Posts Tagged Lee Stempniak
Blues could look at Ruutu … Stewart may be available … Carter may interest Leafs … Green skating … Stempniak on crutches
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on February 2nd, 2012
- Andy Strickland of True Hockey: The Blues may look at Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu. Strickland thinks the Blues can find their scoring touch internally, but that doesn’t mean they should not try to improve their roster. It might take someone like Chris Stewart to get him though. Stewart has struggled this year and will be due at least $3.25 million, a RFA after the season. Moving Stewart could come back to bit them if they did move him. For the right price they might move him, but it might not make sense doing it for a rental. T.J. Oshie and David Perron will also need new deals in the summer. The Blues biggest need may be a top 4 defenseman that can play the left side. An experienced, rugged Dman would be ideal. The Blue Jackets aren’t moving Rick Nash, but they wouldn’t mind moving Jeff Carter, and Strickland doesn’t think it will be as hard to do as most think. Ray Whitney may not be a fit with the Blues.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: If the rumors out of St. Louis are true that Chris Stewart could be available, Dater thinks the Avalanche should look at bringing him back. Stewart hasn’t happy when he was dealt to the Blues, and is still friends with some of the Avs. Stewart replacing Hejduk as a top 6 winger would make sense. Dater would offer up David Jones, who also has lost his scoring touch this year. Stewart is a RFA at seasons end, Jones is a UFA.
- Bob Mitchell of the Toronto Star: Mitchell thinks that Jeff Carter would look good between Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. The Blue Jackets gave up a 1st round pick which turned out to be Sean Couturier and Jakob Voracek, so they would still need to get a good return back. Why it could happen: Carter has struggled this year but he is a 30-40 goal scorer. They may be able to get him at a discounted rate due to 10 years left on his contract. Why it won’t happen: He has a no trade clause, he has 10 years left at $5.27 million cap hit, and Burke doesn’t like long contracts.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: Bruins Nathan Horton will have missed his 3rd consecutive game with a ‘mild concussion. “He’s still where he was a few days ago. He’s feeling better, but not the stages of where he’s working out,” said Julien. “The day he does [feel better], I’m going to be the first to let you know that he’s on the bike now and that he’s moving forward.”
- Brian McNally via twitter: Capitals defenseman Mike Green said he’s on schedule from his sports hernia surgery. He was expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks. Stephen Whyno via twitter: Mike Green skated the last 3 days.
- Roger Millions via twitter: Flames winger Lee Stempniak left the arena on crutches and a soft boot on his left foot, could be long-term.
- Jeremy Rutherford via twitter: Alex Steen and Andy McDonald skated with the extras today, so it looks like they may not be ready for tomorrow.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is getting closer to making a decision if he’ll play another season. He said 50% yes, the other 50% was up to his wife. They’ll talked about it over the next couple days.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Regardless of what the NHL turns up in their investigation to the Kings-CBJ clock issue, the game stands with a Kings win. Lisa Dillman via twitter: Kings GM Dean Lombardi in an email: “Those clocks are sophisticated instruments that calculate time by measuring electrical charges called coulombs. Given the rapidity and volume of electrons that move through the measuring device the calibrator must adjust at certain points which was the delay you see – the delay is just recalibrating for the clock moving too quickly during the 10 – 10ths of a second before the delay – this insures that the actual playing time during a period is exactly 20 minutes – that is not an opinion – that is science.”
Flames depth allowed them to move Langkow … What if Couturier makes Flyers? Isles looking for D, Kuba? Whitney, Malone expect to be ready for camp
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 30th, 2011
- Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: Jay Feaster cited the Flames depth where it matters most as one of the reasons he sent center Daymond Langkow to the Coyotes for winger Lee Stempniak. The Flames are going to see if Mikael Backlund can center the top line with Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. The Flames also have Brendan Morrison, Olli Jokinen and Matt Stajan down the middle. Langkow carries a $4.5 million cap hit this year, Stempniak carries a $1.9 million hit. Niklas Hagman’s time as a Flame could be running short and he may find himself making $3 million in the AHL.
- Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly: Some think that 2011 1st round pick Sean Couturier could make the Flyers roster, which could create a logjam at center. Down the middle they have Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, Blair Betts, Brayden Schenn and Ben Holmstrom. Michael Nylander is also heading to camp on a tryout.
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen: Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank suggests that the Islanders could be looking for a veteran defenseman. Warren wonders if the Isles would be interested in Filip Kuba. The Isles are $2.3 million below the salary cap floor. Chris Campoli and Bryan McCabe are free agent defenseman still available.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Oilers defenseman Ryan Whitney injured his surgically repaired right ankle skating earlier this month, but hopes to be ready for the start of training camp. “I rolled over on the foot … caught a rut in the ice. Minor sprain, I think,” said Whitney, “I’ll be back in Edmonton on Saturday. I don’t think it’s serious.”
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Pat Morris, the agent for former Oilers defenseman Steve Staios:
“He’s been training with all the young players at Matt Nichols’ camp in Toronto. I really think Steve could help a young team like the Islanders or Colorado (Avalanche). He played 23 of the last 27 games for Calgary last season, was an even-or plus-player in 18 of those games and had eight points.”
