-Marion Hossa, the player who lost back to back Stanley Cups with two different teams, is a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.
12 years/$5.2 million
For a player who disappears in the playoffs, the Blackhawks gave way too long of a deal here.
-With St. Louis just inking Ty Conklin to a 2 year deal worth $1.3 million, former Devils backup Scott Clemmensen's list is now down to 2 potential teams. It is unclear if the Devils are one of the 2, but commen sense suggests not. I think Detroit could be a landing spot, as well as Florida.
-Craig Anderson has been signed by the Colorado Avalanche.
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Showing posts with label Colorado Avalanche. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado Avalanche. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Rumor Line: T-minus 10 days
My limited sources have been chirping in with some various rumors for me to litter my blog with. Here they are, take them for what they’re worth.
First, out of New York, Rangers’ GM Glen Sather is considering approaching Chris Drury about a possible trade. Drury, who has a no movement clause, needs to give his permission should the Rangers wish to trade him. As of right now, speculation has Sather in initial talks with the Colorado Avalanche about Ryan Smyth. Just a reminder, however, that Smyth says he wants to stay in the mile high city, while Drury signed with the Rangers because it has always “been his dream” to play for them. Again, I’m told these talks are in the very early stages.
Next, we jump across the border as into Canada’s capital as the Senators are rumored to be making another move quickly on the heels of the move to reacquire Mike Comrie earlier this week from the Islanders along with Chris Campoli for Dean McAmmond and a first round draft pick. Earlier this season, there were rumors swirling saying that Ottawa was interested in acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk for Jason Spezza. They died down, but are now growing some legs again. It is believed that if the Senators think they still have an outside chance of the 8th and final playoff spot in the East, they’ll pull the trigger on Kovalchuk. Knowing Bryan Murray, and how horrendous he has been as GM this season, even if the Sens bottom out, they’d still make the deal and try to reunite Kovalchuk with Danny Heatly and make a late run, even being 15 points back on Sunday night.
Also out of Atlanta, rumors are also beginning to pick up surrounding one of the pieces of the Marion Hossa deal with Pittsburgh last season. Colby Armstrong is believed to be being shopped around by General Manager Don Waddell, and one of his main persons of interest is Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal. With defenseman Sergei Gonchar back, Pittsburgh is making a run at the bottom spots in the playoff hunt, they could be looking to add pieces to improve an inconsistent roster. Yes, the Pens do sit a mere 4 points from the final playoff spot, but they are playing in a very strong Atlantic Division and of their next 8 games, 6 are against teams currently holding playoff positions. A lot will be learned of Pitt by the deadline.
Keep a close eye on the status of Ryan Miller the next few days. As of right now, the report is his ankle injury, suffered when he was run into by Scott Gomez, is listed as a high ankle sprain. The biggest issue with ankle injuries is that that are all different. Some players heal quicker than others, and with Miller being such a vital piece in the Sabres puzzle of success, they need him to be 100% to not only maintain their playoff position, but perform well in the post-season. If Miller’s ankle doesn’t heal, or the injury is worse than reported, the team will need to think long and hard about their goaltending situation. Right now, they intend to rely upon Patrick Lalime.
The problem with Lalime is that he’s 2-7-1 on the season, but has a 3.07 goals against. The last time he was the #1 starter, it was in Chicago last season, before that, pre-lockout Ottawa, where he has some playoff experience. He can be a premier goaltender, the problem is consistency. One trading partner, should they need to resort to that, is New Jersey. Starting next Thursday, the Devils will have 3 NHL-ready goaltenders, future hall of famer Martin Brodeur returns from injury, current started Scott Clemmensen has 25 wins on the year, and backup Kevin Weekes has both starting, playoff, and Stanley Cup experience. While Brodeur is obviously untouchable, Weekes and Clemmensen could be had for the right offer. Again, all is contingent on the extent of Ryan Miller’s ankle injury.
First, out of New York, Rangers’ GM Glen Sather is considering approaching Chris Drury about a possible trade. Drury, who has a no movement clause, needs to give his permission should the Rangers wish to trade him. As of right now, speculation has Sather in initial talks with the Colorado Avalanche about Ryan Smyth. Just a reminder, however, that Smyth says he wants to stay in the mile high city, while Drury signed with the Rangers because it has always “been his dream” to play for them. Again, I’m told these talks are in the very early stages.
