The Edmonton Oilers and GM Kevin Lowe have signed Anaheim Ducks forward and restricted free agent Dustin Penner to an offer sheet worth $21.25 over 5 years. The Ducks have a week to decide whether or not to match the offer or receive compensation from the Oilers in the form of draft picks (a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounder) instead.
Penner had a break out season, playing in his first full NHL campaign last year. He recorded 45 points (29 goals, 16 assists) in 82 games played last year, and is quite a physical presence on the ice at 6 6’4” 245 pounds.
This is the second time since the start of the free agency period that Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has tendered an offer sheet to another team’s restricted free agent. Earlier this month, Lowe signed Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek to a long term deal that the Buffalo Sabres quickly matched.
The Anaheim Ducks may not have the same luxury as they are close to the cap ceiling of $50.3 million per season… currently sitting at $48 million. If they accept the Penner offer sheet they will be over the salary cap, and will have until October 1st to cut salary to get under it, a very tricky thing to do. Remember last season how the Devils had to dump salary and weren’t negotiating from a position of leverage…. And were forced to dump players and picks in order to get below the hard cap. Ducks GM Brian Burke will have to think long and hard over the next week.
Kevin Lowe’s actions this off-season will obviously be frowned upon by other GMs around the league, but he is well within his rights to do what he is doing. At the end of the day, he is only trying to make his club more competitive. He may be overpaying for Penner, but perhaps sees some future potential in the young power forward. I still have to give the guy credit.
I can't think of a time where I've felt like a bigger jackass. Not 24 hours after exclaiming that the NHL, free from scandal, had an opportunity available to them, to rise above the other professional sports leagues whose credibility is in freefall. So what do the NHL players do? Add more fuel to the fire.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal, and his brother Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jordan Staal enjoyed themselves a little too much at a bachelor party. The brothers and more than a dozen others were arrested for disorderly conduct following the celebration of Eric Staal's upcoming August marriage.
It's been an incredible week in sports. I should say incredibly shocking.
It seems every major professional sports league is battling scandal right now. The NBA's credibility and foundation is crumbling in the wake of an F.B.I. Investigation involving one of their referee's gambling habits.... and his alleged penchant for fixing games. The NFL's new commissioner's efforts to promote character above talent within it's players ranks seems to have backfired as many still think they are above the law. Most recently Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick heads to Federal Court this Thursday to face charges that he organized and ran a dog-fighting enterprise. Major League Baseball's worst fears are about to be realized as their most hallowed record is days from being broken by a player whose alleged use of performance enhancing drugs are household knowledge.
The NHL at the moment appears to be professional sports sweetheart. An opportunity is at hand for the league, both management and players to seize. Whether the NHL can gain the popularity it once garnered over a decade ago remains to be seen, but a chance to do so is certainly ripe for the taking.
Quick Shave:
Arbitration hearings began this week, and unlike last season there are far fewer players headed to the table than last summer. Many cases have been prevented by early signings to avoid the often uncomfortable and akward hearings. The Ottawa Senators successfully avoided arbitration with their star goaltender Ray Emery today signing him to a 3 year deal worth $9.5 million. Emery was signed just prior to his hearing and will get a hefty raise from his previous year's earnings of $925k. The Senators goaltender was solid last season taking the number one spot after free agent acquisition Martin Gerber didn't deliver, and helped Ottawa to the Stanley Cup Finals. The New York Islanders re-signed forward Chris Simon to a one year deal worth $800,00. Former Islanders forward and captain Alexei Yashin may have played his last game in the NHL as he has chosen to continue his career in his native Russia. Yashin signed a one year deal with the Russian club Locomotiv which contains no out clause to return to the NHL during the contract..... as if a contract has ever really stopped him from doing what he has wanted to in the past. Regardless, it is doubtful any team in the NHL will be parading offers his way. The Edmonton Oilers may have a new owner.... if their board ever agrees to sell the team. Billionaire Daryl Katz bid $170 million (his third bid) to purchase the team. If he does manage to buy the Oilers, things could turn around up North as he promises to spare no expense in building a winner. Good news for the Oilers and their fans.
It's funny but I spent part of today discussing the future of the big E with our friend Teri today, and while I had some ideas of my own, TSN.ca broke a little story about his current whereabouts and future.
