For more information here is a link to the NHL Work Stoppage FAQ.

Another sign that the NHL and NHLPA should probably start negotiations asap.  Hopefully fans haven’t wasted their time doing their Season Ticket drafts just yet.  Who knows how many more games will be cancelled.  Stay tuned.

More details to follow on Illegalcurve.com

Montoya Quick Facts:

Age: 27

Team Last year:  New York Islanders

Record:  9-11-5

G.A.A.:  3.11

Save %:  0.893

Contract:  601 K for 1 year.

Conference Call:

Can he forgive Kane for running him over?

- Jokingly said he can’t remember. Said he’s happy to have Evander Kane on his team.

How did he end up in Winnipeg?

- Jets are a young team and he liked the direction the team is heading in.

How many games would he like to play?

- Its about being ready and happy to back up Pavs. Did say whether its 20 or 30.

Did the convo with goalie coach Flaherty help make decision?

- He has a lot of respect. Played against him in the minors.

What will it be like getting the start in Winnipeg?

Walking in as opposition gave him chills. Compared it to playing at UofM

Richard Pollock’s Analysis:

Jokinen immediately becomes the team’s number one center, as he has more offensive talent than Bryan Little.  Last season with the Calgary Flames he posted 23 goals and 61 points in 82 games.  Since 1999-00 he has never played less than 76 games in a single season.  Jokinen increases the size of the Jets up front and makes them more difficult to play against.  He is a shoot-first center who is strong along the boards and can distribute the puck, although not especially well.

Jets GM Kevin Chevledayoff Conference Call:

- Olli is someone we identified as a potential target in free agency. Looking to get a centreman, and we are excited to get him.

- Size, experience and consistency makes us a better and more difficult team to play against

- Very happy to have Olli as part of Jets family. His size is important. “Difficult to handle”. Not afraid to shoot the puck.

- Durable player over the years. Very excited about being at the forefront of a group that has young players and is able to grow.

- Jets looking to have a top 9 group of forwards not just a top 6.

- We will continue to stay active in FA. Have to get a back up goalie done. Jokinen is good in the faceoff circle.

- When you can upgrade at a position it is something you seriously have to consider.

- Team’s biggest need coming into FA was at centre–upgrading the skill set of the centremen. Attention turning to a backup goalie.

- This move was not reactionary to the team being quiet so far in free agency. It was an opportunity to upgrade and we took it.

- If teams were not able to upgrade in free agency, it’s likely the trade market may provide some assistance to teams

Year 1 – 3.25M
Year 2 – 3.5M
Year 3 – 3.75M
Year 4 – 4.25M
Year 5 – 4.75M

Quotes from Conference Call:

“Happy to be in Winnipeg. Looking forward to success in Winnipeg. Want to stay as long as you can in a city you like & I like WPG”

“Negotiation just a side of business. Agent did the best he can. It’s business–it’s a process. Never easy to make a deal.”

“Not hard to give up 2 years of UFA years in signing the 5 year deal. Was looking for a long contract. Easy to sign the deal.”

“Everyone knew I had the offer from KHL but wanted to stay in WPG all along. Really good offer from KHL but wanted to be in WPG.”

“Big responsibility to become elite goaltender in NHL. Very excited for the chance to be best goalie in NHL in WPG.”

“Loved the fans last year in WPG. Loved being in Canada. Big family atmosphere in WPG. Feel really good in WPG.”

“Last few days negotiations picked up. Chevy wanted me to stay and I wanted to stay. Always believed I could get a deal in WPG.”

“I want to win. I want to be successful. Organisation is going in a good direction, that’s why I signed a 5 year deal.”

Articles:

Jets Official Site:  Jets agree to terms with Ondrej Pavelec.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Jets sign Pavelec to 5-year contract.

Winnipeg Sun:  Pavelec re-signs.

NHL.com:  Jets sign Pavelec to five-year extension.

TSN:  Jets sign Pavelec to five-year, 19.5 million deal.

GM Kevin Cheveldayoff conference call on the deal:

“We’ve been working on the deal for quite awhile. Once we got to draft and could lay out positions face to face, it made it easier”

“The deal (with Pavelec) came together early this morning.”

“Pavelec still coming into the best years of his career. Excited that he wants to commit to the long term future of team”

“The signing shows commitment from the Jets but also from the player. When a team & player make a deal like this, its significant”.

Illegal Curve has some very sad news to pass along.  James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail has reported that Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien has been found dead in his Alberta home.

