Wild sign Martin Havlat to 6-Year, $30 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

Martin Havlat saw the writing on the wall in Chicago when they signed winger Marian Hossa to a 12-year contract earlier in the day.  The Wild jumped on the chance at grabbing the free-agent winger.

''We are excited to add the speed and scoring of Martin Havlat to our lineup,'' Wild GM Chuck Fletcher said late Wednesday night. ''He is a terrific two-way player.''

Havlat had some serious injury problems in his 3-season tenure with the Blackhawks, but managed to stay healthy throughout all of 2008-09.  He tallied 29 goals and 48 assists with the Blackhawks in 81 regular season games, and added 15 points in 16 games in the playoffs.  Havlat adds even more speed to a very quick Minnesota lineup.

The Wild lost star Marian Gaborik to the New York Rangers in free-agency earlier on Wednesday.  Gaborik played in just 17 games last season for his club, due to a nagging hip injury.  The team rallied around the loss of their dynamic player though, finishing ninth and just being two points out of a playoff berth.  With the addition of Havlat, this team is one to be reckoned with.  Stud center Mikko Koivu scored 67 points to lead the team, and crafty winger Andrew Brunette added 50 points.  Placing Havlat on a power-play line with these two strong players could improve the Wild's chances of earning a playoff spot.

The Wild are known for their defensive play behind recently-retired head coach Jacques Lemaire, but that style may change with the new man guiding the rickshaw, Todd Richards.  If he can addContinue reading "Wild sign Martin Havlat to 6-Year, ..."

Canadiens Sign Brian Gionta to 5-Year, $25 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

The Canadiens keep making the headlines.  They have brought in yet another key forward.

Brian Gionta, one of the most valued New Jersey Devils in recent time, has decided to sign with the revamped Montreal Canadiens.  Gionta has spent all of his 7 NHL seasons with the Devils, playing right-wing on the top line for most of that time.  Gionta is coming off of a 60-point season with the Devils, which ranked him tied for third on the team.  Scoring is not his only strength though.  The 5'7” 175 lb. Rochester native has also been known to kill penalties and play in any defensive situation. 

While Gionta is not quite the gifted scorer that Jarome Iginla of Calgary is, he is a threat to score.  Mike Cammalleri was signed earlier in the day, and these two may find chemistry together.  Cammalleri just had a 39-goal season with the Flames playing on the top line with Iginla.  He operates best with a fellow goal scorer.  Gionta may be the answer in Montreal.

Montreal seems to be heading in the right direction, almost remodeling their entire offense in the off-season.  With the signing of Jaroslav Spacek today and returning defensemen Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik, the Montreal Canadiens are looking like they could be a top competitor in the Eastern Conference in this coming season.Continue reading "Canadiens Sign Brian Gionta to 5-Year, ..."

Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to 5-Year, $37.5 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

As expected, the New York Rangers have made a splash in the free-agent sweepstakes.  Rangers GM Glen Sather announced late Wednesday that the club has agreed to terms with star free-agent, Marian Gaborik.  

The Slovakian right-wing had a troubling season in Minnesota last year, playing in only 17 games caused by a nagging hip injury.  Even though his time was limited, he was still able to scrape together 23 points.  Gaborik has had surgery since then and the Rangers are hoping that he can return to his old form.

Gaborik's best year came in 2007-08 when he amassed 42 goals and 83 points in 77 games played.  He was always a bright spot for the Minnesota Wild, until the State of Hockey saw the likes of Mikko Koivu and Pierre-Marc Bouchard.  He will join a Rangers lineup that has been depleted since losing to Washington in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.  Markus Naslund has announced his retirement from the NHL, while Scott Gomez has been traded to the Montreal Canadiens and Nik Antropov is on the free-agent market.

This is a smart move for the Rangers.  Acquiring Gaborik for the top line can only help a struggling Rangers team.  The only downfall is Gaborik's recent injury history.  If Gaborik can stay healthy, this may prove to be one of the best signings of the off-season.Continue reading "Rangers sign Marian Gaborik to 5-Year, ..."

San Jose Sharks Say Goodbye to Mike Grier and others. posted by Dan Vado

It’s July 1st and the NHL Free Agent season has begun. Our home team San Jose Sharks have begun the process of addition with a little subtraction letting several players go to make room for the player who will become the latest in a long string of players who will get the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Below is my look at the recent departures and whether I think the Sharks are Gonne Miss ‘Em (G) or Not Gonna Miss ‘Em (NG).

Marcel Goc (C): A former first round pick, Goc was one of several German players on the Sharks, Goc got off to a good start career-wise when, after spending the entire 03/04 season in Cleveland he was called up during the Sharks  2004 playoffs where he assisted on a clinching goal in the St. Louis series and scored the series-clinching goal against the Avalanche in the conference semi-finals. But, that seems to have been the high-point for Goc who never really had anything other than a mediocre regular season after that and has been particularly absent in the last two playoffs as he put up zero points in those last two Stanley Cup campaigns. Goc is a guy who really needs a change of scenery at this point, he is a good kid though so on a personal level he’s a G, but on the ice, particularly in the playoffs he’s an NG. 

