 28-year-old Ontario native decided to pass on unrestricted free agency this summer and instead signed a new three-year deal worth $6.2 million.

“They took a chance on me when they picked me up on waivers and gave me an opportunity to show that I can play in the league," Clitsome said this morning on a conference call. "I really enjoyed my time there. I like the coaching staff and the management. They treat you first class the whole way. So the whole time it was definitely a priority for me to sign in Winnipeg.

“That being said, I was aware of my situation and I was constantly monitoring what was going on and following the situation pretty closely.”

The Jets wanted Clitsome to be a part of their future after a strong finish to the season. His minutes increased because of injuries to Toby Enstrom and Zach Bogosian, and his play actually improved. Clitsome has come a long way since the Jets picked him up off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2012.

“There’s a little more maturity to his game,” Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said this morning on a conference call. “When Grant was given the opportunity to play more minutes, he seized those and his game continued to grow. There’s a maturity level in a defenceman that doesn’t have very quickly.

“If you talk to a lot of different people that talk about how a defenceman develops, it does take time for them. In respect to Grant, his development process is still ongoing. He’ll get a good opportunity here to be a big part of our team moving forward.”

Clitsome, who is a left-handed shot, had four goals and 12 assists in 44 games for the Jets last season.



Jets GM Cheveldayoff 'active' in looking at free agents

By Kirk Penton,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 08:23 PM CDT | Updated: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 08:28 PM CDT

Now that Grant Clitsome’s deal is done, Kevin Cheveldayoff can get to the other billion things on his to-do list.

Not only does the Jets GM have his own restricted and unrestricted free agents to deal with, but he can also talk to any of the league’s other potential free agents leading up to the start of the signing period on Friday.

A new twist to free agency this year is a 48-hour window in which GMs can talk to potential free agents. They can’t sign them, however, until the signing window starts. Cheveldayoff said he was already taking advantage of the window on Wednesday morning.

“We are active in that regard,” Cheveldayoff said. “There has been conversations that we have had and will continue to have for the different positions that might be available.

“It’ll be an interesting time, a new little nuance to the free agent period, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.”

Cheveldayoff also said he had talks with backup goaltender Al Montoya as recently as Tuesday night. Montoya is poised to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday.

Other members of the 2013 Jets headed for unrestricted free agency are defenceman Ron Hainsey, and forwards Nik Antropov, Kyle Wellwood, Mike Santorelli and Antti Miettinen.

The Jets also have 13 qualifying offers currently on the table for restricted free agents, including Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little.


683775 Vancouver Canucks

Gallagher: Luongo needs a short memory to resume role as one of NHL’s best goalies

By Tony Gallagher, The ProvinceJuly 3, 2013 3:06

Assuming Roberto Luongo doesn’t refuse to report to the Vancouver Canucks this fall, he’ll be coming back looking to regain his top form as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

That’s what he’s been for many years and, while he’s been through a heap of turmoil over the last year or two as Cory Schneider emerged as a player, finding a way to overcome and essentially forget about that past and worry about the present is going to be his biggest challenge. What’s really interesting is that goaltenders who have reached Luongo’s level of success are already enormously qualified to do that with great aplomb if they get some help and lean on the techniques that have let them forget about bad goals that all goalies have given up, says Vancouver sports and performance psychologist Dr. Saul Miller.

“If your goal is to be the best you can be under any circumstance which is generally the goal of all professional athletes, when stuff happens in life, you either use it or it uses you,” said Miller. “When you have a bad experience, how do you use it?

“It’s difficult to say anything specific if I haven’t met or worked with the player, but you know that you can help the person. How you would help is difficult to say without an intimate relationship with the person and with what’s going on in his life. But, in general, a pro-athlete who has had moments of being one of the best in the game and moments of inconsistency in high pressure, highly visible situations has to have a short memory and tune out the past. He’s got to work on the ability to treat it like the last goal. It’s always the next shot. Regardless of what happened in the past, it’s always the next shot and there are techniques to focus on the present and not on the past. It’s that way for all of us in life.”

Miller works with eight current NHL players and has worked with players currently on the rosters of over half the teams in the league, as well as players and teams in Europe. He’s worked with NFL and major league baseball players and teams and has a wealth of experience. And he’s certainly not pandering for a job because he’s knows the Canucks already have, or at least had, former Boston University sports psychologist Len Zaichkowsky working with the team. But he’s worked with lots of goaltenders over the years so his observations might be interesting with Luongo very much on the menu these days.

