Dany Heatley rejects trade- Yes, its true, the man who wants out of Ottawa badly did in fact shoot down a potential deal to the Oilers. Speculation has it he doesn’t want to play in Edmonton, others say it is to make sure Ottawa pays him his roster bonus of $4 million. Either way, there is no doubt Heatley will be out of Ottawa, and my guess is it’ll happen before the end of July 1st, maybe even before free agency opens at noon.
Scott Clemmensen to Detroit? – The former Devils’ season-savior is looking for a starting job. While he is open for a return to the Devils, his heart yearns for a starting role, if not a chance to have significant playing time. What better place to find that than in Detroit. The Stanley Cup runners up have Chris Osgood locked up for another season, but backup Ty Conklin is 33 and is testing the market. Clemmensen is 31, and when Osgood needs a break, it is quite apparent after this past season that given a chance, can be a solid starter. Yeah, his tenure in Toronto was less than remarkable, he now has confidence from being the heir to Martin Brodeur’s throne for a season.
Marion Gaborik to Rangers? – By freeing up $7 million dollars in cap space by trading away Devils’ traitor Scott Gomez to Montreal, the Rangers are in buying mode. They have an absurd amount of free agents on their current roster, as previously reported, but that are looking for a good combiniation of home grown talent and free agents. Gaborik, who has also been linked to a potential landing in Vancouver should the Canucks not be able to keep the Sedin twins, is going to need a new home, the question will be can he handle the spotlight in NY or would he prefer a potential reunion with Pavol Demitra, this time in Vancouver.
Ironman Chris Chelios – Who needs a leader? Anyone, anyone? The question many teams will be asking before even contemplating taking a chance on Chelios is can his 42 year old body handle half a season, let alone a 60+ games.
Martin Havlat back to the City of Angels? – Chicago probably wont make an offer, seeing as they haven’t even given the man a call, so the Kings would probably be more than willing to bring him right back. I’d almost guarantee a return to the black and purple [I cannot help but laugh at their colors]. On a quick personal note: I really hope the Devils do not make a pitch for him, as much as some fans would love it, he is way too frail for this team. Sure the points will be a great addition, but loss in games played could be better suited by being filled with some of the prospects from Lowell.
Rob Scuderi – A solid playoff performance revived this man’s career, and what more of a perfect time than right before hitting the free agent market. The Pens have been pretty quiet when it comes to attempting to retain the defender, and he is only a few hours from entertaining offers from other clubs. The Devils should make a pitch, as he is a solid top 4 defender, especially on this team. He’s quick, and can move the puck well, something that is desperately needed on the defensive corps.
Claude Lemieux – please just retire, playing in China didn’t help your transition back to the NHL and it showed. It only proved how desperate the Sharks were for help considering you ate up significant chunks of playing time. A playoff hero twice in Jersey, thanks, but hang them up already.
Brian Gionta – the mighty mite will probably be wearing a different uniform next season and it’s a shame too because he is a victim of the impending salary cap drop next season. If the owners felt more confident in the state of the league and believed the cap would not plumbet next year, there is no question Gionta would remain in Jersey. The problem is me may be unwilling to move very far down from his previous $4 million a year salary. If he would take a home-town discount, the Devils would undoubtedly make a pitch for him, but as we all are well aware of, money can influence many decisions. If the Devils do not keep him, look for the Sabres to make a move. He’s still got the wheels on ice so he would fit right in with their fast paced system, and he is originally from Rochester, which is a mere hour away from the Queen City.
John Madden – do not expect him back in New Jersey. His role diminished rapidly last season as the new NHL proved that checking lines were all but obsolete. Given the right system, he could be effective again, so his career will go on. My guess is either his hometown of Toronto, or taking the New York State Thruway over a few bridges to Long Island. Why the Islanders, you ask? Well, look at their GM, their trades and all other moves they’ve made, and answer that question for yourself. Happy trails, John! Good luck.
Brendan Shanahan – Please stay in New Jersey, please. You played well, you added leadership, and you even added a few goals. Please stay!!! Was I begging, too much? Oh well.
More to come tomorrow....
We Cover Hockey the Best We Can...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Whoa Johnny O!!!
All signs, including a rather optimistic quote from the man you'd never expect, point to Johnny Oduya remaining with New Jersey Devils.