Currently Eric Lindros, one of many still to be signed unrestricted free agents has been helping the NHL Players' Association as a member of a review board tasked with finding a new executive director for their union. While he was vague about his playing future, he did hint that he had an idea following his last playoff game with the Dallas Stars.
Injuries has taken their toll on the big forward, preventing him from playing complete seasons for most of his career, but last season he was only able to play in 49 for the Stars (he collected 26 points (5 goals, 21 assists) during that span). His injury history has also drastically affected his style of play, as he no longer powers down the ice (with his head down), in favor of skating the perimeter and for the most part avoiding contact.... the aspect of his game that once made him unstoppable.
While it's unlikely he'll sign a monster contract over the summer if he does choose to play, and more than likely any deal he does recieve won't even approach the one he got from the Stars last season (which I believe was $1 million) at least not in base. I think a team will take a chance on him, if Lindros is willing to accept a contract that heavily consists of incentives, and performance bonuses.
The team that keeps coming to mind are the Columbus Blue Jackets. They could use a marquee name (even though Lindros' star power is somewhat dimmer) and lining him up with Rick Nash could be interesting and even tempting to the big guy. The other that I was thinking of, due to recent events is the New York Rangers. Having dealt Matt Cullen back to the Carolina Hurricanes in what was for the most part a salary dump (due to some rather generous salaries dished out to Drury and Gomez), the Rangers now find themselves with a glaring hole at third line center. Lindros could be an affordable pickup, and play on a stage that he did perform well on. As I said longshot.
In reality, retirement may be on the horizon. I read an interesting quote in the Hockey News last season which really struck a chord. I'm paraphrasing here, but it said "Every game Eric Lindros plays, moves him further away from the Hall of Fame." Pretty blunt. Lindros's stats during his NHL career are very impressive. During his 760 games played, he has accumulated 865 points (372 goals, 493 assists, with a +215 rating, and 1,398 minutes in penalties).
Oily Souray? Doesn't that sound like the nickname for a procedure you'd request at a questionable massage parlor? Gimme the Oily Souray please. Anyone? Ok I'll quit while I'm ahead.
The Edmonton Oilers scored their big named free agent yesterday by scooping up former Habs blue liner Sheldon Souray. Souray signed with the Oilers for 5 years, $27 million and is looking forward to playing near home in Alberta.
Souray had a career year last season for the Montreal Canadiens posting up huge offensive numbers, scoring 26 goals, and 38 assists, with a record breaking 19 of those goals coming on the power play. Souray led the Habs in scoring for most of the season as well (which may explain why the Habs were so bad last season). His only downside, was his play on the defensive side of the puck. Souray finished the season with a -29. The Oilers may well have found their point man power play specialist replacement that they lost when the traded Chris Pronger away last year. Good move for both parties.
The best player in the NHL got his due, and the Penguins made sure he would continue his stellar play in Pittsburgh for years to come.
Pittsburgh Penguins forward and captain Sidney Crosby agreed to a 5 year contract extendsion worth $43.5 million. The deal will pay Crosby $8.7 million per year. The contract will begin right after this season which concludes his entry-level contract and will keep him in black and gold until the 2013 season. The Pittsburgh Penguins now have the foundation to build a championship team for years to come.
Crosby has been dominant in his short two year NHL career scoring 222 points (75 goals, 147 assists) in 160 games played. He also helped carry the Penguins back to the playoffs and in his first 5 NHL playoff games recorded 5 points (3 goals, 2 assists).
Quick Shave: The New York Rangers are very close to wrapping up their off-season signing fest. After securing free agent forwards Scott Gomez, and Chris Drury, the Rangers focused on re-signing their own players. Tuesday the Rangers agreed to terms with forward Brendan Shanahan on a one year deal worth $2.5 million, that is backloaded with incentives and bonuses that he will easily achieve and push the contract to $5.3 million. Yesterday the locked up their star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for one year at $4.25 million. The Rangers will likely lock Lundqvist up to a long-term deal in January. Alexei Yashin is jackass. I don’t think I need to elaborate further on that, but I will. Apparently Yashin is not pleased with the offers NHL teams have been throwing his way this off-season. Is this guy kidding me? Yashin had an average year for the New York Islanders last season recording 18 goals and 32 assists, but was demoted to the fourth line and scratched more times than I can remember last season. If Ted Nolan couldn’t motivate this guy, I doubt anyone can. He also has a history of not being a team player, holding out, disappearing in the playoffs….the list goes on and on. So he threatens us, with the possibility of playing in Europe next season. If that’s the case, I got two words for you. See ya. The New Jersey Devils are on the hunt for a new coach and may have targeted Brent Sutter. Sutter is the owner, GM and head coach of the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, and have announced a new conference today. Sutter may announce that he’s stepping down as the GM and Coach of the Rebels. This could be the precursor to him be anointed with the head coaching duties in New Jersey. We’ll see.
