Posts Tagged Brian Burke
RFAs still looking to finalize contracts … Regehr admits he’s been shopped … Some UFAs hope to get deals soon
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 9th, 2010
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Stars had talks with the agents for James Neal and Matt Niskanen on Tuesday. The team hopes to have them signed before the start of camp.
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau expects Tomas Fleischmann to have a breakout season with the team. “Oh yeah. Those trade rumors, I think you can faithfully put all of them to bed,” Boudreau told Sporting News. “We laugh at so many of them that have no substance. I don’t know who makes them up. Some people have very vivid imaginations.”
- Jesse Spector of the NY Daily News: There has been lots of ‘chatter’ between the Rangers and Marc Staal side, but there’s no word on a forthcoming deal.
- Helene Elliott via twitter: No deal between the Anaheim Ducks and Bobby Ryan yet, continuing to talk.
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr has been linked to trade rumors this summer, and didn’t deny it. “Have I been approached about (a trade)?” repeated Regehr yesterday during a suddenly awkward exchange. “Ahhhhh, I can’t really … I’m not going to get into that. “It’s part of sports. That’s the way it is.” The Flames are over the salary cap, and Regehr’s $4 million salary (3 more years) could be one salary they might move out.
- Tom Gulitti of the Bergon Record: Mike Mottau’s agent thinks the UFA will have a contract by the start of training camp. They don’t have any offers they are considering, but have been in touch with teams over the summer. It’s still possible that Mottau could return to the Devils, once they clear out a bunch of cap space. Jay Pandolfo is still looking for a contract, and has talked to a few teams according to his agent.
- Fan 590 Audio: Brian Burke talks with Bob McCown on Prime Time Sports about the Kovalchuk contract and the Michael Liambas rookie camp invite.
- Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: The Boston Bruins have an agreement with JYP Jyvaskyla of the Finnish Elite League, in which the teams an loan players to each other. Will the Bruins bury a contact in Europe to reduce their cap number?
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Bill Guerin is still skating with some Flyers, and is still hopeful something can be worked out with the team.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: Marcus Nilson has reportedly been invited to the New Jersey Devils training camp.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Detroit Red Wings have placed defenseman Derek Meech on waivers. The 26-year old Meech has played 126 games in the last 4 years.
- Sherri Zickefoose of the Calgary Herald: Former NHLer Jason Smith has been arrested for domestic assault. Smith is being charged with two counts of assault and one count of unlawful confinement against his wife and teenaged daughter.
Ryan-Ducks “very close” … Maple Leafs notes … Lecavalier ready by camp … Thrashers-Bergfors still talking
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on September 8th, 2010
- Eric Stephens via twitter: (late last night post) A “well-placed source” said that a Bobby Ryan-Anaheim Ducks contract is “very close”.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, “We’re going with this [roster] unless something miraculous happens,” he said. “This is the group. We’re going to start with this.” Burke expects the team to improve as they’ll have a full season with Phil Kessel, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Dion Phaneuf and Fredrik Sjostrom.
- Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun: Tomas Kaberle and coach Ron Wilson will discuss the rumors of a rift between the 2. “My relationship is not going to change,” Wilson said. “We’re going to try to figure out what’s been said. We will sit down either at the end of the week or early next week and have a heart-to-heart talk and see what the issues are if there are any.” Burke says it’s all non-sense.
- Mike Heika of Dallas Morning News: Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk tried to use Mike Ribeiro to bring in a top level defenseman. Ribeiro is owed $5 million a season for the next 3 years, the Stars would have had to take back similar money on a deal. In the end they decided they didn’t want to take on someone else’s problem.
- Aaron Portzline via twitter: The Columbus Blue Jackets and goalie Steve Mason have started contract talks for an extension. Mason is on the last year of his entry level deal.
- George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland expects Kirk Maltby to sign a 1-year, 2-way deal within the next 48 hours.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Bay Tribune: Vincent Lecavalier says everything is alright with his knee (Aug. 24th arthroscopic surgery), and he should be ready for the start of training camp, Sept. 18th.
- Larry Brooks via twitter: The New York Rangers have invited Rulsan Fedotenko to training camp on a tryout.