A report on NJ.com from the Newark Star Ledger quotes the enigmatic Lou Lamoriello all but guaranteeing Oduya will be wearing the Red, Black and White next season.
Originally, this story broke from a website, in Oduya’s native Sweden, that when run through a Google translator, stated Oduya was signing for roughly $3.2 million a season. A New Jersey reporter approached Lamoriello late Sunday about the story, to which he received a stern “nothing is finalized yet.”
I know that when I read the GM’s denial of the deal, I was worried, and I’m almost positive that I was not alone.
But now hearing straight from the source, being as it is usally a silent one in terms of speculation, I’m very, VERY satisfied.
If the cap hit is correct at $3.2 million, Lamoriello has done it again, convincing a player to stay in New Jersey close to, if not significantly lower than market value. Oduya came out and stated he wanted $4 million right after the season had ended. Many felt he was over pricing himself right out of town, and some even stated, “is he on crack?”
I put a value of $3.5 million on the speedy defender, and was hoping the Devils would not exceed that. And they did not disappoint.
Lamoriello also went on in the article to state that he hopes not one, but two moves could be completed by the end of tomorrow.
This allows for rampant speculation by fans, but assuming that Oduya is one of the deals, the possibilities are seemingly endless for the 2nd.
Could it be a new head coach, which many people would be announced by the end of today [Monday]? Could it be the re-signing of Brian Gionta, or maybe restricted free agent Travis Zajac?
I, for one, am hoping that its either Zajac or Gionta.
I’d love for it to be Zajac because that means we set the bar for him, and got him at our price, without having to worry about other team’s convincing him to sign their insane offer sheets (yes, Kevin Lowe, this is directed to you).
With Gionta, I’d love for the team to keep him cause he’s a great person [I’ve met him and it wasn’t outside of a hockey rink, either], and he has potential to be a solid scorer, but we cannot afford the $4 million of his last contract and $3 million he should command from another franchise, could handcuff the Devils next season if, and more than likely when, the salary cap takes a nose dive.
If we could keep both, that’d be great, but we definitely have to keep the cap in mind.
Either way, Lou has already started this offseason on the right foot. I’ll give him a +2 on the score sheet, one for keeping Oduya and a big bonus point presuming the cap hit is under $3.5 million.
p.s. – please, for the love of god and the sake of our franchise in the near future, do not bring Lemaire back. We have enough trouble drawing crowds, who wants to come and watch defensive hockey after we’ve seen some semblance of offense the past 2 seasons under Benedict Arnold… I mean Sutter.
A report on NJ.com from the Newark Star Ledger quotes the enigmatic Lou Lamoriello all but guaranteeing Oduya will be wearing the Red, Black and White next season.
Originally, this story broke from a website, in Oduya’s native Sweden, that when run through a Google translator, stated Oduya was signing for roughly $3.2 million a season. A New Jersey reporter approached Lamoriello late Sunday about the story, to which he received a stern “nothing is finalized yet.”
I know that when I read the GM’s denial of the deal, I was worried, and I’m almost positive that I was not alone.
But now hearing straight from the source, being as it is usally a silent one in terms of speculation, I’m very, VERY satisfied.
If the cap hit is correct at $3.2 million, Lamoriello has done it again, convincing a player to stay in New Jersey close to, if not significantly lower than market value. Oduya came out and stated he wanted $4 million right after the season had ended. Many felt he was over pricing himself right out of town, and some even stated, “is he on crack?”
I put a value of $3.5 million on the speedy defender, and was hoping the Devils would not exceed that. And they did not disappoint.
Lamoriello also went on in the article to state that he hopes not one, but two moves could be completed by the end of tomorrow.
This allows for rampant speculation by fans, but assuming that Oduya is one of the deals, the possibilities are seemingly endless for the 2nd.
Could it be a new head coach, which many people would be announced by the end of today [Monday]? Could it be the re-signing of Brian Gionta, or maybe restricted free agent Travis Zajac?
I, for one, am hoping that its either Zajac or Gionta.
I’d love for it to be Zajac because that means we set the bar for him, and got him at our price, without having to worry about other team’s convincing him to sign their insane offer sheets (yes, Kevin Lowe, this is directed to you).
