The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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Where things went wrong for the Leafs....
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/where-they-went-wrong/article1529703/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/where-they-went-wrong/article1529703/
Leafs reach Monster deal
That didn't take long.
Just days after the Maple Leafs had cleaned out their lockers, the team has agreed to terms with goalie Jonas Gustavsson on a two-year deal reportedly worth in the neighbourhood of $1.35 million U.S. per season.
General manager Brian Burke and his right-hand man, Dave Nonis, obviously must have been impressed by Gustavsson's play down the stretch, including a late-season run in which he reeled off seven consecutive victories.
Despite being a restricted free agent this summer, Gustavsson's first priority was to remain a Leaf.
"I like it here. I like the situation. That's why I signed here in the first place," Gustavsson told the Toronto Sun earlier this week.
"I don't want to wait until August (to get a deal done) but I'm not stressed about it."
He didn't have to wait until August. He didn't even have to wait until the end of the week.
Gustavsson, 26, had quite the roller-coaster ride as a rookie, including two minor heart operations and a groin injury through the first half of the season. But, once healthy, he appeared to gain momentum, especially after the acquisition of veteran goalie J-S Giguere, a fellow disciple of Leafs goaltending consultant Francois Allaire.
"I watch (Giguere) in practice every day, every save, to learn about things like positioning," Gustavsson said. "It has helped a lot."
Gustavsson fittingly was chosen as Toronto's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which recognizes perseverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Nicknamed The Monster, Gustavsson went 16-14-9 with a 2.82 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this season.
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/15/13596251.html
That didn't take long.
Just days after the Maple Leafs had cleaned out their lockers, the team has agreed to terms with goalie Jonas Gustavsson on a two-year deal reportedly worth in the neighbourhood of $1.35 million U.S. per season.
General manager Brian Burke and his right-hand man, Dave Nonis, obviously must have been impressed by Gustavsson's play down the stretch, including a late-season run in which he reeled off seven consecutive victories.
Despite being a restricted free agent this summer, Gustavsson's first priority was to remain a Leaf.
"I like it here. I like the situation. That's why I signed here in the first place," Gustavsson told the Toronto Sun earlier this week.
"I don't want to wait until August (to get a deal done) but I'm not stressed about it."
He didn't have to wait until August. He didn't even have to wait until the end of the week.
Gustavsson, 26, had quite the roller-coaster ride as a rookie, including two minor heart operations and a groin injury through the first half of the season. But, once healthy, he appeared to gain momentum, especially after the acquisition of veteran goalie J-S Giguere, a fellow disciple of Leafs goaltending consultant Francois Allaire.
"I watch (Giguere) in practice every day, every save, to learn about things like positioning," Gustavsson said. "It has helped a lot."
Gustavsson fittingly was chosen as Toronto's nominee for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which recognizes perseverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
Nicknamed The Monster, Gustavsson went 16-14-9 with a 2.82 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this season.
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/04/15/13596251.html
Bruce Boudreau accuses Jacques Martin of spying at team practice
From CKAC radio this afternoon, we learned that this morning at their team practice, Jacques Martin & others from the Habs organization were spotted spying on the Capitals while they were practicing their powerplay, causing coach Bruce Boudreau to put an end to its powerplay drills until members of Habs management had vacated the premises. Boudreau told the media afterwards that he didn't have proof that Martin was spying on them, but that he had no idea what Martin (and others) was doing in the area while the Capitals were going through powerplay drills.
From CKAC radio this afternoon, we learned that this morning at their team practice, Jacques Martin & others from the Habs organization were spotted spying on the Capitals while they were practicing their powerplay, causing coach Bruce Boudreau to put an end to its powerplay drills until members of Habs management had vacated the premises. Boudreau told the media afterwards that he didn't have proof that Martin was spying on them, but that he had no idea what Martin (and others) was doing in the area while the Capitals were going through powerplay drills.
Around the NHL today
Leafs favorites for Finnish G Rynnas?