The 2007-2008 NHL Schedule was released yesterday as well. You can check it out here. Look at the Rangers lineup in late March and April. They finish the season (the final 10 games I believe) playing only Atlantic Division opponents. I thought that was pretty cool!
I apologize for the sporadic posts of late folks. The Bosher came home last month to find his office under water following a Noah’s Ark like rainstorm. Things are almost back to normal, and I’m looking forward to pelting you with nonsense all summer long. Thanks for your patience!
The Detroit Red Wings keep their man between the pipes, Dominik Hasek. Hasek returned to his dominant form last season helping the Red Wings to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 5 years, and while earning just $900,000 for the effort.
The Red Wings and Hasek agreed to a one year contract worth $2 million dollars and a performance bonus plan that could see him double it to $4 million if he achieves the standards set before him (I believe he got $1 million when the Wings last won the Cup under his tenure).
While up there in age at 42 years old, Hasek is still playing at top form and shrugged off the label of having an easily injured groin. Good move by the Wings.
Quick Shave:
I have to tip my hat to Garth Snow. He and the Isles have had a rough week watching their star players leave Long Island in pursuit of fortune elsewhere. To stop the bleeding, Snow and the New York Islanders signed forward Mike Comrie to a one year deal worth $3.375 million. Comrie had a decent year last season collecting 20 goals and 25 assists in 65 games last season and scored 6 points during the Ottawa Senators playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals. The New York Islanders also signed forward Bill Guerin to two year deal worth $9 million. Guerin had a rebound year last season collecting 36 goals and 20 assists while playing for the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks. The Ottawa Senators promoted John Paddock as their new head coach to replace the recently promoted Bryan Murray. Paddock was Murray's assistant last season. The Minnesota Wild signed former Islanders defenceman Sean Hill to a one year deal today. Hill was suspended last season for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and will have still have to serve 19 of the 20 game suspension he recieved as a result next season.
Let's talk about the Edmonton Oilers and Kevin Lowe. Lowe and the Oilers made big news today by signing Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek to a seven year, $50 million offer sheet. The Buffalo Sabres quickly matched the offer on their restricted free agent. Lowe can hardly be blamed, in fact I think credit is due as he is doing everything within in his arsenal as a GM to help better his club. The Sabres had already lost their top two centers Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency so there was little chance they would let Vanek leave. Rumors are abound that Lowe may not be done and may attempt to lure away other restricted free agents through the same means. Zach Parise of the New Jersey Devils, Michael Cammalleri of the Los Angeles Kings, Dustin Penner of the Anaheim Ducks and Lee Stempniak of the St. Louis Blues are all potential targets for Lowe.
Are the Anaheim Ducks preparing for a post Neidermayer / Selanne era? Certainly seems that way. If they do come back, the Ducks are set, and if they don’t, well the Ducks are sitting pretty good right now as well. In any case, Brian Burke is the greatest general manager in the universe! Well, he’s pretty good anyway.
The Anaheim Ducks, a day after securing blueline mainstay Matthieu Schneider to a two year deal (in case Niedermayer retires), signed free agent forward Todd Bertuzzi to a two year deal worth $8 million. It is my assumption that this move while a gamble (to see if Bertuzzi can regain his 2003 form where he scored 97 points) might be an insurance policy in case they also lose forward Teemu Selanne to retirement.
It’s hard to argue with any move the GM Brian Burke makes, since he just guided his club to it’s first ever Stanley Cup Championship. Whatever he does, and whomever he signs, there is most certainly a very good reason for it.
