via TSN:
According to his agent, New Jersey Devils defenceman Anton Volchenkov has been levied a three-game suspension for his elbow to the head of Carolina Hurricanes forward Zack Boychuk.
Volchenkov’s agent, Jay Grossman, tweeted news of the suspension on Wednesday.
Article in from from CKAC Sports.
Brodeur basically says that even though he’d love to finish his career in New Jersey, he’d be willing to accept a trade if it were to help the organization.
”I have enough loyalty for this organization. If it’s for the best of the team, I’ll accept to play elsewhere”
We always thought that Martin Brodeur would NEVER be traded by Lamoriello but now that he brings that up himself right before the trade deadline, do you think there’s been discussion about that and Lou might even be trying to trade him this year?
What do you think NJ could get for a 38 year old Martin Brodeur that has another year remaining on his contract?
via the Star-Ledger:
Selected by Team Staal with only five other players remaining, Elias said the process had a built-in insult factor for those who are bypassed until the end.
“I didn’t enjoy it (much). The fans and media enjoy it. Whoever is going last is going to hear it for a long time,” Elias said today. “It’s not right. The guys are top players and you don’t want to put guys in that position.”
He was relieved not to be picked last.
“Kind of,” he said.
Phil Kessel was the last pick and received a car for it. Elias said he would not have wanted to get a car for being last, although he was able to crack jokes during the draft.
“One was when they called the rookies up on the stage and we were still sitting there,” Elias recalled. “I said, ‘Holy (cow), the rookies are going before us. That’s not good.’ ”
via Michele Steele:
BREAKING: NHL’s Devils for sale – person familiar tells Bberg News Devils owner Vanderbeek has hired Moag & Co to oversee sale
added 1:35pm, via Bloomberg:
Vanderbeek has hired investment bank Moag & Co. in Baltimore to oversee the sale of the National Hockey League club, and has sent out letters to prospective buyers soliciting interest, said the person, who has seen the letter and requested anonymity because the team hasn’t given him permission to discuss it.
In an e-mail, Vanderbeek said he was traveling and wouldn’t be available to talk until later today
By Peter Levi
With training camps just a few weeks away it’s time to take a look at the league and see both how team’s have changed in the off-season and what to expect going forward. I’ll be breaking it down each division followed by final conclusions and rankings. Conference rankings are listed in brackets next to the team.
New Jersey Devils (2nd)
Coaching change: John MacLean (80-39-31-10 AHL)
Roster losses: Rob Niedermayer (UFA – Buffalo, 71-22), Mike Mottau (UFA – New York Islanders, 79-18), Dean McAmmond (UFA, 62-17), Paul Martin (UFA – Pittsburgh, 22-11), Martin Skoula (UFA – KHL, 52-11), Jay Pandolfo (buyout, 52-9), Andrew Peters (buyout – Florida, 29-0)
Roster additions: Jason Arnott (T Nashville), Anton Volchenkov (UFA Ottawa), Henrik Tallinder (UFA Buffalo), Johan Hedberg (UFA Atlanta)
Prospect signings: Mattias Tedenby (44-19 SEL), Jacob Josefson (43-20 SEL), David McIntyre (35-39 NCAA), Adam Henrique (54-77 OHL), Dan Kelly (58-27 OHL), Harry Young (65-20 OHL), Eric Gelinas (61-31 QMJHL), Jean-Sebastien Berube (64-45 QMJHL), Alexander Urbom (66-33 WHL)
Forwards: Ilya Kovalchuk (76-85), Zach Parise (81-82), Travis Zajac (82-67), Jamie Langenbrunner (81-61), Patrik Elias (58-48), Jason Arnott (63-46), Brian Rolston (80-37), Dainius Zubrus (51-27), David Clarkson (46-24), Vladimir Zharkov (40-10), Rod Pelley (63-10), Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond (27-2)
Defence: Andy Greene (78-37), Henrik Tallinder (82-20), Anton Volchenkov (64-14), Bryce Salvador (79-14), Colin White (81-12), Anssi Salmela (38-8), Mark Fraser (61-6)
Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur (2.24, 0.916, 77-45-25-6), Johan Hedberg (2.62, 0.915, 47-21-16-6)
Injuries: Bryce Salvadore, Anssi Salmela
Strengths: defensive play, goaltending, forward depth
Weaknesses: scoring, puck moving defensemen
Analysis: the Devils enjoyed an excellent regular season under Jacques Lemaire, then proceeded with what has become routine for them since the lockout: a disappointing loss in the playoffs. Martin Brodeur again played an absurd number of regular season games (77) and given his lattitude in deciding when he plays I have to assume he will play at least 70 again (despite the addition of Johan Hedberg). While the Devils improved their blueline defensively, they are now even less able to move the puck forward with the loss of Paul Martin–hoping that Andy Greene and Anssi Salmela can continue to evolve into that role. With their strong forward group I expect the Devils to have another good regular season and make the playoffs, but there’s no reason to expect this version of the team to be any better than last year’s version.
