Archive for category NHL News

Will it end today? Devils could be punished … Savard’s agent goes off

9:23 am: David Pagnotta via twitter: Rumor that Kovalchuk deal was rejected, but the both sides (NHL and NHLPA) are trying to make it fit. A decision is not expected today.

8:38 am:

  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Murphy was informed that the New Jersey Devils could receive a $1-3 million fine, and loss of 2 1st round draft picks.
  • Scott Burnside of ESPN: The ‘ultimatum’ on the NHLPA from the NHL is “100% off the mark. Absolutely no truth to it” according to a source. The source also added, “It looks like we are close and I can honestly tell you everybody comes out lookin’ good on this one.”
  • James Mirtle via twitter: If the NHL and NHLPA can find common ground, Kovalchuk’s contract will likely be accepted, and would likely be the last of the ‘cap-bending’ contracts.
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: A source told the Sporting News that “It’s possible both sides are going to come out looking good.” (Unfortunately this situation has looked bad for at least the last month). The NHLPA declined to vote on installing Donald Fehr as their executive director on Wednesday night over concerns of his demands (from a Nick Kypreos tweet, Fehr is looking for $7.5 million through 2012).
  • TSN: Marc Savard’s agent, Larry Kelly on the Team 1200 in Ottawa,

    “I’d really like to see a true commissioner style, someone who has the best interest of the game in mind rather than the situation they have now,” Kelly told the TEAM. “Bettman is (like) the president of the league and he clearly is on the owners’ side on every issue. I really think it should be a commissioner. With a commissioner you have somebody who is totally independent and I think it would be a much less acrimonious situation.”

  • James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Larry Kelly also went on to say that if Marc Savard’s contract voided and he became a free agent, he wouldn’t receive a fair offer as many teams are up against the cap and training camp starts in 2 weeks. Kelly also added in the Team 1200 interview that if Savard’s contract was rejected, “You can imagine the lawsuit that would ensue”.

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Kozlov to KHL … 3 NHL caliber goalies in SJ … Fehr wants $7.5 mill through 2012 … More on Staal, Savard and Maltby

  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: Fehr’s price tag for being the NHLPA executive director is $7.5 million through 2012, players start to “hmm and haw”.
  • David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News: The Sharks now have 3 NHL caliber goalies after signing Antti Niemi. Antero Niittymaki (signed this off-season for $2 million a year, 2 years) and Thomas Greiss were expected to battle for the starting position before the Niemi signing. Niittymaki doesn’t feel that concerned, but Greiss was more disappointed, as he’s probably the #3 goalie now. Greiss has talked to GM Doug Wilson about the situation, which might involve a change of scenery.
  • Chris Kuc via twitter: Antti Niemi’s agent said that he had “four or five offers” before he decided to sign with the Sharks.
  • Steve Zipay of Newsday: Speculation, not a rumor. The Bruins could send Marc Savard to the Rangers for possibly Matt Gilroy, Sean Avery and a 2nd round pick.
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM Ken Holland met with Kirk Maltby on Wednesday, and is waiting to hear back from him. Maltby would have to earn a spot on the roster, and it might take an injury or 2 to get a spot.
  • Terry Frei of the Denver Post: RFA Chris Stewart signed a 2 year contract worth $5.75 million, $2.5 million this year, $3.25 million next year. Peter Mueller still remains unsigned by the Avalanche. The Avs currently sit $950,000 below the cap floor.

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Carey Price Re-signs with the Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens Press Release: The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed restricted free agent goaltender Carey Price to a 2 year contract, worth $5.5 million.

Price posted a 13-20-5 record last season, with a 2.77 GAA and .912 SV%.

In 134 career games, Price has a 60-48-18 record,  a 2.73 GAA, .912 SV% and 4 shutout.

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Some longterm contract notes … Savard staying … Ranger not attending Lightning camp

  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The VP of the KHL doesn’t think that Kovalchuk will end up in the KHL, means to much to the NHL, but addedif Kovalchuk decides to come over, he can sign any contract; SKA will pay the luxury tax; it’s democratic and free here”
  • Larry Brooks via twitter: Just to repeat, Chris Pronger’s deal with Ed Snider’s Philadelphia Flyers has been approved. He’ll be 42 in the final season, and will make a combined $1.05 million in the final 2 seasons of his 7 year, $34.45 million deal.
  • Jack Edwards of NESN: Edwards shoots down any rumors that the Bruins are looking to trade Marc Savard. He lists many different reasons as to why he’ll be staying.

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NHL offers ultimatum to NHLPA … Kovalchuk’s, Loungo’s and Hossa’s contract are front and center

  • Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Rather than attempting to summarize the main points, click on the link to read Brooks’ entire article, it’s a must read for all.
    The NHL has given the NHL Players Association an ultimatum regarding not only the contested, front-loaded, long-term contract between the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk, but of similar contracts the league registered last summer between the Blackhawks and Marian Hossa, and between the Canucks and goaltender Roberto Luongo.
  • Tom Gulitti via twitter: The NHL and NHLPA have been talking since the August 9th Bloch ruling about long-term contract and amending the CBA.
  • SpectorsHockey via twitter: With the NHLPA currently lacking direction and fire, the League may be looking to “squeeze what it can from the PA”.
  • Larry Brooks via twitter: On the possible ‘de-registering’ of Roberto Luongo’s contract, the Canucks would have no say or appeal, the NHLPA would have to file the grievance.
  • Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The Blackhawks would be extremely upset if Marian Hossa’s contract is voided considering all the moves they had to make to get under the cap.
  • SpectorsHockey via twitter: The contracts of Chris Pronger and Marc Savard apparently won’t be voided. Richardson wonders if the weight the teams’ owners carry with the League has anything to do with it. Jeremy Jacobs is the president of the NHL Board of Governors. The Flyers Ed Snider is also considered very influential.
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger wouldn’t be surprised if Kovalchuk’s Friday extension is extended beyond Friday. Though a longshot, the amended rule could be in place by the end of the weekend.
  • Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The League had told the Canucks to take 2 years off of Roberto Luongo’s contract when it was signed. The Canucks obviously didn’t, and the NHL only “conditionally accepted the contract”. A third party law firm was brought in to question some of the Canucks management. If there was any wrongdoing found, the League probably would have acted on it by now.
  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: There is belief that Gary Bettman could be worried that Kovalchuk could jump ship. Also …
    League sources say the Kovalchuk decision isn’t “just about him” because “the structure of the contract is going to go a long way in deciding what is going to happen with the other deals being investigated.”
    “There is something bigger at work here,” said one league executive. “Perhaps they want to get all these deals resolved at once, so that the league and the players can put all this uncertainty behind them.”

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Price negotiations progressing … More on Guerin’s skate with some Flyers

  • TSN: According to Carey Price’s agent, contract negotiations are progressing, but there is still a ways to go. He hopes that a deal is in place before training camp. It was reported earlier that Price is asking for $3 million, and that he is ready to go on “strike” if he doesn’t get it.
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Bill Guerin sent a text message to the Sporting News saying that he was just in town (Philadelphia), and that while he skated with some Flyers, there’s nothing more to it at the moment. Guerin’s agent, Bob Murray, said that he just needed a place to skate and that they’ve had discussion with a couple teams. Teams may be looking to use cheaper, younger players before committing to veterans like Guerin and Owen Nolan. Nolan’s agent, JP Barry, said that Nolan would prefer to stay on the West Coast.
  • Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: Guerin said that his skate with the Flyers has been planned for weeks. A source said last week that the Flyers and Guerin talked right after the Penguins said they weren’t interested, but the Flyers can’t currently get him under the cap. Seravalli thinks they could fit him in if he signed for the league minimum or sent one of Darroll Powe , Dan Carcillo, Matt Walker or Oskars Bartulis to the AHL.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: It’s a tough time for some of the remaining free agents looking for a contract; Patrick O’Sullivan, Ryan Potulny, Mike Comrie, Brendan Morrison, Marek Svatos, Ruslan Fedotenko, Jeff Halpern, Miro Satan, Bill Guerin and Owen Nolan are still looking for a deal. O’Sullivan has it a bit better than the others as he’ll be paid $450,000 for the next two seasons from his buyout. He’s only 25, and has put up 149 points in 280 games, and should get an offer of at least $500,000.

Post on Kovalchuk situation coming shortly,  because I know you’re all not sick and tired of hearing/reading about him.

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It has to end today

  • Tom Gulitti of the Record: The NHL has until 5:00 pm today to reach their decision to either accept or reject the contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils. The contract would be deemed acceptable and registered if the league doesn’t make a ruling by then, but Bill Daley emailed “the deadline will not pass without the league communicating its determination.” If league accepts the deal, the Devils will have to clear over $3 million in contracts. If the NHL rejects, Kovalchuk and the NHLPA have 5 days to make an appeal.
  • Pavel Lysenkov via twitter: If Kovalchuk’s contract is rejected by the NHL, he’s likely to go to SKA St. Petersberg of the KHL.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: One GM thinks the league will reject the latest contract proposal, and said the Devils and Kovalchuk were trying to “disguise circumvention,” adding,  “trying to hide the crime, makes this even worse.” Sources are saying other teams are expecting a penalty, either a reduction of cap or loss of draft pick.
  • Damien Cox via twitter: Teams are demanding that the New Jersey Devils be penalized for the first contract given to Kovalchuk.
  • Nick Kyreos of Sportsnet: Kyreos reveals the contract details from Kovalchuk’s second contract. We’ve listed them along side the rejected deal.