Thomas Plihal (LW) - Given opportunities to make an impression, Plihal never did. He may end up back in the Sharks minor league system at some point as I do not see many NHL teams taking him other than to fill a roster spot. Sometimes it seemed like Plihal forgot to look for his on switch. NG

Maple Leafs Sign Mike Komisarek to 5-Year, $22.5 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

Leafs GM Brian Burke was not done adding some grit to his lineup after signing New York's Colton Orr to a 4-year, $4 million contract.  He continued on a few hours later, picking defenseman Mike Komisarek up from free-agency.

The former Montreal Canadien is not known for his offensive ability, but rather his toughness and defensive abilities.  Komisarek, an All-Star in 2009, paved the way for the Montreal defense to start the 2008-09 campaign.  He was known league-wide as a feisty defenseman who will not back down from any challenge.  Komisarek finished last season with 121 penalty minutes, which led the Canadiens roster.

With an average of $4.5 million a year, Komisarek is expected to be a leader in the Leafs' lineup.  Signing a player of Mike's caliber to this kind of contract is frowned upon by many NHL general managers nowadays, (notably Red Wings GM Ken Holland, who says that defensive defensemen should not make more than $3 million a season), but this could be a smart signing for Burke.  Komisarek could help further the progress of young Luke Schenn, which could potentially benefit the team for years to come.Continue reading "Maple Leafs Sign Mike Komisarek to ..."

Canadiens Sign Mike Cammalleri to 5-Year $30 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

Bob Gainey jumped right back into making big deals for his squad on Wednesday.  Gainey acquired Scott Gomez yesterday from the New York Rangers and now has added star Mike Cammalleri to his Canadiens lineup.

This 5'9” 185 lb. center had a breakout year in 2008-09, when he tallied 82 points in 81 games for the Calgary Flames.  He found himself atop the lineup, playing center with superstar Jarome Iginla on his wing.  In a three-team deal with the Canadiens and Kings, the Flames acquired Cammalleri from the Kings in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  Before that deal, Cammalleri was known as a sneaky second line center, ensuring about 50 points every season.  But the now-27 year old exploded in Calgary, making the trade a win-win for Flames GM Darryl Sutter.

But with the Flames investing a good amount of money in recently-acquired center Oli Jokinen and newly-signed star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, the Flames made it clear that they no longer had room for Cammalleri. 

Gainey's addition of Gomez and Cammalleri allows for both of the top lines to have great playmaking and shooting centers.  The only problem with this signing might be that Cammalleri did his best work with a sniper by his side.  With Alexei Kovalev still unsigned and free-agent Marian Hossa being snatched up by Chicago, there is not a lot of options left for Gainey.  He will have to bring back Kovalev or get involved in the Martin Havlat bidding war. Continue reading "Canadiens Sign Mike Cammalleri to ..."

Hurricanes Re-Sign Erik Cole to 2-Year, $5.8 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

Erik Cole has been brought back to the only team he has ever really wanted to know.

Cole was traded one year ago today from Carolina for Edmonton's Jani Pitkanen.  The trade saw Pitkanen play solid defense for the Hurricanes, but things did not go so well for the Oilers' end of the bargain.  Cole registered just 16 goals in 63 games with Edmonton, before being traded back to Carolina for Patrick O'Sullivan as part of a three-way deal with Los Angeles.  Cole added two more goals with Carolina in 17 games, but the real story was the resurgence of Canes' captain Eric Staal with Cole on his line.

Staal caught a lot of attention with his lackluster play during the season, but Cole helped rejuvenate Staal's numbers.  In the playoffs, Staal became one of the NHL elite once again, lighting the lamp 10 times and recording 15 points in eighteen playoff games.  The reuniting of these two players sparked the team, and was a major contributor to the team's run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cole may not be putting up the numbers that he was intended to, but he plays a big part in the success of his friend and captain.  That is reason enough to bring him back for two more years.Continue reading "Hurricanes Re-Sign Erik Cole to 2-Year, ..."

Oilers Sign Nikolai Khabibulin to 4-Year, $15 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

After parting ways with goaltender Dwayne Roloson, the Oilers pulled the trick out of their sleeve and signed unrestricted free-agent Nikolai Khabibulin. 

The former Stanley Cup winner enjoyed a great comeback year last season, posting a 25-8-7 record.  This came after being placed on waivers to start the season, since GM Dale Tallon brought in unrestricted free-agent goaltender Cristobal Huet for a long-term contract.  Khabibulin took his job back in classy form, being one of the better goaltenders in the league by the start of 2009. 

