Kesler Signs a 6-Year Contract Extension with the Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have looked up Ryan Kesler through the 2015-16 season. The 25-year-old is having a career year with 21 goals and 45 assists in 71 games so far this season.In 391 career games, Kesler has scored 86 goals, added 120 assists for 206 points, with 341 PIMs.

Kesler is a solid 2-way player, who’s offensive game has improved over the past couple seasons. The deal is for 6 years and $30 million, a cap number and yearly salary of $5 million.

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Mats Zuccarello Aasen-Remember This Name

March 19th: Ansar Khan of MLive: Mats Zuccarello-Aasen could be on the Detroit Red Wings radar as a potential free agent acquisition.  MZA’s agent is saying “Detroit is the ‘hottest choice’”, with Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas as other suitors. Mats will look at signing with a team this more offensive minded as it suits his playing style more than a defensive system.

March 7th: There’s a lot of buzz about diminutive Norwegian winger Mats Zuccarello Aasen, and it’s likely he’s headed to the NHL next season. But the question is whether he can be successful at his size — 5-foot-7 and 161 pounds.

One Swedish hockey writer had this to say (via Aftenposten), “Look at stars like Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane, to name a few. New rule interpretations and attitudes in the NHL are a benefit to players like them and Mats.”

He caught a lot of eyes at the Olympics, including that of Red Wings VP Steve Yzerman. He told Swedish TV stations (via Aftenposten), “I can not remember his name, but No. 48 in Norway has been very good in the Olympics.”

Yup, that’s Aasen, so now there’s speculation that the Red Wings might be interested in the winger. We already knew several NHL teams were eying the 22-year-old, including the Chicago Blackhawks.

While searching out stats on the diminutive left winger for this article, I found that Hockey DB.com had stats as usual (great site for stats), and they have him listed at 5′ 7″ and 154 pounds. Most NHL defencemen could curl about that much weight, but the “New NHL” does offer some opportunity for the smaller, highly skilled players.

Nicknamed “The Norwegian Hobbitt Wizard”, he has a great set of hands and creativity that is always required for a small player to gain as much notoriety has he already has.

Here’s a little sample of his play, courtesy of Youtube.com.

His stats for Modo are impressive too, considering the amount of games played he’s better than a point per game average.

We’ll be keeping an eye on Aasen, along with a variety of other European and U.S. College free agents as the season continues. This is where an NHL team, like the Detroit Red Wings, can really set them selves apart with quality scouting.

Players that can contribute in the NHL, without using draft picks to acquire them, are at a premium for teams trying to re-build in todays salary capped NHL.

Look for a tab in our “Features” section in the near future for more articles like this one, as we compile a list of the best eligible players outside of the NHL, and see where they might fit in in the future.

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Leighton out 8-10 … Some Habs Returning Soon … Tkachuk Retiring? Contract Extension for Markov?

  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The Flyers have lost #1 goalie, Michael Leighton for 8-10 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Brian Boucher is now the #1. I wonder if they are wishing they picked up another goalie at the trade deadline day. Then again, it is Philadelphia and they seem to prefer to have average to below average goaltending. It must be painful for Flyers fans that year-after-year they refuse to add a star goaltender, and that each year, goaltending is an issue.
  • Sean Gordon of the Globe and Mail: Though he won’t be ready to go in tomorrow night’s game against the Maple Leafs, Canadiens forward Mike Cammalleri is close to returning. Marc-Andre Bergeron could be back in the lineup tomorrow, and might play forward as coach Martin may not want to break up his defensive pairings. Tomas Plekanec missed his 2nd practice this week yesterday.
  • Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The soon to be 38-year-old Keith Tkachuk may be leaning towards retiring after this season. He hasn’t made a final decision, but after the season, he expects to make the decision quickly. “I know that I can still play, but it’s been a long time … a lot of hard games, a lot of hard years. I’ll talk to my wife and talk to (Blues general manager Larry Pleau) and we’ll make a decision.”
  • Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse: Andre Markov is finishing up his 3rd year of a 4 year deal that pays him an average of $5.75 million, and GM Pierre Gauthier is interested in signing him to a contract extension before he becomes a UFA after next season. Markov could not sign a deal until after July 1, as contract extensions can only be signed in the last year of a contract.

    “Pierre (Gauthier) have advised me during a recent visit to Montreal, he wanted to have discussions about Markov,” said Don Meehan, the agent of the Russian player.

    “He advised me at that time that the deadline of the transaction and the good of the team were his immediate priorities. But once the situation had stabilized and he would have time to relax a little, he would like to see discussed.

    “He is really interested in keeping it within the team.”

  • Andy Strickland St. Louis Blues Blogger: ‘The Monster” of 2010 could be Finnish goalie, Jussi Rynnas. The 6′5″, 23-year-old goaltender has drawn interest from as many as 18 teams. Rynnas may not be a #1 just yet, but could be a 2 or 3 on some teams depth chart.

    Tim Wharnsby of CBC Sports: The Philadelphia Flyers are close to signing Colorado College right winger, Mike Testwuide. Testwuide scored 21 goals in 39 games this season. His shortlist of teams that he narrowed it down to were, the Flyers, Capitals, Rangers and Avalanche.

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    The Headshot Issue Revisited…

    When I posted the original  “Headshot Issue..” article on Monday, November 16th, 2009 I surely didn’t anticipate just how much momentum this “hot topic” would generate.

    I stand by my opinion in that article, that all the rule changes have unforeseen negative effects that inevitably require more rule changes, that there’s always a “buzz word” that carries the most weight when condemning the accused in the time after an incident and before the NHL, notably Colin Cambell, review the play.

    The buzz word this year is “headshot” and now every hit is being fit into that box in one way or another. Everyone from players to coaches to GM’s are using the catch-phrase headshot when sharing their feelings regarding the latest controversial hit, weather the term applies or not seems irrelivent.

    Take a look at the play in the video posted below by Mark earler today, it shows the replay of  Brent Seabrook being CHARGED by James Wisniewski. I’m not sure who the Duck’s comentators are but they actually start discussing weather the hit is going to fall under the umbrella of headshots…. What?

    I’m not privileged to all the criteria for what constitutes a headshot by league standards but surely this doesn’t qualify. To be completely honest, I kind of felt like Seabrook was selling it a little bit. The tell tale sign being when he goes down to the ice, eyes closed in apparent confusion etc, he puts his arm out to soften the landing… An attempt to maximize the penalty, as all players are instructed to do in these kinds of circumstances.

    The point is that no single rule is going to solve all the problems with players being injured and you can’t fit every incident into the same box. The hit by James Wisniewski was clearly intent to injure, and charging, and should be treated as such but it’s a seperate issue from the headshot issue that everyone is talking about. Besides, what footage do you think they’ll be running in the commercials leading up to the next game between the Ducks and Blackhawks? Maybe call it a “rivalry”…

    Hockey is a tough game, players get hit hard. Sometimes players go too far and get disciplined for their actions but when the perception is that the incident is part of the bigger problem players then become guilty of all the incidents preceding the one they actually took part in. It will be interesting to see how the NHL handles the possible suspension.

    update: Wisniewski suspended 8 games.

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    Another Dirty Hit? Contending Teams Might go After Turco for Next Season … Rangers-Isles in 3D

  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Chicago Blackhawks may have lost another defenseman to a dirty hit. Brent Seabrook was run by Ducks defenseman, and former Blackhawk, James Wisniewski. Seabrook did get up and skate to the bench, but he did not return.

    “There are certain hits in a game that are tolerable if you have the puck,” a visibly angry Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “(If) you hit a guy without the puck you can kill a guy. It’s the most dangerous hit in the history of the game. He tried to hurt him. That’s as a bad a hit as you can ever have in the game.”

  • Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The 34-year-old Marty Turco is most likly playing out his days in Dallas, as they will probably go with Kari Lehtonen next season. Turco might get interest from Detroit, San Jose, Chicago, or Washington.
  • Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News: Jonathan Cheechoo and his $3.5 million salary are still in the minors, with the Ottawa Senators expected to buy him out after the season. If the Sens buy him out, he’ll count about $1.165 million against the cap for the next 2 years. He had 5 goals and 9 assists in 61 games for the Senators before being demoted.
  • Richard Sandomir of the NY Times: Next Wednesday’s NY Rangers - NY Islanders game will be televised in 3D on MSG Network.
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus  Dispatch: So a day after finding out they’ll be without defenseman Jan Hejda for the remainder of the season, the Blue Jackets learned yesterday that Rostislav Klesla is doubtful to return this season as well. Klesla has been out since November with a hip injury, but had hope to return this year.
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    Wings to Talk to Lidstrom After the Season … MRI for Leighton Today … Malkin out tonight?

  • Susan Slusser of Fanhouse: Red Wings GM Ken Holland has talked to Jiri Hudler’s agent about a possible return to the team next year, Hudler’s agent told Holland he has an out clause in his Moscow contract. Holland talked to Nicklas Lidstrom back in January, but the 40-year-old defenseman said he wanted to wait until the season was over to decide what he wants to do next year. Other UFA’s for the Red Wings are Tomas Holmstrom, Todd Bertuzzi, Kirk Maltby, Jason Williams, and Andreas Lilja.
  • Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: An MRI will be done on Flyers’ goaltender Michael Leighton today to determine the extent of his ankle injury. Leighton suffered a high ankle sprain in last night’s game versus the Predators.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Evgeni Malkin missed practice yesterday with a sore right foot. He is day-to-day with sore right foot after being hit by a Kris Letang shot. He did travel with the team to New Jersey, and might play tonight.
  • Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: Tomorrow night the Bruins and Penguins meet up for the first time since Matt Cooke put Marc Savard out with a questionable hit. Will there be retribution? Not surprisingly the league will be sending part-time NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell to take in the game.
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    Canadiens and Plekanec Put Contract Talks on Hold

    The Montreal Canadiens and center Tomas Plekanec have put contract extension talks on hold until after the season. The 27-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

    Plekanec is arguably the top forward free agent this year, and is in line to get a big deal. So far this season he has 64 points (20 goals, 44 assists) in 70 games. Last season he struggled, recording only 39 points in 80 games. In 381 career games, Plekanec has recorded 98 goals, with 150 assists for 248 points.

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    Coaches Safe in Atlanta for Now … Getzlaf and Selanne Day-to-Day … Hudler Back with Wings Next Year?

  • Helene Elliott of the LA Times: The Anaheim Ducks were hit with a couple injuries on Sunday, with the MRI’s done yesterday. Ryan Getzlaf has an inflamed left ankle (the same ankle that was hurt before the Olympics), but the MRI showed no additional damage. Teemu Selanne has a slightly sprained shoulder, and will be re-evaluated today. Both are listed as day-to-day.
  • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Vivlamore interviews Thrashers GM, Don Waddell. When asked if there will a be a coaching change (John Anderson) before the end of the season, Waddell said no. The coaching situation will be re-evaluated after the season though. Waddell talked to Pavel Kubina and Colby Armstrong during Olympic break, both are upcoming UFA’s, and he plans to talk to them again in a month or so.
  • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Ken Holland will once again try to convince Jiri Hudler to leave the KHL and come back to the Red Wings. Hudler has a 2 year, $5.75 million arbitration deal from last summer that he is bound too. His KHL deal was for 2 years, and between $3-5 million a season, tax free. With his KHL season done after a 1st round playoff exit, he’s not eligible to play for the Wings this year, but could suit up for them next season.
  • Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune: The Minnesota Wild are expected to sign UMass center, Casey Wellman this morning. The college free agent picked the Wild over 21 other teams. Wellman was 6th in goals this past season, scoring 23 times. He’ll be signing a 2 year deal worth $1.8 million. He’ll be in the lineup this year (ineligible for the playoffs).
  • Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators could be welcoming back Nick Foligno and Chris Campoli to their lineup as soon as tonight against the Maple Leafs. If Foligno is able to go, Jesse Winchester will most likely be out. If Campoli plays, Brian Lee will most likely be the odd man out.
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    Ovechkin Suspended For 2 Games

    “The National Hockey League has suspended Washington Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin for two games for his hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Brian Campbell on Sunday afternoon.

    While the Capitals were not happy with the suspension, vice president and general manager George McPhee chose not to expand on his feelings.

    “We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check. Unfortunately, an injury resulted. We are disappointed with the suspension but do not want to comment further,” McPhee said in a statement Monday.” (Source:TSN)

    This feels like Deja Vu to me, but as I stated in an earlier post when The Washington Capitals’ forward Alexander Ovechkin was suspended two games after his knee-on-knee hit with Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Tim Gleason, this is a trend that is going to continue as long as Ovechkin continues to abuse his “star status”.

    I’ve watched the replay of this hit on Brian Campbell several times and I can’t even understand why Ovechkin delivered the hit in the first place. Campbell had already moved the puck, which is likely why he didn’t anticipate the hit coming a couple seconds after the fact, but in true Ovechkin style, he recklessly pushed Campbell into the boards to “finish his check”.

    Like I said before, I’m a fan of OV’s game but he needs to figure out where the line is, when finishing a check does nothing to impact the play in a positive way for his team.

    Judging by his comments, (his comments are detailed below in Mark’s post, along with video of the hit) he still doesn’t even see what was wrong with the play in the first place… That speaks to bigger problem, to say the least.

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    Ovechkin Hits Campbell from Behind … Weight’s Career Over? Cogliano Would Like to Stay in Edmonton

  • Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune: The Chicago Blackhawks may be without defenseman Brian Campbell for the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone, after being hit from behind by Alex Ovechkin (youtube video below). The Blackhawks probably won’t agree with Ovie’s comments, “It was not a hard hit,” Ovechkin said. “I just pushed him. I respect everybody, but on the ice it can’t be everything. We play for our team and make some hard hits and sometimes you get hurt. It’s a hockey game. He fell bad, and that’s probably why it looks bad.” Ovechkin received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct.
  • Bill Lankhof on Slam Sports: Andrew Cogliano hasn’t had the season he’d hoped for. Cogliano found himself on the 3rd and 4th lines, and subject to many trade rumors leading up to the trade deadline. The 22-year-old would like to stay in Edmonton, but there are no guarantees, as he’s one player the Oilers have that might be back something nice. He has worked his way back to a top 6 forward on the Oilers the past couple weeks.
  • Dan Martin of the NY Post: New York Islanders captain Doug Weight will be out for the remainder of the year after having surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff and labrum. There is some thought that this could be the end of his NHL career. If the injury heals well, he hopes to return next season.
  • John Tranchina of the Denver Post: Both Cody McLeod and Stephane Yelle left yesterday’s Avalanche game with leg injuries. The Avalanche are already without Brandon Yip, David Koci, David Jones and Ruslan Sulei.
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