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...
Showing posts with label John Madden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Madden. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Shanahan in, but who's out?
Monday night’s game against the Nashville Predators marks the debut of Brendan Shanahan. It also marks a critical point in the season where head coach Brent Sutter must decide who to push off the carousal that will become the back two lines of the line up.
There is no question, Shanahan needs to be in the line up. The Devils need the help on the second power play unit, even with Rolston and Clarkson beginning to show productivity while on this road trip. Shanahan brings experience and skill to hopefully make both units equally dangerous.
Sure questions linger with brining in Shanahan. At 40, it can be wondered how effective Shanahan will be. Health and durability at that age can always become suspect. Which is why the Devils need to hold off on making any trades until they can effectively gauge Shanahan’s contribution.
The question, when that time comes, is who to move.
Jay Pandolfo and John Madden have been the most frequent names kicked around. Brian Gionta’s name was also tossed around earlier in the season. Mike Rupp has also been suggested as being the one who should be sitting to make room for Shanahan.
Jay Pandolfo just signed a contract extension over the offseason for 3 years/$2.5 million a season. With the new contract, it was assumed Pando would be able to keep his effectiveness from last season. But his productivity, as well as role, have both diminished significantly this year. Sutter’s new offensive-based system seems to be paying off dividends in the win column but has also diminished the need for a line dedicated to shadowing the opposing teams’ top lines.
The new system has also taken a toll on Madden, who is arguably one of the best defensive forwards currently playing in the NHL. His has a high value for teams who need to secure up a defensive line but his offensive abilities have been lacking, amassing a mere 14 points in 39 games, split up due to missing time because of an ankle injury and a bout with the flu. Madden has also suffered one of the longest goal droughts in his career with a 20 game skid, his longest being 29. It is very clear at this point, being a shadow to an opposing team’s top scorer even a role on the devils anymore as they currently sit 10th overall in scoring, and 5th in goals against, entering the Nashville game.
There has been speculation in news papers in New Jersey that Mike Rupp will not only lose playing time, but also could be moved from the team. Don’t believe it. There is no reason to move Rupp, and they need a player like him on the team, someone who is not afraid to drop the gloves, or send a physical message to an opposing player. Bryce Salvador and Johnny Oduya have done their part at times, as has David Clarkson, but Rupp has been the most physical of the Devils. He is filling the role vacated when Colin White began donning a visor. Rupp will stay on the Devils, he may lose a game or two here and there to gauge who should stay out of Madden and Pandolfo, but I firmly believe he’ll be around for the season.
The wild-card who I think has the most potential to be traded is Brian Gionta. I think his trading value will skyrocket if he can keep his offensive streak going and Shanahan can be a solid offensive threat. If both of those hypothetical come to fruition, Gionta could be moved for a solid defenseman to sure up the defensive corps. Currently at 38 points, Gionta is on pace to reach his highest points total since he scored a Devils record 48 goals and racked up 89 points in 2005-2006. Shanahan has averaged nearly a point a game throughout his entire career and matching that offensive productivity could be reason enough to gamble on moving Gionta, who is in the final season of a four year, $4 million contract he signed following the 48 goal campaign.
Further changes will be coming to the Devils, the only variable at this point, is time. Shanahan’s role will be identified within the next few weeks [I say weeks only because they have a game Monday and then Wednesday vs. Montreal before reaching the all-star break] but I believe moves will come well before the trading deadline on March 4th.
There is no question, Shanahan needs to be in the line up. The Devils need the help on the second power play unit, even with Rolston and Clarkson beginning to show productivity while on this road trip. Shanahan brings experience and skill to hopefully make both units equally dangerous.
Sure questions linger with brining in Shanahan. At 40, it can be wondered how effective Shanahan will be. Health and durability at that age can always become suspect. Which is why the Devils need to hold off on making any trades until they can effectively gauge Shanahan’s contribution.
The question, when that time comes, is who to move.
Jay Pandolfo and John Madden have been the most frequent names kicked around. Brian Gionta’s name was also tossed around earlier in the season. Mike Rupp has also been suggested as being the one who should be sitting to make room for Shanahan.
