Posts Tagged Chris Pronger
Some longterm contract notes … Savard staying … Ranger not attending Lightning camp
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 2nd, 2010
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Chesnokov thinks that if Kovalchuk’s Friday extension get extended again, he may leave for the KHL.
- 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 added “if 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.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: Botchard writes that the League is not likely to void Roberto Luongo’s contract with the Canucks.
- 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.
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburgh Times: Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said that Paul Ranger won’t be attending training camp. Ranger has been away from the team since last October with personal reasons.
- Will DePaoli of InsidePittsburghSports: Word from Jordan Staal’s camp is that he won’t be full strength by training camp. His tendon injury may not be fully healed.
NHL offers ultimatum to NHLPA … Kovalchuk’s, Loungo’s and Hossa’s contract are front and center
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on September 2nd, 2010
- 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.
Kovalchuk framework rejected … Staal hoping for offer sheet … Lehtinen undecided
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 25th, 2010
Mark Everson of the NY Post: The NHL criticized the framework of a contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk that was presented to them on Monday. This could jeopardize Kovalchuk staying in the NHL, as the frameworks of his contract(s) have taken weeks to formulate, and the start of the KHL is just around the corner (Sept. 8th). Lou may not want to go back to the ‘drawing board’ on another contract. Training camp starts on the 17th, and he’ll need to move out players to get under the cap if Kovalchuk is signed.
Tom Gulitti of the Record: The Devils and Kovalchuk’s agent, Jay Grossman, have been working on the framework of deal for the last 16 days, and only to have it not approved. Monday’s framework was not the first they submitted to the league.
Scott Burnside of ESPN: Flyers coach Peter Laviolette doesn’t have a sense when Chris Pronger will return from knee surgery, but isn’t that concerned.
Arthur Staple via twitter: It’s not definite that Marc Staal will be a training camp holdout. He has no leverage, and is still hoping for an offer sheet.
CapGeek via twitter: After the Vancouver Canucks signed Raffi Torres (1 year, $1 million), they now have 24 players on one-way contracts and are $3.6 million over the salary cap.
Adam Proteau of the Hockey News: Leafs coach Ron Wilson wants to sit down with Tomas Kaberle and have a face-to-face to talk about the rumors that they don’t get along. Kaberle’s father told a Czech publication that Tomas isn’t likely to re-sign with the team as long as Wilson is still the coach.
Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: Dallas Stars winger Jiri Lehtinen is still undecided about returning next season. Lehtinen and GM Joe Nieuwendyk are expected to meet today.
Ben Wright of Blueland Blog: The Atlanta Thrashers have invited Kyle McLaren to their training camp on a tryout.
Bill Tiller of the Atlanta Journal Constitution: It makes some sense that the Thrashers are possibly interested in Lee Stempniak, as they are looking to replace goals lost by Maxim Afingenov who left for the KHL.
Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Neither Jose Theodore or Vesa Toskala was interested in signing with the KHL’s Traktor.
EJ Hradek and Richard Pollock of ESPN: Though the Florida Panthers have 6 NHL caliber defenseman, their 2010 3rd overall pick, Eric Gudbranson will be given a shot at making the roster.
NHL STILL investigating contracts … Panthers intereted in Niemi? Wellwood and Morrison still looking for contracts … Kaberle’s dad has some things to say
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 19th, 2010
- Dan Rosen of NHL.com: Deputy Commission Bill Daly confirmed they are still investigating the contracts of Chris Pronger, Marcel Hossa, Roberto Luongo and Marc Savard.
“If there was a determination that there was circumvention there are a whole host of alternatives in terms of how we approach it and a whole host of remedies in terms of what can be ordered,” Daly told NHL.com. “De-registration of the contract is one potential remedy, but it’s not the only one. I don’t want to get into hypotheticals. The investigations aren’t complete, and we haven’t made any determinations as to how we proceed with respect to those.”
