Free agent / off season moves

[Santacapper]

The following is an unofficial list of prominent NHL players set to become restricted or unrestricted free agents on July 1. The National Hockey League will release an offical list in full on June 30/July 1 as the signing period begins.

Note: Free agents listed have played at least one NHL game during the 2007-08 season.
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Anaheim Ducks</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Darryl Bootland, D Joe DiPenta, F Andrew Ebbett, F Mike Hoffman, F Jason King, D Maxim Kondratiev, D Jay Leach, F Mark Mowers, F Teemu Selanne</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Jonas Hiller, F Shane Hynes, F Drew Miller, F Corey Perry, F Geoff Platt, F Brian Sutherby</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Atlanta Thrashers</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Eric Boulton, F Kevin Doell, F Darren Haydar, G Johan Hedberg, F Bobby Holik, D Joel Kwiatkowski, D Steve McCarthy, D Mark Popovic, F Mark Recchi <!--F Steve Rucchin--></TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Kari Lehtonen, F Brett Sterling</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Boston Bruins</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Alex Auld, D Bobby Allen, F Jeff Hoggan, F Glen Metropolit, G Jordan Sigalet</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Petteri Nokelainen, F Pascal Pelletier, D Mark Stuart, D Dennis Wideman</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Buffalo Sabres</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Dmitri Kalinin, D Teppo Numminen, D Nolan Pratt, F Michael Ryan, G Jocelyn Thibault</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Steve Bernier, F Paul Gaustad, F Clarke MacArthur, F Daniel Paille</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Calgary Flames</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Craig Conroy, F Eric Godard, D David Hale, F Kristian Huselius, G Curtis Joseph, F Daymond Langkow, G Curtis McElhinney, F Owen Nolan, F Eric Nystrom, F Mark Smith, D Jim Vandermeer, F Stephane Yelle</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>No Notable Players</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Carolina Hurricanes</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Keith Aucoin, F Ryan Bayda, F Wade Brookbank, D Tim Conboy, G John Grahame, D Bret Hedican, F Joe Jensen, G Michael Leighton, F Trevor Letowski</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Tim Gleason, F Chad Larose, F Brandon Nolan, F Tuomo Ruutu, D Dennis Seidenberg</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Chicago Blackhawks</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Kevyn Adams, F David Koci, G Patrick Lalime, F Yanic Perreault, F Jason Williams, D Andrei Zyuzin</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Rene Bourque, G Corey Crawford, F Colin Fraser, D Jordan Hendry, F Andrew Ladd, D Joey Mormina, D Danny Richmond, F Martin St. Pierre</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Colorado Avalanche</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Andrew Brunette, D Jeff Finger, D Adam Foote, F Peter Forsberg, F Jaroslav Hlinka, D John-Michael Liles, F Scott Parker, F Joe Sakic, D Kurt Sauer, F Wyatt Smith, G Jose Theodore</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Johnny Boychuk, F Cody McCormick, F Cody McLeod, F Brad Richardson, F Marek Svatos, G Tyler Weiman, F Wojtek Wolski</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Columbus Blue Jackets</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Ron Hainsey, F Zenon Konopka, F Derek Mackenzie, F Michael Peca, D Dick Tarnstrom, F David Vyborny</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Dan Fritsche, G Pascal Leclaire, F Joakim Lindstrom, D Marc Methot, F Alexandre Picard, D Aaron Rome, D Clay Wilson</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Dallas Stars</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Stu Barnes, D Nolan Baumgartner, F Niklas Hagman, G Johan Holmqvist, D Dan Jancevski, F Antti Miettinen, D Mattias Norstrom, F Toby Peterson, F Brad Winchester</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Chris Connor, F B.J. Crombeen, F Loui Eriksson, G Tobias Stephan</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Detroit Red Wings</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Chris Chelios, F Aaron Downey, F Dallas Drake, F Mark Hartigan, G Dominik Hasek, D Andreas Lilja, F Darren McCarty, D Brad Stuart, D Garrett Stafford</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Jonathan Ericsson, F Valtteri Filppula, G Jimmy Howard, D Kyle Quincey</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Edmonton Oilers</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Curtis Glencross, F Marty Reasoner, D Allan Rourke, F Geoff Sanderson</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Jean-Francois Jacques, D Joni Pitkanen, F Marc-Antoine Pouliot, F Jarret Stoll, F Zach Stortini</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Florida Panthers</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Jassen Cullimore, D Magnus Johansson, D Branislav Mezei, D Steve Montador</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Jay Bouwmeester, F Gregory Campbell, F Rob Globke, F Drew Larman, D Martin Lojek, F Stefan Meyer, F Garth Murray, F Rostislav Olesz, F Anthony Stewart</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Los Angeles Kings</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Rob Blake, D Kevin Dallman, F Jeff Giuliano, D Jon Klemm, F Ladislav Nagy, F Scott Thornton, F Brian Willsie</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Erik Ersberg, F Gabe Gauthier, D Peter Harrold, F Matt Moulson, F Patrick O'Sullivan</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Minnesota Wild</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Keith Carney, F Pavol Demitra, F Todd Fedoruk, D Sean Hill, F Steve Kelly, D Petteri Nummelin, F Branko Radivojevic, F Brian Rolston, F Aaron Voros</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Pierre-Marc Bouchard, D Kurtis Foster, F Matt Foy, F Stephane Veilleux</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Montreal Canadiens</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Patrice Brisebois, F Michael Ryder, F Bryan Smolinski, D Mark Streit</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Josh Gorges, F Mikhail Grabovski, G Jaroslav Halak, F Andrei Kostitsyn, F Maxim Lapierre, F Corey Locke, D Ryan O'Byrne</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Nashville Predators</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Martin Gelinas, F Darcy Hordichuk, G Dan Ellis, F Josh Langfeld </TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Brandon Bochenski, D Kevin Klein, D Ville Koistinen, F Rich Peverley, D Ryan Suter, D Shea Weber</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>New Jersey Devils</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Arron Asham, D Bryce Salvador, F Noah Clarke, F Jay Pandolfo, D Karel Rachunek, F Barry Tallackson</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F David Clarkson, D Olli Malmivaara, F Rod Pelley</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>New York Islanders</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Bryan Berard, F Kip Brennan, D Rob Davison, G Wade Dubielewicz, F Ruslan Fedotenko, F Matt Keith, F Miroslav Satan, F Josef Vasicek</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Sean Bergenheim, F Jeremy Colliton, D Drew Fata, D Bruno Gervais, D Aaron Johnson, F Frans Nielsen, F Steve Regier, D Matt Spiller, F Jeff Tambellini, F Ben Walter</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>New York Rangers</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Sean Avery, D Marek Malik, D Paul Mara, D Michal Rozsival, F Brendan Shanahan, F Martin Straka, D Jason Strudwick, G Stephen Valiquette</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Ivan Baranka, F Nigel Dawes, F Greg Moore, F Fredrik Sjostrom</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Ottawa Senators</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Mike Commodore, F Shean Donovan, F Chris Kelly, F Martin Lapointe, D Wade Redden, D Luke Richardson, F Randy Robitaille, F Cory Stilmman</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Josh Hennessy, F Brian McGrattan, D Andrej Meszaros, F Antoine Vermette</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Philadelphia Flyers</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Jesse Boulerice, F Riley Cote, F Jim Dowd, D Rory Fitzpatrick, D Jaroslav Modry, F Vaclav Prospal, D Jason Smith</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Jeff Carter, D Nate Guenin, D Randy Jones, F Ryan Potulny, F Stefan Ruzicka, F Patrick Thoresen, F R.J. Umberger</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Phoenix Coyotes</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>G David Aebischer, D Ryan Caldwell, F Niko Kapanen, F Matt Murley, F Mathias Tjarnqvist, F Radim Vrbata, F Craig Weller, F Michael York</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Brendan Bell, F Dan Carcillo, F Marcel Hossa, D Matt Jones, F Joel Perrault, F Bill Thomas</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Pittsburgh Penguins</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Kris Beech, G Ty Conklin, F Pascal Dupuis, D Mark Eaton, F Adam Hall, F Connor James, F Georges Laraque, F Marian Hossa, F Ryan Malone, D Alain Nasreddine, D Brooks Orpik, F Gary Roberts, F Jarkko Ruutu, F Nathan Smith, F Jeff Taffe</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Tim Brent, F Jonathan Filewich, G Marc-Andre Fleury, F Ryan Stone</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>San Jose Sharks</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Brian Boucher, F Curtis Brown, D Brian Campbell, F Tom Cavanagh, F Mike Iggulden, D Sandis Ozolinsh, G Dimitri Patzold, F Tomas Plihal, F Patrick Rissmiller, D Alexei Semenov, F Jody Shelley</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Ryane Clowe, D Christian Ehrhoff, F Marcel Goc, F Lukas Kaspar, F Joe Pavelski</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>St. Louis Blues</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Petr Cajanek, D Micki Dupont, F Mike Glumac, F Mike Johnson, F Ryan Johnson, F Martin Rucinsky, F Yan Stastny, F Matt Walker</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F David Backes, F Jay McClement, G Hannu Toivonen, D Jeff Woywitka</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Tampa Bay Lightning</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Mathieu Darche, F Chris Gratton, D Doug Janik, F Andreas Karlsson, F Craig MacDonald, F Andre Roy, F Tim Taylor, F Kyle Wanvig</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Ryan Craig, F Karl Stewart</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Toronto Maple Leafs</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>G Scott Clemmensen, F Dominic Moore, F John Pohl, F Mats Sundin, D Andy Wozniewski</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Alex Foster, F Ben Ondrus, F Matt Stajan, F Kyle Wellwood</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Vancouver Canucks</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Brad Isbister, F Trevor Linden, D Aaron Miller, F Brendan Morrison, F Markus Naslund, F Byron Ritchie, G Curtis Sanford, D Mike Weaver</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Mike Brown, D Zach Fitzgerald, G Drew MacIntyre, D Nathan Mciver, F Rick Rypien, F Ryan Shannon</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=statfull><THEAD><TR><TH>Washington Capitals</TH><TH class=statName>Players</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=bg1><TD>Unrestricted</TD><TH class=statName>F Matt Cooke, F Sergei Fedorov, G Cristobal Huet, G Olaf Kolzig, F Quentin Laing</TH></TR><TR class=bg2><TD>Restricted</TD><TH class=statName>D Steve Eminger, F Boyd Gordon, D Mike Green, D Brooks Laich, D Shaone Morrisonn</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Santacapper]