Jay Pandolfo just signed a contract extension over the offseason for 3 years/$2.5 million a season. With the new contract, it was assumed Pando would be able to keep his effectiveness from last season. But his productivity, as well as role, have both diminished significantly this year. Sutter’s new offensive-based system seems to be paying off dividends in the win column but has also diminished the need for a line dedicated to shadowing the opposing teams’ top lines.
The new system has also taken a toll on Madden, who is arguably one of the best defensive forwards currently playing in the NHL. His has a high value for teams who need to secure up a defensive line but his offensive abilities have been lacking, amassing a mere 14 points in 39 games, split up due to missing time because of an ankle injury and a bout with the flu. Madden has also suffered one of the longest goal droughts in his career with a 20 game skid, his longest being 29. It is very clear at this point, being a shadow to an opposing team’s top scorer even a role on the devils anymore as they currently sit 10th overall in scoring, and 5th in goals against, entering the Nashville game.
There has been speculation in news papers in New Jersey that Mike Rupp will not only lose playing time, but also could be moved from the team. Don’t believe it. There is no reason to move Rupp, and they need a player like him on the team, someone who is not afraid to drop the gloves, or send a physical message to an opposing player. Bryce Salvador and Johnny Oduya have done their part at times, as has David Clarkson, but Rupp has been the most physical of the Devils. He is filling the role vacated when Colin White began donning a visor. Rupp will stay on the Devils, he may lose a game or two here and there to gauge who should stay out of Madden and Pandolfo, but I firmly believe he’ll be around for the season.
The wild-card who I think has the most potential to be traded is Brian Gionta. I think his trading value will skyrocket if he can keep his offensive streak going and Shanahan can be a solid offensive threat. If both of those hypothetical come to fruition, Gionta could be moved for a solid defenseman to sure up the defensive corps. Currently at 38 points, Gionta is on pace to reach his highest points total since he scored a Devils record 48 goals and racked up 89 points in 2005-2006. Shanahan has averaged nearly a point a game throughout his entire career and matching that offensive productivity could be reason enough to gamble on moving Gionta, who is in the final season of a four year, $4 million contract he signed following the 48 goal campaign.
Further changes will be coming to the Devils, the only variable at this point, is time. Shanahan’s role will be identified within the next few weeks [I say weeks only because they have a game Monday and then Wednesday vs. Montreal before reaching the all-star break] but I believe moves will come well before the trading deadline on March 4th.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Devils/Sabres Updates
Hours before the first of four meetings between the Devils and Sabres, I decided I should make my first post in over a month regarding some quick hits from the weekend:
According to a thefourthperiod.com report citing the Ottawa Sun, the Buffalo Sabres are looking to ship out Ales Kotalik before he becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent over the summer. While Canadians typically know hockey a heck of a lot better than Americans, I’m going to agree with David Pagnotta on this one with a big “huh?”
Kotalik has been an integral part of the Sabres’ offense. Right now, he sits second on the team in points, behind only the leading goal scorer in the NHL, Thomas Vanek.
While the report suggests that the Sabres might be anxious that Kotalik’s asking price could be too high, Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly are also coming off the books next summer as well, so there will be added cap space.
Out of the three potential UFAs, Kotalik seems to be the more valuable of the bunch.
Connolly, who has not played more than 70 games in a season since his first two with the Sabres, went from being a player with immense scoring potential to an injury prone question mark. A brutal hit sustained at the end of the 2005-2006 season gave him a concussion and caused him to miss the final games of the season and the playoffs. Since then, injuries have plagued the center as he only played fifty games in the past 2 seasons, and played just his first this past weekend.
Afinogenov, on the other hand, while still delivering goals in a flashy Eastern European manner, still irks the fans time and time again. His puck handling abilities are without question solid, but sometimes he is way too flashy for his own good and it leads to turnovers. This past season, he was subject to trade speculation, as well as over the summer, primarily around the NHL Draft when rumors had him being shopped to Florida for their former center, Olli Jokinen.