Season
1st Contract
2nd Contract
2010-11
$6 million
$6 million
2011-12
$6 million
$6 million
2012-13
$11.5 million
$11 million
2013-14
$11.5 million
$11.3 million
2014-15
$11.5 million
$11.3 million
2015-16
$11.5 million
$11.6 million
2016-17
$11.5 million
$11.8 million
2017-18
$10.5 million
$10 million
2018-19
$8.5 million
$7 million
2019-20
$6.5 million
$4 million
2020-21
$3.5 million
$1 million
2021-22
$750,000
$1 million
2022-23
$550,000
$1 million
2023-24
$550,000
$3 million
2024-25
$550,000
$4 million
2025-26
$550,000
2026-27
$550,000

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Ryan to meet with Ducks this week … Khabibulin to appeal 30 day jail sentence … Savard to attend Bruins camp … Souray could attend Oilers camp … Price to Strike?

  • Edmonton Journal: Oilers GM Steve Tambellini has said that Sheldon Souray could be at training camp if he isn’t dealt before. “We know he would rather not be in Edmonton. We’d like to make a deal if we could and it may take until the start of camp or just before. “We don’t have anything right now that would help the Oilers,” he said.
  • Stu Barnes of the Edmonton Journal: Nikolai Khabibulin was given a 30 day jail sentence in his drunk driving case. Khabibulin’s lawyers plan on appealing, which would allow him to attend training camp, and might keep him out of jail for the entire season. Additional discipline from the league and/or team may come at a later date. Khabibulin will enter the leagues substance abuse and behavioural health program.
  • Mike Boone of Habs Inside/Out: According to a tweet by Michel Godbout (CBC-Montreal reporter), Carey Price is looking for $3 million a year or he’s going to strike.
  • Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Sources tell CSNNE that the Boston Bruins fully expect Marc Savard to attend their training camp. Savard is penciled in as their #1 center between Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. Tyler Seguin is expected to play left wing with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi.
  • Chris Kuc via twitter: Marty Turco wants to play between 55 and 65 games next season for the Chicago Blackhawks.
  • Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday. GM Ken Holland expects him to be ready to go by the start of training camp. Kirk Maltby and the Wings could agree to a deal by the end of the week.

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Kovalchuk decision today … New player in Phoenix ownership … Niemi close to new home

  • Tom Gulitti of the Record: The NHL spent Monday reviewing Ilya Kovalchuk’s 15 year, $100 million contract, with an announcement likely coming today. It is not known if the league has already let the Devils know their decision, before it would released to the public. The NHL must rule before 5:00 pm on Wednesday or the contract would deemed approved and registered. According to tweets by Nick Kypreos, Kovalchuk would be paid $90 million over the first 10 seasons, and $10 million over the last 5. In the last year of the deal he is scheduled to have a base salary of $4 million, with the average salary over the final 3 seasons being $2.6 million.
  • Mike Sunnucks of the Phoenix Business Journal: An undisclosed wealthy person is interested in purchasing the Phoenix Coyotes from the NHL, and keeping the team in Glendale. Details are limited, but could be made public soon, they have asked to keep the negotiations private. The Ice Edge Holdings group have taken a backseat and they have been focusing on bringing an ECHL team to Thunder Bay, Ontario. If a deal is not in place by December 31st to keep the team Phoenix, they will look to sell the team to someone, and move them Canada.
  • James Murphy of ESPN Boston: According to a source of Murphy, the Bruins are still “actively shopping” Marc Savard. His contract investigations have hampered talks. The Bruins are still over the salary cap ceiling and need to get under before the start of the season.
  • James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli originally told Steve Begin that they wouldn’t be bringing him back, but according to Begin they are still  interested, but currently sit $3 million over the cap. Begin told RDS that the Bruins are trying to do some things, but the market is slow.
  • Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago: Source telling Rogers that Antti Niemi is close to deciding where he’ll play next season, with a decision possibly coming in the next 48 hours. He has offers from multiple teams.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke says there is some progress being made with RFA, Christian Hanson, and he expects it to be done by training camp.
  • Mark Stepneski of ESPN Dallas: There is still no decision by Jere Lehtinen on if he’ll play next season, but according to a Finnish paper, Lehtinen is giving serious consideration into not playing next season. GM Joe Nieuwendyk said that he hasn’t been working out as much as he normally does when preparing for the season.

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Oilers re-sign Sam Gagne … Lee Stempniak re-signs with Coyotes

  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Sam Gagner re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers yesterday. The deal is for 2 years and $4.55 million, a cap hit of $2.275 million.

    Gagne was drafted 6th overall in 2007, and has recorded 131 points in 223 games. Gagne is coming off a 41 point season, were he scored 15 goals and added 26 assists in 68 games. In his rookie season he produced his highest point total with 49, while missing only 3 games.

  • Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic: Lee Stempniak has re-signed with Phoenix Coyotes. It’s a 2 year deal worth $3.5 million, a $1.75 million cap hit. Stempniak turned his game around after being acquired from the Maple Leafs, scoring 14 goals in 18 games. His game tailed off in the playoffs where he recorded only 2 assists in 7 games. In 62 games with the Leafs last year,  he scored 14 goals with 16 assists in 62 games.

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