For years, the NHL's collective bargaining agreement allowed its teams the option of signing restricted free agents. But for a long time, such signing attempts only happened once in a blue moon.
Most teams don't want to risk shelling out valuable first-round picks as compensation, while NHL general managers - a close-knit group for the most part - quietly thought it was an unwritten rule that you didn't sign Group II players.
But with three attempts (Ryan Kesler, Thomas Vanek, Dustin Penner) to sign restricted free agents over the last two summers and an NHL game that is increasingly geared towards building with young and budding talent, the league could be on the verge of a new offseason frenzy that goes beyond the usual menu of trades and UFA signings.
That being said, check out TSN.ca's Dirty Dozen - 12 high-profile Group II players that any NHL general manager may want to take a chance on.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Bouchard has improved his play and his statistics each season since entering the league in 2002 and has established himself as a great playmaker. But with 13 regulars signed for about $32 million, Brian Rolston and Pavol Demitra hitting the open market and forward Marian Gaborik possibly testing the free agent frenzy next summer, the team could be in a payroll bind. Bear in mind, the cap is a ceiling and even if it reaches $56 million next season a team doesn't have to meet it as long as it reaches the salary floor. The Wild won't have an issue with the floor, but the team, like most others in the league, could still have a spending budget below the ceiling.
Not So Fast: As it stands, Bouchard is the Wild's No. 1 centre going into next season and GM Doug Riseborough is intent on locking him up as he hits his prime. Getting Bouchard under contract could come at the expense of losing Demitra or Rolston, but it would be worth the risk if he builds on his already-solid numbers.
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Jay Bouwmeester

