Posts Tagged Steven Stamkos
2011-12 Top 30 Salary Cap Numbers – Center
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on August 25th, 2011
List below are the Top 30 Salary Cap Numbers for centers heading into the 2011-12 NHL season. Due to front-loading contracts (back-loaded in some cases), and teams having to deal with the salary cap, a players cap number takes precedence over their actual salary.
| Rk. | Player | Team | 2011-12 Cap Number | 2011-12 Salary |
| 1 | Sidney Crosby | PIT | $8,700,000 | $9,000,000 |
| Evgeni Malkin | PIT | $8,700,000 | $9,000,000 | |
| 3 | Eric Staal | CAR | $8,250,000 | $7,750,000 |
| 4 | Vincent Lecavalier | TBL | $7,727,000 | $10,000,000 |
| 5 | Steven Stamkos | TBL | $7,500,000 | $8,000,000 |
| 6 | Scott Gomez | MTL | $7,357,000 | $7,500,000 |
| 7 | Jason Spezza | OTT | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 |
| Joe Thornton | SJS | $7,000,000 | $8,000,000 | |
| 9 | Patrick Marleau | SJS | $6,900,000 | $6,900,000 |
| 10 | Anze Kopitar | LAK | $6,800,000 | $6,400,000 |
| 11 | Mikko Koivu | MIN | $6,750,000 | $7,290,000 |
| 12 | Pavel Datsyuk | DET | $6,700,000 | $6,700,000 |
| 13 | Nicklas Backstrom | WAS | $6,700,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 14 | Brad Richards | NYR | $6,667,000 | $12,000,000 |
| 15 | Paul Stastny | COL | $6,600,000 | $6,600,000 |
| 16 | Daniel Briere | PHI | $6,500,000 | $7,000,000 |
| 17 | Jonathan Toews | CHI | $6,300,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 18 | Henrik Sedin | VAN | $6,100,000 | $6,100,000 |
| 19 | Mike Richards | LAK | $5,750,000 | $6,600,000 |
| 20 | Shawn Horcoff | EDM | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 |
| 21 | Ryan Getzlaf | ANA | $5,325,000 | $5,750,000 |
| 22 | Jeff Carter | CLB | $5,273,000 | $6,000,000 |
| 23 | Ryan Kesler | VAN | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Tomas Plekanec | MTL | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| Patrice Bergeron | BOS | $5,000,000 | $5,900,000 | |
| Mike Ribeiro | DAL | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | |
| 27 | Tim Connolly | TOR | $4,750,000 | $5,500,000 |
| 28 | Andy McDonald | STL | $4,700,000 | $4,200,000 |
| 29 | Daymond Langkow | CGY | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
| David Legwand | NAS | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| David Backes | STL | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 | |
| Brooks Laich | WAS | $4,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
| Tomas Fleischmann | FLA | $4,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
‘Collusion’ surrounding Stamkos and Doughty? Malone ready for training camp … Prospal signs with Blue Jackets
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 24th, 2011
- Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe: 3 ex-Bruins are still on the market: Sergei Samsonov, Nick Boynton, and Paul Mara. Dupont brings up the word ‘collusion’, as he wonders about no one putting forth an offer sheet for Steven Stamkos as “they simply opt not to violate the wink-wink, nudge-nudge gentlemen’s agreement that mysteriously has GMs unwilling to raid their competitors’ rosters.” A realistic comparison for RFA Brad Marchand could be Lightning’s Teddy Purcell who signed a 2 year deal with a cap hit of $2.36 million. Could also do a 3 year, $9 million deal. The Winnipeg Jets told Manitoba native Shane Hnidy that there may not be room for him on their blueline after he asked them if they needed help. The Lightning have a lot of money tied up in there top 3, and not a lot left to for $2-3 million 3rd liners. Ryan Malone and his $4.5 million cap hit could be moved. Rumors have Craig MacTavish possibly coaching Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in Chicago.
- Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Simmons also throws out the ‘collusion’ word with regards to Stamkos and Drew Doughty. “it’s not the job of hockey general managers to act as the conscience of the game. It’s their job to make their teams better.” There were no offers made to Stamkos and there haven’t been any exploratory calls to Doughty.
Stamkos, we’re told, would have seriously considered signing a one-year, $12-million deal. But the problem with an offer like that is that Tampa would have matched it. The longer-term, larger-money deal, might have been too rich for the Lightning to match. That’s probably where the Leafs had to go if they wanted to play that game.