Next, we jump across the border as into Canada’s capital as the Senators are rumored to be making another move quickly on the heels of the move to reacquire Mike Comrie earlier this week from the Islanders along with Chris Campoli for Dean McAmmond and a first round draft pick. Earlier this season, there were rumors swirling saying that Ottawa was interested in acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk for Jason Spezza. They died down, but are now growing some legs again. It is believed that if the Senators think they still have an outside chance of the 8th and final playoff spot in the East, they’ll pull the trigger on Kovalchuk. Knowing Bryan Murray, and how horrendous he has been as GM this season, even if the Sens bottom out, they’d still make the deal and try to reunite Kovalchuk with Danny Heatly and make a late run, even being 15 points back on Sunday night.
Also out of Atlanta, rumors are also beginning to pick up surrounding one of the pieces of the Marion Hossa deal with Pittsburgh last season. Colby Armstrong is believed to be being shopped around by General Manager Don Waddell, and one of his main persons of interest is Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal. With defenseman Sergei Gonchar back, Pittsburgh is making a run at the bottom spots in the playoff hunt, they could be looking to add pieces to improve an inconsistent roster. Yes, the Pens do sit a mere 4 points from the final playoff spot, but they are playing in a very strong Atlantic Division and of their next 8 games, 6 are against teams currently holding playoff positions. A lot will be learned of Pitt by the deadline.
Keep a close eye on the status of Ryan Miller the next few days. As of right now, the report is his ankle injury, suffered when he was run into by Scott Gomez, is listed as a high ankle sprain. The biggest issue with ankle injuries is that that are all different. Some players heal quicker than others, and with Miller being such a vital piece in the Sabres puzzle of success, they need him to be 100% to not only maintain their playoff position, but perform well in the post-season. If Miller’s ankle doesn’t heal, or the injury is worse than reported, the team will need to think long and hard about their goaltending situation. Right now, they intend to rely upon Patrick Lalime.
The problem with Lalime is that he’s 2-7-1 on the season, but has a 3.07 goals against. The last time he was the #1 starter, it was in Chicago last season, before that, pre-lockout Ottawa, where he has some playoff experience. He can be a premier goaltender, the problem is consistency. One trading partner, should they need to resort to that, is New Jersey. Starting next Thursday, the Devils will have 3 NHL-ready goaltenders, future hall of famer Martin Brodeur returns from injury, current started Scott Clemmensen has 25 wins on the year, and backup Kevin Weekes has both starting, playoff, and Stanley Cup experience. While Brodeur is obviously untouchable, Weekes and Clemmensen could be had for the right offer. Again, all is contingent on the extent of Ryan Miller’s ankle injury.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Potential Defensive Targets
This will be an ongoing article from now until at least July 1st. I will try to break down which free-agents I believe the Devils should pursue this summer.
Brian Campbell - D - Buffalo Sabres/San Jose Sharks
'07-'08 salary: $1,750,000
Campbell is the #1 defensive free agent who will be available on the market this summer. He is also due for a hefty pay raise from the $1,750,000 and it could approach well above the $6 million range. It kinda makes you wonder why the Sabres wouldn't at least make an offer at $5.5 million before the season started... But that is besides the point.
If the Devils could somehow land Campbell, it would do 2 things for the franchise. 1.) Show the fans that they are truly committed to getting back to the Stanley Cup finals. Fans have longed to hear a big name coming into Jersey at the peak of the career and are disappointed in settling with big names on the downside to retirement. 2.) It gives the Devils the replacement for Brian Rafalski they were looking for since he left for Detroit.
Campbell's price-tag is going to push him well out of the Devils' range, in my opinion. They have never been a team to go after the big name free agent, but it may be time to bring in some quality, proven veteran help for the upkeep on the franchise.
Chance of happening: 10%
UPDATE 7/1: Campbell has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for 8 years, $56.8 million.
John Michael Liles - D - Colorado Avalanche
'07-'08 salary: $1,400,000
Liles should be right along side Campbell in the sought after defenseman department. A great puck moving defnseman who can easily be the go-to guy on the point on the power play lines. Liles tallied 6 goals, 26 assists during the '07-'08 season, including 20 points on the power play [5 goals, 15 assists]. Liles would be the prototypical replacement for Rafalski that the Devils have been seeking since last summer. Many people around the NHL felt that if the Avalanche made him available over the course of the season, he would have ended up with NJ. Many also speculated that last summer he would find his way to the devils via trade. [Says a lot for the amount of speculation out there, huh?]
Liless is a smaller defender at 5'10" and 185 pounds, but he makes up for the size difference in speed and awareness, just like Rafalski. Over his 4 seasons in the NHL, Liles averaged 40 points, including an average of 17 points on the power play. It will definitely take significantly more than he made last season. My guess it will be something between four and five million. The Devils should take the extra $6.4 million in cap space the NHL just opened up for every team and allocate some of those funds towards acquiring Liles.