There's plenty of drama surrounding 22-year-old Finnish goalie Jussi Rynnas, who is signing with an NHL team soon. And according to Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson, the favorite to land him might be the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"Toronto has goalie guru Francois Allaire as an enticement," Matheson writes.
Rynnas -- the most highly sought after European goalie -- listed the five teams he has visited. He told a Finnish newspaper he's down to the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Minnesota Wild and the Montreal Canadiens.
He missed Toronto, so Leafs GM Brian Burke and his No. 2, Dave Nonis, made a secret trip to Helsinki to recruit Rynnas.
Burke and Nonis landed Jonas Gustavsson in similar fashion last year and they may be able to give him Rynnas a backup role as soon as 2011 when Jean-Sebastien Giguere is a free agent.
Flyers' Claude Giroux to Panthers?
Here's how Claude Giroux ends up with the Florida Panthers. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson writes, "The Philadelphia Flyers are in the driver's seat for a high-end goalie for next season because Florida (Tomas Vokoun), Boston (Tim Thomas) and Montreal (Jaroslav Halak or Carey Price) are probably looking to move one."
If the Flyers trade for the Panthers, they'll likely have to use Giroux as the trade chip, Matheson writes. If the Flyers swap with the other two teams, Simon Gagne will have to be the trade chip.
There were previous reports saying that Philadelphia's top offseason objective is to acquire a top, young goalie. If that's the case, their top choice might be to swap players with the Habs, who will most certainly deal Halak or Price.
Several NHL teams eyeing Swedish winger
There appears to be NHL interest in Swedish winger Fredrik Pettersson, a 22-year-old who played two junior seasons in North American with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL).
Pettersson told Sportsday.se in Swedish, "I know there were some clubs who have followed me, but not more than that. My agent and I said we are taking the following season."
According to Elite Prospects, he is "a fast skater and an excellent forechecker. Plays an intense and tough game despite his size. Good stickhandler and passer. Has a quick shot. Possesses a terrific work ethic and agitator qualities. A very good teammate. Captain material."
Leafs favorites for Finnish G Rynnas?
There's plenty of drama surrounding 22-year-old Finnish goalie Jussi Rynnas, who is signing with an NHL team soon. And according to Hall of Fame writer Jim Matheson, the favorite to land him might be the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"Toronto has goalie guru Francois Allaire as an enticement," Matheson writes.
Rynnas -- the most highly sought after European goalie -- listed the five teams he has visited. He told a Finnish newspaper he's down to the Philadelphia Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Minnesota Wild and the Montreal Canadiens.
He missed Toronto, so Leafs GM Brian Burke and his No. 2, Dave Nonis, made a secret trip to Helsinki to recruit Rynnas.
Burke and Nonis landed Jonas Gustavsson in similar fashion last year and they may be able to give him Rynnas a backup role as soon as 2011 when Jean-Sebastien Giguere is a free agent.
Flyers' Claude Giroux to Panthers?
Here's how Claude Giroux ends up with the Florida Panthers. The Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson writes, "The Philadelphia Flyers are in the driver's seat for a high-end goalie for next season because Florida (Tomas Vokoun), Boston (Tim Thomas) and Montreal (Jaroslav Halak or Carey Price) are probably looking to move one."
If the Flyers trade for the Panthers, they'll likely have to use Giroux as the trade chip, Matheson writes. If the Flyers swap with the other two teams, Simon Gagne will have to be the trade chip.
There were previous reports saying that Philadelphia's top offseason objective is to acquire a top, young goalie. If that's the case, their top choice might be to swap players with the Habs, who will most certainly deal Halak or Price.
Several NHL teams eyeing Swedish winger
There appears to be NHL interest in Swedish winger Fredrik Pettersson, a 22-year-old who played two junior seasons in North American with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL).
Pettersson told Sportsday.se in Swedish, "I know there were some clubs who have followed me, but not more than that. My agent and I said we are taking the following season."