“A goalie stops thousands and thousands of shots as he comes up through the ranks, in practices and games, and what he does in sticking out his right leg or his blocker is automatic. When you start thinking and it intrudes on that automatic process, that’s when your performance goes down,” said Miller.

Needless to say, a strong start will be crucial for Luongo and the team as it faces increased competition for a playoff spot given realignment. The traditional October swoon the goalie has traditionally experienced over the years is not going to go over well if it happens again this fall. Not only would it hurt the locals, it might well sink Lui’s chances of pursuing that second gold medal at the Sochi Olympics, something he might get a shot at with a strong showing out of the gate.

The high level of success Luongo has experienced would give him a strong sense of self, one of the keys to personal success, according to Miller, and Lui tapping back into that strength will be one of the keys if he is to succeed — along with superior preparation.

“When a hockey player has a strong shift or makes a good play he knows ‘that’s me’ which is learned behavior over the years,” said Miller when talking about sense of self. “But when there’s a bad shift or say defenceman makes a bad giveaway, he knows ‘that’s not me, I always make that play.’ And using techniques like that he can forget the mistake, forget the past.

“Goalies face more pressure in the game than any other player and perhaps more than anyone else in sport. Some say a cornerback in football has the toughest job, to make reads then a snap decision and when they get burned they look really bad. But goalies certainly have the most pressure in hockey and Jacques Plante said it best years ago when he said: ‘Can you imagine a game when every time you make a mistake a red light goes on and 15,000 people stand up and cheer?’ You have to be in the right physical and mental state to be able to manage that kind of work.”

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Ballard buyout process begins

July 3, 2013. 9:27 am

Posted by:

Jim Jamieson

The Canucks have placed defenceman Keith Ballard on waivers on Wednesday for the purpose of buying him out. The actual buyout will occur on Thursday morning when Ballard clears. It will be one of the team’s compliance buyouts, so it will not count on the Canucks’ salary cap. Once the process is complete, Ballard will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with another NHL club.

Ballard, who was one of Canucks GM Mike Gillis’ worst moves since taking over the club in 2008, has two more years left on contract that pays $4.2 million per season. Ballard arrived in Vancouver from the Florida Panthers at the beginning of the 2010-11 season with five years remaining on his deal and billed as a top-four defenceman. The Canucks gave up a solid prospect in Michael Grabner and a first-round draft pick to the Panthers in the deal. But at best Ballard was used on the third pairing and occasionally watched from the press box.

The Canucks will be on the hook for two-thirds of that amount ($5.6 million) but can pay it out to Ballard over four years.

According to online source Capgeek.com, the Ballard buyout leaves the Canucks with 16 players signed for next season and just $7,497,222 in cap space to sign six or seven more, including third- and fourth-line centres.

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Report: Tortorella brings in Sullivan, who may be tougher on players than him, and Gulutzan as assistants

July 3, 2013. 5:18 pm

Posted by:

Jason Botchford

439x Report: Tortorella brings in Sullivan, who may be tougher on players than him, and Gulutzan as assistants

John Tortorella may not be changing all that much after all. At least not when it comes to his right hand man.

Tortorella has reportedly done the expected, bringing Mike Sullivan in from New York as one of his assistant coaches in Vancouver.

Tortorella, Sullivan and Gulutzan will call the shots from the Canucks bench next season. Interesting, Torts added another assistant.—

Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 03, 2013

Sullivan first joined Tortorella’s staff in his last year in Tampa Bay. He went to New York with Tortorella, where they coached for four years.

Reports indicate that before Tortorella was fired several of the Rangers were pushing for him to go. And more of them may have had issues with Sullivan than Tortorella, according to Larry Brooks who suggested in his Sunday column Tortorella should leave Sullivan behind this time.

If Tortorella truly does intend to become a new man, then bringing Mike Sullivan to Vancouver with him as assistant coach isn’t likely to help the transformation process.

Truth is that Sullivan, who only reinforces Tortorella’s us-against-the-world mentality, had alienated more Rangers by the end than the head coach.

If the Canucks really do need a good cop, it’s going to be all on Glen Gulutzan.

It was that long ago when we were having some fun speculating about the possibility Alain Vigneualt would be coaching the Dallas Stars and former Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan would take over the Vancouver Canucks.

That’s nothing compared to the actual buffet of ridiculousness which has followed.

Among the unexpected, by some, developments. John Tortorella took over as head coach of the Canucks and Gulutzan was reduced to a footnote.

The footnote, will actually be behind the Canucks bench this year as one of Tortorella’s assistants.

Gulutzan could be the good cop to balance out Tortorella’s in-your-grill stylings. One of the main reasons he got the Stars job in the first place was because of his patience with young players. He is not known as a “yeller” something which could come in handy after some Canucks take it on the chin from one of Tortorella’s toungue lashings.