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning winger Ryan Malone had surgery in July to repair some damage from the shoulder separation he suffered in first round of the playoffs.
“It was just kind of nagging, so I went to get it looked at it and it was still kind of separated so we had to go get it fixed,” Malone said. “After the season there was still all the swelling so after everything went down, that’s when we found some other stuff that had to be taken care of.”
Initial reports were saying he would miss up to 6 months, but Malone said he expects to be ready for the season opener on Oct. 7th. Malone hasn’t been cleared for contact and likely won’t before the start of camp.
- Lindsay Applebaum of the Washington Post: Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun wants to go out and enjoy playing hockey. He was disappointed with the offers he got in early July, including the 3 year offer from the Panthers.
“It was something I was looking at as, you know, I want to enjoy hockey. I want to play in playoffs,” Vokoun said Monday. “It’s been really tough for me. I lost four years. I’ve been sitting every summer here in South Florida, which I love, in the afternoons swimming in the pool, and by 7:30 at night I put on the TV and watch playoff hockey every single year. If you care and love playing hockey, it’s not an easy thing to do.”
- Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province: Canucks forward Mikael Samuelsson, who had surgery last May, is back on the ice and is feeling stronger in the groin and hip area. He had abductor-tendon and sports hernia surgery, and began training in July.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “I don’t know about you, but if I had Drew Doughty on my team, I’d do everything to make sure he was signed, happy, and ready to lead my Los Angeles Kings team. The last thing I’d want is to drag my franchise player through the negotiating mud all summer with no contract agreed to with three weeks until training camp.”
- George Malik via twitter: According to Sport-Express, Metallurg of the KHL is trying to sign Jarkko Ruutu.
Oilers re-sign Sam Gagne … Lee Stempniak re-signs with Coyotes
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 30th, 2010
- 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.
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.
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.
Penguins to decide on Guerin next week … Lecavalier under the knife … One rule change
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Injuries, NHL News, NHL Rumors on August 22nd, 2010
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Lee Stempniak and his 28 goals last year isn’t getting any offers above $1.5 million.
- Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune: Lecavalier will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair the meniscus. Recovery time is 3-4 weeks, so he’ll be ready for training camp.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins GM Ray Shero told his coaches that he’ll make a decision on Bill Guerin next week. Guerin would need to take a pay cut from the $2 million he made last year.
- EJ Hradek via twitter: The NHL has confirmed one rule change, “Regulation/OT wins (shootout Ws EXCLUDED) now will be first way to break ties in the standings.”
- Ben Wright via twitter: Nik Antropov will be ready for training camp, but currently his hip isn’t 100%.
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.
Savard rumors to heat up or on hold … Kronwall back to Europe? Stempniak interest increasing … Maltby still in Wings plans?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on August 11th, 2010
- James Murphy of ESPN Boston: Tomas Kaberle has been link to Bruins since the 2009 draft. Marc Savard has been link to the Leafs for awhile as well, especially after Savard said he’d waive his no-trade to go there. With Kaberle’s no-trade clause kicking back in on 15th, Savard and Kaberle rumors could be heating up again. Savard’s contact being under investigation could put a damper on things though.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: Calgary Flames defenseman, Staffan Kronwall, would rather play in Europe than play the final season of his 2 year deal with Flames. “I want to leave and play in Sweden or elsewhere in Europe. Not that I’m uncomfortable in any way with the town and the club — I liked it — but because I want to get a bit closer to my family.” The Flames have been trying to trade him to an Eastern Conference team so that his commuting distance is shorter or help arrange something in Europe.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes, and few other teams are interested in signing Lee Stempniak.
- Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press: The Detroit Red Wings and Kirk Maltby are still talking. They already have 15 players under contract, so Maltby might have to play part of the season in the minors. They could do a two-way deal, Maltby wouldn’t have to clear waivers if it’s for less than 10 games or 30 days.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Blues are interested in Ryan Potulny, but on a two-way deal.
White-Flames heading to arbitration … Regin and Campoli at standstill with Sens … Richards staying in Dallas long-term? Redden to be waived?
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors on July 29th, 2010
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: It doesn’t appear like the Calgary Flames and Ian White will reach an agreement before their Friday arbitration case. From White’s agent, “If something happens, something happens. But we’re not counting on it”. White made $950,000 last season, where he had 13 goals and 25 assists in 83 games.
- Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: It looks like both Peter Regin and Chris Campoli will be going to arbitration with the Ottawa Senators, as contract talks with both are going nowhere.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: It looks like Brad Richards will remain with the Stars, with the possibility of being one of the center-pieces the club builds around. “The Stars want to keep Richards and Richards wants to stay here.” He’d have to take a pay cut from his $7.8 million if he were to resign.