Philadelphia Flyers (7th)
Roster losses: Simon Gagne (T – TB, 58-40), Aaron Asham (UFA – Pittsburgh, 72-24), Mika Pyorala (UFA – SEL, 36-4), Lukas Krajicek (UFA – CZE, 50-3), Ryan Parent (T – Nashville, 48-3), Riley Cote (retired, 15-0), Ray Emery (UFA, 29-16-11-1, 2.64, 0.905)
Roster additions: Nikolai Zherdev (KHL), Andrej Meszaros (T Tampa Bay), Sean O’Donnell (UFA Los Angeles), Jody Shelley (UFA New York Rangers), Matt Walker (T Tampa Bay)
Prospect signings: Sergei Bobrovsky (2.72, 0.919, KHL), Michael Testwuide (36-31 NCAA), Erik Gustafsson (39-32 NCAA), Andrew Rowe (38-28 NCAA), Ben Holmstrom (39-23 NCAA), Luke Pither (67-94 OHL), Tyler Hostetter (59-26 OHL), Eric Wellwood (65-68 OHL), Zac Rinaldo (60-25 OHL), Shane Harper (72-80 WHL)
Forwards: Mike Richards (82-62), Jeff Carter (74-61), Daniel Briere (75-53), Claude Giroux (82-47), Scott Hartnell (81-44), James Van Riemsdyk (78-35), Daniel Carcillo (76-22), Nikolai Zherdev (52-39 KHL), Ian Laperriere (82-20), Blair Betts (63-18), Darroll Powe (63-15), Ville Leino (55-11), Jody Shelley (57-9)
Defence: Chris Pronger (82-55), Kimmo Timonen (82-39), Matt Carle (80-35), Braydon Coburn (81-19), Andrej Meszaros (81-17), Sean O’Donnell (78-15), Matt Walker (66-5)
Goaltenders: Michael Leighton (2.83, 0.905, 34-17-9-2), Brian Boucher (2.76, 0.899, , 33-9-18-3)
Injuries: Chris Pronger, Michael Leighton, Ian Laperriere
Strengths: forward depth, scoring, blueline
Weaknesses: goaltending, team chemistry
Analysis: a strong, deep roster went all the way to the finals, but the Flyers once again failed to address their only issue: goaltending. Much as I admire Leighton and Boucher, there are good reasons why both these players have bounced around for so long. It’s also of note that the Flyers only came together at playoff time and I’m not convinced their chemistry issues are resolved. However, there’s just too much talent here for them not to make the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins (4th)
Roster losses: Sergei Gonchar (UFA – Ottawa, 62-50), Alexei Ponikarovsky (77-50), Bill Guerin (UFA, 78-45), Ruslan Fedotenko (UFA – New York Rangers, 80-30), Jordan Leopold (UFA – Buffalo, 81-26), Mart Eaton (UFA – NYI, 79-16), Jay McKee (UFA, 62-10)
Roster additions: Mike Comrie (UFA Edmonton), Aaron Asham (UFA Philadelphia), Zbynek Michalek (UFA Phoenix), Paul Martin (UFA New Jersey)
Prospect signings: Mattias Modig (2.49, 0.899, SEL), Patrick Killeen (2.42, 0.913, OHL), Nicholas Petersen (59-79 QMJHL), Simon Despres (63-47 QMJHL)
Forwards: Sidney Crosby (81-109), Evgeni Malkin (67-77), Jordan Staal (82-49), Pascal Dupuis (81-38), Chris Kunitz (50-32), Matt Cooke (79-30), Tyler Kennedy (64-25), Aaron Asham (72-24), Mike Comrie (43-21), Michael Rupp (81-19), Craig Adams (82-10), Maxime Talbot (45-7), Eric Godard (45-3)
Defence: Alex Goligoski (69-37), Krisopher Letang (73-27), Brooks Orpik (73-25), Zbynek Michalek (72-17), Paul Martin (22-11), Ben Lovejoy (12-3)
Goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury (2.65, 0.905, 67-37-21-6), Brent Johnston (2.76, 0.906, 23-10-6-1)
Injuries: Jordan Staal
Strengths: scoring
Weaknesses: depth, youthful blueline
Analysis: the team was let down by mediocre goaltending and an inability for support players to score in the playoffs. They lost their best defenseman in Sergei Gonchar and while they acquired two solid veterans in Martin and Michalek to help replace him, their powerplay is going to suffer. I wonder if GM Ray Shero can continue to pull rabbits out of his hat by putting aging veterans on the wing with Crosby and Malkin. At some point relying on their top centers just won’t work, no matter how talented they are. On paper this is the weakest Pittsburgh forward group since the lockout, with a great reliance on young blueliners to step up offensively. The Penguins may well squeak into the playoffs, but they won’t be the foe that they have been the last few years.