Illegal Curve offers our condolences to the family and friends of Rick Rypien.

Rypien played parts of five seasons with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose and recently signed a one year contract with The Winnipeg Jets. Rypien had gone through personal struggles over the last two years and was excited to sign in Winnipeg.  Rypien was a hard-nosed hockey player who was a fan-favourite during his time in Winnipeg. He will be missed dearly. Rypien was only 27 years old.

True North’s Mark Chipman had this to say about the development of the logo;

“We have always had a close relationship with 17 Wing throughout the years, dating back to our annual Manitoba Moose Military Night,” said Dorian Morphy, Senior Director, Marketing & Brand Management of True North Sports & Entertainment. “We are thrilled to be able to continue this relationship in a significant way. The design cues for the plane were inspired by the military jets flown by the Air Force over the years. So not only were we able to establish a new identity for our brand, but we were able to maintain a traditional, time honoured look to the logo.”

They also put together a very cool video;

The Jets have also put up a Brand Identity, by Reebok explaining to fans how they arrived at the above design.

IC’s Remis is down at the MTS Centre and says the linup to buy merchandise is already out of control.

A look back at our old logo after the jump.

As we have waited for the new logo these past few months, we wanted to take a look back at the logos that used to represent this team.  The Jets in their previous incarnations (both WHA & NHL) used 4 different logos, although the logo representing the late 70′s WHA Jets and the 80′s NHL Jets wasn’t a big deviation from the earlier version.

As someone who still loves his Jets jersey, I have a huge attachment to the old logo but count me as someone who is ready for change.

But more important than what we think is what you think.  Let us know in the comments section.

Above Jets logos courtesy of Chris Creamer’s sportslogos.net.

As you saw on today’s Dixie Drama, respected Globe and Mail journalist Stephen Brunt just reported the following:

An agreement to sell the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg group which plans to relocate the franchise to the Manitoba capital is done.

Now we will continue to monitor the situation and will give you any updates as they happen.

Tune into Sports Radio 1290 Stephen Brunt is on the air right now.

Here is a link to the interview with Stephen Brunt

Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet is now confirming Brunt’s report.

Remis from the R-desk is down at Portage & Main.  We will have pictures up soon and already have some on @illegalcurve twitter.

Feel free to leave a comment on how you feel about this potential news.

9 pm cst:  The council of Glendale opens the proceedings.  Spend about an hour detailing the 10 items on the agenda.  Of course the Coyote talk is item #10 of 10.

10 pm cst:  City Manager Ed Beasley reviewed the summary of the plan.

10:10 pm cst:  Councilmember Phil Lieberman came on and went on quite the rant, but the crib notes are that he was not happy with the idea of spending money that would be better served elsewhere.  He did make most readers/watchers hungry with his talk of Italian restaurants and kosher deli.

10:15 pm cst:  Deputy Commissioner and chief legal officer of the NHL Bill Daly came on to tell the COG what a great job they have done and to praise their efforts to keep the Coyotes.  He also reiterated the NHL’s support of a team in Glendale.  Takes a couple of shots at Goldwater.  He then takes questions, mentions season ticket holder renewals are 80%.  Speaks for about 7 minutes.

10:23 pm cst:  Coyotes GM Don Maloney is up.  He talks about all the positives with the franchise.  Talks about teams youth, how they had most points in franchise history and thanks the fans for the support.  Talks only for a few minutes.

10:28 pm cst:  About 25 people were allowed to offer comments/thoughts about the Coyotes and which way they felt the Council should vote.  Let me tell you, quite the colorful cast of characters.

10:46 pm cst:  Our first minor celebrity rocks the podium, Little Logan Wade.  Unfortunately for him, he was unable to sway Councilmember Lieberman this time.  Perhaps that is because his mom spent the majority of the time blathering on.  She pointed out that Bill Daly & Don Maloney know her son’s name.  She also mentioned that not all hockey players come from Canada.  She did say that Little Logan is a hockey player.  Ultimate in irony would be if he was drafted by an NHL team in Winnipeg.

10:50 pm cst:  Mayor Scruggs declares a 10 minute recess.

11:00 pm cst:  The pro/anti Coyote speeches continue.

11:17 pm cst:  Goldwater Institute attorney Nick Dranias suggests the COG needs to use leverage on NHL.  Mayor Scruggs interrupts him while he was talking.  He then read the relevant parts of the Arizona Constitution which ensure deal is unconstitutional into the record.