With Gionta, I’d love for the team to keep him cause he’s a great person [I’ve met him and it wasn’t outside of a hockey rink, either], and he has potential to be a solid scorer, but we cannot afford the $4 million of his last contract and $3 million he should command from another franchise, could handcuff the Devils next season if, and more than likely when, the salary cap takes a nose dive.
If we could keep both, that’d be great, but we definitely have to keep the cap in mind.
Either way, Lou has already started this offseason on the right foot. I’ll give him a +2 on the score sheet, one for keeping Oduya and a big bonus point presuming the cap hit is under $3.5 million.
p.s. – please, for the love of god and the sake of our franchise in the near future, do not bring Lemaire back. We have enough trouble drawing crowds, who wants to come and watch defensive hockey after we’ve seen some semblance of offense the past 2 seasons under Benedict Arnold… I mean Sutter.
Today's Lesson: Rumors
Yes, they may be called rumors, meaning holding various levels of truth, but sometimes, you need to look beyond what is being reported.
Take, for example, the current speculation surrounding the New York Rangers. Rumors through various sources have made it quite apparent that the Rangers are in on the Dany Heatley sweepstakes. Sounds like a simple, harmless thought, right? The Rangers have an estimated $17+ million in cap space that they don’t know what to do with.
Simple, until one actually looks at the Rangers current roster.
Of the 23 available positions allowed on an NHL roster, the Rangers currently have a mere 10 filled. Of those 10 positions, only 4 are forwards. Assuming for a minute, and quite on the naive side, that the Rangers acquire Heatley for no one on the active roster, they would take a $7 million cap hit and be left with $10 million to find 12 players.
Even with being granted a gift from the hockey gods with the retirement of Markus Naslund and his $3+ million cap hit, the Rangers are in an interesting financial situation. Their AHL team does have some players who, if given the chance, could make an impact on the NHL roster, but you cannot go into a new season with the majority of your team having little or no experience at the game’s highest level.
The list of restricted free agents provides glimmers of hope, but they’re only hope if Glen Sather can convince the players to take minimal raises. Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan are both in for decent raises of at least double their previous salaries.
Adding all those numbers back into the mix, presuming the Rangers decide to keep all RFAs, the Heatley salary seems next to impossible to fit under the cap without moving multiple regulars, if not a marquee name in Gomez or Drury, both of which carry tags quite similar to Heatley’s.
One of the main motivations for Ottawa to move the left winger is not only to meet his request to being traded, but also to free up some cap space, which currently sits at $51 million. If they trade Heatley, they would have $12 million to spend on three players, again, presuming they do not take anyone off the Rangers current NHL roster, which would make for an interesting free agency period come Wednesday at 12:01 AM for the Sens.
Ottawa is two players from having 23 on the roster, so having some extra cash could allow them to pick up middle-to-upper echelon players, something desperately needed for a team that finished 12 points out of a playoff spot.
What’s the moral of the story, you ask? When looking at these rumors, look past the number of quotes from guys who know someone on the inside who once picked up a tissue discarded by a player, and do some research on your own. You’ll see that while they sound great in writing, the facts sometimes just don’t add up, nor make much sense.
Take, for example, the current speculation surrounding the New York Rangers. Rumors through various sources have made it quite apparent that the Rangers are in on the Dany Heatley sweepstakes. Sounds like a simple, harmless thought, right? The Rangers have an estimated $17+ million in cap space that they don’t know what to do with.
Simple, until one actually looks at the Rangers current roster.
Of the 23 available positions allowed on an NHL roster, the Rangers currently have a mere 10 filled. Of those 10 positions, only 4 are forwards. Assuming for a minute, and quite on the naive side, that the Rangers acquire Heatley for no one on the active roster, they would take a $7 million cap hit and be left with $10 million to find 12 players.
Even with being granted a gift from the hockey gods with the retirement of Markus Naslund and his $3+ million cap hit, the Rangers are in an interesting financial situation. Their AHL team does have some players who, if given the chance, could make an impact on the NHL roster, but you cannot go into a new season with the majority of your team having little or no experience at the game’s highest level.
The list of restricted free agents provides glimmers of hope, but they’re only hope if Glen Sather can convince the players to take minimal raises. Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan are both in for decent raises of at least double their previous salaries.