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: A big, puck-moving defenceman that plays well at both ends of the ice is always a premium in the NHL, and Bouwmeester is already a complete player in that regard. The Alberta native could be poised to land a bigger deal than those of teammates Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss, and any outside offer at an obscene price could have GM Jacques Martin thinking twice.
Not So Fast: Bouwmeester is not only the best defenceman on his team, but also arguably the best player not named Tomas Vokoun. Simply put, the Panthers can't afford to lose him from their young roster. Also, Martin has done very well signing key players like Horton (six-year deal), Weiss (six-year deal) and Bryan Allen (five-year deal) so there's no reason to believe he won't beat another GM to the punch in signing his top blueliner.
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Jeff Carter

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: The Flyers showed they're a team on the rise, but their payroll sits at about $48 million next season. Assuming the cap rises to the reported $56 million, another GM could step in and push his salary close to the league-set limit. Carter, a great two-way centre with a keen scoring touch, notched a career-high 24 goals and 53 points in his third NHL season and will only get better.
Not So Fast: The London, Ont. native is as highly regarded on this team as future captain Mike Richards. Granted, the team still has others to think about like unrestricted players Vaclav Prospal and Jason Smith, restricted free agent R.J. Umberger and a new face or two that may show up this summer. But both sides intend to get a long-term deal done first and let the rest of the pieces fall into place accordingly.
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Valtteri Filppula

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Filppula could be the Dustin Penner of the offseason - a young, Stanley Cup-seasoned forward with a lot of upside. While he doesn't score the way Penner does (at least not right now), he was Detroit's most dangerous player on some nights, scoring big goals and playing a strong defensive game against forward Evgeni Malkin in the final.
Not So Fast: With an impressive 2008 playoff run, the good news keeps coming for the Wings next season. All their core players are locked up for puck drop in October, with defenceman Brad Stuart being the only prominent UFA to consider. It's also tough to sign a player like Filppula (with just 19 goals and 36 points this past season) and try to predict how he'll progress over the next few seasons. His overall game is very impressive, but the stats make it tough to put a firm dollar amount on him. If a potential offer comes in low, the Wings should have no issue matching it. Also, Filppula helped a bit in Detroit's effort to sign free-agent centre Ville Leino, bringing in another Finn and signifying Filppula's willingness to stay.
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Marc-Andre Fleury

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: After struggling in his first few seasons and almost losing the No. 1 job to Ty Conklin, Fleury shone brightly down the stretch by leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup final. At age 23, he already knows the pressure of performing in the postseason and has faced all sorts of adversity. From a cap perspective, it's no secret that the Penguins have a tough task in securing Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal over the next couple of seasons. A lucrative outside offer for their No. 1 goalie could make them sweat.
Not So Fast: GM Ray Shero doesn't need to sell his young players about the potential they have to be Cup contenders for years to come. That being said, a dreamy scenario could see Pittsburgh's young players take pay cuts for their new contracts and become a team that grows and wins together like the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980's. For that to happen, Fleury would have to be the first to make that wallet-sized sacrifice and sign a deal before another team shows interest. Even if a rival GM signs him to an offer sheet, it will be tough for Shero not to match it. Good goaltending is always a must in the playoffs.
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Mike Green

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: How much would you offer a third-year defenceman who went from 12 points and minus-10 in 2006-07 to 56 points (7th in the league) in 2007-08? That's a very tough question for general manager George McPhee as he goes to the bargaining table, and it would be an easy for another team to jump in and provide the answer for him.
Not So Fast: With 16 regulars locked up for next season at about $31 million, McPhee has room to move. Also, no blueliner on the roster provided nearly as much offence from the point as Green did this past season. Case in point: Tom Poti was the next most productive defenceman with 29 points, followed by Jeff Schultz with 18. The Capitals got a great taste of the postseason in 2008, and needs Green in their lineup if they want to improve towards building a contender around Alexander Ovechkin.
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Andrei Kostitsyn

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Kostitsyn enjoyed a breakout year in 2007-08, playing on Montreal's No. 1 line with Alex Kovalev and Tomas Plekanec. He was a human highlight reel on most nights, dazzling even the most fickle Hab fans with his skating and stick work. With 29 goals and 53 points in his first full NHL season, he has the potential to be an elite scorer.
Not So Fast: The Canadiens have about $31 million committed to 14 regulars next year, with Kostitsyn being the 'toughest' of their RFA's to sign. Josh Gorges, Mikhail Grabovski, Maxim Lapierre, Ryan O'Byrne and Jaroslav Halak aren't cornerstones the way Kostitsyn is just yet, and aside from unrestricted free agent Mark Streit, the team shouldn't have any big problems keeping their core together. Kostitsyn has already stated that he's happy playing in Montreal and wants to stay, and having younger brother Sergei around is a big incentive to do so.
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Pascal Leclaire

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: After years of development and growing pains, Leclaire has emerged as the bonafide starter the Jackets expected him to be when they took him eighth overall in the 2001 draft. The 25-year-old went 24-17-6 this season and tied for the NHL lead with nine shutouts with a struggling Columbus team that has yet to make the playoffs. A big, fat offer sheet for Leclaire could be a head scratcher for GM Scott Howson and make him think long and hard about Fredrik Norrena taking the reins.
Not So Fast: Howson has refuted reports that negotiations aren't going well between the two sides. As of late May, he already sent a few contract scenarios for Leclaire and his agent Don Meehan to consider so the offer sheet process likely won't happen. The team also has about 15 regulars locked up for next season at about $22 million, with Rick Nash being the only 'big money' player with a $5.4 million cap hit. Not only will the team have no problem signing Leclaire, but they'll also have room - if the budget allows it - to add a good free agent or two.
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Andrej Meszaros

