Burke couldn't do such a thing...mainly because his team could NOT make the playoffs. Wait - maybe I should take that back: Burke's REAL team (the Bruins) DID make the playoffs and will CONTINUE to do so, thanks to Big Brian's great generosity towards Boston.
NHL off season thread (trades, signings, etc…)
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Burke couldn't do such a thing...mainly because his team could NOT make the playoffs. Wait - maybe I should take that back: Burke's REAL team (the Bruins) DID make the playoffs and will CONTINUE to do so, thanks to Big Brian's great generosity towards Boston.
Interesting how your perspective has changed. Last season you certainly weren't referring to the Habs as "a decent team" - you were constantly saying how hopeless they were (I believe "Habs suck" and "Habs REALLY suck" were your two favorite phrases) and how the leafs were far better (but "unlucky"). Also, you posted that in your opinion Toskala and the Monstrosity were at least as good as Price and Halak. I wonder what you'll be posting this time next year?
You know Doc I agree with you on this. In fact I'll go you even further and say that there are 29 GMs that I like better than Burkie.
The performances of the great Jaroslav Halak proved me wrong. The habs were a decent team because of Halak's heroics. They would have been awful without them (as they proved they were when Halak wasn't starting). What can i say? Halak played great & his performances caught everyone by surprise.
Kovalchuk remains a Devil
NEWARK, N.J. -- Ilya Kovalchuk is staying with the New Jersey Devils.
The team said Monday that the biggest prize of the NHL free agent market agreed to a new contract, ending weeks of speculation where the high-scoring forward would play next season. Terms were not immediately available.
The Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Devils and a team in Russia made the biggest runs at Kovalchuk since free agency started on July 1, but he seemingly decided his chances of winning a Stanley Cup were much better in New Jersey.
The 27-year-old Russian was traded to the Devils by Atlanta in February after rejecting a US$101 million, 12-year extension offered by the Thrashers.
Kovalchuk had 41 goals and 44 assists last season in earning $7.5 million, but only 10 goals and 17 assists came with the Devils.
When the deal with the Thrashers was completed, Devils president Lou Lamoriello felt his team finally had the goal scorer it needed to make a run at a fourth Cup since 1995.
It didn't work out that way. Kovalchuk had two goals in the post-season as the Devils were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in five games in the opening round, their third straight exit in the first round.
The first pick overall in the 2001 NHL draft, Kovalchuk has scored 338 career goals. He has only been to the playoffs twice in eight NHL seasons, winning only one game.
Kovalchuk was acquired from the Thrashers along with defenceman Anssi Salmela for forward Niclas Bergfors, defenceman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier, a first-rounder and a swap of seconds.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/07/19/devils_kovalchuk/
NEWARK, N.J. -- Ilya Kovalchuk is staying with the New Jersey Devils.
The team said Monday that the biggest prize of the NHL free agent market agreed to a new contract, ending weeks of speculation where the high-scoring forward would play next season. Terms were not immediately available.
The Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Devils and a team in Russia made the biggest runs at Kovalchuk since free agency started on July 1, but he seemingly decided his chances of winning a Stanley Cup were much better in New Jersey.
The 27-year-old Russian was traded to the Devils by Atlanta in February after rejecting a US$101 million, 12-year extension offered by the Thrashers.
Kovalchuk had 41 goals and 44 assists last season in earning $7.5 million, but only 10 goals and 17 assists came with the Devils.
When the deal with the Thrashers was completed, Devils president Lou Lamoriello felt his team finally had the goal scorer it needed to make a run at a fourth Cup since 1995.
It didn't work out that way. Kovalchuk had two goals in the post-season as the Devils were eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in five games in the opening round, their third straight exit in the first round.
The first pick overall in the 2001 NHL draft, Kovalchuk has scored 338 career goals. He has only been to the playoffs twice in eight NHL seasons, winning only one game.
Kovalchuk was acquired from the Thrashers along with defenceman Anssi Salmela for forward Niclas Bergfors, defenceman Johnny Oduya, prospect Patrice Cormier, a first-rounder and a swap of seconds.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/07/19/devils_kovalchuk/
Make sure you get a quote as most of the B.S. that poster shovels turns out to be embarrassingly wrong and is later deleted to remove the incriminating evidence.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/NewJersey/2010/07/19/14756636.html
The deal he signed is 17 years for $102 million.
He will be under contract until 44.
I'm very surprised he resigned with the devils and even more surprised at the length of the deal.