- Chris Vivlamore via twitter: The Atlanta Thrashers continue to negotiate with RFA Niclas Bergfors, but “nothing pending”.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: The KHL will start moving their rink size to between the NHL and IIHF sizes. I think this is a great idea. I’ve always thought it should be something the NHL should consider. It doesn’t have to much, a few feet on all sides could make a difference.
Kovalchuk decision today … New player in Phoenix ownership … Niemi close to new home
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 31st, 2010
- 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.
- Will DePaoli via twitter: Bill Guerin is trying to get a contract with the Boston Bruins or the Philadelphia Flyers.
- 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.
- Kevin Mio of Habs Inside/Out: According to RDS, Andre Markov is back skating. Markov had off-season knee surgery.
- 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.
Kings reach agreement with Mitchell … Bieksa staying a Canuck for now? Lou-Grossman back at it
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 25th, 2010
Update: LAKingsInsider.com: Mitchell signs with the Kings for 2 years, $7 million.
- LAKingsHockey via twitter: The Kings have a verbal agreement with Willie Mitchell.
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Clubs have been notified they are out of the Mitchell running. LA should be announcing multi-year deal soon.
- Ian Mendes via twitter: Brian Burke said that neither Kaberle or his agent have expressed that Tomas was unhappy with the Leafs or Ron Wilson to him.
- Katie Stange via twitter: The structure of Doug Weight’s contract with the Islanders is finalized, should be made official a couple days.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: There is a good chance that Kevin Bieksa will start the season as a Vancouver Canuck. “The trade market is barren” and the Canucks have some cap flexibility with Sami Salo and Alex Burrows expected to go on IR. Bieksa is the clubs only healthy right handed shot.
- Tom Gulitti of the Record: Lou Lamoriello and Jay Grossman are back at it trying to get an acceptable contract for Ilya Kovalchuk. Lou says he’s not frustrated by this process.
World Hockey Summit … Kovalchuk side/Devils meet with League … Mitchell deciding soon … Luongo out as Captain?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on August 24th, 2010
- Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: Brian Burke talking about the Maple Leafs and the World Hockey Summit.
Brian Burke talks Kaberle, World Hockey Summit from Greg Wyshynski on Vimeo.
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- EJ Hradek via twitter: Meeting at the League office in New York yesterday involving Kovalchuk’s agent, Devils GM Lou Lamoriello and Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: A contract for Kovalchuk was submitted to the league, just talked about the structure.
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Willie Mitchell won’t discuss where he might sign, but he did say that a decision is coming soon.
- NHL Sources Say via twitter: Reporting the Kings are out on Willie Mitchell. Canucks a long shot. Capitals or Sharks front runners.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks GM Mike Gillis will be looking into the the team’s captaincy between now and the beginning of training camp. Roberto Luongo is still the team’s captain (I’ve never understood that move), but Henrik Sedin could be ready to take over.
- Curtis Zupke of the OC Register: Joffrey Lupul has a re-occurrence of a blood infection in his back and will miss the beginning of training camp, and may not be ready for the start of the season. Lupul is taking antibotics and is not able to do any excercise for the next 4 weeks. He’ll be re-evaluted on September 20th.
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Jeff Marek of CBCSports: A summary of some happenings at the World Hockey Summit. Slava Fetisov says that Russia isn’t interested in transfer agreements with the NHL but will work together to go the game worldwide. Daniel Afredsson says the larger ice surfaces creates a slower game, perfers NHL ice size. Yzerman said the lack of arenas in Florida has hurt the development of the sport.
And at the end of Day 1, many of us came away with the same question: What is this?
I’d like to say it was a discussion but it really wasn’t. Hockey personalities from across the globe, representing a myriad of different interests, had their say on their “sweet-spot” topics and then answered a couple of questions. Each session lasted no longer than 30 minutes.
- Jesse Spector (NY Daily News) via twitter: Still “nothing new” on to report on the Marc Staal - New York Rangers contract talks.
- Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Now that Bryan Little has signed, the Atlanta Thrashers will now focus on re-signing Niclas Bergfors. GM Rick Dudley also said the team has touched base with Lee Stempniak. They may leave a roster spots open for young players like Patrice Cormier and Alexander Burmistrov.