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Meszaros has been solid on the Senators' blueline for the last three years, with an impressive plus-34 in his rookie campaign and averaging just over 36 points a season. The 23-year-old puts in Top 4 minutes and even logged in 'No. 1' minutes during this past season. That being said, another team could gamble on a giant offer sheet and give GM Bryan Murray a tough time juggling a payroll weighted heavily towards the Big Three of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza.
Not So Fast: With roughly $20 million committed to the Big Three forwards next season, the Senators' saving grace could come if a) soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Wade Redden signs for less money to stay in Ottawa, or b) Redden signs a lucrative deal with another team. Another distinct possibility is trading troubled netminder Ray Emery, but Murray is having problems finding a dance partner. Either way, it's difficult imagining the Sens letting him go. Meszaros is arguably the team's best all-around blueliner.
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Corey Perry

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</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Perry has been a prime time contributor everywhere he's played over the last three years. He won a gold medal with Canada's world juniors and a Memorial Cup with London in 2005, a Stanley Cup with the Ducks last year, and led Anaheim in goals and power play goals this past season despite missing 12 games. You normally can't buy experience like this, but you can this summer.
Not So Fast: Thanks to the CBA's 'tagging' rule, the Ducks have a bit of a cushion for next season's payroll to fit Perry under the assumed $56 million cap. They also gave Scott Niedermayer and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Teemu Selanne an end-of-June deadline on whether or not they'll stick around for another year. If they don't, that opens even more room for Anaheim to lock up their young star. And after what happened with Dustin Penner last season, do you want to be written into Brian Burke's bad book?
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Joni Pitkanen

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=paragraph vAlign=top align=left>

</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Drop the speculation of a two-on-one revenge match with Darcy Regier and Brian Burke taking on Kevin Lowe. Pitkanen didn't exactly have a banner year in 2007-08, missing 19 games with injuries and scoring a career-low 26 points. Budding blueliner Tom Gilbert recently signed a six-year, $24 million deal, and the Finnish defenceman won't be getting that kind of money from the Oilers. If another team is willing to give Pitkanen a big offer and bank on the chance that the 24-year-old will blossom, Lowe might just settle for a draft pick and use the cap room to focus on Marty Reasoner, Jarret Stoll and Curtis Glencross.
Not So Fast: The Oilers still have the option of qualifying Pitkanen for $2.4 million to retain his rights, and reports indicate that they're going to do just that. But Pitkanen is still young, full of potential and has plenty of time to develop. If an offer sheet-scenario comes up, the Oilers could end up matching it if the price is right. If Gilbert pulls in $24 million for six years, it could be tough for a rival GM to offer Pitkanen anything close to that.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Shea Weber

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=paragraph vAlign=top align=left>

</TD><TD><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>Why you would want to hand him an offer sheet: Weber could be a blueline gem in the offer sheet game. He's a huge 6-foot-3, 200-plus pounder who has a powerful shot, thundering hits and a dominating presence at both ends of the rink. Some have even compared him to Calgary's franchise defenceman Dion Phaneuf, opening up speculation that a team would be tempted to sign him to Phaneuf-type money. "I think Shea is just as good," teammate and soon-to-be RFA Ryan Suter told NHL.com in March. And if a general manager follows Suter's up-close scouting report, Weber will be making his mark at the bank this summer.
Not So Fast: With ownership issues and a need to shave salary, GM David Poile dropped free agents Paul Kariya, Tomas Vokoun and Peter Forsberg last summer and traded soon-to-be UFAs Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. It was a tough pill to swallow for hockey in Nashville, but the team persevered with a younger core of players and managed to make the postseason for the fourth year in a row. Weber was a huge part of that run, and Poile has every intent to get him locked up before July 1. He already signed Martin Erat, J.P. Dumont and David Legwand to multi-year deals and there's no indication that signing Weber is an issue.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Santacapper]

The following is TSN.ca's 23-man roster made up of the most intriguing players eligible this summer for unrestricted free agency. The market opens Tuesday, July 1 at Noon et/9am pt.
Forwards (12)

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">MARIAN HOSSA
2007-08 Team: Thrashers/Penguins
2007-08 Salary: $7 million
The Stats: 72 GP, 29 G, 66 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After shaking his reputation as a bad playoff performer and helping lead the Penguins to the Cup final, Hossa will be commanding a huge pay raise.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">MATS SUNDIN
2007-08 Team: Maple Leafs
2007-08 Salary: $5.5 million
The Stats: 74 GP, 32 G, 78 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Sundin's future depends on where the Maple Leafs are headed and whether they'll bump up his salary from the $5.5 million he earned last season.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">JAROMIR JAGR
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $8.36 million
The Stats: 82 GP, 25 G, 71 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Jagr has hinted at everything from retirement to playing in Russia, but a return to the NHL for another year will likely be with the Rangers.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">KRISTIAN HUSELIUS
2007-08 Team: Flames
2007-08 Salary: $1.4 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 41 A, 66 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: With a lot of free agents to sign and limited cap space, Huselius could be the odd man out in Calgary. Teams would love him for secondary scoring.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">DAYMOND LANGKOW
2007-08 Team: Flames
2007-08 Salary: $2.442 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 30 G, 65 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Langkow has been a model of consistency and solid two-way play for the last two seasons. That being said, he's the top offseason priority in Calgary.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">SEAN AVERY
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $1.9 million
The Stats: 57 GP, 33 PTS, 154 PIM
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Not only is the league's premier agitator, but he's also a great skater and a solid clutch scorer. He's a one-of-a-kind player in this year's market.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">RYAN MALONE
2007-08 Team: Penguins
2007-08 Salary: $1.45 million
The Stats: 77 GP, 27 G, 6 GWG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: A subject of trade rumours for a few seasons now, the ever-improving power forward elevated his stock significantly with Pittsburgh's Cup run.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">VACLAV PROSPAL
2007-08 Team: Lightning/Flyers
2007-08 Salary: $1.9 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 33 G, 71 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Prospal was one of the few bright spots with the Lightning this past season, and his consistency played a big part in Philly's playoff success.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">MARKUS NASLUND
2007-08 Team: Canucks
2007-08 Salary: $6 million
The Stats: 82 GP, 30 A, 55 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Naslund is clearly in the back-end of his career, but can still provide some offensive boost for less than the $6 million he earned this past season.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">BRIAN ROLSTON
2007-08 Team: Wild
2007-08 Salary: $2.432 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 59 PTS, 8 GWG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Rolston has been the heart-and-soul of the Wild for three seasons, and the team is working hard to try to re-sign their on-ice leader.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">PAVOL DEMITRA
2007-08 Team: Wild
2007-08 Salary: $4.5 million
The Stats: 68 GP, 39 A, 54 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The sturggling Demitra was initially brought in to St. Paul as support for Marian Gaborik. If he goes, will Gaborik follow a year from now via free agency?
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">RADIM VRBATA
2007-08 Team: Coyotes
2007-08 Salary: $1.225 million
The Stats: 76 GP, 27 G, 56 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After a career year in Phoenix, Vrbata can stay and grow with a young and exciting team, or go for a big pay day and play somewhere else.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Defence (6)