According to Elite Prospects, he is "a fast skater and an excellent forechecker. Plays an intense and tough game despite his size. Good stickhandler and passer. Has a quick shot. Possesses a terrific work ethic and agitator qualities. A very good teammate. Captain material."
if price plays decent in the next 2 losses to the Caps, i think that means Halak sealed his fate after last nights horrible outing, not to mention giving up 6 goals the game before, he just made it easy for habs management to justify keeping price.
They were talking about this on the Mtl media talk shows yesterday & club insiders indicated that it's already a done-thing that Price will be the one that the team keeps next season since he's younger than Halak & has more potential. The team has also invested much more in Price than they have in Halak. It's also likely that we've seen Jaroslav Halak's last game in a Habs uniform.
The problem with Halak is that he's burned out. He's been playing every game (or nearly) for the past 2 months & carried the team on his back for the entire season. Add to this the Olympics & the truth is, the Habs never would have made the playoffs without Halak's heroics throughout the season. Without him, they would have been struggling it out with the Leafs in 29th place.
Montreal media has finally realized that Andrei Markov is not a true #1 defenceman. He's one of the best #2 defencemen in the league, but him playing the role of #1 in the playoffs makes him look worse than he really is.
I'd be willing to bet my #1 draft pick that Carey Price is between the pipes tonight. He's big, has nothing to lose, and he's fresh. But even though he might be masterful in the game tonight & allow only a couple of goals, i can't see Mtl winning since they have no offense. You can't win playoff games when you score only 1 or 2 goals against an offensive juggernaut like the Washington Capitals. Two more games left to go before Jacques Martin is replaced? Will Kirk Muller be back with the team? It might also be the final 2 games for many Habs players, such as Halak, Bergeron, Plekanec, Metropolit, etc.
Finnish 'Monster' choses the Leafs
BOSTON -- Jussi Rynnas has been added to the Maple Leafs' growing goaltending stable.
The Leafs haven't made it official, but Finnish web sites are reporting a deal with the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old likely joining the AHL Toronto Marlies next season.
General manager Brian Burke and right-hand man David Nonis made a secretive trip to Finland a couple of weeks ago, trying to scoop Rynnas away from at least five NHL teams who were in the hunt, led by the Dallas Stars.
Burke also went to Montreal with club goalie guru Francois Allaire to make an impression on Rynnas during his tour of teams.
Rynnas is not comparable right now to Swede Jonas Gustavsson, but had a record 14-13-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, for what was considered a poor Assat Pori club team in Finland.
"He's the same age as me, a big guy and I know a lot of NHL teams wanted him," said Boston goalie Tuukka Rask on Wednesday. "It will be great to have another Finn over here."
Rynnas could be worked in for a couple of years as Jean-Sebastien Giguere gets closer to the end of his career.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2010/04/21/13667911.html
BOSTON -- Jussi Rynnas has been added to the Maple Leafs' growing goaltending stable.
The Leafs haven't made it official, but Finnish web sites are reporting a deal with the 6-foot-5, 22-year-old likely joining the AHL Toronto Marlies next season.
General manager Brian Burke and right-hand man David Nonis made a secretive trip to Finland a couple of weeks ago, trying to scoop Rynnas away from at least five NHL teams who were in the hunt, led by the Dallas Stars.
Burke also went to Montreal with club goalie guru Francois Allaire to make an impression on Rynnas during his tour of teams.
Rynnas is not comparable right now to Swede Jonas Gustavsson, but had a record 14-13-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage, for what was considered a poor Assat Pori club team in Finland.
"He's the same age as me, a big guy and I know a lot of NHL teams wanted him," said Boston goalie Tuukka Rask on Wednesday. "It will be great to have another Finn over here."
Rynnas could be worked in for a couple of years as Jean-Sebastien Giguere gets closer to the end of his career.
