Sports Rumor Mill - NHL General Discussion http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/ Hockey, the only sport you get a timeout for fighting. Talk about the chase for the Stanley Cup or who got their teeth knocked out in our NHL rumor central. en Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:25:03 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/images/sports_network/misc/rss.jpg Sports Rumor Mill - NHL General Discussion http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/ Fantasy Hockey Discussion http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26241-fantasy-hockey-discussion.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:41:32 GMT Since we don't have a forum dedicated to fantasy hockey, lets go ahead and start a thread.

I just completed my first draft of the year- it was an auction draft on Yahoo. I still hate the autopick system, and it's worse than the NFL. One guy had just five players (granted, they were Parise, Gaborik and Nicklas Backstrom) when I had three spots left to fill.

Anyway, here is my team.....I waited quite a bit to get my filler players, and I ended up with some bargains because everyone spent most of their cash before me. I also made sure to get four starting goaltenders (and my starters are top class) so I have one goalie to bargain with after the draft, as many of the auto teams ignored that position. Standard Yahoo scoring:

C- Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier
LW- Alexandre Burrows, Mason Raymond, Brooks Laich
RW- Martin Havlat, Dustin Brown
D- Mike Green, Jeff Schultz, Mark Streit, Erik Johnson, Tomas Kaberle
G- Martin Brodeur, Pekka Rinne, Cam Ward, Jonathan Quick ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26241-fantasy-hockey-discussion.html Habs still working on contract for Carey Price http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26201-habs-still-working-contract-carey-price.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:22:58 GMT
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Talk of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price "going on strike" appear to be a bit premature.

In an interview with RDS, Price's agent Gerry Johannson says that negotiations between the Canadiens and his client continue to progress, however he admits there is plenty of work to do before a deal can be announced. Johannson told RDS he hopes the next few days can be productive and his client will have a deal in hand, ready to start training camp.

A restricted free agent, Price has been unable to come to terms with the Canadiens on a new contract with one online source reporting that the 23-year old netminder was ready to "go on strike" if he did not receive a deal worth a reported $3 million a year.

The Anahim Lake, British Columbia native was thrust into the starters role after the Candiens dealt playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues earlier in the summer for prospects Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. As insurance the Habs also signed goaltenders Alex Auld and Curtis Sanford while trading for Finnish netminder Kari Ramo.

Price suffered through a second straight mediocre season last year, posting a 13-20-5 record with a 2.77 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. He also appeared in four playoff games, sporting a 3.56 goals against average and an .890 save percentage.

Agent: 'Price contract progressing, still work to do'
Price is in no position to hold out or anything of the sort. He's already struggled early in his career, and was replaced by Halak in the post-season after he was ineffective against the Capitals. We all know how that turned out. Price just needs to sign a deal and get to work- his play needs to do the talking, and then he will get more than $3 million a year. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26201-habs-still-working-contract-carey-price.html Sharks end up with Niemi http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26200-sharks-end-up-niemi.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:14:48 GMT ---Quote--- Antti Niemi(notes) is headed to San Jose. An NHL source tells Sporting News that the Stanley Cup-winning goalie will accept a one-year,...
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Antti Niemi(notes) is headed to San Jose. An NHL source tells Sporting News that the Stanley Cup-winning goalie will accept a one-year, $2 million contract to play for the Sharks.

The Blackhawks, who have had to shed salary because of salary cap issues, parted ways with Niemi after he was awarded $2.75 million in arbitration. Now, he heads to a San Jose team that could be one of Chicago’s biggest challengers in the Western Conference.

He’ll team with goalie Antero Niittymaki(notes), who was signed to a two-year, $4 million contract with the Sharks on the first day of free agency.

Antti Niemi has deal with San Jose Sharks - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
A very good pickup for the Sharks. Granted, he has only one season in the playoffs, but Niemi has made it farther in the playoffs than Nabokov. He could definitely be a help to them in the post-season next year.

This contract also gives him the ability to hit the free agent market next year, and he could receive some heavy interest if he has another good season with the Sharks so there's plenty of incentive for him to play his best. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26200-sharks-end-up-niemi.html Chelios finally hangs up the skates http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26188-chelios-finally-hangs-up-skates.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:56:38 GMT According to TSN's Darren Dreger, legendary defenseman Chris Chelios has finally decided to call it a day, retiring after 26 seasons in the NHL. He will join Detroit's front office as an "adviser to hockey operations." With the ink now dry on his career, he finishes with 948 points and 2,891 penalty minutes in 1,651 games played. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, he is a lock for the Hall-of-Fame. ]]> NHL General Discussion smoney http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26188-chelios-finally-hangs-up-skates.html Bruins still looking into trading Savard http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26185-bruins-still-looking-into-trading-savard.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:58:39 GMT
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Lost in the recent uptick in news about Ilya Kovalchuk's(notes) contract, questions about Marc Savard's(notes) contract remain—enough of them, it appears, to cause teams to back away from talking to the Boston Bruins about acquiring him.