The Oilers were desperately in need of goaltending help, with Roloson departing for Long Island a few hours ago.  As it stood, the only goalie under contract that could possibly start in the NHL is Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers.  Nikolai adds Stanley Cup experience as well as the right attitude to make it through the long NHL playoffs.

For the deal that both parties came to, this is a steal for the Oilers.  At an average of $3.75 million per year, the Oilers got exactly what they wanted.  If Khabibulin can play as well as he did last season, the Oilers are a shoe-in for the playoffs.Continue reading "Oilers Sign Nikolai Khabibulin to ..."

Ducks Re-Sign Scott Niedermayer to 1-Year, $6 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

As expected, the Ducks have brought back their captain.

Scott Niedermayer, the man who made up his mind to return to the Ducks just before the NHL Draft on Friday, has signed a 1-year deal reportedly worth $6 million.  The Ducks traded star defenseman Chris Pronger on draft day, knowing that Niedermayer wanted to return to his team. 

Scott registered 59 points from the blue line in 2008-09, which is a steady drop from his career-high 69 points in the 2006-07 campaign.  His abilities have steadily decreased in that time, but is still considered a strong 2-way defenseman.  Scott's best attribute though may be his leadership abilities on the ice though, which is very important to have in an ever-changing Ducks roster.  With the addition of Ryan Whitney in the 2009 Trade Deadline, the Ducks still have a formidable power-play even after the loss of Chris Pronger.

Niedermayer's return could mean the return of brother Rob, a defensive forward that is currently an unrestricted free-agent with the Ducks as well. Continue reading "Ducks Re-Sign Scott Niedermayer to ..."

Islanders sign Dwayne Roloson to 2-Year, $5 Million Contract posted by Jeff Ponder

The New York Islanders announced the signing of former Oiler Dwayne Roloson.

Roloson is coming off of a decent year with the Oilers.  Going 28-24-9, the veteran goaltender stole a lot of games for the Oilers.  He is big in important situations, especially late in games or in the playoffs.

New York is still looking for the all-important answer to the question of what needs to happen when Rick DiPietro goes down with yet another injury.  The Islanders starting goalie has suffered injury after injury since signing a 15-year, $67.5 million contract in 2006.  DiPietro has played in just 130 games out of a possible 246 games since signing the long deal.  Roloson may be able to step in and help with the goaltending woes for the Islanders, who shuffled between four goaltenders in 2008-09.  With John Tavares being picked up in the draft and Roloson brought in, this team just got a whole lot better.Continue reading "Islanders sign Dwayne Roloson to ..."

Blackhawks sign longtime Devils center Madden

The Chicago Blackhawks have signed John Madden, a center who has spent his entire 10-year career with the New Jersey Devils.The 36-year-old Madden signed a one-year contract Thursday. He joins the Blackhawks a day after they signed Marian Hossa to a 12-year, $62.8 million deal and added forward Tomas Kopecky. Those two played last season with Detroit.Madden helped the Devils make the playoffs the last nine seasons, including Stanley Cup titles in 2000 and 2003. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

Thrashers pick up Antropov from Rangers

The Thrashers have signed free agent forward Nik Antropov, the player general manager Don Waddell says was his top priority in free agency.The Thrashers signed the 29-year-old Antropov to a multiyear deal on Thursday, one day after trading for defenseman Pavel Kubina.Antropov set a career high with 59 points and 28 goals with Toronto and the New York Rangers last season. He was traded to the Rangers on March 4.He had 56 points with the Maple Leafs during the 2007-08 season. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

Wild sign Havlat to replace Gaborik

On the day Marian Gaborik left Minnesota for good, the Wild signed free-agent right wing Martin Havlat to fill the large hole in their lineup.Havlat, Chicago's leading scorer last season with 77 points, signed a six-year contract late Wednesday night. Gaborik, the first player drafted by Minnesota when the franchise began nine seasons ago and the Wild's career scoring leader, signed hours earlier with the New York Rangers, getting a five-year, $37.5 million deal. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

Stars sign former Panthers D Skrastins (AP)

The Dallas Stars have signed free agent defenseman Karlis Skrastins to a two-year deal worth $2.75 million. The Stars gave the 34-year-old Skrastins $1.1 million for the 2009 season and $1.65 million for 2010. Skrastins played in 80 games for the Florida Panthers last season and had four goals, 14 assists, 18 points and led the team with 171 blocked shots. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Leafs keep Grabovski for 3 years, $8.7M (AP)

Mikhail Grabovski has signed an $8.7 million, three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Belorussian forward who reached agreement on Thursday with Toronto had 20 goals and 48 points in 78 games last season, both ranked fourth on the Maple Leafs. In 105 career NHL games with Montreal and Toronto, he has 23 goals and 57 points. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports