I talked to a source today that indicated former Blackhawks goalie Antti Niemi is close to making a decision on where he will play this upcoming season. It should happen over the next 48 hours.
According to this source, Niemi has offers from multiple teams. My guess is he’s weighing a short-term deal with a contender -- think San Jose -- rather than a deal with more security for a team that may not be ready to win.
The Marc Savard trade rumors may have quieted down in the past month, but that doesn't mean the Boston Bruins aren't still exploring a possible deal.
According to a source close to the situation, the Bruins are still "actively shopping" Savard, but trade talks have been "hampered" by interested teams facing cap issues. Also complicating a potential deal, according to the source, is the NHL's investigation into Savard's seven-year contract that has an annual salary cap hit of $4 million for the next seven seasons. The Bruins, of course, have cap issues of their own. They'll need to make a move to get under the cap before the season begins.
Lint07 writes "The hockey season is coming soon, and so are hockey pools. For this reason, the ULTIMATE POOL PREVIEW will be back for the 2010-11 season!"
HTR Feature Article: How the Oilers almost traded Sheldon Souray for Scott Hartnell, according to TV
Edmonton Oilers GM Steve Tambellini pulled out of a trade that would have sent Sheldon Souray to the Philadelphia Flyers for Scott Hartnell, who had agreed to waive his no-movement clause to come to Edmonton, an Edmonton TV sportscaster, Kevin Karius of Global, says.
Marc Savard, C, Boston Bruins
2010/09/02: Marc Savard's agent, Larry Kelly, is threatening to sue the NHL if they void his client's seven-year/$28.05 million contract. Savard could be caught in the crossfire as the NHL continues it's campaign against the long-term, frontloaded contracts that they feel are circumventing the salary cap. After his contract was already voided once, the Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk agreed to a 15-year/$100 million contract that would reportedly pay Kovalchuk $90 million in the first 10 years. The NHL is now reportedly considering rejecting Kovalchuk's contract and void Roberto Luongo's contract unless the NHLPA agrees to change certain parts of the existing CBA. Although it's not clear if the NHL is seriously considering voiding Savard's contract as well, it is under investigation. With training camp just around the corner, this has the potential to get very messy. (Source: Sportsnet.ca)
Jordan Staal, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
2010/09/02: Jordan Staal (foot) will not be ready for the start of Pittsburgh's training camp. Staal is suffering from an infection related to the foot injury he suffered during the Penguins' 2009-10 playoff run. The good news is Staal should still be able to play in the Penguins' season opener. We'll keep you posted. (Source: Calgary Sun)
Antti Niemi, G, San Jose Sharks
2010/09/02: The San Jose Sharks have signed goaltender Antti Niemi to a one-year/$2 million contract. A great move by the Sharks as Niemi will now fight it out with Antero Niittymaki for the top job in San Jose. Whoever wins the number one spot has huge fantasy value as the Sharks are a top-three NHL team, so the wins will pile up. Niemi gets a boost fantasy-wise as there was the thought that he could go back to Europe, while Niittymaki loses value as he seemed to have the number-one spot locked up. Thomas Greiss has no value as he will start the season in the minors or be released, barring any injury. (Source: TSN.ca)
Antti Niemi, G, San Jose Sharks
2010/09/02: The San Jose Sharks have signed goalie Antti Niemi. The Sharks announced the deal that is worth $2 million for one year. He will provide a fierce goaltending battle in San Jose with Antero Nittymaki. "Antti's play last season speaks for itself," Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. "Our goal this summer was to create the best goaltending unit we could and we feel we have successfully done that." This situation could be a valuable asset to invest in on draft day. Keep in mind Niemi stole a few games in the postseason last game. He is capable of some big numbers. (Source: TSN.ca)
Shane Doan, RW/LW, Phoenix Coyotes
2010/09/02: ESPN.com is reporting that Matthew Hulsizer is in the late stages of negotiating a new arena lease with the City of Glendale to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix. Apparently the deal between Ice Edge Holdings, who were the front-runners to but the Coyotes, and Glendale have stalled. Hulsizer is the CEO of PEAK6 Investments and is extremely wealthy. "He has an unbelievable financial mind," a source said. "He's exactly the kind of guy that the league needs. He's a legitimate hockey guy with a lot of money." If Hulsizer gets the arena deal from the city, he will formally make a bid to purchase the Coyotes from the NHL. It is possible that some members of Ice Edge Holdings will be allowed to become minority shareholders if Hulsizer is successful. As per usual with the Phoenix situation, stay tuned. (Source: ESPN.com)
In what may be their last chance to keep Ilya Kovalchuk in North America this season, the Devils are waiting -- again -- for the NHL to approve their latest contract, submitted yesterday.