11:28 pm cst:  After a few more fans, a retired Economist gets up and suggests that sports don’t repay investment.  Describing the anchor tenant of Jobing.com arena “as an anchor around the neck”.

11:53 pm cst:  Thankfully all commenting (from the public) concludes.

11:54 pm cst:  First up is Councilmember Norma Alvarez.  Doesn’t want the Coyotes to leave but says she can’t allow tax dollars to be spent on the endeavor.   She votes no.

12:00 am cst:  Next up is Councilmember Joyce Clark.  Doesn’t seem happy but suggests that the NHL is as stuck with Glendale as Glendale is stuck with the NHL.  She votes yes.

12:10 am cst:  Next up is Councilmember Phil Lieberman.  Despite the presence of Little Logan again, he suggests that there is a lack of money for public projects.  He votes no.

12:16 am cst:  Next up is Councilmember Steve Frate.  Throws out the 500 million dollar figure if city losses Coyotes.  No question which way he’s voting.  He votes yes.

12:18 am cst:  Next up is Councilmember Manny Martinez.  Suggests that Coyotes are an investment in the city’s future.  He votes yes.

12:20 am cst:  Next up is Councilmember Yvonne Knaack.  Talks about the overwhelming # of emails received in favor of the Coyotes.  She votes yes.

12:30 am cst:  Last but not least is Mayor Elaine Scruggs.  Begins by boasting about the city bond rating and blathers on for about 20 minutes.  Clearly her vote is yes.

12:49 am cst: Re-reading of the Ordinance.  Vote passes 5-2.

The pro-Coyotes part of crowd reacts as it appears the Coyotes have been saved for at least one more year.

The Flyers have fired coach John Stevens, the Daily News has learned.

An announcement is expected later this evening with a press conference to follow at the Wachovia Center.

No official word on a successor but indications are that assistant Craig Berube will take over on an interim basis.

To read the entire article, click here.

However in terms of the next coach, TSN is reporting that:

TSN has learned that the Carolina Hurricanes have granted the Flyers permission to speak to Peter Laviolette, who is believed to be Stevens’ successor.

To read the entire article, click here.

The signs have been there for the last few weeks that a change was going to be made in Philadelphia.  With all that talent, it was not acceptable that the team has done as poorly as it has, and currently sits outside the playoffs.

Perhaps they are hoping for a Penguins type change to take over this underachieving team.  The Penguins fired Michel Therrien when they were 2 games above .500 (27-25-5) and the Flyers fired Stevens also at 2 games over .500 (13-11-1).

Unlike the Penguins though, who promoted from within, it appears the Flyers will be giving current/former TSN analyst Peter Laviolette the opportunity to take the reigns in Philadelphia.  Can this Stanley Cup winning coach (Hurricanes in 2005-06) lead them to the promised land? 

This team hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1975-75 and the expectations this season seem to be that nothing less that a Stanley Cup returning to the city of brotherly love, will be acceptable.

Update:  NHL.com is reporting that:

Laviolette will make his debut behind the Flyers’ bench on Saturday when the Flyers host the Washington Capitals. He’ll be joined by assistant coach Kevin McCarthy, an assistant under Paul Maurice in Carolina who had worked under Laviolette with the Hurricanes and was allowed to go to Philadelphia.

“I know this was a very difficult decision for Paul to make. And, I really feel bad for John because he’s been a terrific long-time member of our organization,” Comcast-Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider said in a statement. “I was hoping that the team would play better and that this could have been avoided, but after last night’s game, I think Paul felt he had to make this change. I make it a policy never to overrule my general manager, because once I do, it means I’ve lost confidence in him. I really want to wish John the best.”

Bankruptcy court judge Redfield T. Baum has rejected both bids for the Phoenix Coyotes.

“In hockey parlance, the court is passing the puck to the NHL, who can decide to take another shot at the sale net or it can pass off the puck,” Judge Baum wrote.

Judge Baum threw out a bid by Jim Balsillie saying it could not succeed because he cannot properly satisfy the NHL’s rights regarding relocation.

“In the final analysis, the court cannot find or conclude that the interests of the NHL can be adequately protected if the Coyotes are moved to Hamilton without first having a final decision regarding the claimed rights of the NHL and the claims of the debtors and [Balsillie],” the judge ruled.

He added that bankruptcy law requires that the court “shall prohibit” any sale where various interests cannot be adequately protected.