- Dan Rosen via twitter: Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon on Antti Niemi, “Do I have interest in him? We have any player with his history, that is a champion. We’re open for business 24-7.”
- Chris Johnston via twitter: Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk has said he’s confident that he’ll be able to sign RFA James Neal soon.
- George Malik of MLive: Andreas Lilja is considering playing next season in the Swedish League, but he’s in discussion with a couple NHL teams.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: Kyle Wellwood is getting little interest. Wellwood’s fate with the Canucks was sealed when they signed Manny Malhotra. He remains confident that he’ll be in the NHL, but hasn’t ruled out Europe. Brendan Morrison is also looking for an NHL contract, but Europe is not an option.
- Pension Plan Puppets: Offers a translation of Tomas Kaberle’s dad from a Czech website. “I think that during the course of the year he will be traded to another club. There is just only one chance for Toronto, how to get something back in return for Tomas. In my opinion, I can’t see Tomas entering a new contract with the club. No, not if Ron Wilson will continue to be employed in the future,” says Kaberle senior.
More on the Front-Loaded contract investigation … Sharks offering Clowe and 1st for Kaberle? Phillips and Sens talking extension
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 12th, 2010
- Helene Elliott via twitter: She thinks the Kings are figuring Kovalchuk and the Devils will rework their deal.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Kovalchuk’s agent hasn’t discussed the KHL with him. SKA wants Kovalchuk to let them know what he wants. His Russian agent has said that SKA has 1 to 8 year offers, and an “up to you” offer where Kovalchuk picks the terms.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: Chris Pronger won’t be ready for training camp, and may be ready for the season opener, his knee has atrophy.
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province: The NHL has been investigating Roberto Luongo’s contract for a year, they only “conditionally” approved it. The League wasn’t happy with the Canucks and they would checking in to see if the Canucks were attempting to circumvent the salary cap. The investigation has no timelines, and is on-going. The Canucks were told to take the last 2 years off the contract, making it a 10-year, $64 million deal. That would make the new salary cap number $6.4 million instead of $5.3 million. If they did that, the Leauge would give the deal their blessing. The NHL wanted all emails, paperwork, voice mails, etc. and interviewed GM Gillis and their cap expert. It’s believed that Pronger and Hossa had the same investigation, the players have not cooperated. Nothing may happen to the Luongo contract, as they’ve finished the investigative work and nothing has been done. Also, Luongo’s deal never pays less that $1 million.
- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Chris Pronger’s 7 year, $34.45 million contract will continue to be investigated despite going into effect July 1st. Bill Daly wrote, “No timetable and no deadline. Yes, the contract can be de-registered in the event a circumvention is found. Nothing is different than before [Ilya] Kovalchuk ruling.” Peter Luukko, the Flyers president, stands behind the deal, and thinks it doesn’t hold relevance to Kovalchuk’s contract.
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersberg Times: Bill Daly says the NHL doesn’t have any problems with Vincent Lecavalier’s 11 year contract, that pays him an average of $7.727. It is front loaded, but not to the extent of some of the others, and only takes him to the age of 39.
- NHL Sources Say via twitter: Teams interested in Kaberle are the Bruins, Stars, Kings, Devils, Sharks and Lightning. Sharks offering Clowe and 1st round pick, Burke not interested in draft picks. (The 27-year old Clowe has a cap hit of $3.625 million for the next 3 years. If this offer for Kaberle is true, it might be one that Burke has to consider).
- Nicholas Cotsonika of Yahoo! Sports: “The deadline is Sunday, and I don’t expect to see anyone’s best cards until probably Friday,” Burke said. “That being said, the offers improved dramatically over the weekend. We’re at a double-digit number of teams that are in. Unilaterally, without any phone calls from us, two teams dramatically improved their offer over the weekend. It’s going the way I thought it would go.”
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: The Ottawa Senators and Chris Phillips are talking contract extension. Phillips would be a UFA next summer.
- Jim Gintonio via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes continue to negotiate with both Lee Stempniak and Martin Hanzel, though nothing is iminant with either.
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Vladimir Tarasenko, a St. Louis Blues 2010 1st round pick (16th overall), is close to signing a deal with Sibir of the KHL. Chesnokov has said in the past that he would be staying in Russia for at least another year, despite other reports.
- RDS: Reporting that Eric Belanger has signed a 1 year deal with someone, but can’t disclose who just yet. Yesterday there were reports that it could be the Maple Leafs, but other said that was not the case. James Mirtle via twitter says Belanger is not signing with the Leafs. NHLSourcesSay via twitter: Deal not being announced as the team is preparing a trade that impacts the salary cap.
Notes on Kovalchuk and the NHL’s investigation of contracts
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 11th, 2010
- Dmitry Chesnokov via twitter: Kovalchuk’s mom thinks the contract with the Devils will be reworked before the start of the season, and that he isn’t panicking.
- ESPN: The Devils are working on another deal for Kovalchuk. “We want Ilya to be a Devil,” Lamoriello said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We will do everything possible to achieve that.”
- James Mirtle via twitter: Nothing from the Kings yet if the 15-year offer is still on the table for Kovalchuk. Mirtle thinks there is a small chance their in it.
- Tom Gulitti via twitter: NHL ‘likely’ won’t penalize the Devils or Kovalchuk.
- Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: Wyshynski puts together more notes on the Kovalchuk fallout. Bruins, Canucks cooperating, Flyers not happy.
- Rich Hammond of LA Kings Insider: Hammond thinks that Kovalchuk could sign a 1 year deal with the KHL or in the NHL, and re-visit free agency next summer.
- Joe Haggerty via twitter: The NHL is looking into Marc Savard’s contract from a statement from the Bruins and Peter Chiarelli. Chiarelli met with the NHL back on Aug. 4th.
- Larry Brooks via twitter: Brooks wonders how the NHL can investigate these contracts without a ’systems arbitrator? “CBA says it can’t. Of course it doesn’t matter what’s in CBA.”
- Nick Kyreos via twitter: The contracts of Hossa, Pronger, Savard and Luongo have been continuously investigated by the NHL since they were registered.
- Matthew Sekeres of the Globe and Mail: Could the Canucks be okay with Roberto Luongo’s contract being voided by the NHL? They wouldn’t be on the hook paying him until 2021-22, and there would competition where Cory Schneider could take over the number one at some point. A problem the Canucks could also face, is getting him under contract, and under the cap, given that his current cap hit would be $5.33 million, he’d want to sign for more than that.
- Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Player agent, Kurt Overhardt, doesn’t think the NHL will void Luongo’s, or any of the other three contracts they are looking into. Overhardt felt that Bloch’s decision was ’subjective’, that nothing in the document said they were in violation of the CBA. The other deals have already been registered by the league. “Any and all speculation that the league is going to claw back these other contracts … would be in complete violation of the collective bargaining agreement and it would be a complete infringement of the players’ rights under the CBA,” Overhardt continued. “Any attempt to do so would be absolutely predatory behaviour by the league, would be in bad faith and not in the spirit of the CBA.”
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: An agent has said the NHL won’t rip up the contracts of Pronger, Hossa, Luongo and Savard…
“The NHL isn’t going to do anything with these deals. Nothing is going to happen,” said the agent. “They’ve been trying to investigate most of these deals for a year.”
“I can tell you they certainly aren’t going to rip up a contract that has already been signed and approved by the league.
“That’s the difference: The deal that Kovalchuk signed was never approved by the league. The rest of these deals passed the smell test.”
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Red Wings haven’t been contacted by the league regarding the contracts of Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. “Last October or November, the league requested and we sent all the paperwork in about the negotiations,” Holland said. “Since the Kovalchuk thing, no one has said boo to us about it.”