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2010/04/21/13667911.html
News around the NHL
Don Cherry says Luongo's captaincy should be taken away
A lot has been made of Vancouver Canucks goalie Robert Luongo being the captain of that team, but now hockey commentator Don Cherry says Luongo should give up the captaincy next season. Here's why:
On Monday, Luongo let in four goals an was pulled from the 5-3 loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Cherry said on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada, "You see your best guy pulled and your captain sitting [on the bench]. You think that isn't depressing?"
Cherry added that it's a "dumb move" to make a goalie the captain.
If, on the off chance, Luongo does give up the "C", one of the assistant captains would likely take over -- Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin, Willie Mitchell or Sami Salo.
Poni back with the Pens?
It's been a while since Alexei Ponikarovsky made an appearance in Rumor Central, but he's back because he's an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari writes that Poni could be back with the Pens if (a) GM Ray Shero feels he played well in the playoffs and (b) if Poni is willing to take a little less money to stay with a contender and play alongside Evgeni Malkin.
If this turns into a bidding war, the Pens might be out of it. And we know Poni will garner plenty of interest because, at the trade deadline, several teams wanted to trade for his services.
Molinari writes that the Pens don't have many wingers in the pipelines so it might be important for them to keep Poni. Also, if Poni signs a short-term deal and performs well playing with Malkin, he may be able to earn a bigger contract in the not-so-distant future.
No progress in talks between Ryan & Ducks
There's been no progress in contract talks for Bobby Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks, the Orange County Register reports, which has to have some people a bit anxious.
If Ryan, a restricted free agent, makes it to July 1 without being signed, another team can swoop in with an offer sheet. And if that's the case, it might be a price the Ducks aren't willing to pay.
Unlike Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan just wants to get to unrestricted free agency. So he won't sign a five-year deal. In fact, he'll likely demand at least $5 million a season, which is at the very limits of what the Ducks might be willing to spend.
The Ducks brass has said getting Ryan signed is No. 1 on their priority list, so there will be plenty of effort on Anaheim's part. But perhaps Ryan and his agent know he can fetch more with the leverage of free agency after July 1.
Don Cherry says Luongo's captaincy should be taken away
A lot has been made of Vancouver Canucks goalie Robert Luongo being the captain of that team, but now hockey commentator Don Cherry says Luongo should give up the captaincy next season. Here's why:
On Monday, Luongo let in four goals an was pulled from the 5-3 loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Cherry said on CBC's Hockey Night In Canada, "You see your best guy pulled and your captain sitting [on the bench]. You think that isn't depressing?"
Cherry added that it's a "dumb move" to make a goalie the captain.
If, on the off chance, Luongo does give up the "C", one of the assistant captains would likely take over -- Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin, Willie Mitchell or Sami Salo.
Poni back with the Pens?
It's been a while since Alexei Ponikarovsky made an appearance in Rumor Central, but he's back because he's an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
And the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari writes that Poni could be back with the Pens if (a) GM Ray Shero feels he played well in the playoffs and (b) if Poni is willing to take a little less money to stay with a contender and play alongside Evgeni Malkin.
If this turns into a bidding war, the Pens might be out of it. And we know Poni will garner plenty of interest because, at the trade deadline, several teams wanted to trade for his services.
Molinari writes that the Pens don't have many wingers in the pipelines so it might be important for them to keep Poni. Also, if Poni signs a short-term deal and performs well playing with Malkin, he may be able to earn a bigger contract in the not-so-distant future.
No progress in talks between Ryan & Ducks
There's been no progress in contract talks for Bobby Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks, the Orange County Register reports, which has to have some people a bit anxious.
If Ryan, a restricted free agent, makes it to July 1 without being signed, another team can swoop in with an offer sheet. And if that's the case, it might be a price the Ducks aren't willing to pay.
Unlike Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan just wants to get to unrestricted free agency. So he won't sign a five-year deal. In fact, he'll likely demand at least $5 million a season, which is at the very limits of what the Ducks might be willing to spend.
The Ducks brass has said getting Ryan signed is No. 1 on their priority list, so there will be plenty of effort on Anaheim's part. But perhaps Ryan and his agent know he can fetch more with the leverage of free agency after July 1.