If, as expected, the league OKs this deal, it will end a saga that reached 59 days today, which variously had the Kings, Islanders, Stars, Blues and St. Petersburg among potential suitors.
"We are reviewing the new contract and will make a decision in the appropriate time frame as prescribed in the CBA," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. The Post first reported this latest contract yesterday on its website.
nordiques100 writes "The free agent market has dwindled to a handful of good players left and should dwindle even further with the expected signings this week of:
Ilya Kovalchuk - New Jersey Lee Stempniak - Phoenix
It's left a few good players around still looking for work with about 3 weeks until the opening of training camp.
Jose Theodore and Antti Niemi are goalies still waiting to be signed. "
Bure96 writes "Canucks made a nice upgrade to their 3rd line today by signing Raffi Torres to a 1 year, 1 million dollar deal. It also was a nnounced a few days ago Alex Burrows would miss the first month of the season, after he was put on IR."
LEWIS TO NASHVILLE The Nashville Predators acquired defenseman Grant Lewis from the Atlanta Thrashers for winger Ian McKenzie.
Aug 27, 2010
LASHOFF HEADS TO TORONTO The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Matt Lashoff from the Tampa Bay Lightning for wingers Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati.
Aug 16, 2010
RAMO FOR DESJARDINS The Montreal Canadiens acquired goaltender Karri Ramo from the Tampa Bay Lightning for goaltender Cedrick Desjardins.
Aug 05, 2010
MIKE SANTORELLI TO PANTHERS The Florida Panthers acquired forward Mike Santorelli from the Nashville Predators for a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2011.
Aug 03, 2010
FAST FOR MINK The Florida Panthers acquired defenseman T.J. Fast from the St. Louis Blues for forward Graham Mink.
Aug 02, 2010
RANGERS ADD WHITE The New York Rangers acquired forward Todd White from the Atlanta Thrashers for wingers Patrick Rissmiller and Donald Brashear.
Jul 30, 2010
WISNIEWSKI TO ISLANDERS The New York Islanders acquired defenseman James Wisniewski from the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional third-round pick in 2011.
Jul 28, 2010
CAPS ACQUIRE MUSCLE FOR TOUGH EAST The Washington Capitals acquired winger D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues for winger Stefan Della Rovere.
Jul 22, 2010
REASONER TO CATS The Florida Panthers acquired center Marty Reasoner from the Chicago Blackhawks for winger Jeff Taffe.
Jul 19, 2010
MCCUE FOR ZABORSKY The New York Rangers acquired winger Matt McCue from the Anaheim Ducks for winger Tomas Zaborsky.
Winger Guerin will not return to Penguins
The Penguins have decided not to bring back veteran right wing Bill Guerin this season. Guerin was informed of the decision by Penguins general manager Ray Shero late Wednesday. Shero said last Friday after signing free-agent winger Arron Asham that a decision regarding Guerin's future would come this week. Guerin, 39, scored 21 goals for the Penguins last season, and his four playoff goals tied for the lead among wingers. Several times since the Penguins were eliminated in Round 2 of the playoffs Guerin stated his desire was to play a final NHL season with them. However, it was never clear if he was willing to accept a reduction on his $2 million salary.
With Edmonton Oilers training camp less than a month away, disgruntled defenceman Sheldon Souray still doesn't have a change of address while free-agent centres Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano don't have contracts.
Needless to say, there is a gulf between what the Oilers and best buddies Gagner and Cogliano feel they are worth after three seasons of playing in the NHL.
If you're wondering how Willie Mitchell's doing, some shattered pieces of polymethyl methacrylate behind one of the nets at UBC's Thunderbird Sports Centre will give you an idea.
Mitchell, skating with a half-dozen other NHLers on Monday morning, stepped into a drop pass at the blueline, put all his weight into his 63-inch Easton and blistered a puck past the ear of goalie Martin Jones.
Mitchell's smile can be infectious and he sported one of his biggest after the glass splintered into hundreds of shards.
The New Jersey Devils continued the seemingly endless work of re-signing free-ag
Devils chairman/managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek, general manager Lou Lamoriello and Kovalchuk's agent, Jay Grossman, met with NHL executives at the league's New York office Monday.
hockey_lover writes "Hey guys and gals (are there any gals here? Hmm).
With the NHL's research, development, and orientation camp just concluding, Im curious to know what you all think about some of the rule changes that may or may not come into effect in the future. How about some that arent being talked about? How about some that have been talked about but turned down?
Lets start with this years camp. Stuff that is currently on the table from said camp:
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