New York Rangers (9th)
Roster losses: Ollie Jokinen (UFA – Calgary, 82-50), Enver Lisin (UFA – KHL, 57-14), Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (UFA – New York Islanders, 22-8), Jody Shelley (UFA – Philadelphia, 57-9), Aaron Voros (T – Anaheim, 41-7), Donald Brashear (T – Atlanta, 36-1), Alex Auld (UFA – Montreal, 2.96, 0.895, 24-9-7-3)
Roster additions: Alexander Frolov (UFA Los Angeles), Todd White (T Atlanta), Tim Kennedy (buyout Buffalo), Steve Eminger (T Anaheim), Derek Boogaard (UFA Minnesota), Martin Biron (UFA New York Islanders), Ruslan Fedotenko (UFA Pittsburgh)
Prospect signings: Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (55-64 SEL), Lee Baldwin (32-10 NCAA), Derek Stepan (41-54 NCAA), Cameron Talbot (2.61, 0.925 NCAA), Sam Klassen (67-30 WHL), Jyri Niemi (50-29 WHL)
Forwards: Marian Gaborik (76-86), Vaclav Prospal (75-58), Alexander Frolov (81-51), Brandon Dubinsky (69-44), Ryan Callahan (77-37), Chris Drury (77-32), Sean Avery (69-31), Ruslan Fedotenko (80-30), Artem Anisimov (82-28), Todd White (65-26), Erik Christensen (57-26), Tim Kennedy (78-26), Brandon Prust (79-14), Brian Boyle (71-6)
Defence: Michael Del Zotto (80-37), Marc Staal (82-27), Daniel Girardi (82-24), Michal Rozsival (82-23), Steve Eminger (63-16), Matt Gilroy (69-15), Wade Redden (75-14)
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist (2.38, 0.921, 73-35-27-10), Martin Biron (3.27, 0.896, 29-9-14-4)
Injuries: Chris Drury, Vaclav Prospal
Strengths: goaltending, defensive play
Weaknesses: scoring, puck-moving defensemen
Analysis: the Rangers continue to struggle to score. In signing Alexander Frolov and mighty-mite Zuccarello-Aasen they hope to have a little more punch in the upcoming season. The Rangers also need more production from their blueline, but other than hoping for the maturation of current players have done nothing to solve that problem. Despite the changes their roster is thin group overly reliant on Henrik Lundqvist. They will be touch and go to make the playoffs.
New York Islanders (13th)
Roster losses: Richard Park (UFA – NLA, 81-31), Sean Bergenheim (UFA – Tampa Bay, 63-23), Freddy Meyer (UFA – Atlanta, 64-15), Jeff Tambellini (UFA – Vancouver, 36-14), Tim Jackman (UFA – Calgary, 54-9), Brendan Witt (buyout, 42-5), Martin Biron (3.27, 0.896, 29-9-14-4)
Roster additions: James Wisniewski (UFA Anaheim), Mark Eaton (UFA Pittsburgh), Milan Jurcina (UFA Washington), Zenon Konopka (UFA Tampa Bay), Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (UFA New York Rangers), Mike Mottau (UFA New York Rangers), Michael Grabner (Waivers Tampa Bay)
Prospect signings: David Ullstrom (47-16 SEL), Rhett Rakhshani (41-50 NCAA), Calvin de Haan (34-24 OHL), Kevin Poulin (2.63, 0.916, QMJHL), Travis Hamonic (41-44 WHL), Nino Niederreiter (65-60 WHL)
Forwards: John Taveres (82-54), Kyle Okposo (80-52), Matt Moulson (82-48), Frans Nielsen (76-38), Blake Comeau (61-35), Joshua Bailey (73-35), Trent Hunter (61-28), Rob Schremp (44-25), Jonathan Sim (77-22), Doug Weight (36-17), Michael Grabner (20-11), Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (22-8), Zenon Konopka (74-5)
Defence: Mart Streit (82-49), James Wisniewski (69-30), Jack Hillen (69-21), Mark Mottau (79-18), Bruno Gervais (71-17), Mark Eaton (79-16), Milan Jurcina (44-7), Andrew MacDonald (46-7), Radek Martinek (16-3)
Goaltenders: Dwayne Roloson (3.00, 0.907, 50-23-18-7), Rick DiPietro (2.60, 0.900, 8-2-5-0)
Injuries: Markc Streit, Kyle Okposo, Rob Schremp
Strengths: goaltending
Weaknesses: forward depth
Analysis: the Isles were a competitive, young team, whose roster hasn’t changed markedly. They’ve improved their blueline through free agency, but there isn’t much depth up front and the team is reliant on young players putting up big numbers. I expect the Isles to be largely unchanged in terms of results this year.