Adding all those numbers back into the mix, presuming the Rangers decide to keep all RFAs, the Heatley salary seems next to impossible to fit under the cap without moving multiple regulars, if not a marquee name in Gomez or Drury, both of which carry tags quite similar to Heatley’s.
One of the main motivations for Ottawa to move the left winger is not only to meet his request to being traded, but also to free up some cap space, which currently sits at $51 million. If they trade Heatley, they would have $12 million to spend on three players, again, presuming they do not take anyone off the Rangers current NHL roster, which would make for an interesting free agency period come Wednesday at 12:01 AM for the Sens.
Ottawa is two players from having 23 on the roster, so having some extra cash could allow them to pick up middle-to-upper echelon players, something desperately needed for a team that finished 12 points out of a playoff spot.
What’s the moral of the story, you ask? When looking at these rumors, look past the number of quotes from guys who know someone on the inside who once picked up a tissue discarded by a player, and do some research on your own. You’ll see that while they sound great in writing, the facts sometimes just don’t add up, nor make much sense.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
"You're Officially on Notice"
That simple phrase should be in the opening paragraph from New Jersey Devils owner James Vanderbeek in a letter to General Manager Lou Lamoriello. It’s put plain and simple, giving him fair warning that he’s on the hot seat.
I, for one, would have absolutely zero qualms with knowing that going into this season, our GM had to either produce a winner or be sent packing.
Some may consider this statement sacrilegious, others would think its about time, and a select few would have no comment at all.
Yes, it does sound a bit drastic to be calling for the job of the only General Manager to bring three Stanley Cups, let alone one, to the franchise and the Garden State. And yes, he did turn a franchise which was once insulted by the Great One, into a perennial contender, but as of late, can they still hold the same title.
Sure, the Devils find ways to get the job done during the regular season, even when mountains upon mountains of adversity are thrown in their path, such as this past season playing with 3rd string Scott Clemmensen for over two-thirds of the regular season while seemingly invincible Martin Brodeur recovered from a biceps tear. The Devils still persevered and managed to not only excel, but make a serious run at the President’s Trophy until late in the year, ironically, when Brodeur returned and the team seemed to sputter.
Many Lou supporters want to turn to the coaches as the blame. Well, I argue, it is rather difficult for a coach to establish a system in a team when they have a shelf-life that’s shorter than milk in the New York City sunlight in August. The Devils have gone through four different coaches in the past 5 years, and thanks to Brent “Benedict Arnold” Sutter’s actions of the past few weeks, we’re in line for a fifth coach in six years. It almost feels as if the only man right for the job, in Lou’s eyes, is himself. And when he has had that opportunity, on two occasions, he has also failed.
Supporters also want to turn on the players, and shoulder them with the blame. I would even be willing to agree that the team quit on themselves and forgot the offensive game plan once Brodeur returned. I personally, however, blame the coach in this instance for a complete and utter lack of discipline and ability to motivate the team. This is also part of the reason I have absolutely no problem with Sutter taking his Mr. Bean personality and shipping up to ride the coattails of older brother Darryl in Calgary.
Others cite a lack of leadership in the locker room. Alright, now for my counterpoint, if you want a leader in the locker-room, who should you turn to? Who is the man in charge of analyzing talent, finding the role players and creating a winner? Oh, of course, why, that’d be the definition of a General Manager’s role in a hockey organization.
Sure, Lou has made some absolutely remarkable deals in the past, including as recent as acquiring Bryce Salvador from the Blues for the human equivalent of a punching bag. But to find another deal which made big impacts, we’d have to go back to 2003 when then-locker room cancer Petr Sykora was the key figure in a deal with the then-Mighty Ducks for Jeff Freisen and Oleg Teverdovsky. That move, paired with the McKay/Arnott for Langenbrunner/Neiuwendyk deal the previous season helped put all of the gears in place for the run to the franchise’s third cup.
But many are quick to forgive all of Lou’s post-lockout blunders by sweeping them under the carpet of 3 Cups. They overlook the Dan Mcgillis, Vladimir Malakhov, Sean Brown and Alexander Mogliny deals by saying “well he still won us 3 cups and we continue to make the playoffs.” They then forget that to get rid of the severely overpaid and completely useless Malakhov, we had to ship him AND a first round draft pick to San Jose so they would eat the cap space and let him rot away.
