Posts Tagged Jason Williams

Cheechoo to be bought out … Red Wings news … Blues-Mason talking

  • Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: The writing is already on the wall that Jonathan Cheechoo will be bought out by the Ottawa Senators. The 2 week buyout period begins Tuesday, where teams can buyout the contracts at 2/3 their value, and payable over 2x the amount of years left on the contract. Cheechoo’s $3.5 million for next season would turn out to be $1,165,500 cap hit for the next 2 seasons.
  • George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings GM Ken Holland was on the “NHL Live” radio program, and said they are looking towards drafting a forward with their 21st overall pick at this years NHL Draft. “We’ve got some young defensemen coming,” Holland said. “Probably, ideally, you’d like to find some forwards with some scoring touch. Again, if there’s a defenseman there that we feel has fallen, we’ll take him.” Holland also talked about the Bertuzzi contract talks and he didn’t seem to optomistic as the numbers may not fit. “Obviously, in a cap world, the situation we’re in, we don’t have a ton of money. Todd had a great year for us, and I’m sure he’s gonna have some decisions to make come July 1. We’ll continue to talk to him. We’d like to have him back, but obviously, there’s gotta be a fit financially for the player and for us. Talks are ongoing. We’ll see where they go.”
  • Ansar Khan of MLive: The Wings re-signed Dman Doug Janik for 2 years (1st year is 2-way, 2nd year is 1-way). Jason Williams was informed yesterday that he won’t be back. The Wings still would like to add 1 more Dman, Andreas Lilja or another cheap Dman. They are still unsure if they are going to offer a contract to Kirk Maltby. Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will get a qualifying offer.
  • The Calgary Herald: Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter confirmed on The Fan 960, that Vesa Toskala won’t be back the Flames, so they’ll be looking for a backup to lessen the load of Miikka Kiprusoff. Kiprusoff has played over 73 games in each of the last 5 seasons. The Flames are in preliminary negotiations with UFA Eric Nystrom and RFA Ian White.
  • Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald: Boston Bruins assistant coach Craig Ramsay was interviewed by the Atlanta Thrashers for the head coaching. The Thrashers are also interested in John Torchetti

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News and Rumors involving the Red Wings - June 3rd

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: With Nicklas Lidstrom returning next season at a friendly $6.2 million, the Detroit Red Wings can now turn their attention to the other free agents. They have just under $9 million (that’s saying the cap will increase $2 million), and are expected to re-sign both UFAs Tomas Holmstrom and Todd Bertuzzi, and RFAs Darren Hel, Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves. That won’t leave much for any other free agents. They could re-sign Andreas Lilja or a 3rd pairing free agent defenseman. GM Ken Holland also proposed at the GM meetings to extented overtime past the current 5 minutes in an attempt to lower the amount of shootouts.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Lidstrom’s signing at $6.2 million may mean that UFA Kirk Maltby and RFA Derek Meech might be re-signed. One must not forget that they’ve already added Jiri Hudler to their roster for next season. The Wings won’t be bringing Brett Lebda and Jason Williams back.

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Red Wings GM Holland told the media in Detroit that Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has asked permission to speak with the Wings director of hockey administration, Ryan Martin, about an assistant GM position. Martin was responsible for managing the Wings salary cap.

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Wings won’t do anything until Lidstrom decides what he’s doing … Horton trade bait … What will the Canadiens do now?

  • George Malik of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland told MLive that they can’t re-sign Tomas Holmstrom, Todd Bertuzzi, or any of their 5 RFAs before they hear if Nicklas Lidstrom will be back next season or not. Lidstrom has told the them he’ll let them know in a couple weeks. It doesn’t look like Brett Lebda, Jason Williams, and Doug Janik will be back. Derek Meech should get a qualifying offer from them.
  • Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe: Panthers GM Dale Tallon isn’t a fan of players who aren’t willing to pay the price, which means that Nathan Horton could be on his way out, as he known to not have a good work ethic. A Bruin, who has friends on the Panthers has been told that Norton has “No heartbeat”. “We weeded out people who didn’t want to pay the price,” Tallon said. “If you don’t want to pay the price and you don’t want to be involved here, you’re not going to be here.”  The Bruins have limited funds available to sign free agents, but could target Flyers winger, Aaron Asham.
  • Lyle Richardson of Fox Sports: The Montreal Canadiens currently have 14 players locked up for about $45.7 million. Tomas Plekanec is a UFA and it might take around $5 million to re-sign him. Their biggest off-season situation is obviously what to do with Jaroslav Halak and Carey Price. Halak has shown that he can the #1, but Price could be the future star. RFAs Maxim Lapierre, Tom Pyatt, and Benoit Pouliot should be back. Glen Metropolit, Marc-Andre Bergeron, and Paul Mara probably won’t be back. Halak playoff performance may get himself a contract offer from the Canadiens, maybe in the $3 million range. To clear up some salary space, they may try to get rid of Andrei Kostitsyn (1 year, $3.25 million) and Roman Hamrlik (1 year, $5.5 million), but that could be difficult. One option would be for the Canadiens to package one of them with Carey Price. Buying George Laraque out will free up $1 million. Andrei Markov will be a free agent after next year, and could be shopped around if they think he’ll be out of their price range ($7 million?) or not in their long term plans.
  • Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News: It is possible that the Sharks could re-sign both Patrick Marleau and Evgeni Nabokov, but odds are they will only go after 1. Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi will be getting pay increases, and cap space will be disappearing. If they let Nabokov go, they could go with Thomas Greiss and minor leaguer Alex Stalock, or look to bring in a less expensive goalie to challenge for the #1 spot.
  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: Carolina Hurricanes majority owner Peter Karmanos Jr. has hired a New York investment firm to help him find a local buyer for a 49% stake in the team. Karmanos former co-owner, Thomas Thewes, passed away a few years ago, he owned the 49% of the team.

