Let's Drop the Puck

Back to work for NHL players Friday as training camps open league-wide. Players will report to their respective teams for physicals and testing then hitting the ice tomorrow. 

The end of this interesting off-season was capped off by rookie camps and tournaments with many of the rookies/prospects earning a roster spot for main camp. The Vancouver Canucks hosted a YoungStars tournament in Penticton, British Columbia, my old stomping grounds when I attended an international tournament at the Okanagen hockey school. Fans were treated to some very entertaining games and were able to catch a glimpse of many first-rounders including Taylor Hall and Cam Fowler. Anaheim, San Jose, Calgary, and Edmonton were among the teams that were invited by Vancouver. 

For the players already with positions secured with the big clubs, some will sport a sweater with a new logo in the front for the first time ever - Mike Modano, Marty Turco, and Alex Frolov are to name a few. How will these players prove they still have what it takes to make impacts on their new teams?

Expectations will be high for Ilya Kovalchuk after his contract saga that resulted in rejections, investigations, a mandate on future long-term contracts, and fining his new team the New Jersey Devil for $3 million plus some draft picks. Kovalchuk's $100 million contract will certainly send a current Devil packing in order to move the team under the cap - you have to wonder how that's going to impact the Devils' locker room dynamic. I personally think the whole situation is setting itself up for a bust, but that's me. 

The Washington Capitals will do their best "San Jose Sharks" and "San Diego Chargers" impressions as it won't matter how their regular season finishes, they'll be measured in post-season success. Capitals' forward, Niklas Backstrom, told the media yesterday that after going up 3-1 against the Canadiens, the team relaxed which ultimately lead to the come-from-behind win by Montreal. 

Pre-season games will start next week and the regular season will begin the first week of October. It's finally starting to feel a lot like hockey season. 

Fear the Kings

The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Willie Mitchell to a 2-year $7 million contract today.

Mitchell adds veteran presence to the blue-line as the Kings lost Sean O'Donnell to free agency earlier this summer. If he stays healthy, Mitchell will be a great addition to this dynamic mix of physical defense with offensive upsides.

Hawks pass on Niemi; Sign Turco

Not surprisingly, the Blackhawks have walked away from signing Antti Niemi to the $2.75 million arbitration awarded to the Finnish goaltender. Instead, the Hawks have agreed to a terms with Marty Turco on a 1-year $1.3 million contract. Turco has played the past 9 seasons with the Dallas Stars and is a 3-time All-star.

Niemi becomes the 8th Blackhawk to depart from the team this off-season since winning the Stanley Cup. The likelihood of this outcome was fairly clear when GM Stan Bowman matched the 4-year $14 million offer sheet for defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson last month.  The organization feels that with preserving their young core, they can go deep with a solid net-minder such as Turco.

I agree with the Blackhawks' decision to let Niemi go as a UFA. Sure, he played well and posted some very solid numbers but I feel the driving factor there was the defense in front of him. Niemi's size allows consistency when facing the first shot on net, but rebounds are an area which he struggles if his defense can't clear the puck or buy him recovery time.

Chicago will definitely bury Cristobal Huet, along with his $5.62+ million cap hit, in the AHL leaving them with just over $3 million in cap space with still 5 roster spots to fill so there's more work ahead for the defending champs.

The market conditions for goalies this free agency along with cap management issues in Chi-town contributed to Niemi's departure. Where will he end up? The KHL? If I'm Ottawa Senators' GM Bryan Murray, I might think about dumping the injury-ridden Pascal Leclaire in the minors and signing Niemi.

Devil Rejected

Well, only 24 hours since the signing of UFA Ilya Kovalchuk, the 17 year $102 million contract has been rejected by the NHL. The league has five days to review the contract, yet it only took one for the league to determine the contract circumvents the salary cap.

More will be reported soon but I'm sure the issue has to do with the sub $1 million years at the end of Kovy's contract. Other players in the league (Hossa, Richards, Pronger, Zetterberg, etc) have similarly structured front-loaded contracts but none of those players' salary dips below $1 million.

The NHLPA can file a grievance against the league's ruling within 5 days then an arbitrator will make the final decision.

More to come.

Wild Prospect Shootout "Move"

Think he fanned on purpose?

Probert Passes at Age 45

Former NHL tough guy Bob Probert passed away today at the age of 45. Probert retired in 2002 totaling 163 goals and 384 points in 935 regular season games but was most recognized for his fighting ability. He amassed 3,300 PIMs during his 16 year NHL career. His best season came during the 1987-88 season where he had career-highs in goals, assists, points, and PIMs.

I remember the first Don Cherry Rock'em Sock'em Hockey video I got on VHS featured many Probert bouts that would pump me up for my games. Here's to you big fella, you will be missed:

FA Winners, Losers, and Question Marks

Let's take a look at some of the activities that have gone on during the free agency period:

Winners:


Vancouver Canucks - After losing in the Western Conference semifinals for the second straight year, it was obvious that the Canucks were lacking depth in their defense. A trade that brought defenseman Keith Ballard to the team and the free agent signing of Dan Hamhuis, certainly bolster the Canucks' back-end and will surely boost them to be a favorite to win the Conference.

Pittsburgh Penguins - Losing Sergei Gonchar to the Ottawa Senators prompted the signings of Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin to round out a solid group of defensemen.

Losers:


Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turco - The two high priced goaltenders looking for lucrative deals came up short in the offer department as they became unrestricted free agents on July 1st. Prior to free agency, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired negotiating rights to Nabokov sending a conditional draft pick to San Jose had the Flyers been able to sign Nabby. Now that Nabokov and Turco have decided to play the open market, the deals they've been looking for now seem to be absent from many teams with cap issues. It would be no surprise to see Nabby head to the KHL.

Question Marks:


Many were wondering what the bleep is Darryl Sutter thinking!? The Calgary Flames' GM have re-signed  forward Olli Jokinen to a two-year $6 million deal seven months after being traded from Calgary to New York. Also coming back to the Flames is forward Alex Tanguay after spending last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning scoring 37 points in 80 games. Tanguay had a career year with the Flames during the 06-07 season scoring 81 points in 81 games. One would think that Sutter's reign as GM is on the line if these moves do not pan out well for the Flames.