To read the entire article, click here.

Wow.  Talk about taking the easy way out.  Why make a tough decision?  For any new story developments, stay tuned to IC for further details.

What do you think Judge Baum should have done?  Should he have ruled in favor of the NHL, Balsillie or did he make the right decision by rejecting both offers?

If you are interested in reading Judge Baum’s decision (and who doesn’t want to read all 31 pages) click here as TSN has secured a copy of the ruling but if you are simply interested in the Court’s conclusion, here it is;

As well be sure to listen to tonight’s IC radio show as the guys will cover this topic starting at 7pm central.

Photo courtesy TSN & The Canadian Press

According to TSN, reported to them by Theo Fleury himself, he has been released by the Calgary Flames. This, despite his stellar exhibition campaign so far.

When asked if he would retire, Theo said,

“I need a couple of days.”

More on this story to follow as developments warrant.

Almost instantaneous update

Here is the statement from Darryl Sutter on behalf of the Flames:

“I believe Theoren did a great job and should be proud, especially considering all the factors including age, time away from the game and lifestyle change,” said general manager Darryl Sutter in the statement. “This is not a hockey story; it’s a life story. Our agreement with Theoren was that he had to be one of our top six wingers and there were never any intentions of assigning him to the American Hockey League.”

and another statement/response from Fleury

“I am very thankful to Darryl and the Flames organization for following through on the commitment to provide me with this opportunity,” Fleury said in a statement. “I said in the beginning that no matter what the outcome, this would be a success story. I intend to take the next few days to review this experience and make decisions with my family regarding next steps in my life.”

Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins have reached an agreement on a trade that will deliver Phil Kessel to the Leafs.

The trade is pending Kessel agreeing to a contract with Toronto. It’s a process the Leafs are working on right now.

If the contract gets done, the deal is finalized and the trade goes through. If the Maple Leafs are unable to come to terms on a contract with Kessel, the deal may fall through.

The trade would end a saga that began during the lead-up to the NHL Draft when Kessel originally appeared to be headed to Toronto in exchange for defenceman Tomas Kaberle and a draft pick.  However, the deal was scuttled at the last moment due to a miscommunication over the pick.

To read the complete story from TSN, click here.

The Leafs have gone from outside the playoffs looking in, to a team that could contend for 2nd (behind Boston) in the wide-open Northeast division.

In Kessel the Leafs get a good skater with a great shot, who is also a pretty good stick handler.  He has a questionable work ethic and isn’t terribly strong in the corners.  But he is still young and adds a very good scorer to an offensively depleted team.

The rumour is that the Leafs will be sending two 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick to Boston in return for Kessel’s services.

Stay tuned to IC as this develops further.

It appears that it is a done deal. The Leafs sent Boston a 1st round pick in 2010 as well as a 2nd round pick in 2010 and a 1st round pick in 2011.

Kessel then agreed to a 5 year, $27 million with the Leafs.

Disgruntled forward Dany Heatley has gotten his wish.

The Ottawa Senators dealt the veteran forward to the San Jose Sharks for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a second round pick.

Heatley informed the Senators in early June that despite having five-years remaining on a six-year, $7.5-million-per-year contract extension he recently signed, he wished to be moved.

He became unhappy with his role in Ottawa last season, especially after the Senators made a coaching change. He discussed his concerns about what he felt was the limiting of his ice time and his shift from the first power-play unit to the second unit with head coach Cory Clouston in the Senators’ end-of-season meetings.

To read the complete story from TSN, click here.

The drama is over and now I’m sure the analysis will turn to who got the better deal?  IC’s editor Richard offers readers his analysis of the deal.

Unfortunately for Senators fans, the Sharks won’t be playing in Ottawa this season, although they do play on Tuesday, December 1st in San Jose.

The 28-year-old forward is set to be part of a three-team deal that would send the Sharks’ Patrick Marleau to the Los Angeles Kings and the Kings’ Alexander Frolov and Jarret Stoll to the Senators.

To read the complete report, including the fact that Sharks GM Doug Wilson, Senators GM Bryan Murray and Kings GM Dean Lombardi all denied the report, click here.

On the other side, we have TSN’s Bob McKenzie who is reporting that:

Sources tell TSN that not only is the report of a three-way deal being done not true, but the Senators are no closer to trading Heatley now than they have been for most of the summer.

To see his complete response to the ESPN claim, click here.