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Hudler Officially a Wing Later this Week … A Regeher to Capitals Thought? Hurricanes Draft Wish … Big Contract for Chris Stewart?

  • Ansar Khan of MLive: The agreement to bring Jiri Hudler back to the Detroit Red Wings should be finalized by GM Ken Holland and Hudler’s agent sometime this week. In the next couple days, Hudler’s camp should be able to make it official that he’s being released from his KHL contract. When adding his salary cap number of $2.875 million, the Red Wings will have 14 players under contract at a $43.6 million cap number.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Red Wings will have to let Jason Williams, Kirk Maltby, and Brad May walk to fit in Hudler’s salary. Matheson thinks the Capitals should offer Tomas Fleischman or Eric Fehr and a pick to the Flames for Robyn Regehr.
  • Paul Branecky of NHL.com: Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford may have tipped their NHL draft wish in a recent interview. “If we end up getting one of these top-three guys, one of them could end up making the team,” said Rutherford. Rutherford is referring to defenseman, Cam Fowler, Brandon Gormley and Erik Gudbranson. The Canes pick #7, so they’ll need couple teams that are picking between #3-6 to select forwards. See MyNHLdraft.com for more NHL Draft info.
  • Terry Frei of the Denver Post: Chris Stewart of the Colorado Avalanche is a restricted free agent, and could be in-line for a nice raise. Stewart had a breakout season in the final year of his entry level contract, recording 28 goals and 36 assists for 64 points in 77 games. Frei likens Stewart’s situation and stats to Corey Perry and his 5 year, $26.25 deal that he signed in 2008.

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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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    All Panthers Available … Lightning to be Buyers … Wings Need to Make Moves … Do the Blues and or Sell

    12:29 pm: Darren Dreger of TSN: The Kings still have interest in Ray Whitney, but things have quieted down. The Hurricanes believe they can get a 1st round pick and a prospect for him. Whitney would have his no-trade for a 2 year extension.

    11:54 am: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: The Oilers might have to take back $1 million salary to move Ethan Moreau and his $2 million salary. They might have to include a draft pick to move him. Andrew Cogliano and Coyotes Peter Mueller’s names have been tied together.
    11:27 am: TSN: The Senators have given GM Bryan Murray a 1 year contract extension. Murray told the media that the Senators won’t be trading UFA Anton Volchenkov, and that they have made a contract offer to him.

    9:19 am:

    • George Richards of the Miami Herald: Panthers GM, Randy Sexton, has said that no player is off limits. He hasn’t talked to anyone about waiving their no-trade/no-movement clauses yet. It’s being reported that Tomas Vokoun will not waive his no trade clause.
    • Dan O’Neill of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The Blues are still unsure if they are going to stay pat or make some moves. Would anyone be interested in Brad Boyes who has 2 years at $4 million? Paul Kariya, Keith Tkachuk, Eric Brewer and Barret Jackman have no-trade clauses.
    • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: The Wings need to clear at least $1.2 in cap space as Andreas Lilja is ready to return. Holland could move Brad May, Derek Meech and Brett Lebda, or he could look at moving Jason Williams and his $1.5 million cap number.
    • Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Teams that have shown interest in Andy Sutton: Calgary, Chicago, Colorado, New Jersey, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington. Teams that might be interested in Dwayne Roloson: Chicago, Colorado, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and Washington.
    • Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Alexei Ponikarovsky knows his time as a Maple Leaf could be coming to an end. “Yeah, I’m prepared,” Ponikarovsky said. “You are always ready for something to happen. I know that. If management decides to move me, I will respect than and move on.”

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    Niedermayer staying with Ducks? Two Leafs wanting a trade, Red Wings injury situation, Lehtonen on the Block?