Fallout from the Ilya Kovalchuk decision
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 10th, 2010
- Eric Macramalla of Offside: A Sports Law Blog: Provides a legal analysis of the Kovalchuk decision. Also provided the 20 page decision document.
- Elliott Pap of the Vancouver Sun: Due to the Kovalchuk ruling; Roberto Luongo, Chris Pronger, Marian Hossa, and Marc Savard’s front loaded contracts could come under review. Mike Gillis confirmed that Luongo’s contract is under review by the NHL. Luongo signed a 12 year deal that will take him to the age of 43, where he’ll earn $1 million, down from the $10 million he’ll earn next season. Arbitrator Bloch wrote, “[Luongo] has a 12-year agreement that will end when he is 43. After averaging some $7,000,000 per year for the first 9 years of the Agreement, Luongo will receive an average of about 1.2 million during his last 3 years, amounting to some 5.7% of the total compensation during that time period.”
- Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy: It seems farfetched that the NHL could backtrack and nix the Marian Hossa deal, as he’s already a year into it. Pronger, Luongo, and Savard’s deals have all not started yet. Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg’s deals are also a year in.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: The decision noted about Pronger’s, Luongo’s, Hossa’s and Savard’s deals; “Those players’ contracts are being investigated currently with at least the possibility of a subsequent withdrawal of the registration.” Agents are alarmed that some contracts are being investigated that are already in effect.
“I’ve never heard of a contract that had been registered and approved and then having that registration withdrawn,” said one agent, who requested to remain anonymous.
“The league has two months now to go after Savard, Pronger and Luongo [whose contract extensions began July 1]. Until they start getting paid, they’ve got two months.”
Lou Lamoriello confirmed that theyare in discussions with Kovalchuk’s agent. The Kings could also re-enter, they had a 15-year deal worth $80 million ($5.33 million cap hit) on the table before Kovalchuk signed with the Devils. The KHL is still an option, but a long shot.
- Adam Proteau via twitter: “if I’m a CHI or VAN fan, I’m praying contracts of Hossa & Luongo are voided.”
- A couple weeks ago we compared some of the long term contracts of the players noted above, take a look at their year-to-year breakdown.
5 Options for Niemi … Pronger has knee surgery … Theodore to the Preds?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on August 3rd, 2010
- Tom Awad of Puck Prospectus/ESPN: 5 options as to where Antti Niemi could end up next season. 1. Washington Capitals: They have $5 million in cap space. Both Semyon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth are only 22 years old. 2. Edmonton Oilers: Have 3 goalies under contract but none may be #1’s. Nikolai Khabibulin may not play much this year due to injury and legal problems. 3. Montreal Canadiens: The Canadiens still haven’t been able to sign Carey Price. Have just over $4 million in cap room. 4. San Jose Sharks: Antero Niittymaki and Thomas Greiss are their planned goalies for this season. Have about $3.7 million in cap room. Would like to add a top 4 defenseman. 5. New York Islanders: Their current goalies are Dwayne Roloson and Rick DiPietro. DiPietro health is always question. They have over $20 million in cap space, and are under the cap floor.
- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Chris Pronger had arthroscopic surgery on his knee last week, and should be ready for training camp.
- EJ Hradek via twitter: The Chicago Blackhawks are still looking for a defenseman according to Stan Bowman.
- Jay Gold via twitter: Jose Theodore and the Nashville Predators are talking, 1 year around $1.5 million. The Predators want to lock up Hornqvist first.
- Kevin Allen via twitter: Peter Forsberg is practicing with MoDo and wants to play again.
A comparison of NHL Contracts that are front-loaded
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 21st, 2010
After the Kovalchuk contract rejection by the NHL for circumventing the cap, we’ve put together a chart showing the salary numbers for contracts that have been called in to question for being front-loaded, but were allowed to go through.
