Monthly Archives: September 2006

Devils Come to Terms with Hale. Madden or Brylin Could be Odd Man Out.

The NY Post reports the Devils have an agreement in tact to retain David Hale. They have come to terms but has not actually signed yet due to cap restricitons

Tidbits about the cap, straight from the CBA.

The upper limit cap for the 2006/2007 is $44 million, but a team is actually able to carry players against the cap and go over this amount. Having done a bit of research on the cap in the actual CBA (trying to get a better understanding of New Jersey’s situation), I wanted to share some things that are not necessarily common knowledge among hockey fans.

Lehtonen Re-signs with Thrashers

The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed goalie Kari Lehtonen. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Official press release:

Markov May Take Off

Andrei Markov is in the last year of his contract and is scheduled to become an UFA at season’s end. This is a tricky situation for Bob Gainey and the Canadiens. What should they do?

Devils Bring in Dunham and LaCouture

The NY Post is confirming that the Devils training camp will consist of backup goaltending competition between Mike Dunham and Scott Clemenson..

It is also believed that they have either invited or signed former Ranger tough guy Dan LaCouture.

As soon as Lou waives his magic wand and sheds his cap figure he will likely sign his tryout players.

Clarke reveals details.

Sportsnet.ca is reporting Gagne is greedy.

Philadephia Flyers GM Bob Clarke has divulged that Simon Gagne’s agent, Bob Sauve, had turned down two offers for $5 million a year.

Habs talking to Jason Wooley

The Habs are talking with Jason Woolley’s agent according to Montreal’s La Presse newspaper. He would help carry the load while Bouillon is out and would an assurance policy against injuries.

When Woolley’s agent was asked about discussions with the Canadiens, he said he would not comment but to call him back tomorrow as he might have something to say…

What Does Gainey do ???

After hearing Saku Koivu talk at yesterday’s golf tournament, Habs fans should have reason to be worried. As much as the Habs brass show’s confidence that Koivu will be fine, inside they are shaking in their boots. What does Gainey do. Does he go into camp and see if any rookie is ready to make the jump ? Does he see if Kovalev or Higgins can play in the middle this year ? Does he look to make a deal ? Does he put his confidence in Bonk to play on one of the top 2 lines ?

Best Under $1 Million

In this day of multi-million dollar NHL contracts and players being singed to outrageous deals they will never be able to earn (see: Pavol Kubina), there are still a number of rising talented players who command less than $1,000,000 per season. Of course, most of these guys are rookies or are in their second year, but I feel I should still commend them.

Bryzgalov signs two-year contract with Ducks

Ilya Bryzgalov, who led the NHL in goals-against average, save percentage and shutouts during the playoffs last spring, signed a two-year contract to remain with the Anaheim Ducks

Sudin Short Leash

It is past time to put Sundin on a short leash either he does something for us or we trade him while he has some minimal value.

For all you Sundin lovers what has he really done for us. This supposed superstar is not even averiging a point a game as a Leaf, the only time he has had over 100 points was playing with sacik thank you sacik for making him look better than he is.Sundin is only as good as the players around him.

Is Toronto as Deep as we think?

After reading and partaking-in many discussions, I decided to look up some of the leafs prospects.

Asking myself, are the leafs really as deep as we, in Toronto, think? Or do we suffer from the normal delussions of the local fans believing their talent is the best?

We certainly can’t say that about our team at the NHL level.

Taylor captain, Not Vinny? Or Richards?

“Twelve-year NHL veteran Tim Taylor has been named the eighth captain in Tampa Bay Lightning history, it was announced by Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster. Additionally, the Lightning’s assistant captains will be Vincent Lecavalier and Brad Richards, Feaster announced. Lecavalier had served as an assistant captain the past three seasons, and Taylor wore the “A” the second half of last season following the departure of previous captain Dave Andreychuk.”