Former players say he has a a calming presence behind the bench. Vancouver may need that often throughout the season.

Gulutzan was a risky hire at the time for the Stars. He had only been a head coach in the AHL for two years, and they picked him over bigger name candidates like Ken Hitchcock and Kirk Muller.

When Dallas hired him, he had never coached in the NHL, even as an assistant. He also never played in the league.

He is knows as a player’s coach, but he has three things he has called “non-negotiable items” for his teams.

The are being hard to play against, having a good defensive structure and having fun.

Fun? With Torts?

Good luck with that.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.04.2013


Hat Trick: Being a fly on the wall of Luongo’s Nip/Tuck pad, and why Vinny Lecavalier is the happiest man in hockey

July 3, 2013. 4:48 pm

Posted by:

Jonathan McDonald

1. Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall of Roberto Luongo’s pad in Florida?

You know, when Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini arrived from Vancouver, cap in hand, looking to have a friendly conversation about why the Canucks just love Lou and how that Schneider guy’s not their guy even though they said he was their guy and how they want everything to just be awesome and cool again. So you’re the fly, what do you hear out of Luongo’s mouth? And what do you hear again in a week or so, when Canucks GM Mike Gillis is allegedly making the same trip south?

Maybe you hear nothing of great interest.

But maybe you hear Luongo tell his bosses that he’s just absolutely done with the Canucks and that they’d better keep trying to trade him, because he doesn’t intend to be in Vancouver any longer than he has to.

Or maybe you hear Luongo say that, now that Schneider’s gone, this is the end of the goalie controversy in Vancouver. How he’s going to make $33 million in the next five years in Vancouver and nobody – no one, not a soul – is going to stand in his way.

That Eddie Lack, or whoever you like, will get no more than a dozen starts a season, and if there’s any sense that Eddie Lack, or whoever you like, is starting to get good – you know, like that Schneider guy – than that guy’s gone.

Because there’s always a Jason LaBarbera type who can do the same work for less, and for less attention, and that’s the way it’s going to be.

And in five years, when Luongo is making a lot less money, then he’ll slow down, or check out, or both.

Ah, to be the fly.

And I’m thinking what makes it all even better is if Luongo’s Florida pad is a little like Dr. Christian Troy’s pad in the late great series Nip/Tuck. That guy could wear pyjamas to the hottest restaurant in town and look good. That’s Luongo right about now. And probably scowling as much as Troy.

2. It wasn’t until Vincent Lecavalier signed with the Philadelphia Flyers that the full impact of these lovely NHL compliance buyouts hit me. I sort of understood when the Flyers bought out Danny Briere, then Ilya Bryzgalov. I figured they were going to make a whole ton of money, but not much more beyond that.

But then the Lecavalier situation unfolded, and holy mother of God.

Wrap your head around this: In his first few years in Tampa Bay, Lecavalier made about $9 million. Then, after the lockout, a four-year deal worth $27.5 million. Then, another approximate $35 million in the four seasons since. Now, over the course of the next 14 years, the Lightning will pay Lecavalier $32 million to do nothing for them.

I know, I know, that’s their problem, not his, but there you go.

And now, another $22.5 million is coming from the Flyers over the next five years. That’s a good, solid $125-million career. Amazing.

Thanks to the buyout, Lecavalier will make close to $11 million in each of the next two years. And long after he retires, he’ll continue to pull in $1.7 million a year from the Lightning.

So the next time you hear the NHL complain about its high costs, boo hoo for them. And when you wonder why ticket prices go up but the entertainment doesn’t get any better, Lecavalier is just another reason why.

3. Just a fun thought here. Sitting at the Vancouver Canadians game last night – a gorgeous evening at Nat Bailey, not a hint of chill in the air – I was amused by a number of things that happened around me. The slob down the row who spent the game dribbling sunflower seeds down his shirt. The fellows sitting side by side, each scoring the game and completely focused. And the two guys in front of me, with their non-stop witty banter. It was a reminder that there’s something unique about going to a ballgame. Things move pretty slowly, overall, so the environment is different from one where it’s a constant panic. And there’s lots of time to talk, which makes it, ostensibly, a better date night than going to a movie. For me, the best moment came at the end of the nightly sushi-roll race. You know, three adults dressed up in sushi costumes (what, you’ve never seen a sushi costume?), running the bases. The usual laughs.

And then, at the end, one of the guys in front of me raised his voice, just enough to be heard in his general vicinity, and barked, “Wasabi, you’re a disgrace.”