Quick Shave:
The Washington Capitals have finally found their setup man for the superstar winger Alexander Ovechkin. For the next 4 years (Caps gave Nylander a 4 year contract worth $19.5 million, for his second tour of duty with Washington) former New York Rangers center Michael Nylander will be serving up assists to the young sniper. I think this tandem will be a lot of fun to watch. Nylander always had a pass first mentality (which drove us Ranger fans insane at times) but should be perfectly suited to Ovechkin’s shoot first style. The Montreal Canadiens have signed defenceman Roman Hamrlik to a four year deal worth $22 million. This would have to mean that Sheldon Souray will not be returning to the Habs. I’m actually pretty surprised he hasn’t been snatched up yet. The Habs also landed forward Bryan Smolinski. The Los Angeles Kings made a bit of a splash signing a collection of UFA’s yesterday. Center Michal Handzuz, defenceman Tom Preissing, left wingers Kyle Calder, and Ladislav Nagy will be playing out West for the Kings next season. The Atlanta Thrashers added to their blue line by signing free agent defenceman Ken Klee, and the Chicago Blackhawks signed former Red Wings forward Robert Lang to a two year deal. The Calgary Flames are close to locking up defenceman Robyn Regehr to a 5 year contract extension. Apparently Ryan Smyth’s choice of the Avs over the Isles was due in large part to a phone call he received from Colorado Avalanche Captain Joe Sakic. Here’s a transcript of the phone call:
Sakic: “Ryan?”
Smyth: “Yes?”
Sakic: “Hey it’s Joe.”
Smyth: “Hey Joe! What’s up!”
Sakic: “I’ll tell you what’s up. I got some video of you shaving Raffi Torres’ playoff beard last year, and if you don’t sign with our club, it will be all over You Tube by Monday evening.”
Smyth: “Uh, Joe, I’m at a loss for words here…”
Sakic: “Don’t let the Lady Byng Trophy’s fool you punk. Do the right thing Smyth.”
And there you have it. Very convincing. Smyth apparently received an offer he couldn’t refuse. The Calgary Flames also signed forward Owen Nolan to a one year deal.
The New York Rangers had targeted New Jersey Devils forward Scott Gomez, and Buffalo Sabres forward Chris Drury prior to the free agency period that began yesterday at noon. I guess Bill Clement would say the blue shirts have got tone right now, and are locked on.
Both UFA's agreed to long term deals with the New York Rangers yesterday. Scott Gomez signed a 7 year deal worth $51.5 million dollars. Gomez will earn $10 million next seaon in a contract that is front loaded in much the same way that Briere's new deal from the Flyers is. Chris Drury signed a 5 year deal that will pay him $35.25 million. The signings of both centers will pretty much end forward Michael Nylanders tour of duty as Jaromir Jagr's pivot, which to me is a real dissapointment. Nylander and Jagr were spectacular together, and I hope that Drury or Gomez will be able to find similiar chemisty with the super star right winger.
While I'm excited about the moves the Rangers made, I'm also concerned. The last time the Rangers mined the Devils for free agent talent, the results were less than terrific. In fact they outright sucked. Bobby Holik who was the last hired gun from New Jersey to come to Madison Square Garden was an exclamation point on the decade of underachieving Ranger teams. I can only hope that Gomez can deliver where he could not.
For the Buffalo Sabres and their fans, the last 24 hours have been a bitter pill to swallow. As most expected, and those in Western New York feared, both of their free agent properties have left in favor of big dollars, and larger markets. I think the Sabres will definitely rebound from the loss of Briere, and Drury, and should be able to find suitable replacements from within for those players. I also expect the Sabres to be just a solid as they were last season. This team isn't going anywhere.
Quick Shave:
While the Sabres fans are shaking their heads, the New York Islanders fans must feel like cutting theirs off. Forward Ryan Smyth, whom the Isles had acquired at the trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers for a collection of former first round picks and a their first round selection in this year's NHL Entry Draft, agreed to a contract with the Colorado Avalanche yesterday. Smyth signed a 5 year deal worth $31.25 million with the Avs. To make matters worse, Jason Blake, the Islanders other free agent forward fled north to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 5 years at $20 million. Former Nashville Predator Paul Kariya agreed to a 3 year deal worth $18 million with the St. Louis Blues yesterday. Early this morning the Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Petr Sykora to a two year deal, and picked up defenceman Darryl Sydor for two years as well. The Edmonton Oilers made a surprising trade with the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday sending defenceman and captain Jason Smith, and forward Joffrey Lupul to the Flyers in exchange for defenceman Joni Pitkanen and forward Geoff Sanderson. To me the Flyers got the better of this deal. A solid defenceman, and forward with lots of potential. The Oilers lose their captain, and in return get a forward whose best days are behind him, and a defenceman with potential, but shattered confidence.