- Douglas Flynn of NESN: Before the Bruins include Tyler Seguin and Blake Wheeler’s salary (his ruling should come out sometime today), they are pushing up against the cap. Efforts to trade Marc Savard and Tim Thomas are at a standstill. Michael Ryder and his $4 million salary could be a cap casualty. Chiarelli has said he won’t buyout players. Ryder would be a $1.33 million cap hit the next 2 seasons if they bought him out, which might not help out as much as they need. His contract may make it hard to find a trade partner. They could put him through waivers and send him to the minors. Ownership may not want to pay $4 million to someone in the minors, and there is a chance that Ryder would be unhappy and have a negative influence on their prospects.
- Jimmy Murphy via twitter: Accroding to La Presse, if Antti Niemi’s arbitration ruling is too high, they’ll look to trade him and sign Jose Theodore.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers are about $6.7 million under the cap, with Marc Staal still unsigned, and the need for possibly another defenseman. Wade Redden could be waived during camp. It’s believed that Frolov turned down a 4 year, $18-20 million deal from the Rangers to sign a 1 year deal with the Rangers.
- David Pagnotta via twitter: Even after signing Alexei Ponikarovsky, the Kings may still look to add another top guy.
- Alessandro Seren Rosso of RussianHockeyFans: Alexander Radulov’s KHL contract runs out after this season, and it looks like he’ll be heading back to Nashville next year to play out the remaining year with the Predators under is old NHL contract.
- Genadi Boguslavski via twitter: 2010 St. Louis Blues 1st round draft pick, Vladimir Tarasenko, is still deciding if he’ll play in the KHL or head to St. Louis. Andy Strickland says that the Blues expect Tarasenko to play in Russia this year.
- Craig Custance via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes are talking with the Lee Stempniak, they’d like him back at the ‘right price’.
That free agent guy … Bieksa getting some interest … No rush for Modano
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on July 18th, 2010
- Mark Everson of the NY Post: A source close to Ilya Kovalchuk is saying he’s still deciding between a couple teams, but the saga is close to ending. One source is saying the Kings have a 50-50 chance of signing Kovalchuk. The New Jersey Devils still hope he’ll sign with them, and reportedly have offered more money.
Kingscast.net: 15 day documentry/short film on the Ilya Kovalchuk-LA Kings saga.
- Randy Youngman of the OC Register: Is Bobby Ryan not signing the 5 year, $25 million deal with the Ducks because he’s looking for a 3 year deal, as he thinks “he’ll be worth more than $5 million in the final years of the contract”? Or is he trying to get a bigger offer sheet from someone? Ducks GM is looking to add a top 4 defenseman, and Canucks Kevin Bieksa is drawing their interest. San Jose and Columbus have also shown some interest.
- Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: Mike Modano is no closer to making a decision if he’ll be joining the Detroit Red Wings, but they appear to fine with letting him take his time. Apparently there is an offer on the table for 1 year at $1.25 million.
- Andy Strickland via Twitter: Things have picked up in last few days on Lee Stempniak, several teams interested.
- Andy Strickland via Twitter: 3 clubs are interested in Bill Guerin, with the Penguins being one of them.
Should the Bruins trade Marc Savard:
“98% sure” for Kovalchuk … No Sweatt for Leafs … No Love of Lee
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 17th, 2010
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: According to one of Elliott’s sources, “he’s 98% sure” that Ilya Kovalchuk and the Los Angeles Kings will get a deal done, either side will not comment on it. (For the love of God please get this over with). Some of the stumbling blocks have been how Kovalchuk will be payed during the potential lockout season of 2012-13, if he’ll get a no-trade or no-movement clause, and if there is clause to give him veto on a trade, or selecting a number teams he’d consider joining.
- Dave Fuller of the Toronto Sun: Brian Burke has pulled the Maple Leafs offer to Bill Sweatt off the table. The Leafs acquired Sweatt in the Kris Versteeg deal. The Leafs have/had until August 15th to sign him to an entry level deal or he would become an unrestricted free agent. The Leafs are close to the maximum of 50 player contracts. I would think Burke will try to shop Sweatt around, maybe adding a draft pick or putting him in a trade package.
- Chris Botta of NYI Point Blank: Doug Weight will be back with the New York Islanders next season, but they are in no rush to get the deal done. The Isles are below the salary cap floor, and could use Weight’s bonus laden contract to reach the minimum.
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: Lee Stempniak scored 28 goals last season, 2nd most amoung free agents, but still finds himself without a contract. Stempniak and his agent are still talking to teams, but it’s been a slow process. He and the Coyotes have a mutual interest in each other, and at the right price, the Coyotes would like to have him back.
- Elliotte Friedman of CBCsports: (worth a read) He writes about the Kovalchuk situation, how it’s not a ‘ripe’ market, why some draft picks fall, and his 30 thoughts.
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: An NHL source is saying that the Dallas Stars do not have an agreement to be sold to Canadian Oilman, Bill Gallacher. Ken Campbell of The Hocky News reported yesterday that there was a deal.
- Dan Rosen via Twitter: Red Wings coach Mike Babcock on Mike Modano,”I look forward to him signing. I think that’s inevitable. I think that’s what is going to happen.”
- Dmitry Chesnokov via Twitter: Alexei Yashin’s agent said that the New York Islanders are always interested in him.
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