Is that not enough to want to go back to the ballpark?

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.04.2013

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ESPN / Glendale reaffirms commitment to Coyotes

By Scott Burnside

In many quarters, this will be portrayed as, at long last, an ending.

The good folks on Glendale’s city council late Tuesday night agreed by a 4-3 vote to accept a lease agreement with a group of buyers that will allow the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes by the NHL to go forward and allow the team to remain in Arizona.

For anyone who has followed this tortured saga the past four years, a great and loud “hallelujah” rose up when the council finally tallied its votes and decided it was better to have an NHL team in its building even if it’s going to cost the city $15 million a year in management fees over the course of the 15-year lease to do so.

For a league that has had its share of ownership missteps and miscreants, this four-year horror story takes the cake, and so, yes, Tuesday on at least one level brings an end to the perpetual to-ing and fro-ing over who, if anyone, would own the team and whether and where it would go if there was no owner.

And so, yes, in some ways, an ending. And for that, hallelujah.

But for Anthony LeBlanc, the Thunder Bay, Ontario, native and former RIM executive who along with some of his business associates hung in until Tuesday night’s vote, this is nothing but the beginning.

And for the Coyotes, it’s at long last a beginning. Because now we’re all going to find out whether this will work.

Oh, lots of people assume it won’t.

Some believe this became a quixotic mission for commissioner Gary Bettman as he fought off BlackBerry guru Jim Balsillie (ironically enough, long ago LeBlanc’s boss in the technology world), who sought to strong-arm his way into the NHL ownership club by trying to buy the team out of bankruptcy four years ago and move it to Hamilton, Ontario.

Some believe that might have been a better plan from the get-go, although it's clear Balsillie’s strategy was flawed and his personality an impediment to getting a deal done through normal channels. (Never mind what has become of RIM, the company that made BlackBerry a household name in the interim.)

Whether the league’s strategy to defend this franchise as though it were a treasured family heirloom was misguided is moot. Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly, who were in Glendale on Tuesday night and received a raucously appreciative greeting when they walked into chambers, said all along they believed in this franchise and that an owner could be found, and they were right.

It’s more than a little ironic that, in their heart of hearts, they might have wished Glendale councilors had voted the other way. In the weeks leading up to the final vote, a group of investors emerged and was interested in taking the franchise immediately from the league and moving it to Seattle.

“We are obviously very pleased with tonight's result. It’s the last chapter in what has been a long saga, but it’s good news for the National Hockey League, the Coyotes franchise and the people of Glendale," Daly told ESPN.com via email after the vote was cast.

The Glendale vote puts Seattle on a back burner, but it will also serve as a constant reminder of what might have been -- especially if things go poorly in Glendale.

And certainly it’s fair to expect that those investors, Ray Bartoszek and Anthony Lanza, have been given the inside track to the next team that needs a new home or when/if the league decides to go from 30 to 32 teams, more likely now if indeed this marks a turnaround for the beleaguered Coyotes (who will now be known as the Arizona Coyotes).

The Coyotes’ new ownership group has an out after five years should it lose $50 million over that time. But until that time passes, we remain at the beginning.

This process has tried the patience of everyone in hockey, so you can imagine what it’s done to the fan base in the Phoenix area. During the lockout-shortened season, the team recorded the second-smallest home attendance in the league at 13,923 per game (just more than 81 percent capacity). And this after the Coyotes went to their first Western Conference finals in the spring of 2012.

With three straight trips to the playoffs before this season, the Coyotes enjoyed their greatest success since moving from Winnipeg after the 1996 season. But who could blame fans for not committing to the team during this glacial process of finding an owner and with the perpetual murmur of relocation always in the background?

What a great opportunity squandered thanks to all the tomfoolery that marked the attempts over the past four years to find an owner and to get a new lease agreement together. The blame falls everywhere from the league to the Goldwater Institute (the public watchdog group that forced itself into the process and scared off at least one potential owner) to tire-kicking

would-be owners who never had a fraction of the money they claimed to have.

And, of course, the local politicians made this among the most farcical business transactions recorded anywhere. There’s a reason people started calling this Gongdale. And while the moniker didn’t exist at the beginning, it would have fit nicely the moment they decided to build an arena in the hopes of luring a franchise to the wrong side of the valley.

But all the boo-hooing in the world won’t change that.

LeBlanc and his group came up with a series of compromises at the last minute in an effort to get the city to back off a five-year out clause of its own, which would have scuttled financing for the purchase of the team and skewered the deal.