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">BRIAN CAMPBELL
2007-08 Team: Sabres/Sharks
2007-08 Salary: $1.75 million
The Stats: 83 GP, 62 PTS, 33 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Campbell's fluid skating, smart defensive game and power play expertise make him the top commodity on the blueline this summer.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">WADE REDDEN
2007-08 Team: Senators
2007-08 Salary: $6.5 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 38 PTS, +11
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The chances of Redden returning at an affordable price are slim - especially with the Big Three locked up and Meszaros and Vermette left to sign.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">MARK STREIT
2007-08 Team: Canadiens
2007-08 Salary: $600,000
The Stats: 81 GP, 62 PTS, 34 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: He was a big reason why the Habs didn't miss Sheldon Souray on the power play, with lots of minutes logged on defence and at forward.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">JOHN-MICHAEL LILES
2007-08 Team: Avalanche
2007-08 Salary: $1.4 million
The Stats: 81 GP, 32 PTS, 20 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Liles hasn't put up very big numbers, but has great value for his solid puck movement and playing 'Top 4' minutes in every game.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">MICHAL ROZSIVAL
2007-08 Team: Rangers
2007-08 Salary: $2.3 million
The Stats: 80 GP, 38 PTS, 2 SHG
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: With 18 power play points, Rozsival was the best of a Broadway defence corps that didn't provide a whole lot of offence from the point.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">RON HAINSEY
2007-08 Team: Blue Jackets
2007-08 Salary: $900,000
The Stats: 78 GP, 32 PTS, 23 PPP
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: A former Montreal cast-off, Hainsey was a top defenceman who played more than 22 minutes a game for an underachieving Blue Jackets lineup.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Goaltenders (2)

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">CRISTOBAL HUET
2007-08 Team: Canadiens/Capitals
2007-08 Salary: $2.75 million
The Stats: 52 GP, 32 W, .920 SV%
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: After arriving from the Habs, the French netminder shone brightly for the Caps going 11-2 with a 1.63 GAA and .936 save percentage.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">JOSE THEODORE
2007-08 Team: Avalanche
2007-08 Salary: $6 million
The Stats: 53 GP, 28 W, 2.44 GAA
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Theodore showed shades of his glory days with Montreal, but it won't translate into anything close to the $16 million deal he got three years ago.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Spares (3)

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">MICHAEL RYDER
2007-08 Team: Canadiens
2007-08 Salary: $2.95 million
The Stats: 70 GP, 14 G, 31 PTS
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Teams lining up for the Newfoundland native are betting he'll return to his 30-goal form from two seasons ago. The Habs won't likely be one of them.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold borderRight">BRAD STUART
2007-08 Team: Red Wings
2007-08 Salary: $3.5 million
The Stats: 72 GP, 23 PTS, -10
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: The Wings can't afford Stuart at $3.5 million for next season, but he has certainly made a case for staying with his impressive playoff outing.
</TD><TD class="alignLeft unBold">DAN ELLIS
2007-08 Team: Predators
2007-08 Salary: $500,000
The Stats: 44 GP, 23 W, .924 SV%
Signs With:
New Contract:
Lowdown: Chris Mason won Nashville's No. 1 job from Tomas Vokoun last year, and it was Ellis' turn this past season with a 2.34 GAA in just 44 games.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Santacapper]

Sources tell TSN that Detroit Red Wings goaltender Dominik Hasek is expected to announce his retirement on Monday.
The Red Wings have called a news conference at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for 11am et/8am pt.
Hasek leaves the NHL as one of the most important goaltenders the game has ever seen. From 1993 to 2001, The Dominator won six Vezina Trophies and became the first goalie to win consecutive Hart Trophies.
He followed up his domination in the late 1990's by becoming the first European starting goaltender to win a Stanley Cup in 2002, setting a record with six shutouts in the playoffs.
This season, Hasek won 27 games with a goals-against-average of 2.14 this season, appearing in 41 games while he shared duties with Chris Osgood. In the playoffs, he appeared in just four games against the Nashville Predators in the first round en route to winning his second Stanley Cup.
Hasek began his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990-91, appearing in five games. In 1992-93, he moved on to Buffalo where he enjoyed his greatest individual success.
But it wasn't until he joined the Red Wings for the 2001-02 season that he won the ultimate team prize, the Stanley Cup.
After the work stoppage in 2004-05, Hasek signed with the Ottawa Senators for the 2005-06 campaign, winning 28 games and losing just 10. But last year, he returned to the Red Wings for what would turn out to be his final stop on a 16-year journey.
His unconventional and unorthodox style of flopping around his crease and sprawling on his back to make a save changed the way goalies play their position and earned him a spot among hockey's all time greats.


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[Joe Public]

Ron Wilson?

Really?