    • Eric Stephens of the OC Register: If the Ducks continue to gain ground on the last playoff spot, the decision for Scott Niedermayer staying in Anaheim becomes easier, he won’t be going anywhere.
    • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: A good article from Simmons about the situation Brian Burke finds himself in. Burke has been trying to make some changes, but has had no luck so far. Don’t expect much to happen (other than rumors) before March 3rd. According to Burke, “Unfortunately, (talking trade) is like being a farmer. You plant your crop and then you do nothing but wait.”
    • Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star: Both Garnet Exelby and Jamal Mayers have spoken with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, and they wouldn’t mind being traded at the deadline. The fact that Mayers was looking to move on, was leaked yesterday. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to help the team. If that means moving on, then that’s the way it has to be,” said Mayers. “I haven’t had a chance to win yet, so I’d certainly like that opportunity but I can’t control that. I certainly like to think I come to the rink every day to play hard.”
    • Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen is due to return from his AHL conditioning stint next week. That will give the Thrashers 3 goalies (Lehtonen, Johan Hedberg and Ondrej Pavelec), and most likely a new home for one of them. Lehtonen is the most likely to go, but his back issues may scare some teams off.
    • TheFourthPeriod: The Capitals and Nicklas Backstrom are taking their time with regards to a contract extension. The Caps are reportedly in the market for a 2nd line center, and a top four physical defenseman. The Blues might be a team they are talking with.
    • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: If the trade deadline was tomorrow, Capitals GM George McPhee wouldn’t do anything. I’m not sure if this was said before Jose Theodore left Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury. If healthy, Varlamov is their playoff goalie, but he’s been out for awhile, and his return is not known at the moment. I think they should consider another goalie option, as health could become a problem down the stretch and in the playoffs.
    • AP in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune: Unable to find a trade partner for Petr Sykora, the Minnesota Wild have sent him to their AHL affiliate, where he’s not expected to show up.
    • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: With Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom, and Jason Williams returning to the Red Wings lineup soon, management may be forced to make some roster/salary adjustments. When Holmstrom and Williams return (and if there are no other injuries - below post might help a little) they will be over the roster limit of 23. Justin Abdelkader doesn’t need to clear waivers, so he will most likely be sent to the AHL. When Franzen returns, the Wings will have to shed $1.5 million in salary, as they’ll be over the cap limit.
    • Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: With all the good news on the Detroit injury front, you knew something had to give. Brad Stuart left last night’s game in the first period with a sprained left shoulder.

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    More Flames talk, Moving Price over Halak? Some injury updates

  • Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail: Flames GM Darryl Sutter is trying to be patient when I comes to making a significant move. With his luxury of having numerous quality defenseman, one could be peddled from some scoring help for Jarome Iginla.
  • Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Despite looking for scoring help, Darryl Sutter doesn’t see himself in the middle of the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes. Also noted “We’ve talked to Bourque and Olli (Jokinen) off and on all year, but it’s not to the point we’re going to talk about finalizing any sort of deal,” said the Flames GM.”
  • Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports:
    • Friedman thinks that the Canadiens should consider trading Carey Price. The return for Price would be greater than Jaroslav Halak.
    • Sheldon Souray has given the Oilers a list of teams he’ll waive his no-trade clause for. In a perfect world for Souray, the Kings and/or Ducks would come calling.
    • Trade talks are begining to heat up amongst teams, as one GM said “I got six calls on Friday. I hadn’t got that many in weeks.”
  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Penguins could have an interst in Ray Whitney, but the attributes that make him attractive to the Pens, also makes him attactive to other teams, therefore driving up the price.
  • Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall will return tonight after being out since Nov. 21st with a sprained knee. Tomas Holmstrom hopes to begin practicing today or tomorrow. Jason Williams has been skating for a couple weeks.
  • Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen: Senators goalie, Pascal Leclaire, has begun skating on his own, and hopes to be back in the next few weeks.

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    Around the Boards: Ward, Williams, D. Sedin, Luongo and Malkin

    Hockey Night in Canada’s Hotstove: GMs to look at new helmet ideas and how to stop headshots.

    All these injuries is getting ridiculous.

  • Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer: 7 1/2 minutes into the Hurricanes - Blue Jackets game, Cam Ward was clipped by a skate, slicing open his left leg. Rick Nash’s skate cut Ward above the knee, and coach Paul Maurice called it a ’significant injury’.  Ward received stitches and remained in hospital overnight.
  • Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Red Wings Jason Williams awkwardly crashed into the boards last night, fracturing his fibula. Williams will be out at least 2 months.
  • Finally some good news on the injury front

  • Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun: Canucks sniper Daniel Sedin and goalie Roberto Luongo will be practicing with the team in Dallas today. Sedin has missed 14 games with a broken foot and Luongo has been out for 5 games with a broken rib. There is a chance that both players could be back in the lineup on Tuesday.
  • Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Evgeni Malkin is also close to returning. Malkin has missed 5 games with a strained shoulder.
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