The decision may come down to simply who has the better season between Kotalik and Connolly. If he can stay healthy and regain his old scoring touch, Connolly could make an argument to be retained. But if Kotalik could reach his current projected point total of over 60 points, it could be difficult for the Sabres to say no. Either way, I feel Aginogenov will not be wearing the blue and gold by the end of the regular season.
The Ottawa Sun also is reporting the New Jersey Devils are interested in re-signing John Madden during the season to avoid any problems before he becomes an UFA in the summer.
Two seasons ago, sentiment among some Devils fans was that Madden was not worth the $3 million he signed for because of his lack of offensive production and seemingly dimished reliability as one of the best back checking centers in hockey.
Today, Madden is held within the highest regard in the franchise. He is back to being reliable at shutting down the oppositions’ top lines and scorers along with his line mate, Jay Pandolfo, who had his contract extended over this past summer.
Even if he requests a raise of a million dollars or so, the price tag of roughly $4 million is well worth knowing that one line will be able to contain the likes of Crosby, Ovechkin, St. Louis, etc.
Even at 35, Madden is still a consistant player; averaging 80 games played a season since the 2000-2001 campaign. Just this past season, he scored 20 goals for the second time in his career and is on pace for 24 this season.
I can say, with almost not doubt in my mind, Madden will be back on the Devils next season.
According to a thefourthperiod.com report citing the Ottawa Sun, the Buffalo Sabres are looking to ship out Ales Kotalik before he becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent over the summer. While Canadians typically know hockey a heck of a lot better than Americans, I’m going to agree with David Pagnotta on this one with a big “huh?”
Kotalik has been an integral part of the Sabres’ offense. Right now, he sits second on the team in points, behind only the leading goal scorer in the NHL, Thomas Vanek.
While the report suggests that the Sabres might be anxious that Kotalik’s asking price could be too high, Maxim Afinogenov and Tim Connolly are also coming off the books next summer as well, so there will be added cap space.
Out of the three potential UFAs, Kotalik seems to be the more valuable of the bunch.
Connolly, who has not played more than 70 games in a season since his first two with the Sabres, went from being a player with immense scoring potential to an injury prone question mark. A brutal hit sustained at the end of the 2005-2006 season gave him a concussion and caused him to miss the final games of the season and the playoffs. Since then, injuries have plagued the center as he only played fifty games in the past 2 seasons, and played just his first this past weekend.
Afinogenov, on the other hand, while still delivering goals in a flashy Eastern European manner, still irks the fans time and time again. His puck handling abilities are without question solid, but sometimes he is way too flashy for his own good and it leads to turnovers. This past season, he was subject to trade speculation, as well as over the summer, primarily around the NHL Draft when rumors had him being shopped to Florida for their former center, Olli Jokinen.
The decision may come down to simply who has the better season between Kotalik and Connolly. If he can stay healthy and regain his old scoring touch, Connolly could make an argument to be retained. But if Kotalik could reach his current projected point total of over 60 points, it could be difficult for the Sabres to say no. Either way, I feel Aginogenov will not be wearing the blue and gold by the end of the regular season.
The Ottawa Sun also is reporting the New Jersey Devils are interested in re-signing John Madden during the season to avoid any problems before he becomes an UFA in the summer.
Two seasons ago, sentiment among some Devils fans was that Madden was not worth the $3 million he signed for because of his lack of offensive production and seemingly dimished reliability as one of the best back checking centers in hockey.
Today, Madden is held within the highest regard in the franchise. He is back to being reliable at shutting down the oppositions’ top lines and scorers along with his line mate, Jay Pandolfo, who had his contract extended over this past summer.
Even if he requests a raise of a million dollars or so, the price tag of roughly $4 million is well worth knowing that one line will be able to contain the likes of Crosby, Ovechkin, St. Louis, etc.
Even at 35, Madden is still a consistant player; averaging 80 games played a season since the 2000-2001 campaign. Just this past season, he scored 20 goals for the second time in his career and is on pace for 24 this season.
I can say, with almost not doubt in my mind, Madden will be back on the Devils next season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)