If they use their five-year out, the new owners will pay the city any losses beyond the $6 million it has budgeted for arena management over the five-year period. They also included the city in revenue streams and brought in a new partner, Global Spectrum (a subsidiary of Comcast Spectacor and owner of the Philadelphia Flyers), that will help manage the facility and, in theory, generate more income for both sides.

At the heart of the matter Tuesday was the question of whether the municipality would be better off without the Coyotes and the lease agreement that was crucial to keeping the team in Glendale.

There is no crystal ball to provide that answer unequivocally. Maybe tractor pulls and revivals and death metal concerts would have been enough to keep Jobing.com Arena viable and the surrounding businesses from withering and dying.

But maybe not.

And so the politicians, having spent millions of taxpayer dollars first luring a team and then literally tens of millions to keep it during the search for an owner, swallowed hard Tuesday and opted to keep paying to ensure the Coyotes don’t go anywhere, at least not right away.

Skeptics assume this will turn into an even greater pile of compost. Perhaps it will. But you know what? No one knows how this will turn out.

Maybe it will be a disaster, maybe people will stay away in droves, maybe the businesses in the mall adjacent to the rink will wither and die anyway, and maybe taxpayers will be even worse off than they are now. And that’s a damn sobering thought.

But no one knows that.

What happens if Dave Tippett, a man widely considered to be the best coach in the NHL, gets his guys back in a groove next season? What if Mike Smith, he of the new six-year contract extension, gets his ’12 playoff mojo back? What if Oliver Ekman-Larsson continues to be the best defenseman in the NHL no one knows?

We saw fans pack Jobing.com Arena three straight postseasons. Now that there’s an ownership group that will put in place a viable ticket sales program, work on promotions and developing relationships with the local business community, and develop continuity and connection with the fan base -- all things that have been done piecemeal if at all the past four years -- maybe it will work.

“I don’t get involved in anything with an expectation of failure,” LeBlanc told one of Glendale’s councilors near the end of Tuesday’s meetings.

Different dynamics, to be sure, but think about the San Jose Sharks. Nontraditional market, took some time to get going, but have for years been among the league’s most stable franchises. That’s what stability and continuity at the ownership level does for you. It trickles down; it becomes your identity.

We’ve seen the Nashville Predators turn a corner with solid ownership. Why not the Coyotes?

As the vote neared Tuesday, LeBlanc was asked by councilman Sam Chavira whether it was fair to say that if he failed, the city failed.

“Absolutely correct,” LeBlanc answered.

So now it’s time to find out whether this team and this town were built for each other. As Mario Puzo of “The Godfather” fame opined at the end of the first chapter of “Fools Die”: “But enough. Let me get to work. Let me begin and let me end.”

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ESPN / Alfredsson to the Bruins? Hear us out ...

By Pierre LeBrun

Daniel Alfredsson in a different uniform?

It’s hard to fathom.

All we’ve ever known of the classy Swedish winger is the Ottawa Senators' crest tattooed on his jersey.

And while I still believe he’s going to stay in Ottawa, it is a fact that as the 48-hour window opened Wednesday for teams to reach out to free agents from other clubs ahead of Friday’s market launch, Alfredsson’s agent, J.P. Barry, has fielded calls from several teams. One of those teams is the Boston Bruins.

“Yes, I have spoken to Alfie’s agent at length today,” Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told ESPN.com via text message.

The Bruins’ interest in Alfredsson is hardly a revelation if you’ve been reading my blogs the past year. I wrote during the season that had the injury-riddled Senators fallen out of the playoff chase, Chiarelli would have made Alfredsson his No. 1 target for the April 3 trade deadline. This past week, I wrote that if Alfredsson was not re-signed by the opening of the 48-hour window, the Bruins would surely reach out to him. And they have.

It’s not just because Chiarelli has ties to Alfredsson from Chiarelli’s days in the Ottawa front office. Or because Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was a teammate of Alfie’s in his Ottawa days and both captains have huge respect for each other. Or because Bruins center Chris Kelly is a close buddy of Alfie’s from his Ottawa days, also.

It just so happens that, with Nathan Horton bolting Boston, Chiarelli has a hole to fill on the team’s right side.

So I can tell you this: Chiarelli is going to put on a full-court press to try to lure Alfredsson. It began with a call to Barry on Wednesday morning. There will be more calls. Chiarelli wants this guy.

All of which puts more pressure on Senators GM Bryan Murray to close the deal with Alfredsson, and the sides talked again Wednesday. (Alfredsson is in his native Sweden and will sleep on it. We might have a decision from him by close of Thursday.)