New Jersey will either have to make some adjustments & send the paperwork back to NHL headquarters for approval, or walk away from the deal. There's a good chance that the NHLPA will grieve the issue & the outcome will be decided by an arbitrator.
If i'm Lou Lamoriello, i'm wondering why my deal was voided while the NHL approved (although reluctantly) the deals given to Rick Dipietro, Chris Pronger & Marian Hossa, which were quite similar (and used as examples) for the Kovalchuk deal. I'd also be wondering if Gary Bettman waited until the official press conference was done with in order to publicly announce that the NHL hadn't approved the deal. Quite embarrassing for the Devils!
If i'm Lou Lamoriello, i'm wondering why my deal was voided while the NHL approved (although reluctantly) the deals given to Rick Dipietro, Chris Pronger & Marian Hossa, which were quite similar (and used as examples) for the Kovalchuk deal. I'd also be wondering if Gary Bettman waited until the official press conference was done with in order to publicly announce that the NHL hadn't approved the deal. Quite embarrassing for the Devils!
The curious case of White and the missing $5 bill
The number is odd -- US$2,999,995 -- but it doesn't matter how goofy it appears.
Ian White is signed for the coming season after agreeing to terms moments before going to arbitration.
If the target both parties had for a deal for the Calgary Flames defenceman was $3 million, they hit it ... kind of.
Save for a venti latte at Starbucks.
"I don't know," White said Friday of the mystery of the five-dollar bill. "They wanted to keep it under $3 million, and that's what we came to."
"They felt very strongly the number had to have a three at the beginning and we felt very strongly it shouldn't have a three," said assistant GM Jay Feaster. "And the number -- where we ended up -- was within the range, that we did an internal analysis on, we felt the arbitrator could come down with."
The good news is Calgary signed White -- who is coming off a career season split between the Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs in which he netted 13 goals and 38 points -- without having to go through what can be an acrimonious process.
There was no need for the Flames to point out all of White's faults and take it to another level with the criticism, although he said he was prepared.
"Our brief makes you sound like you're Mario Lemieux," he said. "It's both sides of the coin. No one wants to hear anything negative, but it's part of the business and there should be no hard feelings."
Sure came close. White and his agent met with GM Darryl Sutter and the rest of the Flames brass late Thursday night and chatted for a couple of hours. Even through it was a cordial conversation, Feaster said he didn't think a deal would be negotiated.
But another breakfast meeting meant major headway to a deal.
"The handshake was 9:05 a.m.," White said, which is five minutes after they were supposed to start the hearing. "We dragged it out a few minutes and I think everybody was happy because of it."
White is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July, but said he wants to look at a long-term deal.
"We'll definitely be talking come January to see how we can make everything work going forward. I love being in Calgary, love the team -- everyone from the office down to the players and the staff," he said. "We've got something special and want to be there an extended period of time."
With White signed, the Flames are now well over the 2010-11 salary cap of $59.4 million, and need to pare salary.
They have eight defencemen on one-way deals eating up more than $22 million.
By going through this process, even without a hearing, the club has a 48-hour window for a buyout, which yet again brings up Ales Kotalik and the remaining two years on his deal worth $6 million.
The Flames could buy out Kotalik, which would cost them $4 million spread over four years, but Feaster said he expects the right winger to remain part of the team come September.
"All options are on the table, but I would expect him to be in training camp," Feaster said. "And what I envision and think will happen is everybody will have the opportunity to show why they're out to wear the Flaming C. I honestly believe when you give players an opportunity and challenge them to show why they deserve to be here, regardless of their contract situation, that's a healthy training camp."
Feaster also said forward Daymond Langkow -- whose season ended after a neck injury in March -- feeling better and showing improvement.
"We're all very optimistic. He's not cleared to go full contact, but it's the first time all summer he's reported that," Feaster said.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2010/07/30/14884241.html
The number is odd -- US$2,999,995 -- but it doesn't matter how goofy it appears.
Ian White is signed for the coming season after agreeing to terms moments before going to arbitration.
If the target both parties had for a deal for the Calgary Flames defenceman was $3 million, they hit it ... kind of.
Save for a venti latte at Starbucks.
"I don't know," White said Friday of the mystery of the five-dollar bill. "They wanted to keep it under $3 million, and that's what we came to."
"They felt very strongly the number had to have a three at the beginning and we felt very strongly it shouldn't have a three," said assistant GM Jay Feaster. "And the number -- where we ended up -- was within the range, that we did an internal analysis on, we felt the arbitrator could come down with."