- Tampa Bay Lightning via twitter: Lightning PR on Ryan Malone: “The 4-6 months is inaccurate. He did have shoulder surgery, but he should be fine for the start of training camp.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The long-term injury to Kristian Huselius led to the Blue Jackets signing Vinny Prospal to a 1 year deal worth $1.75 million.
Nabokov would need to clear waivers before a trade … Red Wings done for now … Coyotes interested in Campoli … Stamkos press conference video
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors, NHL Videos on July 23rd, 2011
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Evgeni Nabokov’s agent said he’ll stick it out in the NHL this season. He has a 1 year deal worth $570,000 and is property of the NY Islanders. The Islanders already have 5 goalies in their organization, so where Nabokov fits in a good good question. He will likely be traded by the Islanders. Capgeek via twitter: If Nabokov was traded, he would have to clear waivers first.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Yashin is being offered no more that $2 million, presumably from the Islanders.
- Josh Gorges signed a 1 year, $2.5 million deal with the Canadiens before their arbitration hearing. Brian Wilde via twitter adds “Of course there’s no guarantee he’ll leave as UFA now. But I can guarantee one thing – he wouldn’t with a long term deal. Why roll dice?”
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings GM Ken Holland doesn’t expect to make any more signings or trades before the season starts. The Wings have about $5.8 million in cap space, which would allow them to make a move or two during the season.
“I think we can compete and I like our cap space,” Holland said. “If, after 60 games, we get to the (trade) deadline and are in a playoff position, we can make a deal. We haven’t had that (cap space) the last couple of years.”
The Red Wings tried to sign a top 6 forward. They made an offer to Jaromir Jagr, and had interest in Tomas Fleischmann and Scott Upshall.
“I’d like to add a top-six forward, but so would every other team in the league,” Holland said. “We wanted to add a guy like (Danny) Cleary, a good, two-way forward. We explored but came up short on a few (players), either in dollars or term.”
Holland will meet with Kris Draper soon and it should be known by next week if he’ll be back or not.
“If he plays another year, his role is diminishing,” Holland said. “We need young players to push and eventually take away older players’ jobs. If that’s not happening, we’re not doing our job.
“We’re talking about (whether) he’s comfortable with the (diminished) role.”
- Tom Reed via twitter: Is hearing the NY Rangers aren’t certain to buy out Wojtek Wolski.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: The Phoenix Coyotes are one team that has shown interest in Chris Campoli.
- Steven Stamkos, Steve Yzerman Press Conference
Webers talks coming to a stalemate … Caps don’t see any more changes, including Semin … Stars losing $1 mill a week? Dubinsky looking for $5 mill+
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 20th, 2011
- Josh Cooper of the Tennessean: Shea Weber and the Nashville Predators have an arbitration hearing set for August 2nd.
“We’ve had long talks; we seem to be coming to a bit of a stalemate. We still have time to work before the system kicks in,” Weber’s agent, Jarrett Bousquet said. “Shea would like to be a Predator. He enjoys playing there with a team that’s on the cusp of doing something great.”
- Scott Burnside of ESPN: Predators GM David Poile said on Monday they they will continue to work on re-signing Shea Weber before their arbitration hearing. If they go to the hearing, Weber has the option of choosing a 1 or 2 year deal. The Preds could walk away but the is very unlikely. Weber is eligible to be a UFA after next season.
- E.J. Hradek of NHL.com: Alex Semin’s name has come up in trade rumors numerous times over the past few years, and have surface again recently. Capitals GM George McPhee had this to say regarding the Semin rumors,
“We like Semin because he can score goals,” McPhee said Monday, squashing the latest round of Semin trade tales. “Those guys aren’t easy to find.”
“We’ve made our moves,” he continued. “I don’t anticipate us making any other changes. If I go into the season with this group, I’m fine with that.”
The Capitals are currently over the salary cap, but they don’t think that Tom Poti is going to be able to start the season with them, and his $2.875 million cap hit could go on the LTIR.
McPhee on the Semyon Varlamov trade,
“I really didn’t want to do it, but he’d indicated that was going to go to play in the KHL and I started to think of different scenarios where we could end up with nothing for him,” said McPhee, citing the ongoing Evgeni Nabokov saga. “Colorado and four other teams were interested and it just came together pretty quick.”
- Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News: A Forbes report from Mike Ozanian is saying the Dallas Stars are losing a $1 million a week due to high debt and interest payments according to a source. A Stars source said it’s “unequivocally untrue.” From what Heika sees, the Stars are paying their bills and are not bouncing any checks. The Stars are controlled by the lenders who took over when Hicks Sports Group defaulted on 3 loans. Heika adds,
I have no doubt that a smart accountant can show you a sheet of paper that says the Stars are losing $1 million a week, but who are they losing it to? To the lenders, who are paying the bills and charging the interest? That just seems like a paper loss to me.