Additionally, Sportsnet has gotten involved, reporting that the Senators have cancelled a planned Heatley appearance at a charity golf tournament:

A press release from the Senators stated, “In order to direct attention on the efforts of the Sens Foundation on Friday, Dany Heatley will not take part in the golf charity event.”

So who are we to believe in this battle of the experts?  Even NHL.com has news of this report up on it’s Top Headlines.  Stay tuned to IC as news of Heatley potential move, or not, develops.

“Pfffft”, you say, “This isn’t breaking news. Teams sign players every year just before training camp.” True, true. They do indeed. However, our readers may recall that Comrie left the Oilers 6 years ago in what could be generously called a ball of flame, calling Oilers’ management communists. Now don’t get me wrong, I love using the c-word on everyone from my in-laws to people slightly to the left of Attila the Hun, but Comrie had just come off a poor playoff season at a time when a lot was expected of him, and there was an obvious disconnect between what he thought he was worth and what management thought he was worth. So, they traded him.

Needless to say, this news hit me like a brick (get it? get it?). The Oilers are awash with forwards right now, and smallish forwards especially. I wonder where Comrie will fit into this group? Is he still a top 6 guy? Was he part of the rider for Hilary Duff’s contract to play Rexall? Are they going to sign him and trade him for Corey Perry to rectify a past mistake? Can he become a checker, or will be part of an offensively geared 4th line? Was this move motivated by Katz, whose is a friend to the Comrie family?

Comrie is not without skill, but those he possesses are replicated (in triplicate) on this roster. It seems to me that this is the precursor to more moves. Moves that are expected to happen once the new coaching regime takes a look at what the Oilers actually have under the hood. Quinn and Renney won’t stand for anyone giving a lacklustre effort, so expect moves within days of training camp starting.

I personally don’t mind the Oilers adding a veteran presence, but with so many good players still out there, why Comrie? Perhaps it is the aforementioned relationship between Katz and the Comrie’s, or maybe the management group feels Comrie has something to prove and enough left in the tank to do it. He is certainly more mature and perhaps he will be a good fit, but part of me is very worried about this move because it does little to address some of the holes the Oilers need filled (thats what she said) and it doesn’t make the Oilers a playoff team.

Lets hear your thoughts in the comments.

Watch Mike Comrie drop the mitts (as an Oiler) versus Daniel Briere here:

Mike Comrie Fights Daniel Briere

Glenn Healy has resigned as Director of Player Affairs of the NHLPA, saying his credibility was undermined by an internal report and comments by Interim Executive Director Ian Penny, including criticism of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, at the weekend Chicago meeting that resulted in Executive Director Paul Kelly’s firing.

In a letter of resignation submitted today, a copy of which was obtained by TSN, Healy said an Office Health Assessment report “indicated that I have misled the players and do not tell them the full truth.  These accusations were made because of comments that I have made to players, in particular about Wayne Gretzky and his contributions and personal sacrifices for the Players’ Association.  When Wayne Gretzky joined our Group Licensing Agreement in 1992, it made the Players’ Association millions of dollars, has allowed the PA to stand on its own, and allowed every player to prosper.

“Ian Penny, your Interim Executive Director and General Counsel, openly disagreed with my defence of Wayne Gretzky and proceeded to openly criticize Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux in front of the Executive Board, Advisory Board, Players’ Association employees, the Ombudsman, and the great man who started this very association, Ted Lindsay.  I would never and have not misled or told any untruths to any player.  I cannot sit back and continue to perform my duties when my Players’ Association co-workers unjustifiably impugn my credibility in front of the players I represent and fire shots against Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, two of the greatest players in the game, who have benefited every player in this Players’ Association.”

For complete article, click here.

As we discussed last night on the Illegalcurve Radio show, Healy was quite close with Kelly and probably felt undermind by this move.  It would appear that Ian Penny, Interim Executive Director and General Counsel, has made a power move and managed to clean house of Kelly loyalists.

 The executive board and those involved in the decision to fire Paul Kelly as the NHLPA’s executive director are expected to answer questions this morning as day two of the Players Associations meetings get underway.

Why? Will be among the first questions asked as many around the hockey community come to grips with the news of Kelly’s dismissal.

Whispers of unhappiness with Kelly’s distance with some players was itemized as a concern going into Sunday’s showdown, while a perception Kelly may have been too close to the NHL commissioners office was also offered by a source close to the battle as an issue as well.