News around the NHL today
Iggy to the Leafs?
Jarome Iginla previously said he would waive his no-trade clause if the Calgary Flames didn't want him. And apparently the reaction around the league was that Iginla wants to leave Calgary, CBC's Elliotte Friedman reports.
Iginla's contract -- $21 million over the next three seasons -- may make him hard to deal, but one team that could trade for him is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We know the Leafs are looking for a top-six forward this offseason and they may have the assets to acquire Iginla. The Boston Globe writes, "Iginla would be a huge get for Toronto, a deal that would have to start with Mikhail Grabovski and Tomas Kaberle going west."
Another speculated trade has him going to the Boston Bruins for the No. 2 overall pick, which would mean the Flames get either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin. But this might not work on the money side of things, plus it looks like Boston wants to keep that pick.
Jagr will sign with an NHL team if his buddy is also signed
Jaromir Jagr apparently wants the Edmonton Oilers to give him a package deal: He'll sign for something around $4 million a year, and they also have to sign Czech forward Roman Cervenka, a rising 24-year-old star in the Czech league.
But as the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson writes, "Jagr, as we've said over and over, has two big boosters in former New York Rangers coach Tom Renney and Jagr's former Omsk coach, Wayne Fleming. I'd say the odds are 60-40 that they sign Jagr. Cervenka? I'm not so sure."
We do know Jagr has started negotiating with Omsk, his KHL team, which doesn't bode well for the Oilers. It might mean he didn't get the offer he wanted from the NHL, but Oilers GM Steve Tambellini may have hinted that they're still talking.
Iggy to the Leafs?
Jarome Iginla previously said he would waive his no-trade clause if the Calgary Flames didn't want him. And apparently the reaction around the league was that Iginla wants to leave Calgary, CBC's Elliotte Friedman reports.
Iginla's contract -- $21 million over the next three seasons -- may make him hard to deal, but one team that could trade for him is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We know the Leafs are looking for a top-six forward this offseason and they may have the assets to acquire Iginla. The Boston Globe writes, "Iginla would be a huge get for Toronto, a deal that would have to start with Mikhail Grabovski and Tomas Kaberle going west."
Another speculated trade has him going to the Boston Bruins for the No. 2 overall pick, which would mean the Flames get either Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin. But this might not work on the money side of things, plus it looks like Boston wants to keep that pick.
Jagr will sign with an NHL team if his buddy is also signed
Jaromir Jagr apparently wants the Edmonton Oilers to give him a package deal: He'll sign for something around $4 million a year, and they also have to sign Czech forward Roman Cervenka, a rising 24-year-old star in the Czech league.
But as the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson writes, "Jagr, as we've said over and over, has two big boosters in former New York Rangers coach Tom Renney and Jagr's former Omsk coach, Wayne Fleming. I'd say the odds are 60-40 that they sign Jagr. Cervenka? I'm not so sure."
We do know Jagr has started negotiating with Omsk, his KHL team, which doesn't bode well for the Oilers. It might mean he didn't get the offer he wanted from the NHL, but Oilers GM Steve Tambellini may have hinted that they're still talking.
I'm sure that Jarome would love to get out of Calgary. But a great player like Jarome could not possibly want to leave a bad situation in Calgary for a far worse one in Toronto, all the more so since he'd again have the extreme misfortune to be on the same team as Phaneuf. Now, Boston I could see as a new home for Jarome.
Well, by now those "two more games" have been played. Let history record that "Halak's last game in a Habs uniform" has not yet been played, that he might not be "burned out" (36 saves on 37 shots?), and that Martin is still behind the bench.
Lesson? Be careful about predictions.
Glad you appreciated Dr. H's "good insight". The fact that history has proven his insightful predictions to be inaccurate should in no way reduce your great respect for him. Keep the faith!
Rumors around the NHL
Brodeur's successor in New Jersey: Carey Price?