 

[Santacapper]

Joe, dont get me started.. but I did get started here

http://www.cappingthegame.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58349

 

[Santacapper]

Trevor Linden will announce his retirement at a news conference in Vancouver on Wednesday.
Linden hangs up his skates after 18 seasons in the NHL, mostly with the Vancouver Canucks, where he was a fan favourite.
In 1,382 NHL games, the Medicine Hat native scored 375 goals and added 492 assists for 867 points. Linden was a two-time All-Star who also represented Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
After winning back-to-back Memorial Cups with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL, Linden was selected second overall (behind Mike Modano) by the Canucks in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and was promptly named to the All-Rookie team that season. He became the captain of the Canucks at the age of 21.
In 1994, Linden led his team to the Stanley Cup Final, losing in Game Seven to Mark Messier and the New York Rangers.
But it was a sad day in Vancouver on February 6, 1998 when Linden was traded to the New York Islanders. As a testament to his abilities, the Canucks acquired Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan McCabe and a third round pick in return.
After struggling on Long Island, Linden was dealt again the following summer to the Montreal Canadiens for a first round pick. In 107 games over two seasons, Linden scored 25 goals and added 38 assists for 63 points.
After a brief stint with the Washington Capitals, Linden returned to a hero's welcome in Vancouver. Linden spent his final six campaigns with the Canucks.
In 59 games last season, Linden amassed seven goals and five assists in a limited role.
Linden also played a major role in changing the face of hockey off the ice, serving as president of the National Hockey League Players' Association leading up to the work stoppage following the 2003-4 season. When played resumed, many rule changes were introduced to make the game more fan-friendly and a salary cap was instituted.

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[Santacapper]

Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to encourage Mats Sundin to decide his playing future before July 1.
In the past 24 hours the Montreal Canadiens were granted persmission by the Maple Leafs to speak to Sundin's agent J.P. Barry about the possibility of the 37-year-old centre signing in Montreal.
"We gave Montreal permission," Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher flatly told TSN. "Nothing else to say."
The Leafs would have to trade Sundin's negotiating rights to the Canadiens to facilitate an early signing.
It's too early to say whether or not the two Canadian teams will make that move, as the Canadiens' reluctance to give up any assets for the privilege to get to the Leafs' captain may be based on his willingness to speed up his decision making.
At this point, Sundin remains uncertain as to whether he or not he will play at all, so the Canadiens' attempt to get a head-start may turn out to be a fruitless exercise.
The Canadiens believed they were close to a deal to acquire Sundin at the trade deadline, but Sundin refused to waive his no-trade to accomodate that deal, or the potential for any other.

 

[catfood]

Cant say I'm thrilled about the type of players the habs continue to seek. And its rather ironic -considering the braintrust (Gainey, Carbonneau, Muller and Jarvis) that they don't mold the team in their image.

 

[Santacapper]

It's beginning to look more and more like Mats Sundin is going to unrestricted free agency on July 1.
The Montreal Canadiens currently own Sundin's exclusive negotiating rights until July 1 and Canadiens' GM Bob Gainey is prepared to go to Sweden to talk to Sundin directly, but so far the Toronto Maple Leaf captain has not agreed to any face-to-face sessions or encouraged Gainey to make the trip.
Could that change? Yes, perhaps, but sources close to Sundin say the big Swede has waited this long to become an unrestricted free agent that he appears inclined to wait another week and explore all options available to him.
There has been much confusion over who has been permitted to speak and/or negotiate with Sundin and when that happened.
Sources tell TSN the timeline is as follows:
- The Maple Leafs met with Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry to indicate the club has interest in bringing Sundin back to Toronto. While no formal contract offer was made, Leafs' GM Cliff Fletcher conveyed to Sundin that the team was prepared to pay him around $7 million on a one-year deal and that they wanted him back.
- The Maple Leafs contacted Sundin's representatives last week to indicate that they were contemplating the transferring of Sundin's exclusive negotiating rights to the Montreal Canadiens.
- Sundin's representatives sought clarification on whether they would be limited to speak only to Montreal and were told that was indeed the case.
- Sundin's representatives asked the Leafs for permission to talk to the New York Rangers before any negotiating rights changed hands and were granted that permission.
- Sundin's representatives spoke to the Rangers to find out if they would be interested in acquiring Sundin's exclusive negotiating rights but were told that was not something the club intended to do. No substantive talks with the Rangers were conducted after that.
- Sundin's exclusive negotiating rights were then transferred to the Canadiens last week, which brings us to where we are at today.
Gainey would dearly love the opportunity to meet with Sundin, but the player is currently deciding whether he wants to play next season in the NHL or retire.
Those who know Sundin find it hard to believe he'll actually retire, but this is an exercise he goes through each and every off-season.
While Sundin could conceivably give Gainey the green light to travel to Sweden, at this particular point in time, the sense is Sundin will exercise his right to go to unrestricted free agency on July 1.
Clearly, the Sundin camp has interest in what the New York Rangers may be prepared to offer on July 1, just as they have interest in what Montreal may be prepared to do and while it may seem a longshot, the door has not been entirely closed on a return to the Maple Leafs.
Anything and everything is still a possibility.
Stay tuned.

 

[Santacapper]

Forward Gary Roberts intends to continue his NHL career next season, but it doesn't look like he'll do so in Pittsburgh.
According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Roberts' agent Rick Curran said his client would decide his future when he reaches unrestricted free agency on July 1.
"He very much enjoyed his time there," Curran told the Post-Gazette. "But he understands that Ray [Shero, the Penguins' general manager] has a number of items on his agenda that would take priority."
Roberts was paid $2.5 million last season and the Penguins have a bunch of players including Evgeni Malkin that they would like to lock up long term, meaning that type of money would not likely be available to Roberts again.
Roberts only played in 38 games last and recorded three goals and 12 assists. He missed most of his games because of a broken leg and an ankle sprain. He wants to show that he can stay healthy next season according to Curran.
"He had a real good experience there, and he's glad that he came," Curran told the Post-Gazette. "But he's going to look for opportunities somewhere else."
The Penguins, who advanced to the Stanley Cup final last season acquired the 42-year old Roberts from the Florida Panthers in 2007 for defenceman Noah Welch.