One development: Alfredsson had been toying with the idea of looking for a two-year deal but has decided to stick with a one-year deal, which at his age makes better sense to interested employers. The question is, how much can Murray afford within his budget (the Sens are not a cap team) to allocate to the 40-year-old Alfredsson?

Alfredsson is coming off a deal in which his cap hit was $4.875 million, although his actual salary this past season was $1 million (and even less because of the lockout).

It’s a sensitive situation in Ottawa, to be sure, not just for Murray and owner Eugene Melnyk in how they proceed with the franchise’s most popular player ever, but also for Alfredsson himself. He has deep ties to the Ottawa community and has long entertained the thought about perhaps one day working in the Senators’ front office.

What Boston could offer, however, is a better shot at a Cup, a ring that has eluded Alfredsson during his All-Star career.

On the other hand, the Sens are a team on the rise. They defied the odds this past season by reaching the second round of the playoffs despite injuries that could have crippled them.

I remember being at Bell Centre the night the Sens eliminated the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, and seeing and hearing the pride in his teammates Alfredsson expressed in the dressing room.

That’s tough to walk away from. I just can’t see Alfredsson leaving.

All we know is that, for the first time in his career, he’s hearing from other teams that want to sign him, and Boston would be the best bet if he ever left Ottawa.

Elsewhere

• Rob Scuderi’s agent, Steve Bartlett, said he began to hear from other teams Wednesday regarding his UFA client, but the Los Angeles Kings remain very much in the mix.

• Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins are close to agreeing to an extension that I believe will pay the star center between $52-54 million.

• Three teams reached out to Bill Zito, the agent for Tim Thomas, on Wednesday morning to express their interest. This situation is going to be interesting, to say the least.

• Agent Paul Krepelka, who represents Nathan Horton, said his client was visiting with a team Wednesday but wouldn’t disclose which. No one with the team nor with his camp will confirm this, but I believe Horton's site visit was with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Look for whoever signs Horton to be in a non-traditional hockey market. Horton is looking for a quieter place than Boston to continue his career.

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USA TODAY / No excuses left for Coyotes after Glendale vote

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 12:57 p.m. EDT July 3, 2013

This morning, we still don't know for sure that the Phoenix Coyotes will work in Glendale, Ariz. What we know is that we finally have an ownership group, team management and financial arrangement in place that will allow us to find out.

The amazing aspect of this story is that it has taken 17 years to get here.

The franchise was relocated to Arizona from Winnipeg in 1996, and since then it has been a battle to make it work. It has always seemed as if the Coyotes have been trying a pull a sled up the mountain with added weight to make it more challenging.

The Coyotes began a new life in Arizona by playing eight seasons in an arena that wasn't good enough, and then compounded their marketing problems by offering a team that wasn't good enough. They didn't win a playoff round in their first 14 seasons in Arizona. And they didn't make the playoffs from 2003 through 2009.

And as if that handicap weren't enough to keep the fight interesting, their ownership structure has always been less than ideal. That's easy to say, because Jerry Moyes put the team into bankruptcy in 2009, and the league has been operating it since then.

VOTE: Glendale says yes to Coyotes deal

What the Glendale Council did with its 4-3 vote to approve the arena-management deal with IceArizona is to make this is a race instead of a hard climb. The weights have been removed from the sled, and owners will see how far they can pull it over the next five years. The owners have an out-clause at that point.

In addition to new stable ownership, the Coyotes have one of the league's best general managers in Don Maloney, one of the league's best coaches in Dave Tippett and a team that has won 60 more games than it has lost in regulation over the past four seasons. It also re-signed goalie Mike Smith for six years.

This franchise, which will be called the Arizona Coyotes after the ownership is approved, is now in the best shape it has been in during its 17 years in the desert. This is the fair chance that this franchise has always wanted.

We've learned some things during the NHL's four-year battle to find stable ownership and get a favorable lease deal for this team.

MORE: Partnership to run Coyotes arena

We've learned that Commissioner Gary Bettman means it when he says he doesn't like to move franchises. Jim Basillie forced the league into this mess by attempting to gain control of the Coyotes by legally challenging the way the NHL does business. The NHL took control of the team as part of its successful defense of its franchising rights. However, Bettman could have easily sold and moved this franchise 10 times over and he never did.

We learned that Seattle is in the on-deck circle to get a franchise, because it was probable this Coyotes franchise was going there if the Glendale council decision went the other way.

And we've heard enough to know that Quebec City is probably going to get a franchise too, but it will come when Bettman believes it is the right time, and not before. Quebec City is now in the position that Winnipeg was in before the Atlanta Thrashers were relocated there. It's a matter of when, not if.