Martin Brodeur can't stay young forever, and already people are wondering if the 38-year-old's big-game days are over after the Devils were ousted in the playoffs.
There has long been speculation that the Devils would soon land an eventual successor to Brodeur, but GM Lou Lamoriello hardly seems to be in a hurry. He previously told the Newark Star-Ledger, "How can he be aging? He won 45 games!"
Still, Fox Sports' Lyle Richardson wonders if, this offseason, they'll finally go grad a young goalie -- and a perfect fit would be Montreal's Carey Price.
"If Price is the one to be moved he might be a good fit in New Jersey. He'd be away from the harsh spotlight of Montreal, and he'd be learning from the best in Brodeur. It could do wonders for Price's game," Richardson writes.
The St. Louis Blues might also be interested, and they have several young players to deal as assets. The Devils, however, lost several of their assets in their midseason trade for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Ducks will pursue free agent forward(s)
The Anaheim Ducks will likely pursue a free agent forward this offseason, with the uncertain futures of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
The Orange County Register has a handful of guys they might pursue including Ilya Kovalchuk, Matthew Lombardi, Eric Nystrom, Tomas Plekanec, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Shawn Thornton, Tomas Holmstrom, Patrick Marleau, Mike Comrie, Raffi Torres, Marek Svatos, Alex Tanguay and Brad Winchester.
Chances are Kovy and Marleau will be too pricey for the Ducks, while Plekanec and Holmstrom are expected to signed with their own teams.
Otherwise, we could see the Ducks go after some of these other guys.
Jackets relocation talk
With the Columbus Blue Jackets' financial problems, there's been talks of possible relocation. But owner John McConnell addressed these rumors to the Columbus Dispatch.
McConnell said, "Let me be clear, we want to stay in Columbus. It was an important reason why we bought this team. I am committed to resolving the issue and will do everything I can to ensure that the Blue Jackets remain an important part of Columbus for many years to come."
The Jackets lose $12 million a year because of their lease agreement with Nationwide Arena, which is considered one of the venues in the league but costs the Jackets more than they can afford since it is privately owned.
McConnell blamed the financial woes on the arena lease: "Simply stated, if our building arrangements were similar to that of all other comparable markets, the league's model would work here in Columbus and we'd be fine."
So even though he insists he wants to stay, there is still a lot to work through for the Jackets to ensure they stay in Columbus. Otherwise, we'll start hearing guys from Quebec City making up more rumors about the Jackets moving there.
Brodeur's successor in New Jersey: Carey Price?
Martin Brodeur can't stay young forever, and already people are wondering if the 38-year-old's big-game days are over after the Devils were ousted in the playoffs.
There has long been speculation that the Devils would soon land an eventual successor to Brodeur, but GM Lou Lamoriello hardly seems to be in a hurry. He previously told the Newark Star-Ledger, "How can he be aging? He won 45 games!"
Still, Fox Sports' Lyle Richardson wonders if, this offseason, they'll finally go grad a young goalie -- and a perfect fit would be Montreal's Carey Price.
"If Price is the one to be moved he might be a good fit in New Jersey. He'd be away from the harsh spotlight of Montreal, and he'd be learning from the best in Brodeur. It could do wonders for Price's game," Richardson writes.
The St. Louis Blues might also be interested, and they have several young players to deal as assets. The Devils, however, lost several of their assets in their midseason trade for Ilya Kovalchuk.
Ducks will pursue free agent forward(s)
The Anaheim Ducks will likely pursue a free agent forward this offseason, with the uncertain futures of Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.
The Orange County Register has a handful of guys they might pursue including Ilya Kovalchuk, Matthew Lombardi, Eric Nystrom, Tomas Plekanec, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Shawn Thornton, Tomas Holmstrom, Patrick Marleau, Mike Comrie, Raffi Torres, Marek Svatos, Alex Tanguay and Brad Winchester.
Chances are Kovy and Marleau will be too pricey for the Ducks, while Plekanec and Holmstrom are expected to signed with their own teams.