Probability of Happening: 0%
UPDATE 6/30: Liles has resigned with Colorado: 4 yrs/$4+ million
Dimitri Kalinin - D - Buffalo Sabres
'07-'08 salary: $2,250,000
Kalinin was looked upon by the Sabres to fill the void after Brian Campbell departed, and it was not a role he was able to do. Kalinin is not going to blow you away with his speed, but he has great hockey sense. He's a very offensive minded defenseman and can handle the puck well, especially in the defensive zone. He does get a little nervous when forced to be a part of a fast paced offensive system like the Sabres had. He'd be a good fit for the Devils because their tempo is not nearly as fast as Buffalo's.
At6'3", 203, Kalinin would bring some much needed size to the Devils back line as well. Hurt in late October, Kalinin missed two months and played only 46 games, amassing a mere 8 points in the 07-08 campaign. He averages over 20 points a season, including a career best 34 in '03-'04 and another superb yeah in 06-07 with 29. Obviously, Kalinin should not be target #1 on the Devils radar but it is not unrealistic to see him as a fall back plan after Campbell and Liles are off the market. 2 years/$2.3 million per year could be a realistic offer for Kalinin.
Probability of happening: 40%
RESULT: Signed with the Rangers
Brian Campbell - D - Buffalo Sabres/San Jose Sharks
'07-'08 salary: $1,750,000
Campbell is the #1 defensive free agent who will be available on the market this summer. He is also due for a hefty pay raise from the $1,750,000 and it could approach well above the $6 million range. It kinda makes you wonder why the Sabres wouldn't at least make an offer at $5.5 million before the season started... But that is besides the point.
If the Devils could somehow land Campbell, it would do 2 things for the franchise. 1.) Show the fans that they are truly committed to getting back to the Stanley Cup finals. Fans have longed to hear a big name coming into Jersey at the peak of the career and are disappointed in settling with big names on the downside to retirement. 2.) It gives the Devils the replacement for Brian Rafalski they were looking for since he left for Detroit.
Campbell's price-tag is going to push him well out of the Devils' range, in my opinion. They have never been a team to go after the big name free agent, but it may be time to bring in some quality, proven veteran help for the upkeep on the franchise.
Chance of happening: 10%
UPDATE 7/1: Campbell has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks for 8 years, $56.8 million.
John Michael Liles - D - Colorado Avalanche
'07-'08 salary: $1,400,000
Liles should be right along side Campbell in the sought after defenseman department. A great puck moving defnseman who can easily be the go-to guy on the point on the power play lines. Liles tallied 6 goals, 26 assists during the '07-'08 season, including 20 points on the power play [5 goals, 15 assists]. Liles would be the prototypical replacement for Rafalski that the Devils have been seeking since last summer. Many people around the NHL felt that if the Avalanche made him available over the course of the season, he would have ended up with NJ. Many also speculated that last summer he would find his way to the devils via trade. [Says a lot for the amount of speculation out there, huh?]
Liless is a smaller defender at 5'10" and 185 pounds, but he makes up for the size difference in speed and awareness, just like Rafalski. Over his 4 seasons in the NHL, Liles averaged 40 points, including an average of 17 points on the power play. It will definitely take significantly more than he made last season. My guess it will be something between four and five million. The Devils should take the extra $6.4 million in cap space the NHL just opened up for every team and allocate some of those funds towards acquiring Liles.
Probability of Happening: 0%
UPDATE 6/30: Liles has resigned with Colorado: 4 yrs/$4+ million
Dimitri Kalinin - D - Buffalo Sabres
'07-'08 salary: $2,250,000
Kalinin was looked upon by the Sabres to fill the void after Brian Campbell departed, and it was not a role he was able to do. Kalinin is not going to blow you away with his speed, but he has great hockey sense. He's a very offensive minded defenseman and can handle the puck well, especially in the defensive zone. He does get a little nervous when forced to be a part of a fast paced offensive system like the Sabres had. He'd be a good fit for the Devils because their tempo is not nearly as fast as Buffalo's.
At6'3", 203, Kalinin would bring some much needed size to the Devils back line as well. Hurt in late October, Kalinin missed two months and played only 46 games, amassing a mere 8 points in the 07-08 campaign. He averages over 20 points a season, including a career best 34 in '03-'04 and another superb yeah in 06-07 with 29. Obviously, Kalinin should not be target #1 on the Devils radar but it is not unrealistic to see him as a fall back plan after Campbell and Liles are off the market. 2 years/$2.3 million per year could be a realistic offer for Kalinin.
Probability of happening: 40%
RESULT: Signed with the Rangers
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