Free Agency & Trade:
- In another three days, the NHL opens its doors to free agency, and general manager Ken Holland said there is “no chance” the Red Wings will do anything. Red Wings GM Ken Holland said he sat and talked with Ritch Winter (Hossa’s agent) and remains hopeful the two sides can work out a long-term deal.
- The Wild wasted little time in putting the word out that it has big dollars to shop for big free-agent talent.
- Brian Burke expects to have his phone “start ringing off the hook” tomorrow for Maple Leafs’ Tomas Kaberle.
- With veteran goalie J-S Giguere having put the Maple Leafs on a short list of teams he would be willing to be traded to, the intrigue continues to mushroom concerning the situation between the pipes for Toronto.
- Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray has yet to receive an offer worth accepting in his quest to trade disgruntled forward Dany Heatley. If Dany Heatley is going to get traded, he might have to get the deal done himself.
- One Nik has been invited back for a Broadway encore. The other almost certainly is on his way out of town General manager Glen Sather said yesterday.
- The Penguins could know by tomorrow if they’ll be able to re-sign right winger Bill Guerin.
- Tough choice for Rob Scuderi: He can grab for the big bucks of free agency or show loyalty to the Pens.
NHL Draft:
- It’s hard to believe two Harvard-educated hockey executives like Brian Burke and Peter Chiarelli would have, in the famous words of Strother Martin, such a failure to communicate.
- After taking care of the present by making a blockbuster trade on the first day of the NHL draft, the Flyers turned toward tomorrow on Day Two.
- The Dallas Stars stuck to their drafting philosophy Saturday, writes Mike Heika, going heavy on skill and finishing out the two-day NHL draft in Montreal with a group of five forwards who can all score
- After acquiring veteran defenseman Chris Pronger in a blockbuster trade on Friday, the Flyers set about trying to stock their team through a more traditional means.
- The Washington Capitals’ brass left Bell Centre satisfied with seven new prospects added to an already deep farm system, but there is likely more work to be done before the big club’s roster is complete.
- Their first pick was the smallest defenseman in the NHL Entry Draft, but on Day 2 the Predators selected a handful of big forwards.
- Florida selected defenseman Dmitry Kulikov with its first pick Friday night, but in the subsequent six rounds, the team picked nothing but forwards.
- The Edmonton Oilers looked to Europe for some intriguing offensive potential at the NHL draft on Saturday while trading away restricted free agent forward Kyle Brodziak.
- Philip Samuelsson is not, by any measure, a clone of his father. That’s OK, because no one is. Or probably ever could be.
- At some point, every team in every sport says it at every draft: “We had him a lot higher on our list. We were just hoping he’d still be available at our pick.”
Sunday Special Articles
- Larry Brooks says NBC was behind the cancellation of the outdoor game planned for Calgary this winter.
- Jim Matheson was ahead of the game when he stated that the Flames would have to trade of Jim Vandermeer, and maybe others, if they want to sign Jay Bouwmeester.
- More from Matheson here.
- Bruce Garrioch suggests the Flyers would like to deal Simon Gagne.
Everything Else:
- After two busy days at the NHL entry draft in Montreal, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello has three more days to brace for the opening of the free agent market on Wednesday and will likely name a new coach by Monday.
- Detroit’s shrinking automotive footprint makes support for a new Wings arena more difficult because the city, county and state have far more pressing concerns than funneling public funds into a lavishly equipped money-printing machine for Mike Ilitch.
- Their Cup win not even three weeks old, the Penguins are preparing for yet another busy offseason.
- Greater Toronto Area hockey organizers are happy to have Nazem Kadri as the new poster boy for the Maple Leafs, but they don’t expect the Middle Eastern community to start flooding minor hockey.
- Scott Walker has some good news to share and many, many people to thank.
- It’s time to say goodbye, Joe Sakic. This town isn’t big enough for you and Matt Duchene.
