Posts Tagged Johan Franzen
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.
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
Are the Preds and Ducks Buyers or Sellers? Injury to Getzlaf, Franzen Returns Tonight
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 9th, 2010
Niedermayer staying with Ducks? Two Leafs wanting a trade, Red Wings injury situation, Lehtonen on the Block?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 28th, 2010
- 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.
Lecavalier rumors shot down, Auld the starter in Dallas? No moves for the Wings?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 19th, 2010
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks doesn’t think the Rangers should deal for Vincent Lecavalier, even if if means getting rid of Wade “Golden Gloves” Redden. “It won’t work, because it’s impossible to build contenders through the addition of cap-choking veterans. It won’t work because Lecavalier isn’t 27 and at the top of his game anymore.”
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM, Brian Lawton, shot down rumors that they have been talking to the Rangers about shipping Vinny Lecavalier to the big apple. “It’s complete B.S. and nobody ever calls me or even asks me,” Lawton said. “I haven’t talked to Glen Sather in weeks, so that is completely false that he contacted me to inquire about that. It absolutely did not happen.”
- Elliotte Freidman of CBCSports: “Asked one scout about Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak. He said, “If Halak were made available, there would be 10 teams interested. If Price were made available, there would be 29 teams interested.””
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Stars are giving goalie Alex Auld a little more opportunity to earn the starting job in Dallas, increasing the signals that Marty Turco could be on his way out.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Despite all their injuries this season, the Detroit Red Wings have hung in there, but it’s still unlikely they will make any significant deals at the deadline. They will be really close to the cap limit and may not be able to take on additional salary. Before the deadline they will get some injured players back, Jason Williams, Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen. It doesn’t appear that Andreas Lilja will return this season from his concussion.
- Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch: Arace thinks it would be nice if the Blue Jackets could keep Raffi Torres, but most likely he’ll be moved. Milan Jurcina and Fredrik Modin are also in the last year of their contracts and could be moved. Modin has a no-trade clause.
Around the Boards: Filatov moved at the Draft? Leafs losing trade value, Franzen back before Olympics? Hossa day-to-day
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 11th, 2010
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: He doesn’t think the Blackhawks should make a run at Kovalchuk. Henrik Sedin could be Hart trophy winner. Tyler Myers in the lead for Calder Trophy. The Blue Jackets could move Nikita Filatov at entry draft for a top 4 defenceman.
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: The mounting loses for the Maple Leafs are doing little to the trade value for their veteran players. Players that might have had some trade value, Stajan, Hagman, and Ponikarovsky have struggled recently. Tomas Kaberle is basically on the only Leaf that could fetch a nice package, a 1st round plus a top prospect or 2, or a top 6 forward, though he most likely won’t be dealt.
- Larry Brooks of the USA Today: Brooks thinks the Rangers should rebuild and trade off UFA’s Vinny Prospal and Christopher Higgens and RFA Dan Girardi.
- Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press: Johan Franzen thinks he might be able to return to the Red Wings lineup before the Olympics.
- Jimmy Murphy of NESN (via Twitter): The Boston Bruins are looking at what the Oilers and Hurricanes have to trade. They have interest in Ray Whitney.
- Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune: Marian Hossa missed Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury. He’s listed as day-to-day, which coach Quenneville hopeful that he’ll be back Thrusday. Cam Barker has been out the last 4 games, and might be ready for Thursday.
- Kevin Allen of the USA Today:
- The Thrashers could be looking to move both Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen, who’s close to returning.
- Tomas Kaberle may give list of teams he might accept a trade to Brian Burke at the trade deadline.
- Teams that could be interested in Teemu Selanne: Pittsburgh, Boston, and Calgary.
- Philadelphia may make a significant move at the deadline.
- The Capitals are looking for a proven defencemen.
Frustration in Fantasy Hockey
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on October 12th, 2009
There are 2 things in fantasy hockey pools that can be so frustrating, injuries and shutouts. Long term injuries to key players, especially early on in the season, can be really frustrating.
In the 1st week and half fantasy players have seen Andre Markov and Johan Franzen go on the shelf for up to 4 months. If you have both, you’re season may be over before it really got started.
If you’ve done a ‘pick from a box’ type of pool and had one of them, your odds of winning have dramatically dropped. Any type of long term injuries in one of those pools where you can’t interchange players, I wish you luck.
The latest player to be out, albeit for not as long Markov and Franzen, is Daniel Sedin of the Canucks, who’s gone for 4-6 weeks with a broken left foot. Though he may be back in a month or so, it may take a little longer for him to get going after recovering from a broken foot.
Getting back to why shutouts can be really frustrating. After seeing one of your players get seriously injured, having a backup goalie get a shutout while you have that teams starter, has to be the next most annoying thing in fantasy hockey. It’s not as bad for teams that have goalies that split time (which seems like plenty of NHL teams are doing so far), but when you goalie usually gets 60-70 starts in a season, it makes you want to throw you computer mouse across the room. Stephen Valiquette was the last goalie to do this, with a 3-0 shutout last night. Antti Niemi of the ‘Hawks and Mathieu Garon have also recorded shutouts. In all 3 cases, the teams #1 starter has yet to record a shutout.
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