The good news is Calgary signed White -- who is coming off a career season split between the Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs in which he netted 13 goals and 38 points -- without having to go through what can be an acrimonious process.
There was no need for the Flames to point out all of White's faults and take it to another level with the criticism, although he said he was prepared.
"Our brief makes you sound like you're Mario Lemieux," he said. "It's both sides of the coin. No one wants to hear anything negative, but it's part of the business and there should be no hard feelings."
Sure came close. White and his agent met with GM Darryl Sutter and the rest of the Flames brass late Thursday night and chatted for a couple of hours. Even through it was a cordial conversation, Feaster said he didn't think a deal would be negotiated.
But another breakfast meeting meant major headway to a deal.
"The handshake was 9:05 a.m.," White said, which is five minutes after they were supposed to start the hearing. "We dragged it out a few minutes and I think everybody was happy because of it."
White is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July, but said he wants to look at a long-term deal.
"We'll definitely be talking come January to see how we can make everything work going forward. I love being in Calgary, love the team -- everyone from the office down to the players and the staff," he said. "We've got something special and want to be there an extended period of time."
With White signed, the Flames are now well over the 2010-11 salary cap of $59.4 million, and need to pare salary.
They have eight defencemen on one-way deals eating up more than $22 million.
By going through this process, even without a hearing, the club has a 48-hour window for a buyout, which yet again brings up Ales Kotalik and the remaining two years on his deal worth $6 million.
The Flames could buy out Kotalik, which would cost them $4 million spread over four years, but Feaster said he expects the right winger to remain part of the team come September.
"All options are on the table, but I would expect him to be in training camp," Feaster said. "And what I envision and think will happen is everybody will have the opportunity to show why they're out to wear the Flaming C. I honestly believe when you give players an opportunity and challenge them to show why they deserve to be here, regardless of their contract situation, that's a healthy training camp."
Feaster also said forward Daymond Langkow -- whose season ended after a neck injury in March -- feeling better and showing improvement.
"We're all very optimistic. He's not cleared to go full contact, but it's the first time all summer he's reported that," Feaster said.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2010/07/30/14884241.html
You're kidding? Right?
"Green Party names ex-NHLer Laraque deputy leader"
This opens up endless possibilities for campaign slogans, eg:
"Vote Green Or Laraque Will Beat You Up With A Recycled Tire Iron."
"Green Party names ex-NHLer Laraque deputy leader"
This opens up endless possibilities for campaign slogans, eg:
"Vote Green Or Laraque Will Beat You Up With A Recycled Tire Iron."
Three reasons NJ should let Kovalchuk go
by E.J. Hradek (ESPN)
It's the early stages of Ilya Kovalchuk free agency Part II -- and the Devils seem determined to work out another deal to keep the elite goal scorer in Newark.
GM Lou Lamoriello made the club's intentions clear in a Tuesday afternoon conversation with Tom Gulitti, the Devils beat writer for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.). "We're going to do everything we possibly can," Lamoriello said when asked about his continued desire to have Kovalchuk sign with the Devils.
Personally, I just don't get it. And I think the Devils should walk away and let him go.
I realize that Kovalchuk is a wonderfully gifted goal scorer. Since entering the league in 2001, he's potted 338 goals -- more than any other player in that time period. His speed and skill bring a different level of excitement to the rink and he seems like a pretty nice guy who genuinely wants to win.
Still, I just don't think he's a fit in New Jersey, nor do I think he'll help the Devils -- as they're currently constructed -- to any more playoff success than they've had in recent seasons when they've been one (series) and done. Heck, it didn't matter that he was dressed in red, white and black during the club's meek five-game, first-round exit last April, did it?
For the record, I've settled on three main reasons why I believe the Devils should let Kovalchuk skate away. Let's go through 'em.
First priority should be fixing the defense
The Devils' recent postseason problems are rooted on their blue line. It's not good enough. In a playoff series, when an opponent can focus on an area of weakness, the Devs' defensive problems are exposed. That leaves them too often fumbling the puck in their end. I liked the Flyers over the Devils in this past spring's first-round series because the matchup between the forechecking Philly forwards and the Jersey D was too one-sided.
Privately, several current and former Devils also see it as a big issue. After all, complicated X's and O's aside, there's a simple truth about hockey: The longer the puck stays in your zone, the less chance you have to score (and the better the chances for your opponent to hit the net).