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: When asked why the Lightning didn’t sign Steven Stamkos to a 7-10 year deal, he responds that both sides were comfortable with 5 years from the start and there’s uncertainty of the next CBA.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: The Rangers and Brandon Dubinsky have an arbitration hearing set for tomorrow. They’ve been trying to get a 5 or 6 year deal done. Dubinsky is reportedly looking for a long term deal in the $5 – $5.25 million range. It’s believed that Dubinsky could get an arbitration ruling in the $3.8 – $4.4 million range.
- Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun: Contract negotiations between the Maple Leafs and Luke Schenn will start “Certainly no later than by the end of next week,” according to Don Meehan, Schenn’s agent. The Leafs are about $4.4 million under the cap ceiling with 25 players signed. It’s likely that Meehan will negotiate with Claude Loiselle and Brian Burke.
- Greg Brady via twitter: The Red Wings are close to signing Ty Conklin, expect an announcement by Friday. George Malik via twitter: Malik is about 95% certain that the Red Wings will sign Conklin to be their backup by Friday at the latest. Craig Custance via twitter: Red Wings GM Ken Holland says they will sign a backup goalie by the end of the week.
- Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: Negotiations between Zach Bogosian and the Winnipeg Jets continue.
“The conversations are continuing with his agent,” Cheveldayoff said. “There’s no time frame set in place to have that one done by. It’s a summer-negotiation type thing. Everyone’s respectful of the fact this is a down time for players and agents and management… those talks will continue and they’ve been good.
“It’s playing out exactly how we thought it would. It’s going to take some time. Each one of the negotiations — the (Andrew) Ladd, the Wheeler, the regular RFAs (restricted free agents) and Zach all have different nuances to them.”
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t ruled out adding some scoring for his top 2 line.
“You’re always looking for that,” Cheveldayoff said Tuesday. “It’s got to be the right fit for the group of guys that you have. You want it to mesh together. If you look at the roster right now there is probably some room if you could add some forwards. We think our defence is pretty deep with respect to the (NHL) depth side of things.
“Certainly if the right opportunity presents itself at forward or defence we’re going to look at it. You’re always looking, you’re always talking. But to say what you see today is what you’ll see tomorrow… it’s hard to say at this time.”
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: It’s unlikely that the Lightning are interested in Vinny Prospal, they are likely done with UFAs.
- Tom Panaccio via twitter: The Flyers will carry a $1.4 million bonus overage against the cap this year.
Steven Stamkos re-signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 19th, 2011
Joe Smith of the St. Petersburgh Times: The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed Steven Stamkos to a 5 year deal worth $37.5 million. The deal carries a $7.5 million cap hit.
Stamkos will make $8 million in the first 4 years, and $5.5 million in the last.
“When you’re dealing with a player that’s this important to the franchise and has had as much success that he’s had at such a young age, these things take time to work through,” Guy said. “There are a lot of variables to work out, it was a good process for both sides. Steven is extremely excited and happy and grateful for Tampa, for Mr. Yzerman and Mr. Vinik, for the whole group. And he’s excited to have it done…
“Steven’s direction the entire time was to get a deal done with Tampa, and that’s what Steve and that’s what we were just working toward.”
Stamkos has scored 96 goals over the past 2 seasons, leading the NHL over that time.
“I am excited we were able to reach an agreement today,” Stamkos said in a statement. “This was obviously very important to me and I appreciate Mr. Vinik and Steve Yzerman for all their work in the transformation of the franchise as we move forward. There is no place I’d rather be than as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.”
Hulsizer looking to buy Blues … Avs still below the salary cap floor … Yzerman hasn’t received any offers for Stamkos … Blue Jackets have option for top line
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 11th, 2011
- David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail: Chicago businessman Matthew Hulsizer gave up his pursuit of the Phoenix Coyotes and is now looking at buying the St. Louis Blues. He has recently met with Blues chairman Dave Checketts. Hulsizer has been discussing buying the majority share in the team in the price range of $165 to $170 million. There are some reports that Hulsizer offered to buy the $100 million in bonds from the city of Glendale to buy the Coyotes. It would have gave the city $5 million instead of nothing. Glendale also had turned down $25 million from Jim Balsillie years ago. The financial situation in St. Louis may not be as good as originally reported. The vote by Nassau County taxpayers is set for August 1st to approve a financial plan to build a new arena for the Islanders.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Avalanche are still about $4 million below the salary cap floor of $48.3 million. They still need to re-sign TJ Galiardi and Kyle Cumiskey. Once they get 1st round draft pick Gabriel Landeskog signed (and if he makes the team) he would carry around a $3 million salary cap hit.
- Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Tribune: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman doesn’t listen to trade rumors, “I don’t feel I should be in a position to comment on somebody who simply has an idea.” GM’s are asking how he’s making out with Steven Stamkos’ negotiations, but nothing more. When asked if someone has come up with a proposal, Yzerman responded,
“Absolutely not. I’m not interested in discussing a possible trade. I’m committed to re-signing Steven.”
“I’m confident,” Yzerman said, “we will reach an agreement.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets have several options on who will play with Jeff Carter and Rick Nash on their top line. RJ Umberger could get some time on the right side. If Carter shifts to the right side, Derick Brassard could be the center. Kristian Huselius or Antoine Vermette are also possibilities. The Jackets are basically done adding players for the summer, they site around $58 million against the cap.
“As far as who is going to play with whom you know it’s going to change as the year goes on,” Howson said. “There’s going to be a time when (Arniel) is going to mix it up and give it a different look. Boston won the Stanley Cup and they didn’t have the same lines static throughout the season.
“But we’re a different team in terms of skill. That’s what we wanted and needed to change.”
Front loaded, long-term deals will be a thing of the past … Why there hasn’t been offer sheets … Panthers make 3 small trades
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 10th, 2011
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks on long-term front loaded contracts,
Forget the nine-year deals both Richards and Bryzgalov signed. The Kovalchuk Amendment not only allows, but encourages an 18-year front-loaded deal for a 21-year-old coming off Entry Level, under which nearly all of the money is packed into the first 10 years as long as the final nine seasons are established at $1M apiece.
That’s the formula that would get Steven Stamkos on an offer sheet. That’s the formula that would get Drew Doughty. That’s the formula (though adjusted for a 13-year deal running through age 40) that most assuredly would have gotten Zach Parise, which is exactly why the Devils filed for salary arbitration and thus removed the winger from the market.
Brooks thinks this is what the league wanted as proof that the system is broken, and it plans on fixing it in the next CBA. They will look to keep contract at 5 to 7 years, and take the average of the 3 to 5 highest years to get the cap number.
- James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty seem to be the perfect candidates to sign an offer sheet, but so far it hasn’t happened. There have only been 6 offer sheets in the past 5 years. Carolina signed Sergei Fedorov to one in 1998, 6 years at $38 million. Mirtle offers up some reasons why teams may not look at signing players to offer sheets. 1. Cost is too prohibitive – if a team were to sign Doughty or Stamkos, it would have to be for a lot more than $7 million in hopes that the offer wouldn’t be matched. If it was for over $7.835 million it would cost the team 4 1st round draft picks. 2. Teams are afraid of retaliation – If the Leafs put in an offer for Stamkos, the Lightning could do the same for Schenn, which would drive up the cost of the players. In 2008 the Blues matched an offer sheet from the Canucks for David Backes. The Blues then signed Steve Bernier to offer sheet, which the Canucks matched. 3. They create bad blood – see the Dustin Penner and Thomas Vanek situation with Oilers. Burke and Regier were not impressed with then GM Kevin Lowe. 4. They rarely work – Chris Gratton in 1997 was the last player to change teams before Dustin Penner did a couple years ago.
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: The Capitals traded Eric Fehr to the Jets for Danick Paquette and a 4th round pick on Friday, a deal that put them about $400,000 under the salary cap ceiling. They still need to re-sign Karl Alzner. If the Capitals put Tom Poti on LTIR at the start of the season, it would clear up $3.2 million in cap space. Alzner’s agent said they are having “good negotiations” but “we just disagree where Karl’s value is.”
“We’ve been trying for a long time to work on a two-year deal, with value based on what Karl’s arbitration would come in at,” said Barry, who added that a longer-term deal was not discussed with Washington. “We’ve just been unable to bridge the gap at this stage.”
- CP in the Globe and Mail: The Jets have acquired Kenndal McArdle from the Panthers for Angelo Esposito.
- Brad Ziemer of the Vancouver Sun: The Canucks have acquired the rights to Mike Duco from the Panthers for Sergei Shirokov.
- Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun: The Flames have acquired Jordan Henry from the Panthers for Keith Seabrook.