But, there has to be more to it than that, and we will find out when the players and board members face the TSN camera this morning.

The board met on Sunday for over 10 hours in Chicago. Much of that time, Paul Kelly spent waiting with his supporters (Glenn Healy and Pat Flatley) in a hotel corridor.

He was invited in at least three times, the last being just after 3:30am eastern.

At this point Kelly was given news of his demise. 

 

For complete story, click here.

Wow.  Again where there was smoke, cleary there was fire and it appears that the whispers of his demise proved to be true.  Many question  remain.  As the answers are forthcoming we will endenvour to provide them to you.

There could be a new French Connection in the works as RDS is reporting that the Tampa Bay Lightning have agreed to terms of a contract with Alex Tanguay pending a physical.  Terms of the deal were not released.

The two-sides have reportedly been in negotiation since July, however it was not until two-weeks ago when Tanguay was contacted by Lightning stars Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis that he decided to join the Bolts.

The Ste-Justine, Quebec native spent a solitary season with the Canadiens after being acquired along with a 5th round pick from the Calgary Flames for a 1st and a 2nd round pick. He suffered through an injury plagued campaign in his native province, missing 28 games with a separated shoulder. He did manage 16 goals and 25 assists in 50 games.

After spending his first six seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, helping the team capture the Stanley Cup in 2001, the 29-year old has bounced around over the past three years. His two-year tenure in Calgary was marked with disagreements with then head coach Mike Keenan over playing style.

For complete story, click here.

I like this signing by the Bolts.  I think he can be a highly complimentary player for Vinny Lecavalier & Martin St. Louis.  We will have more analysis on this signing as well as the signings by the Canucks tomorrow.

The Blackhawks fired general manager Dale Tallon late Monday and replaced him with assistant GM Stan Bowman, according to Comcast SportsNet. An official announcement is expected today.

Blackhawks spokespeople couldn’t be reached for comment.

Tallon last week took the blame for the Hawks’ failure to tender qualifying offers to eight restricted free agents on time. He was able to re-sign all of them, including forward Kris Versteeg and defenseman Cam Barker, but the mistake was a major embarrassment for the team.

For complete story, click here.

Well it appears that Hawks GM Dale Tallon couldn’t survive the debacle that resulted from the Hawks failure to tender qualifying offers. 

If this report is accurate (Hawks web site still has Tallon as GM, but in addition to the Chicago Sun Times, it is being reported by From the Rink’s James Mirtle as well as the Chicago Tribune) that this is now the Stan Bowman show.  The Chicago Tribune did a very informative piece on the possible new Interim GM of the Hawks back in May.  With his father as Senior Advisor (hockey operations), a capable coach in Joel Quenneville and an up and coming team, things should be very exciting and expectations will be quite high in the Windy City next season.

After spending his entire 13-year career in Montreal, Saku Koivu will be calling Orange County his home. The Anaheim Ducks have signed the free agent centre to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. Koivu, 34, had been the Canadiens’ second-longest serving captain in team history.

Click here to read the full article.

Great move by the Ducks to sign the centre to a reasonable one year deal.  After everyone assumed he would be going to the Wild to join his bro, the Ducks get a veteran centre to team up with fellow fin Teemu Selanne.

The Chicago Blackhawks have put a good part of their restricted free-agent woes behind them, as the club agreed to a three-year contract worth more than $9 million with forward Kris Versteeg.

“Kris’ tremendous rookie season was a big reason the team was able to go as far as it did,” Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. “He is part of a core of young players that is going to make this franchise successful for a long time.”

Whew. While the price tag was pretty hefty, at least it saves the Hawks some PR embarrassment.

Labeled the best goaltender outside of the NHL last season, the 6’3″, 181 lb backstop was the top goalie in the Swedish Elite League last season while playing for Farjestad. He posted a 1.96 goals against average and a save percentage of .932 in the regular season, and led the team to the league championship this spring.

While the signing is good news for Toronto, fans should reserve judgment until he plays. I am somewhat skeptical of the “best player outside of the NHL” moniker given the Fabian Brunstrom affair and the Jiri Dopita debacle. Even players who have some success (see: Leino, Ville) haven’t exactly set the league on fire. The fact is that the best players are in the NHL (and AHL) and until Gustavsson proves otherwise, he will be just another good European goalie.

PS, just in case you thought everything was coming up roses for the Leafs, it looks like the NHL will be investigating the team on tampering charges.