- Neil Koepke of the Lansing State Journal: Tim Kennedy has talked to 5 or 6 teams, and would like to be signed in the next week or two.
Bryan Little Re-signs … Souray thinks he’ll be traded … Kronwall’s knees still bothering him
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 23rd, 2010
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Bryan Little re-signs with the Thrashers, 3 years, $7.5 million $7.15 million ($1.65 mill, $2.5 mill, $3.0 mill, with a $2.38 million cap hit).
- Sportsnet.ca: Sheldon Souray thinks he’ll be traded by the start of the season, and that the Oilers have done nothing to smooth things over.
- George Malik of MLive: Niklas Kronwall’s left knee isn’t recovering as planned and may require surgery. The club opted not to go that route after the playoffs, but he’s heading to Detroit early to have the doctors look at it.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke took the stand for the NHL to support the invalidating of Ilya Kovalchuk’s New Jersey contract.
Notes and Videos from the NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Videos on August 19th, 2010
NHL.com - An explanation of some of the rule changes being tested on day 1:
NHL.com: Full description and rational for all the rules they will be testing out.
Pierre LeBrun via twitter: Several GMs have said they like the hybrid icing rule, probably the only one that will one day be implemented.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Brian Burke may not be a fan of many of the proposed changes, but … “To me this is very innovative and creative on the part of the NHL,” Burke said. “I think we should always be looking at how we play the game and how we can make it better. I think too many rule changes confuse fans, but in general we should be looking at how we play the game to see if there is a way we can make it better for the fans.”
James Mirtle via twitter: Few of these radical ideas will be implemented, no need to be too concerned.
Gary Bettman talks about the NHL Research, Development and Orientation Camp:
In case you wanted more Tomas Kaberle … Burke talks Kaberle … Other Leafs ideas
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 17th, 2010
Brian Burke on the Fan 590 (Audio): Burke talks Kaberle, and what it means for the Maple Leafs.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Burke admits he could have traded Kaberle on Sunday for a top-6 forward, but he didn’t think he could live with it. He didn’t receive any offers that would have made the decision hard to make.
“We could have come up with a top six forward. There were some out there, believe me. We could have overpaid. There were some bad contracts out there. We could have made a bad deal. We didn’t want to do that.”
“We were never close to make any deal for him,” said Burke. “We didn’t really have to make any kind of decision because there was no decision to make. I don’t know why the offers weren’t what they needed to be. But we weren’t about to give this guy away.”
Once again Burke reiterated that he won’t ask Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause. If Kaberle submits a list of teams he’d go to, that’s different. Burke would match their 1 thru 8 defenseman against any team in the league. Jeff Finger’s name wasn’t mentioned in the 8, nor brought up, and likely will be sent to the minors.
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: If the Maple Leafs let Kaberle walk next summer for nothing, they actually are gaining something, $4.25 million in cap space. Burke probably won’t sign Kaberle to a rich, multi-year contract. The pressure now may be switching away from Burke and on to Kaberle.
Jeff Domet of CBCSports: The Leafs may need to get creative and try to move Kaberle from defense to center. Kaberle is an excellent playmaker and is an underrated skater. The transition may take some time but is possible. The Leafs did it in the 60’s with Red Kelly. (Ian White didn’t look out of place playing on the wing at the beginning of last season either).
Noah Love of the National Post: Burke can go in three directions after the failed Kaberle trade: 1. Stand Pat: If Burke stays pat, there is a chance the Bruins will be picking in the top 5 in next year’s draft. Current UFA’s centers for next year at the moment are Joe Thornton, Brad Richards, Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Brooks Laich. 2. Trade Kaberle: Everyone knows this isn’t over. Kaberle can waive his no-trade clause and the Leafs could get something back. 3. Trade Luke Schenn: Schenn is still a ‘blue chip prospect’ who’s offensive game improved towards the end of last year. His value could get them a top 6 forward and a prospect. If they let Kaberle go after next season, he could be replaced by a Christian Ehrhoff, Andre Markov, Kevin Bieksa, and Chris Phillips.