With a salary cap in place, NHL officials know that establishing another Canadian franchise (or two) is a guaranteed win. It's low-hanging fruit. But Bettman is the CEO of a business that continues to grow every year, and he's going to make his moves when it makes best sense for the business.

The Glendale Council vote was a major win for the loyal group of Coyotes fans who have been supporting the franchise. It was a major step toward being able to say that the Coyotes will be there forever.

Essentially, people in Arizona have five years to prove whether they will support NHL long-term. It's that simple. We've run out of excuses. The ownership, the management, the city support, the team, the marketing plan, the coach, the arena, the fun shopping mall next to the arena – it's all good.

People can still say the arena is located in the wrong place, and it is too time-consuming because of traffic patterns to get there. But there are arenas and stadiums all over this country that are located in inconvenient places and somehow they are filled on a regular basis.

There's nothing more left to talk about. In five years, we will know if hockey will work in the desert.

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YAHOO SPORTS / 'Arizona' Coyotes staying in Glendale, but has anything really changed in the desert?

Nicholas J. Cotsonika

"Trust me," the rich man said as he begged the poor people for money.

Anthony LeBlanc knew it looked bad. He was one of the investors trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes, and he was standing before the city council of Glendale, Ariz., a suburb in financial hell, asking the taxpayers to commit $225 million over 15 years – while asking for an out after five years for his group and only his group.

"Our only interest is in this marketplace," he said.

Trust him.

The question is whether the Coyoyes can convince fans to fill the arena on a game-to-game basis. (Reuters)In the end Tuesday night, the city council approved the lease for Jobing.com Arena by a 4-3 vote. Glendale agreed to pay the owners $15 million a year to manage the arena, though the city has budgeted $6 million for that expense. The owners will try to make up the difference with ticket surcharges, parking fees and other revenues, though they can't guarantee it.

Unless there is yet another snag – a challenge by a watchdog group, a referendum, a new twist – the team will remain in Glendale and rebrand itself as the Arizona Coyotes. It will not move to Seattle or Quebec City.

But did the team stay, or did it receive a stay of execution?

Even though the NHL will sell the franchise to Renaissance Sports & Entertainment, a.k.a. IceArizona, the Coyotes face the same challenges they did when they fell into bankruptcy in 2009, starting with the location of the arena in Glendale, west of downtown Phoenix, across town from all the cash in Scottsdale.

After four years in limbo – failed bids, dirty politics, empty seats despite success on the ice – here come another five years in limbo. Why should anyone trust that the Coyotes will survive, let alone thrive, under this agreement?

Will enough fans buy in when the owners can opt out?

Time after time, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has blamed the Coyotes' problems on one basic thing: ownership stability. In November 2010, when asked about an attendance of 6,706 at a game in Glendale, he bristled.

"This is a franchise that still doesn't have an owner, OK?" Bettman said. "And until we iron it out and lock it down, there will be uncertainty. And until the uncertainty is resolved, for anybody to judge the interest level of that market in the face of everything that's happened and all the uncertainty, is a little unfair."

Last month, in his news conference at the Stanley Cup Final, Bettman repeated the same line. He said league officials "actually believe" that if the Coyotes had an owner who said, "I'm committed to being here," the franchise "actually could be successful from a business standpoint." He said uncertainty had affected the media, the fans and the companies that spend big bucks on suites and sponsorships.

"If there was certainty surrounding this franchise," he said, "its fortunes would improve dramatically and immediately just by virtue of putting in a real owner."

Well, there is still uncertainty surrounding this franchise.

The Coyotes' new ownership can relocate after five years if losses surpass $50 million. (Reuters)The debate about entering this agreement came down to getting out of it. If the Coyotes' losses reach $50 million, they can opt out of the arena lease after five years. The franchise would be free to relocate. The city pushed for a similar out clause late last week – a non-starter because it would have kept the lenders from approving the owners' financing.

The city had to remove that clause for the deal to go through. It did so because the owners sweetened the pot at the last minute. They announced a partnership with Global Spectrum, an industry leader in facility management – owned by Comcast-Spectacor, which also owns the Philadelphia Flyers – promising more non-hockey events at the arena and thus more revenue. They also made a key concession: If they exercise their out clause, they will cover the city's losses over $30 million over five years. In other words, if the Coyotes bolt, the city won't spend more than it budgeted in that period.

At least playing hardball got the city something. But here is the problem: If the Coyotes stay and the city spends more than it budgeted, the city must swallow the loss at a time when its finances are strained. If the Coyotes bolt, the city will be within its budget and five years closer to paying off its arena debt. The hotels, restaurants and shops in the surrounding Westgate development will have had five years of Coyotes games. But the city will still have debt payments, an arena without an anchor tenant and a surrounding development that will be threatened.

