According to TSN.ca the Vancouver Canucks have thrown their hat into Peter Forsberg Sweepstakes . The Canucks claim to have an edge on other teams because of the strong relatiohship Forsberg shares with their captain Markus Naslund.

Naslund confirmed that he has spoken to Forsberg and is 'trying his best' to lure the superstar forward to the Canucks. The pair apparently grew up in Sweden together.

Peter Forsberg is on the mend, and has stated that he will be looking to return sometime in December depending on the state of his injuries. Even though he spent a large portion of last season on IR, Forsberg still racked up 40 points in 40 games on a very bad Philadelphia Flyers club, and after he was traded to the Nashville Predators collected 15 more in the 17 games he played there. When he is healthy, he is the on ice version of Ivan Drago.... "Whenever he shoots.... he scores" (I'm taking slight creative license with that Rocky IV quote.

Quick Shave
The New Jersey Devils announced the signing of defenceman Paul Martin today. Martin and the Devils agreed on a 3 year contract worth $11.5 million. The New York Islanders also added a forward in Josef Vasicek. Vasicek recieved a one year deal worth $750,000.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

According to reports out of this morning's New York Post, the New York Rangers and Michael Peca are hammering out the details on a contract that will bring the two-time Selke Trophy winner to the Blueshirts.

The Rangers have a hole to fill at third line center after moving Matt Cullen back to the Carolina Hurricanes in order to clear cap room necessary to sign forwards Sean Avery, and Marcel Hossa. While the salary issue was somewhat resolved (the Rangers are teetering very close to the cap ceiling now, with roughly $1.5 million left to spend, according to Lyle Richardson of Spector's Hockey) the Rangers found themselves with another roster spot to fill.

Personally, it be nice to see the Rangers go to the farm, and recruit one of their youngsters to do the job. A move that may not be a bad idea, especially since the 33 year old Peca only played 35 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season following a leg fracture. However, it appears this Ranger team is gearing up for a run this season, and veteran experience is the theme.

Quick Shave:
The Ottawa Senators have apparently been busy, both internally and externally. New GM Bryan Murray has been inquiring about the status of forward Peter Forsberg through his agent, and has expressed his interest in seeing the Swedish sensation in a Senators uniform next season. Murray has also open the lines of communication with the agent of soon to be UFA forward Dany Heatley. It's in Murray's and the Sens best interest to get Heatley signed prior to next summer, because him hitting the market will be the same as him leaving. Heatley will be a highly sought after commodity especially since he's put together back to back 50 goal seasons. Phoenix Coyotes forward Mike Ricci has decided to retire after 16 years in the NHL. In his 1099 games Ricci amassed 234 goals, 362 assists and 974 minutes in penalties. The Coyotes also signed free agent goaltender Alex Auld to a one year contract yesterday.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hey Gang!

Captain Bosh has been enjoying the summer months (and a variety of ice chilled beers) and hoping that you are all doing the same. The Bosher has actually taken a hiatus lately, to recharge the batteries following a grueling season and playoffs. Thankfully the NHL has done the same and aside from a few minor trades and signings not much has been going in the way of news.

Case in point? NHL.com has a quick poll which asks the following:

Which team will have the most intriguing goaltending battle in training camp?

Colorado (Budaj, Theodore)
Columbus (Leclaire, Norrena)
Edmonton (Garon, Roloson)
Los Angeles (Cloutier, LaBarbera)
Montreal (Huet, Halak, Price)
Philadelphia (Biron, Nittymaki)
St. Louis (Bacashihua, Legace, Toivenen)
Tampa Bay (Holmqvist, Denis)
Toronto (Raycroft, Toskala)
Washington (Kolzig, Johnson)

Most of these are no brainers. In fact all of these are no brainers, and the rest are added for filler. The answer is clearly Montreal. But lets do the run down anyway.

Colorado Avalanche, the answer is Peter Budaj. Jose Theodore will be relegated to giving hair care advice.... and maybe not even that.

Columbus Blue Jackets will most likely go with Fredrik Norrena as Leclaire has been way too prone to injury to be counted on.

The Edmonton Oilers will be leaning on Dwayne Roloson.

The Los Angeles Kings will likely give Jason LaBarbera a go at starting netminder as the only difference between Dan Cloutier and Jose Theodore is their zip codes.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be handing the keys to newly acquired Martin Biron this season, and Nittymaki will once again be riding the pine.

The St. Louis Blues goaltending job is Manny Legace's to lose, but I hope Bacashihua get's the nod, because I can't wait to hear the announcers try and spit his name out every time he makes a save.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may give Marc Denis another shot based on his salary, but will most likely start with Holmqvist.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be starting with Vesa Toskala.... why else would they have traded for him? Sorry Andy.

The Washington Capitals.... this is the filler I was talking about. Kolzig baby.... Kolzig.

Let's talk about the Habs. They have two very good goaltenders in Huet and Halak, and a young star in the making in Price. If Price turns heads in camp, expect Huet or Halak to be dealt. If Price doesn't make the opening night roster, Huet and Halak will battle for the starting job. Huet has a slight edge, but I think Halak may end up being the starter. Ultimately, I think Huet will be the one playing for a new team

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 09:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Kevin Lowe and the Oilers get their man!

Declining to match a five year $21.5 million offer sheet for Dustin Penner, the Anaheim Ducks have bid farewell to their young winger. Penner is now the property of the Edmonton Oilers. The Ducks will receive compensation from the Oilers in their first, second, and third round draft picks.

Penner, in his first full NHL season with the Ducks last year scored 29 goals and 16 assists in 82 games. He also added 8 points in the Anaheim's 21 playoff games as they marched to their franchise's first Stanley Cup Championship.

I believe this is the first offer sheet tendered to not be matched (please correct me if I'm wrong). In the past the New York Rangers attempted to pry Joe Sakic from the Colorado Avalanche, and the Carolina Hurricanes signed then Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Fedorov to an offer sheet, yet both were matched, by their respective clubs. More recently, during the post salary cap era, the Flyers former GM Bob Clarke signed Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler to a one year offer sheet that was reluctantly matched, and this season Lowe and the Oilers made two attempts. The first to Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek, that was quickly matched, and one month later his successful bid for the services of Ducks forward Dustin Penner.

Was Penner worth the massive contract? Right now I'd say no, but the youngster does have plenty of potential. It's more than likely Lowe saw something other than the cap loophole in Penner and he will blossom in a larger role in Edmonton. The gamble was not just financial, as Lowe may have burned several bridges with his off season tactics, and may find it difficult securing future trading partners. Time will tell, but the old guard had better learn that this is the new NHL, and all bets appear to be off. Good Luck with the Oil DP!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh

Posted by captbosh at 09:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)