That doesn't mean the Bruins have abandoned the idea. They continue to shop Savard, according to ESPN.com. But in combination with Savard's seven-year, front-loaded contract, potential suitors are seen as having salary cap concerns that would stifle a deal.

The cap is behind the Bruins' interest in peddling Savard, a 33-year-old center who signed a seven-year, $28.05 million deal last year. The annual cap hit is $4 million. With more than $66 million committed to 22 players, the Bruins have the NHL's highest current payroll commitment and are $3 million over the cap max. Thus, they must cut salary.

NHL lawyers interviewed Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli on Aug. 4 regarding Savard's contract, which was signed last Dec. 1 and subsequently registered by the league. However, terms of the collective bargaining agreement allow the NHL to reopen its contract review—a step it has done with other deals in the wake of Kovalchuk's contract rejection.

There was no immediate word on which teams might be interested in Savard. The one franchise that floated in the rumor wash during the summer was the Toronto Maple Leafs, but much of that involved a potential trade for defenseman Tomas Kaberle(notes).

Kaberle's no-trade clause went back into effect Aug. 16 and he remains with the team, even as speculation continues the Maple Leafs might peddle him—might being the operative word, because GM Brian Burke sees no urgency to make the deal.

Savard admits being hurt by suggestions the Bruins were pursuing trade talks.

The Bruins open camp Sept. 17, and it would seem which suggests a deal should be done before then. Savard has a no-trade clause that will kick in on opening night, Oct. 9.

Bruins shopping Marc Savard, but contract reportedly turning off teams - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
I would certainly love to hear names on teams looking for Savard- it would certainly spice up the rumor mill at this point of the year. However, it needs to be done quick, because, as the article points out, Savard has a NTC that kicks in at the start of the season. I'm still a little surprised that they are looking to move him, especially after signing him to that deal. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26185-bruins-still-looking-into-trading-savard.html Coyotes looking to extend Bryzgalov http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26184-coyotes-looking-extend-bryzgalov.html Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:52:24 GMT ---Quote--- For most of the summer, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney has focused on assembling a team that can build on last sason’s surprising run to...
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For most of the summer, Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney has focused on assembling a team that can build on last sason’s surprising run to the playoffs. But now he has his eye on something a little more long-term.

With Lee Stempniak(notes) signed, Maloney said he will ramp up negotiations with franchise goalie Ilya Bryzgalov(notes) in hopes of finding agreement on a contract extension.

Bryzgalov will be paid $4.5 million this season and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2011.

"I have spoken with Bryz about it," Maloney told Sporting News. "It’s one of those things, we have to talk it through and see what makes sense for us. The wild card is the ownership situation."

He said any long-term deal with Brzygalov likely would include input from ownership—and right now that situation remains unsettled. The latest development came from the Phoenix Business Journal, where Mike Sunnucks reported that a mystery buyer has emerged and is serious about purchasing the Coyotes.

But regardless, Maloney sees plenty of comparable contracts the Coyotes and Bryzgalov can use as a starting point in talks, including long-term deals for Ryan Miller(notes), Henrik Lundqvist(notes) and Niklas Backstrom(notes).

"The market is fairly well-established for a guy like Bryz," Maloney said. "It’s sort of right there."

And, no, Maloney won’t be testing the NHL with a Kovalchuk-like long-term deal.

"I’m not into those," he said. "That doesn’t interest me at all."

Coyotes set sights on Ilya Bryzgalov contract extention - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
They definitely need to get a deal done. Bryzgalov is one of their franchise cornerstones, and it seems that Maloney has no issue paying market value to keep him. The Coyotes need to move on this soon, and not let this situation linger too far into the season. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26184-coyotes-looking-extend-bryzgalov.html New ownership group close to Coyotes deal... http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26173-new-ownership-group-close-coyotes-deal.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:40:49 GMT It would be nice to finally get this out of the way and not have to worry about losing my team.. New ownership group close to Coyotes deal -... It would be nice to finally get this out of the way and not have to worry about losing my team..

New ownership group close to Coyotes deal - Phoenix Business Journal ]]> NHL General Discussion The Rattler http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26173-new-ownership-group-close-coyotes-deal.html <![CDATA[Ducks' Ryan not demanding trade]]> http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26136-ducks-ryan-not-demanding-trade.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:04:55 GMT ---Quote--- While contract negotiations between Bobby Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks seemed to have stalled, the former second overall pick wants to...
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While contract negotiations between Bobby Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks seemed to have stalled, the former second overall pick wants to make one thing clear: he wants to stay in Anaheim.