“Jordan Henry is a two-way defenceman who plays with an edge to his game,” said Flames GM Jay Feaster in a statement. “He is a responsible and smart defender, yet he is also adept at joining the rush and pinching down the wall to support the offence. He is still a solid prospect, and we viewed this trade as an opportunity to give two young players a new start with different organizations.
“We look forward to seeing Jordan compete with our other recent depth acquisitions for a spot in our top seven in camp.”
Rangers re-sign Sauer … Flyers shopping Bobrovsky … Flames looking to make more moves … Coyotes in trouble … Blues done for now
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 8th, 2011
- Larry Brooks via twitter: The NY Rangers have re-signed defenseman Michael Sauer this morning to a 2 year deal worth $2.5 million.
- Frank Seravalli of hte Philadelphia Daily News: Sources are saying that the Flyers have begun shopping goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. GM Paul Holmgren denied that he was involved in trade talks. The Flyers may not be getting the asking price they had hoped for. Bobrovsky carries a $1.75 million next season. They are okay with Bobrovsky as their backup to start the season, but if they could get a good return for him, they’d be foolish not to move him.
- Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun: Flames GM Jay Feaster continues to look for ways to improve his team, and he’ll be include looking at teams who are trying to move salary. MacFarlane suggests an offer sheet to Weber, Stamkos or Doughty, but adds that they would be likely matched.The Capitals sit over $64.3 million, and have Karl Alzner unsigned. The Flames could also look at Mike Green, but would have to send some salary back to take on Green’s $5.25 million. They could also look at Alexander Semin, who’ll be a UFA after next season. The Sabres may be looking to move one of their forwards.
- Neil Greenberg of the Washington Capitals: Some believe the Capitals need to move Alex Semin to create the cap room to re-sign Karl Alzner, but Greenberg thinks that would create “more harm than good.” Since the lockout, Semin has scored 166 goals, include 5 straight season with 25 goals or more. Semin also opens it up Ovechkin and Backstrom, as the team is thin offensively after the 3.
- Faceoff.com: Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs has said she’s losing faith in finding a new owner for the Coyotes and keeping the team in Phoenix. Since the NHL took over the team in 2009, 3 separate deals to buy the team have fallen through.
“In many ways the City of Glendale has no control over our future,” Scruggs told the station. “We have some, but we don’t have final control. The decision is with the National Hockey League, the 29 other owners, who they want to be an owner of the team.”
“I have never supported having the team leave, however now I believe that the only realistic thing to do is to take a look — for all of as elected officials — what would life be like with no team in the arena,” Scruggs said.
- Andy Strickland via twitter: Barring an unforeseen trade, Blues GM Armstrong says he’s done with his offseason additions and the Blues roster will remain the same.
- Chris Botta via twitter: Islanders draft pick Blake Kessel have offers from 4 teams including the Flyers.
Predators hearing tomorrow … Doughty wants to be highest paid King … Gorges’ hopes to avoid arbitration … Burke audio … Stamkos/MacArthur agent audio
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 7th, 2011
- Darren Dreger via twitter: The grievance hearing over the Predators qualifying offers starts tomorrow.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Answering a question on Drew Doughty: The Kings want to do over a 7 year deal, Doughty wants to do less. Bernstein says that Doughty wants to the highest paid LA King. (Anze Kopitar has a cap hit of $6.8 million)
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: Josh Gorges’ agent hopes to get a deal done with the Canadiens before they go to salary arbitration. Arbitration hearings run from July 20th to August 4th. Last year only 4 of 19 players that filed for arbitration went to the hearing. Gorges earlier rejected a qualifying offer of $1.3 million. Money shouldn’t be issue, it’s the term that could be a problem.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Alexander Semin is being shopped around the league, he won’t end up in San Jose.
- Nick Cotsonika via twitter: Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford said that Joe Corvo suggested at trade, but didn’t demand one. Dan Rosen via twitter: Rutherford told Rosen that “the idea to sign Kaberle actually came about through a phone conversation with Joe Corvo’s agent.”
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Brian Boyle and Michael Sauer all filed for salary arbitration, but the Rangers hope to get all signed before their hearing dates.
It’s fair to project that bookend foundation pieces Callahan and Dubinsky will come in at somewhere between $3.7 million and $4.4 million per season. It’s safe to say Sauer, prime for an offer sheet that inexplicably did not materialize over the last four days, will be in at between $1.5 million and $2 million. Boyle is a tougher case, coming off his first productive year in the NHL, but he likely will come in between $1.25 million and $1.75 million.
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: 5 free agents who might interest the Jets: Cory Stillman, Ryan Shannon, Jason Jaffray, Mike Grier, and John Madden.