Otherwise, we could see the Ducks go after some of these other guys.
Jackets relocation talk
With the Columbus Blue Jackets' financial problems, there's been talks of possible relocation. But owner John McConnell addressed these rumors to the Columbus Dispatch.
McConnell said, "Let me be clear, we want to stay in Columbus. It was an important reason why we bought this team. I am committed to resolving the issue and will do everything I can to ensure that the Blue Jackets remain an important part of Columbus for many years to come."
The Jackets lose $12 million a year because of their lease agreement with Nationwide Arena, which is considered one of the venues in the league but costs the Jackets more than they can afford since it is privately owned.
McConnell blamed the financial woes on the arena lease: "Simply stated, if our building arrangements were similar to that of all other comparable markets, the league's model would work here in Columbus and we'd be fine."
So even though he insists he wants to stay, there is still a lot to work through for the Jackets to ensure they stay in Columbus. Otherwise, we'll start hearing guys from Quebec City making up more rumors about the Jackets moving there.
Lou always knows what he's doing but he better not wait too long to find a replacement for Brodeur. Marty's not finished yet but the end can't be too far away - two or three seasons at the very most.
Today's rumors around the NHL (from ESPN)
Signs Price will be dealt?
Here are some more signs that the Montreal Canadiens will deal Carey Price over Jaroslav Halak.
During Price's Game 4 start against the Washington Capitals, he: 1) threw the pucks at celebrating Caps' players after a goal and took cheap shots at Brooks Laich and Nicklas Backstrom.
Here's what the Montreal Gazette wrote about that: "What Price did was almost unbelievably bush-league. Something you might expect to see in the 'Q,' perhaps, but never in the National Hockey League and absolutely not from a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens. ... But Price's play is not the issue here. His behaviour is -- big-time, in my view."
That said, there's already growing buzz that Halak is the goalie the Habs will keep, especially given his strong play in Game 5 against the Caps. There's some talk that Price would be a nice successor to Martin Brodeur in New Jersey, or he could help Philadelphia or St. Louis if they choose to trade for him this offseason.
Semin trade talk
Alexander Semin recently signed a one-year extension to take him through the end of next season, when he'll be an unrestricted free agent. But as the Toronto Star's Damien Cox writes, Semin might be a trade candidate at some point because he simply drives people crazy.
Even so, Semin may fetch quite the return.
Cox writes, "While GM George McPhee works on a long-term deal for Backstrom, he probably wonders how much longer he needs to keep Semin around. He's got a good young Swede coming, forward Marcus Johansson, and as the market for Kessel and Kovalchuk demonstrated this season, there's undoubtedly a rich harvest to be had if the Caps were to move Semin."
So if Johansson is ready, the Caps may consider dealing Semin early. Semin could bolt after testing the free agent market in 2011, especially since the Caps will have a lot of money sunk into Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom at that point.
The Caps can only wish they can get a deal like the Bruins got for Phil Kessel: two first-rounders and a second-rounder. But since Semin is an impending free agent, chances are he'll be a rental player if anything. But this is all assuming that the Caps feel they can dump him and still be as competitive next season.
No Mess....yet
New York Rangers GM Glen Sather will be back next season, the Toronto Sun reports, so Rangers fans can't quite rejoice yet.
It's no surprise, because there have been reports that Sather won't actually be fired. He will just be phased out in favor of Mark Messier, who is being trained for the GM role. Meanwhile, Sather will probably keep his title as Rangers president, which would (for the sake of Rangers' fans) keep him out of hockey decisions.
So perhaps we'll see Messier get more involved with transactional duties this year and, if that's the case, it might be a harbinger that Messier's time is coming.
Also of note: Coach John Tortorella sent Sather a message after the season was over that basically asked him to not deal his young core, and not sign any highly paid veterans; in short, don't screw up the future with another bad contract.
Is Lemaire's job secure?