Ryan told the Orange County Register that he's right where he wants to be and he wants things to work out.

''I don't want a trade,'' Ryan told the Register. ''I'm not asking for a trade. I want to be here in Anaheim. This is where I want to be.

''If it comes to a situation where there's heads butting, then I guess it would be best. But I am not looking for a trade. I have no intentions of being traded. I love it here and want to remain a Duck.''

The Ducks have reportedly offered Ryan four- and five-year deals worth over $4.5 million per season but the restricted free agent would rather not commit to more than three years.

However, Ryan is confident something will get done before training camp next month.

''I don't want people to think I'm holding out or I'm going to hold out,'' he said. ''That's not the case. We're just trying to find something that works for both sides right now.''

Ducks general manager Bob Murray has made it clear that he will match any offer sheet that is tendered by any other NHL team.

Report: Ryan not demanding trade; wants to remain a Duck
Judging from Ryan's comments, he's most certainly fishing for a trade. I know he doesn't want to sign for longer than three years, but you have to give up some middle ground for a team if you truly want to stay there and you want to be there. Count me unconvinced on these comments. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26136-ducks-ryan-not-demanding-trade.html Donald Fehr is new NHLPA head http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26135-donald-fehr-new-nhlpa-head.html Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:02:09 GMT
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Former baseball players' union executive director Don Fehr has agreed to accept the job of National Hockey League Players' Association executive director, multiple sources confirmed to SportsBusiness Daily's Liz Mullen on Wednesday.

Attempts to confirm this with Fehr or with the NHLPA were not immediately successful, Mullen reported.

Sources told Mullen other candidates have been informed they are no longer in the running for the top job. The search committee's decision to recommend Fehr would still have to be confirmed by the entire board of player reps, sources said.

The NHLPA has been without an executive director since Paul Kelly was fired on Aug. 31, 2009.

Earlier Wednesday, New Jersey Devils forward Jamie Langenbrunner(notes) told Sporting News' Craig Custance he expected the panel to make a recommendation by Nov. 1.

“We’re moving forward in the right direction,” Langenbrunner said. “Hopefully the new head will get us pointed back in the right direction and back to where we should be.”

Fehr had been the focus of speculation for months following his retirement last year from the Major League Baseball Players Association. He has been advising the NHLPA in the wake of Kelly's firing.

In June, Mullen reported that Mike Ouellet, the union's chief of business affairs, told an audience at the Sports Lawyers Association that the NHLPA could have a new chief as soon as July. The search process went longer than Ouellet's original timeframe but apparently resulted in the expected outcome.

In addition to advising the search committee, Fehr helped the union revise its constitution.

Other union employees were let go in the wake of Kelly's departure. They included union attorney and former general counsel Ian Penny, who had been acting as interim executive director.

Among issues facing the union is the NHL's decision to reject the 17-year, $102 million contract the Devils cut with winger Ilya Kovalchuk(notes). The league also examined other long-term contracts, including those of Boston Bruins center Marc Savard(notes) and Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo(notes), after an arbiter upheld its Kovalchuk decision.

The NHLPA fought the Kovalchuk decision and lost.

“They’re throwing a few hammers out here because of the situation the P. A. has been in for the last year,” Langenbrunner told Custance. “The lack of a head and a lot of staff gone, they see a little bit of a wounded animal and they’re taking advantage.”

In a June 1 story on SportingNews.com, Mullen said NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, No. 2 man behind commissioner Gary Bettman, welcomed the idea of having a new union chief in place.

"Obviously we have a unique situation working with a union without an acting executive director, and I think that poses some challenges," Daly said.

Mullen wrote:

"One major decision the NHLPA needs to make is whether it will extend its collective-bargaining agreement for another year or allow it to expire in September 2011. The NHLPA has the right to make that decision as part of the CBA agreed to after the 2004-05 lockout.

" 'The union has the unilateral right to extend the agreement by an additional year through the 2011-12 season," Daly said. "They have until next May to give us official notice on whether they will exercise their right to extend.

" 'We would like sooner notice rather than later.' "

That decision appears a step closer.
Good to see the NHLPA pick someone who has a track record of success and stability. The union has been unsettled for some time, and Fehr is just the person to get things on track. He will also be a key in shaping the next CBA and avoiding a lockout. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26135-donald-fehr-new-nhlpa-head.html Bettman on Kovalchuk contract http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26133-bettman-kovalchuk-contract.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:55:56 GMT ---Quote--- TORONTO—Amid reports that the league shot down another Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) contract with the New Jersey Devils, NHL commissioner Gary...
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TORONTO—Amid reports that the league shot down another Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) contract with the New Jersey Devils, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman attempted to clear things up.

“In order for a contract to be rejected, it would have to be a signed contract submitted,” Bettman said at a Wednesday press conference with reporters at the World Hockey Summit. “There has not been a signed contract submitted.”