New Jersey Devils President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello today issued the following statement in response to Arbitrator Richard Bloch’s decision in regard to the team’s contract with Ilya Kovalchuk:
“We have reviewed and respect Arbitrator Bloch’s ruling in the Kovalchuk matter. We also note and appreciate his finding that nothing in his opinion should be read as suggesting that either the club or Ilya Kovalchuk operated in bad faith or on the basis of any assumption other than that the Standard Player Contract was fully compliant with the CBA. That has been our consistent position throughout.
“While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the principles in Arbitrator Bloch’s award and the NHL’s approval.”
via TSN:
Ilya Kovalchuk is an unrestricted free agent for the second time this summer.
Independent arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled in favour of the NHL’s rejection of Kovalchuk’s 17-year, US$102-million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
The NHL team released a statement Monday night saying it respects Bloch’s ruling and indicated that it still hopes to land the talented Russian.
“While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the principles in arbitrator Bloch’s award and the NHL’s approval,” said Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello.
via TSN from New York Daily News:
Vanderbeek told the New York Daily News that while he could not comment directly on the case, he did say that he felt that it was in the best interest of both sides to quickly resolve the grievance. While there is no arbitrator currently in place, Vanderbeek did not expect it to take long to find an appropriate candidate.
“From what I understand, the union and the league are moving forward to choose an arbitrator,” Vanderbeek told the Daily News. “I think (NHL deputy commissioner) Bill Daly said they want to see this done on an expedited basis. The union wants to see it done quickly. I see no reason why that won’t be done.”
via CBC:
The Players’ Association on Monday filed a grievance on behalf of Ilya Kovalchuk against the NHL, which rejected the star winger’s record 17-year, $102-million US contract with the New Jersey Devils last week.
The case will now go to independent arbitration, potentially stretching the process further into the summer, as both sides have to agree on the arbitrator before the case proceeds. After the selection is made, the arbitrator has 48 hours to render a decision.
“Although there is no defined timetable at this point, we intend to work with the Players’ Association to ensure an expeditious resolution of this dispute,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. “The league looks forward to the opportunity to establish its position before the arbitrator.”
via NHLDevils:
Ilya Kovalchuk signs with the Devils. Press conference scheduled for Tuesday at Prudential Center to make the official announcement.
Contract details to follow.
UPDATE: $60M for 7 years or $8.5 million cap hit. Will confirm.
UPDATE 2: ESPN is reporting that the deal is for 17-years, for more than 100 million. Waiting confirmation.
UPDATE 3: TSN is reporting Kovalchuk will earn $6 million each of the next two seasons, $11.5 million for the following five seasons, $10.5 million in the 2017-18 season, $8.5 million for the 2018-19 season, $6.5 million in 2019-20, $3.5 million in 2020-21, $750,000 the following season, and $550,000 for the final five years of the unprecedented deal.
UPDATE July 20, 2010:
via TSN:
The NHL has rejected Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on the grounds that it circumvents the NHL’s salary cap.
Kovalchuk was slated to earn $95 million over the first 10 years of the deal and then just $7 million over the last seven seasons. That would translate to an annual cap hit of $6 million per year.
Conclusion: The NHL is finally taking action against clubs trying to cheat the salary cap system. Currently no rule is in place to actually stop teams from offering this contract except for the NHL head office rejecting them. Look for a new rule to be put in place to put an end to these types of contracts in the future.