I love what the Flyers have done so far this off season. It's really hard not to be impressed with their pick-ups so far. This team should return to powerhouse stature very quickly.
After having probably one of the worst seasons in their franchise's history, the Philadelphia Flyers are now poised to have one of their best.
After securing restricted free agents, goaltender Martin Biron, forward Scott Hartnell, and defenceman Kimmo Timmonen, the Flyers opened the unrestricted free agency signing period by locking up forward Daniel Briere, one of the most coveted forwards of this free agent class. The Flyers locked Briere up with an 8 year contract worth $52 million.
Briere was solid last season, leading the Buffalo Sabres with 95 points.
Quick Shave:
The Anaheim Ducks were informed by their captain and best defenceman Scott Niedermayer that he was considering retirement, so his club made preparations for his departure by signing free agent defenceman Matthieu Schneider to a 2 year deal worth over $11 million. Schneider was a mainstay on the Detroit Red Wings blue line last season. Shortly after this deal, the Red Wings announced the signing of former New Jersey Devils defenceman Brian Rafalski to a 5 year deal worth $30 million. San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton was signed to a 3 year contract extension worth $21.6 million. There are also rumors that the Calgary Flames have inked forward and captain Jarome Iginla to a contract extension, details will follow later today.
Holy Crap.
It's funny but I spent part of today discussing the future of the big E with our friend Teri today, and while I had some ideas of my own, 
Oily Souray? Doesn't that sound like the nickname for a procedure you'd request at a questionable massage parlor? Gimme the Oily Souray please. Anyone? Ok I'll quit while I'm ahead.
The best player in the NHL got his due, and the Penguins made sure he would continue his stellar play in Pittsburgh for years to come.
The New York Rangers are very close to wrapping up their off-season signing fest. After securing free agent forwards Scott Gomez, and Chris Drury, the Rangers focused on re-signing their own players. Tuesday the Rangers agreed to terms with forward Brendan Shanahan on a one year deal worth $2.5 million, that is backloaded with incentives and bonuses that he will easily achieve and push the contract to $5.3 million. Yesterday the locked up their star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for one year at $4.25 million. The Rangers will likely lock Lundqvist up to a long-term deal in January. Alexei Yashin is jackass. I don’t think I need to elaborate further on that, but I will. Apparently Yashin is not pleased with the offers NHL teams have been throwing his way this off-season. Is this guy kidding me? Yashin had an average year for the New York Islanders last season recording 18 goals and 32 assists, but was demoted to the fourth line and scratched more times than I can remember last season. If Ted Nolan couldn’t motivate this guy, I doubt anyone can. He also has a history of not being a team player, holding out, disappearing in the playoffs….the list goes on and on. So he threatens us, with the possibility of playing in Europe next season. If that’s the case, I got two words for you. See ya. The New Jersey Devils are on the hunt for a new coach and may have targeted Brent Sutter. Sutter is the owner, GM and head coach of the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, and have announced a new conference today. Sutter may announce that he’s stepping down as the GM and Coach of the Rebels. This could be the precursor to him be anointed with the head coaching duties in New Jersey. We’ll see.
The Detroit Red Wings keep their man between the pipes, Dominik Hasek. Hasek returned to his dominant form last season helping the Red Wings to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 5 years, and while earning just $900,000 for the effort.
Are the Anaheim Ducks preparing for a post Neidermayer / Selanne era? Certainly seems that way. If they do come back, the Ducks are set, and if they don’t, well the Ducks are sitting pretty good right now as well. In any case, Brian Burke is the greatest general manager in the universe! Well, he’s pretty good anyway.
Sakic: “Ryan?”
The New York Rangers had targeted New Jersey Devils forward Scott Gomez, and Buffalo Sabres forward Chris Drury prior to the free agency period that began yesterday at noon. I guess Bill Clement would say the blue shirts have got tone right now, and are locked on.
For the Buffalo Sabres and their fans, the last 24 hours have been a bitter pill to swallow. As most expected, and those in Western New York feared, both of their free agent properties have left in favor of big dollars, and larger markets. I think the Sabres will definitely rebound from the loss of Briere, and Drury, and should be able to find suitable replacements from within for those players. I also expect the Sabres to be just a solid as they were last season. This team isn't going anywhere.
Quick Shave:
After having probably one of the worst seasons in their franchise's history, the Philadelphia Flyers are now poised to have one of their best.