Tomas Kaberle Trade Situation Brewing
Posted by Derek in NHL News, NHL Opinion, NHL Rumors, NHL Trades on August 14th, 2010
The Tomas Kaberle potential trade situation appears to be coming down to the wire. This seemingly never ending story will come to an end tomorrow night at midnight one way or the other, but as it stands right now there really isn’t anything new to report.
We will be following the situation closely, and will update any situation that occurs, but for now we wait…
For all the Maple Leaf fans out there, I sure hope Brian Burke knows what he’s doing here. I would think that keeping Kaberle after all of this, and extending his contract beyond next year, isn’t really an option anymore. All the talk of “being professional” and “it’s just business” is just that, talk.
You have to think that Kaberle has already left Toronto emotionally, and to bring him back next season and expect him to be “professional”, is ridiculous.
How would you feel if you were in the same position with your career? You can say that it’s part of being a professional athelete, that it come’s with the territory when you make all that money, but that’s niave. See, once you make all that money it becomes less important, financial worries take a backseat to other concerns, concerns that the majority of the public ignore while focusing on making money themselves.
Respect, Loyalty, Legacy, etc… These are all currencies to appeal to athletes who already have money to give more to the team. How else do you get a bunch of millionaire’s to block 100 mph slapshots with their bodies? I’m not suggesting that Kaberle was the leagues best shot-blocker of course, but there is no doubt that whatever intangibles the Maple Leafs were getting from the man behind the professional died this summer.
With this in mind, I’m inclined to think Tomas Kaberle will be moved tomorrow at some point, the big question will be whether or not Brian Burke get’s the big return he’s been seeking.
Leafs and Lightning interested in Gagne … Filatov returning in August … No Modano in Anaheim
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News on July 15th, 2010
- Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: When asked if he’s interested in trading for Simon Gagne, Brian Burke said in an email, “Not at this time”. The Maple Leafs, Kings and Rangers are said to be interested. Fuller took Burke’s comments to mean that ‘talks are in the initial stages’. Trading for Gagne could be an affordable risk the Leafs could take, both for salary and injury wise. The Flyers would probably want a prospect in return as they are looking to shed salary. Fuller brings up the idea of shipping Kaberle to Boston or wh0ever for prospects, which in turn could be sent to Philly.
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersberg Times: The Tampa Bay Lightning could be interested in Flyers winger Simon Gagne. Gagne would give the Lightning 2 solid lines: Gagne-Lecavalier-St. Louis and Malone-Stamkos-Downie. The Lightning are about $14 million below the salary cap ceiling. The Lightning have 8 bodies along the blueline, and/or they have depth in ‘high-end goaltending prospects’. Would Gagne waive his no-trade clause for the Lightning?
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: Nikita Filatov will be returning to Columbus early/mid August, and he’s looking forward to returning to the NHL. Tyler Wright, the teams developmental coach was over in Russia for several days and came back impressed with Filatov. Filatov is excited about the new direction of the coaching staff.
- ChicagoBreakingSports: The Chicago Blackhawks have turned their attention to goaltender Antti Niemi. Niemi’s arbitration hearing is set for July 29th, but his agent Bill Zito would like to get something done before then. “We’re confident we have a good case, but with that said, there is always risk,” Zito said of the unpredictability of a hearing. “It’s just like going to court … Did O.J. (Simpson) really not do it?”
- Mike Morreale of NHL.com: Nikolai Zherdev could find himself on the line with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter if Simon Gagne is traded, or alongside Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk.
- Eric Stephens of the OC Register: There were rumors that the Anaheim Ducks were interested in signing Mike Modano, but that is not the case. From GM Bob Murray, “we are not involved in talks with Modano.” The Ducks don’t really need a centerman, but they could use some help on the blueline.
- Mike Russo via Twitter: The Minnesota Wild won’t be signing Bobby Ryan to an offer sheet, they’ve traded away their 2nd round pick.
- Tarik El-Bashir via Twitter: The Capitals are done free agent shopping according to GM George McPhee.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: From Maxim Afinogenov, “I wouldn’t mind staying in Atlanta but the current offers from the team are not satisfactory.”
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