 

[Santacapper]

Joe Sakic's decision to return for a 20th NHL season doesn't look like it will be made before the free agency period begins.
The Denver Post quotes Avalanche vice president Jean Martineau saying that Sakic "definitely will not decide by July 1."
Not knowing what Sakic's intentions are before the free agency period could affect how the team targets players, as they are likely going to keep money available for their captain should he return in 2008-09.
Sakic made $6.75 million last season and is one of many of the club's potential unrestricted free agents - a list that includes Peter Forsberg, Adam Foote, Jose Theodore, Andrew Brunette and John-Michael Liles.
Despite the potential headaches, the Avalanche are standing behind their captain.
"Joe has earned the right to take his time on this," Martineau told the Denver Post.


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Joe Sakic (Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)


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[Santacapper]

Sources tell TSN the Philadelphia Flyers and forward Jeff Carter have officially agreed to terms on a three-year, $15 million contract extension.
Carter, 23, was set to become a restricted free agent next Tuesday.
Carter appeared in all 82 of of the Flyers' regular season games last season, tallying 29 goals and 53 points. In 17 playoff games, the London, Ontario native had six goals and five assists and helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference final.
Taken 11th overall by the Flyers in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Carter has 66 goals and 132 points in 225 career NHL games.

 

[Santacapper]

The Anaheim Ducks are parting ways with Todd Bertuzzi, as the club has placed the veteran winger on waivers with the intention to buy out the remaining season of his contract with the organization.
Bertuzzi was reunited with Ducks general manager Brian Burke last summer after signing a two-year, $8-million deal. If unclaimed, the team will pay two-thirds of his remaining deal and he will become an unrestricted free agent.
"Todd Bertuzzi is a quality person who we believe can still play at the NHL level," said Burke in a statement. "Unfortunately, we are handcuffed by our salary cap situation. We thank him for his efforts last year and wish him the best of luck in the future."
Bertuzzi, 33, played in 68 regular season games this past season, scoring 14 goals and 40 points. In 793 career NHL games, the former Vancouver Canuck has 240 goals and 580 points.

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[Santacapper]

The Edmonton Oilers have created some financial flexibility by dealing hard-hitting left winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 21-year-old centre Gilbert Brule.
Torres, 26, is a stocky winger who relishes the physical side of the game, but missed the last 49 games of the 2007-2008 season with a knee injury, leaving him with just 11 points in 32 games, the third straight season in which his point totals dipped after he hit a career-high 46 points in 67 games with the Oilers in 2004-2005.
Brule has managed 32 points in 146 career games with Columbus, getting a trip to the AHL this season (where he scored 10 points in 16 regular season games and five points in 13 playoff games) in an effort to regain the confidence that he had displayed in junior, when he was drafted sixth overall by the blue Jackets in 2005.
Torres has two years and $5.15-million remaining on his current contract, while Brule will earn $765,000 next season before he's a restricted free agent.

 

[Santacapper]

BREAKING NEWS:
Sources tell TSN the Detroit Red Wings and veteran defenceman Brad Stuart have agreed to terms on a 4 year contract that averages $3.75 million per year. Details to follow.

 

[Santacapper]

The Oilers have traded hard-hitting left winger Raffi Torres to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for 21-year-old centre Gilbert Brule, and sent defenceman Joni Pitkanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Erik Cole

 

[Santacapper]

BREAKING NEWS:
Lightning sign forward Radim Vrbata to a $9-million, three-year contract, making him the first UFA to switch teams. Details to follow.

 

[Santacapper]

BREAKING NEWS:
Nashville trades defenceman Marek Zidlicky to Minnesota for prospect Ryan Jones from Miami of Ohio and a second round pick. Details to follow.

 

[Santacapper]

jeebus... 10 mill... wonder who has that space... maybe Columbus?

The threat of retirement is not standing in the way of NHL teams taking a hard run at free agent forward Mats Sundin.
Sources tell TSN as many as four teams have tablde offers for the 37 year old, including one undisclosed team that has offered a whopping $10 million per year on a multi-year contract.
Sundin, who remains in Sweden is said to considering all of his options, but has yet to decided whether or not he play next season.

 

[Greencastle]

Torres would have been a good fit for the Leafs.

 

[tigercub]

yah santa i seen that too. would he really want to go to columbus tho? perhaps montreal's trying to put the deal to an end now haha. i honestly think he would be worth it for 10 mil per for maybe two years in montreal. he'd be that last piece they need to win the cup i think.

 

[Santacapper]

Green, agree Torres would have been nice.. good age.

Tiger - absolutely, I could see the price tag if you truly believed he was that last piece to the puzzle. It's good to see the new CBA is working, lol. INterested to see who tabled that offer.

 

[Santacapper]

yikes... being reported the 10 mill team is the Canucks, making a play to get involved... makes sense from their viewpoint lacking any scoring whatsoever and what Sundin did with the supporting cast on the Leafs

 

[catfood]

We now know its Vancouver...Sundin and a 4th defenseman and the cup is Montreals I think. Habs dont need help putting pucks in the net, habs were the top offense last year, its keeping it out of the net especially 5on5.

 

[Santacapper]

Huet pushed out again

The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Jose Theodore to a two-year contract.
Theodore, 31, became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after playing out a three-year, $16 million contract. The former Montreal Canadien came off a solid 2007-08 campaign, posting a 28-21-3 record and a 2.44 goals against average.
The Avalanche acquired Theodore in 2006, hoping to re-vitalize his career after a few struggling campaigns in Montreal. In 2001-2002, he won the Vezina and Hart Trophies as the league MVP with a 2.11 goals against average and .931 save percentage. He followed that up with a disastrous 2002-2003 season, during which his goals against shot up to 2.90 and his save percentage dropped to .908 as the Habs missed the postseason.