Of all people, I figure Lamoriello would identify the need for a big fix on D. He built three Cup winners around all-world defensemen Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer. It's no surprise that the Devils haven't gotten a sniff of the conference final since those two exited the lineup. It didn't help that smooth-skating Brian Rafalski departed via free agency in 2007, either.
While you can't simply replace one-of-a-kind types like Stevens and Niedermayer, you have to try. That's why I figured that Lamoriello would focus on improving his D as well as adding a second center during this offseason.
The addition of free-agent Ds Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder would have marked a significant improvement if the club would've made those moves in concert with keeping puck-moving D Paul Martin, who opted to leave Jersey to join Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
With Martin gone, I think those changes leave the Devils only marginally better (if at all) on the blue line. Volchenkov, a tough competitor who lives to block shots, isn't a puck-mover. In the post-lockout NHL, where you need more speed/skill on defense, I think you pay for puck-movers, not stay-at-home types. The Devils gave the 28-year-old Volchenkov a six-year deal worth more than $25 million.
Getty ImagesIf you keep Kovy at a high price, you may see Parise walk in a few years.
The 31-year-old Tallinder is a second-tier puck-mover. While he can be a quietly efficient player, Lamoriello did give him a sizeable four-year deal ($3.375 million cap hit). The Buffalo Sabres, who have their own defensive issues, didn't seem heartbroken to let him leave.
Bottom line: Unless kid Ds like Matt Corrente and/or Alexander Urbom are ready to make a big stride forward, this defense isn't much better than it was last spring. Kovy or no Kovy, that's not good.
The LW slot is locked
The Devils already have two top-six LWs in Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. Those two guys are natural left wings and it's where they do their best work. The arrival of another top-six left wing (Kovalchuk) would mean someone is playing out of position.
I have to figure that guy would be Elias. Over the past couple of seasons, Elias has spent a good deal of time playing center. He doesn't mind the middle. In fact, he told me he likes it. And he does OK in that role; he just seems a better fit on the left side.
That move would seem to hurt the chances of Elias working alongside center Jason Arnott, who returns for a second stint in N.J. after spending several years in Dallas and Nashville. While it was 10 years ago, Elias and Arnott had terrific chemistry skating with one another. I would think you'd want to at least try to re-create that.
Money, money, money
Any new deal with Kovalchuk likely will carry a cap hit of more than $6 million per season (his salary hit under the rejected 17-year deal). Can the Devils really afford to carry a bigger number without having to "Blackhawk" their roster?
Having Kovalchuk at a high price also could jeopardize Parise's future with the team; he can be a restricted free agent next offseason and an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2012 -- and he isn't going to play for peanuts. And I would think he'd like to be treated at least as well as the franchise has treated Kovalchuk. (I don't remember this franchise treating any one player as lovingly as they've treated Kovalchuk during his brief stay. I guess that's part of the wooing process.)
When talking to one NHL exec about Kovalchuk's 19-day free-agent experience, the exec joked: "Parise won't be on the market for 19 minutes before somebody signs him." I have to think Lamoriello understands that, too.
Believe it or not, it's possible, with Elias under contract (with a no-move clause) through 2012-13, that the Devils could have to commit $20 million or more of cap space to three left wingers during that season. Does that make any sense?
They say things happen for a reason. Maybe Lamoriello should take the ruling from New Jersey-born arbitrator Richard Bloch as a blessing in disguise. While the Devils' ownership/management group seems to be blinded by Kovalchuk's sizzling skills, I think they'll have a far better chance for ultimate success by focusing their attention and their money somewhere else.
by E.J. Hradek (ESPN)
It's the early stages of Ilya Kovalchuk free agency Part II -- and the Devils seem determined to work out another deal to keep the elite goal scorer in Newark.
GM Lou Lamoriello made the club's intentions clear in a Tuesday afternoon conversation with Tom Gulitti, the Devils beat writer for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.). "We're going to do everything we possibly can," Lamoriello said when asked about his continued desire to have Kovalchuk sign with the Devils.
Personally, I just don't get it. And I think the Devils should walk away and let him go.
I realize that Kovalchuk is a wonderfully gifted goal scorer. Since entering the league in 2001, he's potted 338 goals -- more than any other player in that time period. His speed and skill bring a different level of excitement to the rink and he seems like a pretty nice guy who genuinely wants to win.
Still, I just don't think he's a fit in New Jersey, nor do I think he'll help the Devils -- as they're currently constructed -- to any more playoff success than they've had in recent seasons when they've been one (series) and done. Heck, it didn't matter that he was dressed in red, white and black during the club's meek five-game, first-round exit last April, did it?