Oh, and just some further food for thought, when the USA hockey team made its embarrassing appearance in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano where they not only disgraced the nation on the ice by playing horrendously, but also off the ice where some of the players, who played shamefully, suddenly found their aggression and fire in their hotel rooms and proceeded to destroy them accordingly, who was the mastermind behind that team? You got it, Lou Lamoriello. And is it any wonder why they haven’t even invited him back for an interview, yet alone the position?
Well Lou, the draft starts Friday, free agency opens in a week, and you’re all out of lifelines, time to put up, or shut up.
I, for one, would have absolutely zero qualms with knowing that going into this season, our GM had to either produce a winner or be sent packing.
Some may consider this statement sacrilegious, others would think its about time, and a select few would have no comment at all.
Yes, it does sound a bit drastic to be calling for the job of the only General Manager to bring three Stanley Cups, let alone one, to the franchise and the Garden State. And yes, he did turn a franchise which was once insulted by the Great One, into a perennial contender, but as of late, can they still hold the same title.
Sure, the Devils find ways to get the job done during the regular season, even when mountains upon mountains of adversity are thrown in their path, such as this past season playing with 3rd string Scott Clemmensen for over two-thirds of the regular season while seemingly invincible Martin Brodeur recovered from a biceps tear. The Devils still persevered and managed to not only excel, but make a serious run at the President’s Trophy until late in the year, ironically, when Brodeur returned and the team seemed to sputter.
Many Lou supporters want to turn to the coaches as the blame. Well, I argue, it is rather difficult for a coach to establish a system in a team when they have a shelf-life that’s shorter than milk in the New York City sunlight in August. The Devils have gone through four different coaches in the past 5 years, and thanks to Brent “Benedict Arnold” Sutter’s actions of the past few weeks, we’re in line for a fifth coach in six years. It almost feels as if the only man right for the job, in Lou’s eyes, is himself. And when he has had that opportunity, on two occasions, he has also failed.
Supporters also want to turn on the players, and shoulder them with the blame. I would even be willing to agree that the team quit on themselves and forgot the offensive game plan once Brodeur returned. I personally, however, blame the coach in this instance for a complete and utter lack of discipline and ability to motivate the team. This is also part of the reason I have absolutely no problem with Sutter taking his Mr. Bean personality and shipping up to ride the coattails of older brother Darryl in Calgary.
Others cite a lack of leadership in the locker room. Alright, now for my counterpoint, if you want a leader in the locker-room, who should you turn to? Who is the man in charge of analyzing talent, finding the role players and creating a winner? Oh, of course, why, that’d be the definition of a General Manager’s role in a hockey organization.
Sure, Lou has made some absolutely remarkable deals in the past, including as recent as acquiring Bryce Salvador from the Blues for the human equivalent of a punching bag. But to find another deal which made big impacts, we’d have to go back to 2003 when then-locker room cancer Petr Sykora was the key figure in a deal with the then-Mighty Ducks for Jeff Freisen and Oleg Teverdovsky. That move, paired with the McKay/Arnott for Langenbrunner/Neiuwendyk deal the previous season helped put all of the gears in place for the run to the franchise’s third cup.
But many are quick to forgive all of Lou’s post-lockout blunders by sweeping them under the carpet of 3 Cups. They overlook the Dan Mcgillis, Vladimir Malakhov, Sean Brown and Alexander Mogliny deals by saying “well he still won us 3 cups and we continue to make the playoffs.” They then forget that to get rid of the severely overpaid and completely useless Malakhov, we had to ship him AND a first round draft pick to San Jose so they would eat the cap space and let him rot away.
Oh, and just some further food for thought, when the USA hockey team made its embarrassing appearance in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano where they not only disgraced the nation on the ice by playing horrendously, but also off the ice where some of the players, who played shamefully, suddenly found their aggression and fire in their hotel rooms and proceeded to destroy them accordingly, who was the mastermind behind that team? You got it, Lou Lamoriello. And is it any wonder why they haven’t even invited him back for an interview, yet alone the position?
Well Lou, the draft starts Friday, free agency opens in a week, and you’re all out of lifelines, time to put up, or shut up.
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