He did, however, say that he was under the assumption the Devils and the league have been holding an “ongoing dialogue” to find a Kovalchuk deal suitable for all parties involved.

Since teams started signing players to the ultra long-term deals, Bettman has made his stance against them clear. But he said on Wednesday that he is taking no satisfaction in the struggles Kovalchuk and the Devils are having in getting a deal done.

“No satisfaction whatsoever,” Bettman said. “The fact of the matter is, we believed that that contract was clearly a circumvention. Whether or not people agree with that decision, an independent arbitrator who heard the case agreed that it was a circumvention. I’d rather there never be circumventions.”

According to reporter Pavel Lysenko of Sovietsky Sport, the latest framework the Devils provided the league was for a Kovalchuk deal spanning 15 years. According to Lysenko, the league’s stance is that it will only approve a 13-year (or less) contract.

That would bring the Kovalchuk contract more in line with the approved deals of Marian Hossa(notes) and Roberto Luongo(notes), who both signed 12-year deals.

“The fact is, when we try to be flexible, it gets thrown up against us,” Bettman said of previous long-term deals the league has approved. “But in the final analysis, that (Kovalchuk) contract was found to be a circumvention and I don’t take any satisfaction in that.”

Bettman comments on Kovalchuk situation - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Lots of drama surrounding this situation, although its at the point where I just wish they would agree to a deal or move on. Because the KHL is still releasing statements and creating more drama.....just decide already. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26133-bettman-kovalchuk-contract.html Kings sign Willie Mitchell http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26132-kings-sign-willie-mitchell.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:47:27 GMT ---Quote--- Defenseman Willie Mitchell(notes), perhaps the top remaining unrestricted free agent not named Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) on the market,...
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Defenseman Willie Mitchell(notes), perhaps the top remaining unrestricted free agent not named Ilya Kovalchuk(notes) on the market, signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday.

Mitchell, 33, has made a free-agent tour over the past week and a half, visiting the Kings, San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals while retaining interest in the Vancouver Canucks, for whom he has played the past four seasons.

Mitchell appears fully recovered from a season-ending concussion in mid-January. He brings a rugged defensive presence to a young and solid Kings’ blue line.

“I have done everything I needed to do,” Mitchell told the Vancouver Sun in a Tuesday interview. “I am ready to play hockey, I am excited about it. I have done a lot of hard workouts, I have done a lot of hard workouts with different teams around the league just to show them that.”

While Vancouver remained an outside possibility for Mitchell, the offseason addition of Keith Ballard(notes) and Dan Hamhuis(notes), two top four defenders, made that unlikely.

Mitchell played 48 games last season before his concussion. He was clobbered from behind on Jan. 16 by Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin(notes). He finished with a career-best four goals and had eight assists.

Mitchell was an eighth-round pick, 199th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in 1996. He also has played for Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars in his 10-year NHL career. He has 19 goals, 100 assists and is plus-82 in 586 career games

He resumed training in early July and has been skating with Canucks players.

The Kings were the only team that offered Mitchell a two-year deal, according to Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times.

The Kings likely will use Mitchell as a mentor for young defensemen Drew Doughty(notes) and Jack Johnson(notes), and will combine with Rob Scuderi(notes) to bolster the team's defensive prowess.

The Kings face the Canucks on Oct. 9—the home opener in Vancouver.

Free agent Willie Mitchell signs with Kings - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
Perhaps the last "big" domino to fall this off-season. Mitchell now leaves a couple teams looking for defenseman, and that could open the trade market, specifically for Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa and Edmonton's Sheldon Souray. ]]> NHL General Discussion ThomasTomasz http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26132-kings-sign-willie-mitchell.html Super Cup? http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26126-super-cup.html Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:55:45 GMT You are talking about lengthening a season that is already one of the longer seasons, but this idea would be sick. 08:28 AM ET 08.25 | While... You are talking about lengthening a season that is already one of the longer seasons, but this idea would be sick.


08:28 AM ET 08.25 | While Slava Fetisov envisions a "Super Cup," any NHL-Europe league-building seems a long ways off. A progressive idea among North Americans has been an NHL division in Europe. Well, listen to how IIHF president Rene Fasel reacted to that during a Q&A session Tuesday at the Air Canada Centre. "Try to come," Fasel said. "Good luck. This is our territory, and I will fight like hell and not allow anybody to come from abroad. I think in Europe we are strong enough to do something on our own and then have the competition between Europe and North America. That makes the fan happy. That's really what we should do." Fasel said having a European champion play the Stanley Cup winner "would be music."
Yahoo! Sports ]]> NHL General Discussion brothers11 http://www.sportsrumormill.com/forum/nhl-general-discussion/26126-super-cup.html