- Johan Franzen, Red Wings, 11 years, $43.5M ($3.9M cap hit), Signed April 2009
Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings, 12 years, $73M ($6M cap hit), Signed January 2009
Marian Hossa, Blackhawks, 12 years, $62.8M ($5.23M cap hit), Signed July 2009
Roberto Luongo, Canucks, 12 years, $64M ($5.3M cap hit), Signed September 2009
Chris Pronger, Flyers, 7-year extension, $34.9M ($5M cap hit), Signed July 2009
Marc Savard, Bruins, 7-year extension, $28.05M ($4M cap hit), Signed Dec. 2009
Players current age is in brackets.
| Season |
Kovalchuk (27)
|
Pronger (35)
|
Savard (32)
|
Hossa (31)
|
Luongo (31)
|
Franzen (30)
|
Zetterberg (29)
|
| 2010-11 |
$6 mill
|
$7.6 mill
|
$7 mill
|
$7.9 mill
|
$10 mill
|
$5 mill
|
$7.75 mill
|
| 2011-12 |
$6 mill
|
$7.6 mill
|
$7 mill
|
$7.9 mill
|
$6.716 mill
|
$5.25 mill
|
$7.75 mill
|
| 2012-13 |
$11.5 mill
|
$7.2 mill
|
$6.5 mill
|
$7.9 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$5.25 mill
|
$7.75 mill
|
| 2013-14 |
$11.5 mill
|
$7 mill
|
$5 mill
|
$7.9 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$5 mill
|
$7.5 mill
|
| 2014-15 |
$11.5 mill
|
$4 mill
|
$1.5 mill
|
$7.9 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$5 mill
|
$7.5 mill
|
| 2015-16 |
$11.5 mill
|
$525,000
|
$525,000
|
$7.9 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$5 mill
|
$7.5 mill
|
| 2016-17 |
$11.5 mill
|
$525,000
|
$525,000
|
$4 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$3.5 mill
|
$7 mill
|
| 2017-18 |
$10.5 mill
|
$1 mill
|
$6.714 mill
|
$2 mill
|
$3.5 mill
|
||
| 2018-19 |
$8.5 mill
|
$1 mill
|
$3.382 mill
|
$1 mill
|
$1 mill
|
||
| 2019-20 |
$6.5 mill
|
$750,000
|
$1.618 mill
|
$1 mill
|
$1 mill
|
||
| 2020-21 |
$3.5 mill
|
$750,000
|
$1 mill
|
||||
| 2021-22 |
$750,000
|
$1 mill
|
|||||
| 2022-23 |
$550,000
|
||||||
| 2023-24 |
$550,000
|
||||||
| 2024-25 |
$550,000
|
||||||
| 2025-26 |
$550,000
|
||||||
| 2026-27 |
$550,000
|
Salaries from NHLnumbers.com
Pronger to Philadelphia
Chris Pronger has been traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Philadelphia Flyers (along with Ryan Dingle) for Joffrey Lupul (a solid UFA), Luca Sbisa (a 1st round pick from last year), Two-1st round picks (21st this year and the other depends on the Flyers finish for next year) and a conditional 3rd round pick.
The Ducks had to make cap room with Scott Niedermayer deciding to come back next season. It’s understandable that the Flyers would want a tough, shut-down defenceman to help contain the high-flying divisional rival teams like Pittsburgh and conference rivals like Washington but the price seems pretty steep.
The physical edge Pronger is noted for in the past has resulted in several suspensions (source:ESPN.COM) and in the new NHL, the Nic Lidstrom model is more efficient. There’s no doubt Pronger is an elite d-man but at 35, that’s a lot of future for the Flyers to give up, especially with the trend being to build through the draft these days.
Interestingly, On July 3, 2006, Pronger was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for forward Joffrey Lupul, defensive prospect Ladislav Šmíd, Anaheim’s 2007 first-round draft pick (traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, picked Nick Ross), a conditional first-round draft pick (dependent on the Ducks reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in the next 3 years), and Anaheim’s 2008 second-round draft pick.
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