For the record, I've settled on three main reasons why I believe the Devils should let Kovalchuk skate away. Let's go through 'em.
First priority should be fixing the defense
The Devils' recent postseason problems are rooted on their blue line. It's not good enough. In a playoff series, when an opponent can focus on an area of weakness, the Devs' defensive problems are exposed. That leaves them too often fumbling the puck in their end. I liked the Flyers over the Devils in this past spring's first-round series because the matchup between the forechecking Philly forwards and the Jersey D was too one-sided.
Privately, several current and former Devils also see it as a big issue. After all, complicated X's and O's aside, there's a simple truth about hockey: The longer the puck stays in your zone, the less chance you have to score (and the better the chances for your opponent to hit the net).
Of all people, I figure Lamoriello would identify the need for a big fix on D. He built three Cup winners around all-world defensemen Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer. It's no surprise that the Devils haven't gotten a sniff of the conference final since those two exited the lineup. It didn't help that smooth-skating Brian Rafalski departed via free agency in 2007, either.
While you can't simply replace one-of-a-kind types like Stevens and Niedermayer, you have to try. That's why I figured that Lamoriello would focus on improving his D as well as adding a second center during this offseason.
The addition of free-agent Ds Anton Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder would have marked a significant improvement if the club would've made those moves in concert with keeping puck-moving D Paul Martin, who opted to leave Jersey to join Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
With Martin gone, I think those changes leave the Devils only marginally better (if at all) on the blue line. Volchenkov, a tough competitor who lives to block shots, isn't a puck-mover. In the post-lockout NHL, where you need more speed/skill on defense, I think you pay for puck-movers, not stay-at-home types. The Devils gave the 28-year-old Volchenkov a six-year deal worth more than $25 million.
Getty ImagesIf you keep Kovy at a high price, you may see Parise walk in a few years.
The 31-year-old Tallinder is a second-tier puck-mover. While he can be a quietly efficient player, Lamoriello did give him a sizeable four-year deal ($3.375 million cap hit). The Buffalo Sabres, who have their own defensive issues, didn't seem heartbroken to let him leave.
Bottom line: Unless kid Ds like Matt Corrente and/or Alexander Urbom are ready to make a big stride forward, this defense isn't much better than it was last spring. Kovy or no Kovy, that's not good.
The LW slot is locked
The Devils already have two top-six LWs in Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. Those two guys are natural left wings and it's where they do their best work. The arrival of another top-six left wing (Kovalchuk) would mean someone is playing out of position.
I have to figure that guy would be Elias. Over the past couple of seasons, Elias has spent a good deal of time playing center. He doesn't mind the middle. In fact, he told me he likes it. And he does OK in that role; he just seems a better fit on the left side.
That move would seem to hurt the chances of Elias working alongside center Jason Arnott, who returns for a second stint in N.J. after spending several years in Dallas and Nashville. While it was 10 years ago, Elias and Arnott had terrific chemistry skating with one another. I would think you'd want to at least try to re-create that.
Money, money, money
Any new deal with Kovalchuk likely will carry a cap hit of more than $6 million per season (his salary hit under the rejected 17-year deal). Can the Devils really afford to carry a bigger number without having to "Blackhawk" their roster?
Having Kovalchuk at a high price also could jeopardize Parise's future with the team; he can be a restricted free agent next offseason and an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2012 -- and he isn't going to play for peanuts. And I would think he'd like to be treated at least as well as the franchise has treated Kovalchuk. (I don't remember this franchise treating any one player as lovingly as they've treated Kovalchuk during his brief stay. I guess that's part of the wooing process.)
When talking to one NHL exec about Kovalchuk's 19-day free-agent experience, the exec joked: "Parise won't be on the market for 19 minutes before somebody signs him." I have to think Lamoriello understands that, too.
Believe it or not, it's possible, with Elias under contract (with a no-move clause) through 2012-13, that the Devils could have to commit $20 million or more of cap space to three left wingers during that season. Does that make any sense?
They say things happen for a reason. Maybe Lamoriello should take the ruling from New Jersey-born arbitrator Richard Bloch as a blessing in disguise. While the Devils' ownership/management group seems to be blinded by Kovalchuk's sizzling skills, I think they'll have a far better chance for ultimate success by focusing their attention and their money somewhere else.
Everyone thought Kovy was a rental player for NJ I was surprised when they offered him 17 years
Link is only for ESPN insiders
Either you are one or you didnt read the full article
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