- Scott Howson via twitter: After signing Radek Martinek, the Blue Jackets will “sit tight for now.” Will assess the market and talk to teams about trades.
- Fan 590 Audio: Don Meehan, the agent for Steven Stamkos and Clarke MacArthur.
- TSN Audio: Brian Burke press conference.
- James Mirtle via twitter: Brian Burke: “We haven’t written off Jeff Finger … If he can come in and take a job that’s great.”
Stamkos talks continue, unfounded twitter trade rumor … Semin being shopped … Doughty talks moving slowly … Leafs re-sign Bozak
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on July 6th, 2011
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburgh Times: The Lightning and Steven Stamkos continued negotiating yesterday. It’s “A work in progress” according to GM Steve Yzerman. Stamkos’ agent Mark Guy in a text, “Still working on it.” There was an unfounded twitter rumor that Stamkos’ rights would be sent to the Maple Leafs, and Evgeni Malkin would end up in Tampa Bay.
- Ed Tait of the Winnipeg Free Press: The Capitals are rumored to be shopping Alex Semin around the league with the Canadiens, Predators, Maple Leafs, Flyers, Penguins and Sharks possibly interested. Jets Dman Zach Bogosian’s name has been linked to Semin.
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: Bernstein thinks that if Alexander Semin is traded, McPhee would ship him West.
- Helene Elliott of the LA Times: Negotiations between Drew Doughty and the LA Kings aren’t moving along quickly. Kings GM Dean Lombardi,
“I am getting the feeling on Drew that unfortunately this could take a while. As we just saw this past week free agency produces a frenzy for players at all levels. We must be judicious about not getting into this market for our own players. Therefore it is critical with Drew that the dollars reflect a fair rate of return regarding the term of the contract. We must be prepared to do what it takes to get it right.”
Lombardi added that they’d match any offer sheet. The Kings may be waiting to see what kind of deal the Predators and Shea Weber come too. Doughty’s agent Don Meehan in an email, “There is nothing new to report concerning any further discussions concerning Drew Doughty.”
- Darren Dreger via twitter: Tyler Bozak re-signs with the Maple Leafs for 2 years, $3 million. (Last night there were reports that he signed for 2 years, $1.9 million)
- Katie Carrera of the Washington Post: The Capitals are about $545,000 under the salary cap with RFAs Troy Brouwer and Karl Alzner still unsigned. They are able to go over the cap by 10% during the summer, and in the fall they might put Tom Poti and Eric Fehr on LTIR if they are not fully healed. The Capitals could also look at some trades to create some flexibility. Ted Leonsis wrote, “We will look to make some trades in the off season maybe even sign another free agent. We will continue to look at all of our options. We may not be able to get anything done. We may be able to do something. Time will tell.”
- Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun: After locking up Andrew Ladd yesterday, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is hopeful to get a deal done with Blake Wheeler soon,
“We had great conversations with his representative (Tuesday) and those will be ongoing,” said Cheveldayoff. “The fact he filed for salary arbitration doesn’t mean much at this time. We have a lot of time to get a deal done.”
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dipatch: The Blue Jackets are still looking to add a defenseman to play with newly re-signed Marc Methot on the 2nd pairing. They are talking with Bryan McCabe, Brent Sopel, Scott Hannan and some others.
- Jim Matheson via twitter: Ales Hemsky will be in the last year of his deal and will make $4.1 million. It’s sounding like he’d like to re-sign with Oilers.
- Slava Malamud via twitter: Semyon Varlamov’s agent has said that Varlamov has signed a deal with the Avalanche, and that talk about door being open to the KHL are lies.
Steven Stamkos free agent rumors
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 5th, 2011
Since there are bound to be numerous Steven Stamkos rumors in the next little while, we’re going to create a single entry to get all your Stamkos rumors and news.
July 5th:
2:00 pm:
- Erik Erlendsson via twitter: “OK people, Stamkos is not being traded, so please stop with the “I heard” or “somebody posted” because there are no trade talks.” Erlendsson adds that he’s sure teams have called and said “If you can’t sign him, we’d like to talk to you” … Those aren’t talks
- Damian Cristodero via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman called Stamkos’ contract “a work in progress.” Stamkos’s agent texted: “We’re still working on it.”
9:00 am:
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: No offer sheet for Stamkos. “Its believed #Lightning have closed in and formal announcement could be looming.” The last offer was a 5 year deal at $37 million, $7.4 million cap hit.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Though it’s highly doubtful, a source has said the Flyers will put together a trade package if the Lightning think they can’t re-signed Stamkos. Stamkos reportedly turned down a 5 year deal worth $37.5 million. It’s likely the Lightning would be interested in Brayden Schenn, Sergei Bobrovsky, others and picks.
