Tampa Bay Sign Stamkos

Posted by admin on 30th, 2008

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It comes as no surprise to hockey fans the world over, but Steve Stamkos has a date with the NHL, and today he got it confirmed by way of a three-year entry level contract worth $2.625 million, and up to $11.1 million in incentives.

“I think sticking in the NHL is obviously the biggest goal of mine right now. It’s one thing to go to training camp and get a sniff at the NHL, but it’s one thing to stay for the full season,” Stamkos said during a conference call from Victoria, British Columbia, where the Lightning are holding a prospect camp.
- Yahoo! Sports

Stamkos is rumored to be starting as the Lightning’s 2nd line center, where he could be the setup guy for a number of wingers, including Jussi Jokinen, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi or Gary Roberts.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Technorati Tags: steven stamkos, tampa bay lightning, nhl, ice hockey

Tags: Center, contract, draft pick, entry draft, entry level, Gary Roberts, goal, hockey, ice hockey, jussi jokinen, NHL, Ryan Malone, steve stamkos, steven, tampa bay lightning, training camp, wingers, yahoo, yahoo sports

NHL Draft Day Trades

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Posted by admin on 21st, 2008

NHL Draft day is always quite busy with regards to trades, and today didn’t disappoint. Not surprisingly, the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Steve Stamkos as their first draft pick, but it’s possible that was overshadowed by the Florida Panthers trading Olli Jokinen to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Nick Boynton (D), Keith Ballard (D) and a 2nd round draft pick (49th overall).

Philadelphia Flyers have traded R.J. Umberger (and their 4th round pick) to the Columbus Blue Jackets for their first round (19th overall) and 3rd round (67th overall).

Calgary has acqured Mike Cammalleri from the L.A. Kings in a 3-way deal that also saw Alex Tanguay going to the Montreal Canadiens. The Flames gave up their 1st round (17th overall) pick to LA.

The Kings gave their 17th and 28th picks in the 1st round to the Anaheim Ducks for their 12th pick.

Ottawa have placed Ray Emery on waivers, the first step towards a buyout.

The Canadiens have been given the OK from the Maple Leafs to “talk” to Mats Sundin.

Source: NHL - Yahoo! Sports | NHL.com

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Tags: Alex Tanguay, calgary flames, entry draft, florida panthers, keith ballard, Mats Sundin, mike cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens, NHL, NICK BOYNTON, olli jokinen, ottawa senators, phoenix coyotes, ray emery, steve stamkos, toronto maple leafs

NHL Trade & Free Agent Rumours

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Posted by admin on 21st, 2008

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?

Article Sources: NHL - Yahoo! Sports | Slam Canoe | NHL.com

Technorati Tags: ice hockey, nhl, florida panthers, ottawa senators, san jose sharks, carolina hurricanes, pittsburgh penguins, toronto maple leafs

Tags: Brian Campbell, bryan mccabe, carolina hurricanes, Cliff Fletcher, daniel sedin, darcy hordichuk, entry draft, florida panthers, free agency, henrid sedin, hockey, ian pulver, ice hockey, IIHF, jamal mayers, jason spezza, john davidson, kent hughes, los angeles kings, Markus Naslund, mike cammalleri, mike gillis, nashville predators, NHL, olli jokinen, ottawa senators, Patrick Marleau, Pavel Kubina, pittsburgh penguins, ray emery, san jose sharks, sedin twins, st louis blues, steve stamkos, tampa bay lightning, TIM GLEASON, toronto maple leafs, trade, trade rumours, vancouver canucks, vincent lecavalier, vinnie, Wade Redden, world hockey championship

Top NHL Draft Prospects

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Posted by admin on 19th, 2008

With less than 2 days remaining before the NHL entry draft, all eyes are on the top prospects. Today on the 2 Minutes For Hockey Blog, we introduce you to a selection of them.

Skaters:

Steve Stamkos, C, Sarnia Sting. Made a big name for himself in the OHL by scoring 58 goals, 47 assists for 105 points in 61 games for the Sarnia Sting. Standing at 6 foot, he is one of the fastest skaters in the draft and is not afraid to take the body on the way to the net.

Nikita Filatov, LW, CSKA-2 (Russia). Nikita scored 32 goals and 34 assists for 66 points in just 34 games last year. He led team Russia in scoring in the world junior championships. Standing at 6 foot, he is a solid player who has excellent leadership qualities. His favorite NHL player is Sidney Crosby.

Zack Bogosian, D, Peterborough Petes. Scored 11 goals and 50 assists for 61 points last season in the OHL. He stands at 6′2 and excels in his skating ability. He wears #4 in honour of Bobby Orr, his idol.

Kirill Petrov, RW, AK Bars Kazan (Russia). Named top forward at the world junior championships. A solid player standing 6′3 and 198lb, scored 10 points (4G 6A) in 47 games last season.

Drew Doughty, D, Guelph Storm. Named top defenceman at the 2008 world junior championship after winning gold with Canada. Drew put up 13 goals and 50 points in 58 games last season. He plays a very smart style of hockey and is considered “NHL ready” for next season.

Tyler Myers, D, Kelowna Rockets. He is the tallest North American skater in the draft, standing at 6′7. He put up 6 goals and 13 assists in 65 games last year. Tyler is from Houston, TX.

Luke Schenn, D, Kelowna Rockets. Played for Canada in the 2008 Super Series and world Junior Championship. He is a big solid player who likes to play a strong edgy style of hockey. Last season he put up 7 goals and 21 assists in 57 games.

Alex Pietrangelo, D, Niagara Ice Dogs. Alex was 7th in OHL Defenceman scoring last season with 13 goals and 40 assists for 53 points. He is a big player, standing at 6′3 and weighing in at 206lb.

Kyle Beach, C, Everett Silvertips. A very solid aggressive player who put up 222 PIMs last year in 60 games, along with 60 points (27G, 33A). Kyle was the WHL rookie of the year in 2007.

Goalies:

Thomas McCollum, Guelph. Thomas put up a 25-17-6 record in the OHL last year with a 2.50 GAA and .914 Save Percent. In his first game in the OHL he posted a shutout. Plays a solid butterfly style and is a confident puck handler.

Chet Pickard, Tri-City. Posting an outstanding 46-12-4 record with a 2.32 GAA and .918 Save Percent, Chet Pickard is sure to get attention at this years draft. He wears #37 in honour of Olaf Kolzig.

Article Source: NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Technorati Tags: nhl entry draft, ice hockey, nhl, ahl, draft