There has been some speculation that New Jersey Devils coach Jacques Lemaire might lose his job, as the Sporting News' Ray Slover wrote, "His return has made the Devils no better in the playoffs than they were under his numerous predecessors. And one must ask: Is Lemaire's defensive style right for the burgeoning offensive game we see in the NHL?"
But GM Lou Lamoriello said his coach is staying, as he told the New York Post, "I'm certainly happy with the job Jacques has done and not unhappy with the effort put in. We just didn't get the job done."
So unless Lamoriello is fired -- something that Slover talks about -- Lemaire is here to stay.
This is Lemaire's second stint with the Devils. During his first, he won the Stanley Cup in 1995.
Signs Price will be dealt?
Here are some more signs that the Montreal Canadiens will deal Carey Price over Jaroslav Halak.
During Price's Game 4 start against the Washington Capitals, he: 1) threw the pucks at celebrating Caps' players after a goal and took cheap shots at Brooks Laich and Nicklas Backstrom.
Here's what the Montreal Gazette wrote about that: "What Price did was almost unbelievably bush-league. Something you might expect to see in the 'Q,' perhaps, but never in the National Hockey League and absolutely not from a goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens. ... But Price's play is not the issue here. His behaviour is -- big-time, in my view."
That said, there's already growing buzz that Halak is the goalie the Habs will keep, especially given his strong play in Game 5 against the Caps. There's some talk that Price would be a nice successor to Martin Brodeur in New Jersey, or he could help Philadelphia or St. Louis if they choose to trade for him this offseason.
Semin trade talk
Alexander Semin recently signed a one-year extension to take him through the end of next season, when he'll be an unrestricted free agent. But as the Toronto Star's Damien Cox writes, Semin might be a trade candidate at some point because he simply drives people crazy.
Even so, Semin may fetch quite the return.
Cox writes, "While GM George McPhee works on a long-term deal for Backstrom, he probably wonders how much longer he needs to keep Semin around. He's got a good young Swede coming, forward Marcus Johansson, and as the market for Kessel and Kovalchuk demonstrated this season, there's undoubtedly a rich harvest to be had if the Caps were to move Semin."
So if Johansson is ready, the Caps may consider dealing Semin early. Semin could bolt after testing the free agent market in 2011, especially since the Caps will have a lot of money sunk into Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom at that point.
The Caps can only wish they can get a deal like the Bruins got for Phil Kessel: two first-rounders and a second-rounder. But since Semin is an impending free agent, chances are he'll be a rental player if anything. But this is all assuming that the Caps feel they can dump him and still be as competitive next season.
No Mess....yet
New York Rangers GM Glen Sather will be back next season, the Toronto Sun reports, so Rangers fans can't quite rejoice yet.
It's no surprise, because there have been reports that Sather won't actually be fired. He will just be phased out in favor of Mark Messier, who is being trained for the GM role. Meanwhile, Sather will probably keep his title as Rangers president, which would (for the sake of Rangers' fans) keep him out of hockey decisions.
So perhaps we'll see Messier get more involved with transactional duties this year and, if that's the case, it might be a harbinger that Messier's time is coming.
Also of note: Coach John Tortorella sent Sather a message after the season was over that basically asked him to not deal his young core, and not sign any highly paid veterans; in short, don't screw up the future with another bad contract.
Is Lemaire's job secure?
There has been some speculation that New Jersey Devils coach Jacques Lemaire might lose his job, as the Sporting News' Ray Slover wrote, "His return has made the Devils no better in the playoffs than they were under his numerous predecessors. And one must ask: Is Lemaire's defensive style right for the burgeoning offensive game we see in the NHL?"
But GM Lou Lamoriello said his coach is staying, as he told the New York Post, "I'm certainly happy with the job Jacques has done and not unhappy with the effort put in. We just didn't get the job done."
So unless Lamoriello is fired -- something that Slover talks about -- Lemaire is here to stay.
This is Lemaire's second stint with the Devils. During his first, he won the Stanley Cup in 1995.
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