One of the most skilled players in the league, the Togliatti, Russia native is also one of the most unpredictable.  He can look spectacular one night, controlling the play, while completely disappearing for long stretches at a time.

The 36 year old Kovalev is undoubtedly one of the most individually talented players in the game. That being said, his motivation is sometimes questioned and he was sent home for a period last year by Montreal GM Bob Gainey. Kovalev comes to a team that is trying to unload Dany Heatley and has has dressing room problems in the past. How Kovalev fits in with this bunch remains to be seen, but his talent will help out a power-play already featuring Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. Put a shooter out there with them and it could be dynamite.

“Francois will be a welcome addition to our blueline,” Leafs President and general manager Brian Burke said in a statement.  “He’s a rock solid, steady defender that will add character to our team.”

This is a very solid pick-up by the Maple Leafs. Beauchemin is a proven NHL defender who will make the Leafs much tougher to play against. The price tag is a little steep for a guy coming off an MCL injury, but if he is healthy, the Leafs will have a Top 4 guy in the prime of his career. Burke continues to rebuild the team into a bigger, tougher and more North American entity and the Beauchemin signing will do wonders with the back end.

The Ottawa Senators are on the hook for a $4 million signing bonus to forward Dany Heatley.

Like he did no Tuesday, the disgruntled forward declined to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a trade to the Edmonton Oilers.

For complete story, click here.

We finally get some resolution. 

Heatley’s refusal to go to Edmonton has really caused the Oilers a lot of pain as they a) waited to make free agent moves based on him and b) could have 3 very unhappy players on their hands.

From a Senators point of view they now have to pay him $4 million dollars, on top of the $10 million they paid him for last season, which means they paid $14 million for one season from Mr. Heatley.

With the Rangers apparently unwilling to give up young Marc Staal where o where does Heatley end up?   It would appear that the Rangers and Sharks are the two teams in the running.

The family friends speaking out on his behalf didn’t gain him any public sympathy.  Instead he is being hit with scorn.  Even the family of Daniel Snyder has spoken out.

“I’m surprised (by the trade request) because he signed a long-term deal (with Ottawa) and was playing in a market that seemed to embrace him,” Snyder said on Tuesday from his home in Elmira, Ont., near Kitchener-Waterloo.

“I was surprised (by his request from Atlanta, too, though) I could understand that one because I probably knew a few things that other people didn’t that go on behind the scenes, and it was difficult for him.

“But on the other hand, the Atlanta Thrashers were very, very supportive of him. What (general manager) Don Waddell and the ownership did there for him — it’s a pretty tough thing to repay. And he put them in a tight situation as well.

“I was surprised at it, but I understood it. This one, I really don’t understand.”

It would seem that Dany Heatley is public enemy #1 in Ottawa and quite likely Edmonton as well.

Of course we haven’t heard from the most important person in this debacle and that would be the much maligned Dany Heatley.  Will he speak out?  Stay tuned to Illegalcurve for any and all breaking news.

Now, it gets interesting.

Dany Heatley did not waive his no-movement clause to facilitate an agreed-upon trade between the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers that would have sent Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid to Ottawa.

For now, and quite possibly forever, the deal is dead.

For complete story, click here.

The good news for the Senators is that the NHL said that the bonus payment to Heatley doesn’t have to be paid until midnight tomorrow so technically they still have 24 hrs still to trade him without having to pay the bonus of 4 million.

Its not clear if Heatley refused the trade or failed to respond in sufficient time.  Its hard to believe that the Oilers and Senators would have progressed this far without knowledge that they could get a deal done.

Update:  Apparently he is going to sleep on it as his agent told Sportsnet.

Heatley’s agent J.P. Barry told Sportsnet.ca late Tuesday night that “it is our position that the [bonus] deadline is not until [Wednesday] night. We believe the [trade] decision does not have to come until that time…  Dany is going to sleep on it.”

Will keep readers updated as this debacle continues.  For up to the date news follow Illegalcurve on Twitter.

Sources say Dany Heatley has been asked to waive his no-trade clause to go to Edmonton in exchange for Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Ladislav Smid. 

If Heatley agrees to waive, it would appear the Sens and Oilers will have a deal, pending the official trade call with NHL central registry, but that is generally a formality.

For complete story, click here.

Will keep IC readers updated as this story progresses.

Update:  Now it’s being reported on Sportsnet as well.  NHL.com is quoting Sportsnet and TSN that the deal is done.