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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.
The Anaheim Ducks gave all-star defenseman Scott Niedermayer and forward Teemu Selanne a late June deadline to decide if they’re going to return to the team for another season. There is yet to be word from Teemu, but Niedermayer answered the call today, announcing that yes, he would be back to finish his contract next season.
“I guess after a shorter year and shorter playoff run I definitely feel physically and mentally ready to go,” Niedermayer said. “I’m happy to have a decision made and to be moving forward.” - Yahoo! Sports
Niedermayer has been an impact player for the Ducks since joining the team 3 years ago, and hopes to help the team again this coming season.
Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin made the NHL Awards night all about him today, capturing both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award as the players’ choice for the most outstanding player.
The complete list of awards and their winners:
Art Ross Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin
Calder Trophy: Patrick Kane
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl: Detroit Red Wings
Conn Smythe Trophy: Henrik Zetterberg
Frank Selke Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk
Jack Adams Award: Bruce Boudreau
Lady Byng Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk
Lester B. Pearson: Alexander Ovechkin
Masterton Trophy: Jason Blake
Maurice Richard Trophy: Alexander Ovechkin
Norris Trophy: Nick Lidstrom
Prince of Wales Trophy: Pittsburgh Penguins
Vezina Trophy (leagues top netminder): Marin Brodeur
William J Jennings Trophy: Chris Osgood / Dominik Hasek
To be awarded:
Lester Patrick Trophy (outstanding service to hockey)
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.
A month after being fired from the San Jose Sharks, Ron Wilson has a new job, one that to many, could be considered a promotion.
It was announced today that Ron Wilson has been hired as the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I’m the happiest person in the National Hockey League today,” Wilson said. “I’m fulfilling a dream.
“Obviously if you lose your job in the league you often wonder if you’ll get another opportunity,” he said. “The furthest thing from my mind at any point in my hockey career was that I would have an opportunity—ever—to coach a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs with their incredible history.”
- NHL - Yahoo! Sports
When talking about the Maple Leafs as a team, Ron Wilson was quoted as saying;
“I view the Leafs as a team in transition,”. “It’s going to require a lot of work and a lot of attention to detail. - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Ron Wilson, who’s coaching career in the NHL stands at 518-446-127 has coached for the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks before heading to his last post in San Jose.
After 18 seasons in the NHL, 2 MVP awards and 6 Vezina Trophies, “The Dominator” Dominik Hasek has announced his retirement.
“Physically, I’m felling great—as well as ever,” Hasek said Monday as he announced his retirement. “I just don’t feel that I’m ready to compete on the highest level.“I need motivation. Right now, I don’t feel it’s there and I don’t want to disappoint anyone.” - Yahoo! Sports
Hasek was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent his rookie years as backup to Ed Belfour. In his career he spent 2 seasons with Chicago, 9 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, 4 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and a short 1 season stint with the Ottawa Senators.
During his career, Hasek has won:
Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP twice (nominated 5 times)
Lester B. Pearson Award twice (nominated 3 times)
Vezina Trophy 6 times
William M Jennings Trophy 3 times
Stanley Cup in 2002 with the Detroit Red Wings
The 2002 gold medal at the Nagano Olympic Games for the Czech Republic
Hasek has named on:
NHL first All-Star Team 5 times
NHL All-Rookie Team in the ‘91 and ‘92 season
NHL All-Star Game 5 times (although did not play in 2000 due to injury)
In his NHL Career, Hasek played a total of 735 games, totaling 42836 minutes of ice time. He collected 389 wins, 223 losses, 82 ties and 13 overtime losses with 81 shutouts. His career GAA and SV% stand at 2.10 & .922 respectively.
Henrik Zetterberg has been awared the Conn Smythe trophy as the Playoff MVP. There was little doubt after the final horn blew that Zetterberg would be the one to take home the award. His solid 2-way play and never-say-die attitide has made hime one of the best players to play with, and one of the worse players to play against.
Zetterberg was quick to give the honor to the guys he players with.
“It’s special to be on there with so many great players—especially Nick,” - Yahoo! Sports
From the Pittsburgh Penguins,
“He certainly deserved it,” Penguins coach Michel Therrien said. “There’s no doubt he was an important player for that group.”
- Yahoo! Sports
Zetterberg is also the favorite to win the Selke Trophy for the leagues best defensive forward.
Goal 3 for the Red Wings came off an error by M.A. Fleury after he fell back and pushed the puck into his own net. The goal was awarded to Henrik Zetterberg.
Sergei Gonchar made it a one shot game with a minute and change to play, but it wasn’t enough.
We’re down to the wire now. Detroit lead the game 2-1 going into the second break, but the Penguins have momentum after Malkin scored on the powerplay.
Brian Rafalski and Valtteri Filppula both scored for Detroit.
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.
The Anaheim Ducks gave all-star defenseman Scott Niedermayer and forward Teemu Selanne a late June deadline to decide if they’re going to return to the team for another season. There is yet to be word from Teemu, but Niedermayer answered the call today, announcing that yes, he would be back to finish his contract next season.
Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin made the NHL Awards night all about him today, capturing both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award as the players’ choice for the most outstanding player.
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.
A month after being fired from the San Jose Sharks, Ron Wilson has a new job, one that to many, could be considered a promotion.
After 18 seasons in the NHL, 2 MVP awards and 6 Vezina Trophies, “The Dominator” Dominik Hasek has announced his retirement.
Henrik Zetterberg has been awared the Conn Smythe trophy as the Playoff MVP. There was little doubt after the final horn blew that Zetterberg would be the one to take home the award. His solid 2-way play and never-say-die attitide has made hime one of the best players to play with, and one of the worse players to play against.
