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Across the NHL there are 15 players going to arbitration this off-season.
Washington Capitals: Brooks Laich & Shaone Morrisonn Minnesota Wild: Pierre-Marc Bouchard & Stephane Veilleux Boston Bruins: Dennis Wideman Carolina Hurricanes: Chad LaRose Colorado Avalanche: Marek Svatos Florida Panthers: Jay Bowmeester New York Islanders: Sean Bergenheim New York Rangers: Dan Fritsche Ottawa Senators: Antoine Vermette St Louis Blues: Jay McClement San Jose Sharks: Marcel Goc Detroit Red Wings: Valtteri Filppula Nashville Predators: Ville Koistinen
Arbitration hearings will take place between July 20 and August 4.
Each year the NHL provides us with video clips that will forever belong in highlight reels and best-of compilations. This year was no different. Possibly the greatest clip this last season however belonged to Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars. Going into the season he trailed Phil Housley in points, and as each game passed he moved closer to the moment that would place Modano in the elite group of “greatest” players. On November 11, 2007 he finally did it, scoring an amazing breakaway goal on Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks. Below is the clip of that goal.
After nearly 20 years in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr has decided to leave the NHL to play for team Avangard Omsk in Russia. The move comes just a day after splitting from the New York Rangers.
In his career in the NHL Jagr has put up phenominal numbers, collecting 646 Goals, 953 Assists for 1599 Points in 1273 Games, better than a point a game over his NHL career, which has seen him play for 3 teams; Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers.
“It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise. … No question about it. I hate making changes,” Jagr told The Canadian Press. - Yahoo! Sports
Other action around the league saw a number of players change homes.
A day after the San Jose Sharks acquired Rob Blake on the blue line, they have acquired another top defenseman in a 4-player trade. The Sharks acquired Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Matt Carle, prospect Ty Wishart, a 2009 first-round pick and a 2010 fourth-round pick. The Sharks also acquired 2nd round Draft picks in 2009 and 2010 from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Craig Rivet and a 2010 7th round pick.
The Vancouver Canucks acquired a replacement forward for Markus Naslund today by acquiring Steve Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft and a 2nd round pick in 2010.
The Pittsburgh Penguins showed their faith in their goalie today by locking up M.A. Fleury to a 7 year, $35 Million dollar deal.
It’s that time of year people, and the rumour mills are running wild. On the eve of the NHL Entry Draft, rumours about trades and free agency are starting to heat up. Here is a brief rundown of a few of the latest.
The Sedin Twins. Although Canucks GM denies it, the rumours are rampant.
Markus Naslund will apparently become a free agent, and will not be re-signed.
Toronto acquired Jamal Mayers from the Blues for a 3rd round pick.
Bryan McCabe is rumoured to be on the block in Toronto. Cliff Fletcher, GM of the Leafs denies all.
Tampa Bay are rumoured to be trying to tie up top line centre, Vinnie Lecavalier to a multi-year deal.
The San Jose Sharks are rumoured to be contemplating shopping the rights to Brian Campbell before the draft.
The LA Kings are rumoured to have put Mike Cammalleri on the block.
The Ottawa Senators are rumoured to be wanting to trade Ray Emery, however there is also talk of a buy-out if a trade can not be found.
Wade Redden will most probably be leaving Ottawa if rumours prove to be true. Senators GM Brian Murray has confirmed he is open to the idea.
Pavel Kubina’s NTC is no longer an issue, so he may change teams before the season starts.
And what of the 2 most popular trade rumours?
Patrick Marleau has been talk of the town for a few years now, so trade rumours about the Sharks shipping him are not unheard of. At over $6 million a year, and declining offensive numbers it may be harder than it appears.
Florida captain Olli Jokinen apparently wants out of Florida, and is rumoured to have made it clear to Panthers management he wants a trade. Olli would be a positive addition to most NHL teams… but which one?
The San Jose Sharks have hired a new head coach. Todd McLellan, formerly an assistant coach with the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings will be formerly announced as the new head coach on Thursday.
“It’s a very good feeling,” McLellan said in a statement released by the team. “From the first moment Doug called to the moment he offered the job, I felt comfortable. I think the Sharks have done a tremendous job. You don’t get that close to 50 wins for a number of years in a row without a lot of talent. It’s a matter of getting over the hump. There are some real parallels between the Wings and the Sharks.” - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
The Sharks hope that McLellan, who has experience with cup winning teams will help take the Sharks all the way.
After a conference low 71 points last season, the Los Angeles Kings have given head coach Marc Crawford his marching orders.
Crawford, who’s record over his 2 seasons with the Kings is a dismal 59-84-21. Last season the Kings tied with Eastern Conference bottom feeders, the Tampa Bay Lightning on points.
“In the end it just comes down to fit,” Lombardi said in a conference call Tuesday afternoon. “It’s just a gut call on fit.” - Yahoo! Sports
In a division that includes strong teams such as the Dallas Stars, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks, the Kings need to do far better to compete.
After nearly 20 years in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr has decided to leave the NHL to play for team Avangard Omsk in Russia. The move comes just a day after splitting from the New York Rangers.
The San Jose Sharks have hired a new head coach. Todd McLellan, formerly an assistant coach with the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings will be formerly announced as the new head coach on Thursday.
After a conference low 71 points last season, the Los Angeles Kings have given head coach Marc Crawford his marching orders.