[Also: Flyers sign Vincent Lecavalier to 5-year deal]

No one knows if this will draw enough customers to the arena, not to mention the hotels, restaurants and shops, generating enough money for the team and the city. No one seems to have much confidence among investors and bankers, the experts in opportunities and risk-taking. Every prospective owner has tried to get a sweetheart lease deal from the city, and LeBlanc insisted he couldn't get better financing terms. He described going to investment banks in New York and Toronto with a tin cup. Lenders were not lining up to bet on a troubled franchise.

"Not to be flippant," LeBlanc told the council, "but we're not buying the New York Yankees."

That's the truth. But that doesn't inspire enthusiasm, either, does it?

Let's be clear about a few things:

The question is not whether there are hockey fans in Phoenix. There are. They packed city hall Tuesday night in their jerseys and used to pack the arena when the Coyotes played in downtown Phoenix. Attendance actually rose in Glendale after the lockout. The question is whether there are enough hockey fans who will go to games in Glendale in particular and spend enough money there. The Coyotes ranked second-to-last in average attendance in 2013 (13,923 per game), ahead of only the New York Islanders, who are headed to a new rink in Brooklyn.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman maintains the Coyotes can work in Phoenix with stable ownership. (Reuters)The question is not whether Glendale should spend the taxpayers' dollars on professional sports, not anymore. Glendale city manager Dick Bowers told the council: "The city is not in the business of taking risks with public funds." But the city got into

that business when it spent $180 million on Jobing.com Arena, and it is not a sunk cost. Bills still have to be paid. The question is how to pay them.

The choice is not between keeping the Coyotes and putting gas in fire trucks. It's not that simple. The team and the arena fit into a complex financial picture, and there have been other factors, most notably the recession. The choice is this: Will the city's bottom line be better with the direct revenue and indirect tax revenue the Coyotes will generate, or will it be better without the losses the Coyotes will cause? There are competing projections. There are only projections.

Glendale got into this mess the moment it decided to build the arena. It was taking a risk Tuesday night whether it kept the Coyotes or let them leave. The taxpayers have to hope, at minimum, this is the lesser of two evils. This should be a sobering example to all cities – especially small suburbs with limited expertise and resources – dreaming of going into business with the big leagues.

"The council is responsible," said council member Norma Alvarez, an opponent of the deal, "and we have proof that it was money that was spent without thinking."

Would the NHL be better off elsewhere? Bettman said at the Cup final his phone was ringing as the situation in Glendale was coming to a head. If so, he was asked, why was Glendale still the best option for the Coyotes? He gave his usual answer.

"We try to avoid franchise relocation," he said. "We try to do everything possible. We don't think it's fair to fans, and we don't think it's fair, unless you have to move, to do it to communities that build you buildings. So we're not going to get involved in a bake-off where we're going to say we'd rather be here than there. We're going to try to preserve what's in place."

Bettman is right in saying the NHL should exhaust all options before relocation, and not just because of some moral obligation or the value of stability. The next city might be reluctant to cut a deal if the NHL cuts and runs. Another billionaire dreamer might try to grab a franchise and move it against the NHL's will, the way Jim Balsillie once tried to do with the Coyotes, if the NHL doesn't assert its will.

Atlanta was different. The NHL didn't own the team. The arena wasn't built for the Thrashers. It housed the NBA's Hawks, too. There were no desperate sweetheart deals to attract investors, even those scraping together the dough, and there was an immediate relocation option. When the Thrashers moved to Winnipeg in 2011, the True North group had an arena and infrastructure ready and waiting. The Jets were on standby.

There was no turnkey option this summer. Quebec City is close, with Le Colisee available and a new arena being built, but it’s not there yet and the NHL did not want to move a Western team to the East. Seattle has KeyArena, but plans for a new arena depended on an NBA team, and the NBA’s Sacramento Kings did not relocate. Markham, a suburb of Toronto, has plans for a new arena but a long way to go.

In five years, there will be an arena in Quebec City. There might be arenas in Seattle and suburban Toronto. The Coyotes could move. The NHL could expand. The Coyotes could move and the NHL could expand. The NHL's new alignment, to debut next season, has built-in flexibility to move teams and add teams.

We'll see. We'll see what happens in Glendale, whether enough fans will respond, whether these investors can make it work, whether the city will bathe in regret and red ink. We'll see what happens in other cities, too.

This story is not over. The saga continues.

Trust me.

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