 

[tigercub]

2:49pm ET - According to a source, talks between the Penguins and Jagr are in the "very early stages." Also hearing deal for Malkin has been agreed upon, just a matter of getting Malkin to sign it.
2:46pm ET - Sportsnet's reporting the Penguins have offered Jaromir Jagr a contract

 

[catfood]

Im stunned Washington has done this...Their first bad move in a long time. Theodore is finished and is far from worth that kind of money.

 

[Santacapper]

2:49pm ET - According to a source, talks between the Penguins and Jagr are in the "very early stages." Also hearing deal for Malkin has been agreed upon, just a matter of getting Malkin to sign it.
2:46pm ET - Sportsnet's reporting the Penguins have offered Jaromir Jagr a contract

wow talk about out of nowhere

 

[tigercub]

i dont understand washington. i'd much rather huet over theodore.

 

[Mags]

wow talk about out of nowhere

Tell me about it, Jagr HATED living in Pittsburgh, he once said "I feel like I'm dying alone" living in this city. opcorn:

 

[nakina584]

<TABLE><TBODY><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>3:03PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Colorado signs UFA G Andrew Raycroft to a 1 year deal (undisclosed</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[catfood]

Ottawa will try for Huet.

 

[Mags]

not sure if you guys saw this one...

2:46 TSN is reporting the Vancouver Canucks have offered Mats Sundin a two year - 20 million offer.

 

[Santacapper]

lol hard to downgrade from Theodore, but Colorado managed to do it

 

[Santacapper]

updated

<TABLE><TBODY><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>3:03PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Colorado signs UFA G Andrew Raycroft to a 1 year deal (undisclosed)</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>2:53PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Washington signs UFA G Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>2:50PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Phoenix signs UFA D Kurt Sauer to a 4 year deal worth an average of $1.75-million a year</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>2:02PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign UFA D Mark Eaton to a 2 year deal worth $2-million</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>1:58PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Minnesota Wild sign UFA forward Andrew Brunette to 3 year deal worth $7-million.</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>1:33PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Vancouver signs RFA forward Kyle Wellwood to a 1 year deal worth $997,500.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>12:55PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Boston signs UFA forward Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract.</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>12:52PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Lightning sign UFA forward Radim Vrbata to a $9-million, three-year contract.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>12:04PM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Anaheim re-sign forward Corey Perry to a five-year deal worth $26.625-million which will average $5.325-million a year.</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>11:58AM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Pittsburgh Penguins sign forward Pascal Dupuis to a three-year deal which will average $1.4-million per year.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>11:58AM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Detroit Red Wings and veteran defenseman Brad Stuart have agreed to terms on a 4 year contract that averages 3.75 per year.</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>11:35AM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">New Jersey re-signs forwards Jay Pandolfo (3 years, $7.5-million) David Calrkson (undisclosed) and Barry Tallackson (undisclosed). Declines option on forward Sergei Brylin.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2><TH class=statDate>10:21AM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">New Jersey agrees to terms with defenceman Bryce Salvador to a four-year deal worth $11.6 million (average of $2.9 million per season).</TD></TR><TR class=bg1><TH class=statDate>8:45AM</TH><TD class="alignLeft statText">Washington re-signs defenceman Mike Green to a four-year deal worth $21 million (average of $5.25 million per season).</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[nakina584]

Detroit signed Ty Conklin for $750,000 who played well for the Pens last year..........

 

[catfood]

Its funny, Huet took Theodore's job in Montreal and now Theodore takes Huet's job in Washington. Still scratching my head over those 2 moves...

 

[catfood]

A. Kostitsyn is now signed for the habs.

 

[Santacapper]

the more things change...
Toronto Maple Leaf fans can expect at least one familiar face next season. Sources are telling Sportsnet that goaltender Curtis Joseph has agreed to a one-year deal with his former club.

 

[Mags]

3:08 Sources tell TIOPS the New York Rangers have offered Brooks Orpik a 6yr - 25 million offer. Orpik has two other offers that will pay him 4.25 million

 

[Mags]

3:23 There is speculation that the Tampa Bay Lightning have signed Adam Hall. waiting for confirmation.

3:20 Andy Strickland of HockeyBuzz who is very reliable is reporting Darcy Tucker signing is immenent. I've been hearing it may be New Jersey. Pittsburgh did inquire about him. Stay tuned

 

[Santacapper]

I couldnt see Tucker fittin in with Jersey and their dont take penalties attitude... can see Pitt

Still laughing at Cujo

 

[Santacapper]

TB sure is making a big splash... gotta have something solid in the pipes though IMO anyways

 

[Santacapper]

BREAKING NEWS:
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Jeff Finger to a four-year deal worth $3.5 million a season, and goaltender Curtis Joseph to a one-year, $700,000 contract. Details to follow.

 

[Santacapper]

unfreaking believable... 3.5 mill for a guy who didnt get into the league until he was 27

 

[tigercub]

i dont wanna get too excited, but weei in boston has been saying the b's are "set to offer" hossa 12 yrs-100 mil. wasnt this a rumor from last night? correct me if im wrong.

also hearing morrison to the jackets is close....

 

[nakina584]

I agree santacapper, I had to google him just to figure out who he was......then I sat here wondering what I'm missing see the dollar figures......

 

[Santacapper]

I agree santacapper, I had to google him just to figure out who he was......then I sat here wondering what I'm missing see the dollar figures......

3.5 mill for 97 games or something like that...

heard of him, very stay at home type guy... way overpaid of course, not even close to market value IMO... of course he'd jump at it.

i dont wanna get too excited, but weei in boston has been saying the b's are "set to offer" hossa 12 yrs-100 mil. wasnt this a rumor from last night? correct me if im wrong.

also hearing morrison to the jackets is close....

yeah, i had heard that last night. Talk about throwing their hat in the ring... interesting turn (see all other salary dumps in Boston)... maybe the Celts / Pats / Sox are showing something

 

[tigercub]

Huet to chicago....