July 1st:
11:25 am:
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: The Lightning will be anxiously awaiting today to see if Stamkos signs an offer sheet with another team. Yzerman is is prepared to do whatever he can to ensure that Stamkos stays with the Lightning. From Stamkos’s agent last night, “All I can say is that we are still working on it.”
10:00 am:
- Damian Cristodero of the St. Petersburg Times: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman and Stamkos’s agent spoke yesterday and were expected to talk again last night. Flyers GM Paul Holgren has said he won’t tender an offer sheet. There are rumors that the Maple Leafs might try an offer sheet, but that makes less sense than the Flyers as they are not as close to a Cup run as the Flyers are. Stamkos has said he wants to stay in Tampa, and the Lightning want him to stay. Stamkos doesn’t have to sign an offer sheet if he gets one. It’s likely that he remains in Tampa even if negotiations drag past July 1st.
- Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Brennan thinks the Senators should try to sign Steven Stamkos to an offer sheet. Brennan knows they won’t do this, but thinks they should. Offer a 10 year, $100 million deal or more, something the Lightning will have trouble matching.
- Sam Carchidi via twitter: Luukko said the Flyers were “never serious” about trying to add Stamkos, and the numbers that were reported were bogus.
June 30th:
- Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Stamkos’s side and the Lightning were to resume talks yesterday, and signs are pointing to him staying. Stamkos has told friends how much he loves playing in Tampa. He considers Martin St. Louis like a big brother. Stamkos has said they are “close” to a deal recently. Yzerman has said they’ll match any offer sheets. There are conflicting reports out of Philly if they’d pursue Stamkos or not. Negotiation issues are based on money and not tenure. Numbers thrown around the internet are between $7-$7.5 million. Those around Tampa think a deal will get done.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: The agents of Stamkos and Lightning held talks yesterday and more are scheduled for today. “Nothing new to report, (but) anytime you are talking it’s positive,” Yzerman said.
- Frank Seravallie of the Philadelphia Daily News: The Flyers continue to debate on whether to go the offer sheet route with Stamkos, as of yesterday they hadn’t. They Flyers appear to be serious about the possibility, as they’ve run it by chairman Ed Snider on Tuesday. Team sources said the offer sheet could be for $115 million over 12 years, a $9.58 million cap hit with a no movement clause to kick in before 2016-17. Yzerman has been given the green light to match any offer sheet, but as one source added, “What else would he say?”
June 29th:
- Anthony San Filippo via twitter: San Filippo has been told that if the Flyers decide to give Stamkos an offer sheet it would be for $115 million over 12 years with a full no trade clause. San Filippo thinks the Lightning would match. Either the Flyers or Lightning would have to get creative to move out salary for that deal.
- Damian Cristodero via twitter: Lightning GM Steve Yzerman says that Nick Kypreos’ report that the Lightning offered Stamkos a contract averaging $6.5 million “is not accurate.”
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: Kypreos raises the question if anyone would sign Stamkos to a 1 year deal worth $12,860,000? The Lightning would have trouble matching it with the contracts of Lecavalier, St. Louis, Malone, Brewer and Ohlund. Stamkos didn’t have 4 years of service so the Lightning couldn’t file “Club Elected Salary Arbitration” like the Predators did with Shea Weber and the Devils did with Zach Parise. If Stamkos doesn’t accept Tampa’s offer with a cap hit of $6.5 million, they’ll have some tough decisions to make. If Stamkos gets an offer sheet it will be for 1 year max offer of a long term deal at a very high salary. The Lightning may not be able to match it due to big contracts of Lecavalier, St. Louis, Malone, Brewer and Ohlund. The Flyers could take a run at him. Are the Lightning better of working out a trade than to take 4 1st rounds in the 20-30 range? Would Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn be better than the picks? Teams that might put together something are the Canadiens, Red Wings, Bruins, Sabres, Blackhawks, Capitals, Rangers and Maple Leafs.
- Tim Panaccio via twitter: As of last night teams can contact Stamkos’s agent Don Meehan about an offer sheet. The Flyers hadn’t contacted Meehan as of then.
- Gary Lawless via twitter: Flyers source is saying the Flyers will tender a huge offer to Stamkos.
- Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune: Tampa Bay qualified Steven Stamkos yesterday giving them the right to match any offer sheet. Negotiations took place over the weekend, and are expected to continue today. “My expectation is I will speak to Don (Meehan),” Yzerman said. “I am still optimistic that we can get something accomplished and I look forward to speaking to him.”
- Pierre LeBrun of ESPN: If Stamkos remains unsigned, he could indeed receive an offer sheet. The Flyers are internally debating on whether they should try to sign Stamkos to an offer sheet. The Lightning could match any offer, but the pressure is on them to get a deal done by Friday so that they don’t have to deal with offer sheets.
- Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News: So the Flyers unloaded Jeff Carter and Mike Richards, traded Darroll Powe, signed Andreas Nodl with a slight pay cut, and did not qualify Dan Carcillo. The Flyers have been creating some added cap space. They are negotiating with Ville Leino, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Voracek. If they stash Michael Leighton in the AHL, the Flyers could have approximately $8.3 million in cap space. Two sources say the Flyers could be interested in Stamkos if he remains unsigned on July 1st. The Lightning reportedly have lost between $20 and $25 million last season. They might have financial limitations and there have been reports that Stamkos may not want to play in Tampa anymore. Tampa has reportedly offered him $7 million a season. If Stamkos gets on offer sheet on Friday, it could be in the $9-10 million range. If the Flyers or Maple Leafs were able to get Stamkos to a big offer sheet, Tampa may not be able to match it as they have the big contracts of Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Ryan Malone and Eric Brewer. If Yzerman feels he can’t get a deal done should they look at trading him for assets that could play next season or take the 4 1st rounds they’d get as compensation from an offer sheet?
- Dennis Bernstein via twitter: “Stamkos offer sheet chatter ridiculous. Never happening and odds of trade lower than 0%. Shrinking RFA pool makes everyone bored.” If Stamkos was to get an offer sheet, he would have to negotiate with that team, agree to a deal, then sign the sheet.
- Darren Dreger via twitter: “Offer sheet speculation makes for great debate, but the Lightning will match any sheet on Stamkos and the few teams capable… know that.”
June 28th:
Stamkos announcement could be looming … Flyers will create a trade package … Talbot contract to be restructured … Maple Leafs notes
Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on July 5th, 2011
- Nick Kypreos via twitter: No offer sheet for Stamkos. “Its believed #Lightning have closed in and formal announcement could be looming.” The last offer was a 5 year deal at $37 million, $7.4 million cap hit.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Though it’s highly doubtful, a source has said the Flyers will put together a trade package if the Lightning think they can’t re-signed Stamkos. Stamkos reportedly turned down a 5 year deal worth $37.5 million. It’s likely the Lightning would be interested in Brayden Schenn, Sergei Bobrovsky, others and picks.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadlephia Inquirer: The Flyers will have to restructure Max Talbot’s 5 year, $9 million contract. The CBA doesn’t allow a salary to drop more then 50% from year-to-year. From Talbot’s 3rd to 4th year his contract went from $2.25 million to $1 million. The Flyers assistant GM Barry Hanrahan said that no fine was forthcoming.
- Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News: The Red Wings are still looking for a backup to Jimmy Howard. They are unsure if Chris Osgood (if he doesn’t retire) can stay healthy all year.
“We owe it to ourselves to see what is out there,” said Holland, who will consider bringing Osgood back. “We have money to spend (under the salary the cap). There are players we remain interested in.”
Teams continue to call the Red Wings about possible trades. They had contacted some free agent goalies on Friday, but all wanted to look at other teams as the Howard was the Wings #1 goalie. Ty Conklin remains unsigned.
- Jim Jamieson of the Vancouver Pronvince: The salary arbitration filing deadline is today at 5 pm EST, and Jannik Hansen will have to decide if he’s going to go that route.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: With limited cap space, the Penguins are looking for a role player at a modest price. They might be looking to sign an enforcer on a two way deal.
- Greg Brady via twitter: The Maple Leafs offered Christian Hanson a 2 way deal, he only wants a 1 way deal.
- Michael Traikos via twitter: Brian Burke on Clarke MacArthur: “He’s going to get a big payday in arbitration. We think that’s fair … if it’s too big, we’re re-evaluate it.”
- Michael Traikos via twitter: Burke on RFAs Luke Schenn and Tyler Bozak: “I’m not worried about any of these guys getting done.”
- Michael Traikos via twitter: Burke: “we’re going to sit back and catch our breath now … I don’t like the depth chart being full going into camp.”
- Chris Botta via twitter: Isles GM Garth Snow is looking for 1 forward and 1 defenseman. A trade is most likely for a top defenseman.
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