Free Agency
- Saku Koivu was offered a multi-year deal by the the Wild but did not feel comfortable with the idea of possibily overshadowing his brother, so he opted for Anaheim, writes Lisa Dillman. The Ducks’ top-six forward group is now the best it has been since the team won the Cup, opines Dan Wood of the Orange County Register.
- Apparently the Wild offered Saku Koivu a two-year deal at approximately $8 million.
- Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette has a terrific article this morning on the type of person the Ducks are getting in Koivu.
- While he opted to sign in New York, Marian Gaborik came back to the Minnesota area yesterday to say his goodbyes.
- While David Krejci may have been able to get more money from the Bruins, he’s perfectly content with the contract he signed, explains Fluto Shinzawa.
- In Carolina, the Hurricanes hope to sign Tuomo Ruutu to a two or three year deal before his arbitration hearing.
- Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon admits that he is relieved to have signed the players involved in the qualifying offer controversy.
- It sounds like Jiri Hudler is gone to the KHL for a two-year, $10 million deal. (Writer’s note: This move caught me off-guard, as I expected Hudler to be a very important replacement for Marian Hossa’s lost offense. In my opinion, this is the Wings’ most important defection because it was the most unexpected.) “He got a great offer, an offer he couldn’t refuse,” said Wings GM Ken Holland.
- The Wings lost Hudler, but did add depth on defense by signing Doug Janik.
- It sounds like the Devils are interested in signing Brendan Morrison.
- Staying in New Jersey, the team has signed Ilkka Pikkarainen to a one-year deal.
- The Lightning has signed defenseman Kurtis Foster to a one-year deal worth $600,000.
Joe Sakic’s Retirement
- Mike Modano considers Joe Sakic among the top five players he ever played against.
- Dave Krieger says that Joe Sakic was always fine with quietly getting things done.
- Peter Forsberg, Sakic’s long-time teammate, says he owes a lot to the Burnaby native.
- If you read what people are saying around the NHL, you begin to understand just how respected Joe Sakic was by his peers.
- They don’t make ’em like Joe Sakic anymore.
Claude Lemieux’s Retirement
- This time around, Claude Lemieux gets to leave the NHL on his own terms, writes Dave Pollak.
- Lemieux says that his 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy was one of his career highlights.
Development Camps
- Bruins youngster Tommy Cross was just happy to be back on the ice on Wednesday.
- The Oilers youngsters did some important team-building exercises yesterday.
- Will the Predators sign Blake Geoffrion after his final season in college?
- James van Riemsdyk isn’t driving as far as he did last year to compete in the Flyers’ development camp.
- Mike Lee, who is headed to St. Cloud State in the fall, impressed former netminder Sean Burke.
- Blues prospect Lars Eller is shooting to make the team’s roster this fall.
- The Canucks have told prospect Patrick White to stop being so nice.
- The Leafs love Tyler Bozak’s work ethic. Sticking with the Maple Leafs, prospect Christian Hansen says it was important for him to get his college degree.
Everything Else
- Have you been getting late-night calls from the Lightning?
- Apparently Vincent Lecavelier was “never up to be traded.”
- Ken Warren of the Ottawa Citizen examines the changes made by the Senators, Leafs and Habs over the past couple weeks.
- Another bidder for the Coyotes?
- In Toronto, Brian Burke wants to add some penalty killers, writes Paul Hunter.
- If the Blue Jackets can, they’d like to deal a forward for a defenseman, writes Tom Reed.
- On Wednesday, the Stars acquired Alex Auld from Ottawa. Trading Auld saves the Senators money against the cap.
- Next year you will be able to go see a Panthers game for as little as $7 per game. In other Panthers news, the team has hired a new strength and conditioning coach.
- On the Island, John Tavares is demonstrating to the Islanders faithful just how polished he is for an 18 year old. Make no mistake, there is a lot of pressure on Tavares to turn around the Islanders’ fortunes.
