Mitchell's easily good enough defensively (his stats bear him out as a top 10 Defensive d-man, IIRC) for the money. I just don't think anyone else wanted to give two years or go to 3.5 million without about 2.5 of if being bonuses.

The Sharks' attempts at upgrading defense at the cost of goaltending has been a disaster so far, and I'd have them in the 5/6 range. Wilson's done so poorly that there is technically enough money to have probably resigned Nabokov (3.1 million, 2 shitty minimum forward, and the $2 million on Nitty) because he hasn't been able to make a move to really upgrade the top 4.

http://i38.tinypic.com/fly8et.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/fly8et.jpg

Very nice. I just hope they don't have the same agent.

Very nice. I just hope they don't have the same agent.

Ovechkin is his own agent.

Rangers signed former Sabre Tim Kennedy to a 1-year deal. I like how the Rangers seem to pick up ex-Sabre players.

Rangers signed former Sabre Tim Kennedy to a 1-year deal. I like how the Rangers seem to pick up ex-Sabre players.


for $550,000, far below ther $1 mil the arbitraitor gave him.

Niemi signs a 1yr/$2m deal with the Sharks.

Niemi signs a 1yr/$2m deal with the Sharks.

Doug Wilson is drunk on his own stupidity this offseason. Suddenly there's $4 million buried in goaltending and Niclas "Cheeseburger" Wallin is a top 4 D-man in teal.

Doug Wilson is drunk on his own stupidity this offseason. Suddenly there's $4 million buried in goaltending and Niclas "Cheeseburger" Wallin is a top 4 D-man in teal.

I don't know. While Wilson has done a few odd things this off-season for sure, if I were a Sharks fan, I would feel a lot better about my team's chances today than I did yesterday.

the nhl is playing dirty now

from the ny post:

The NHL has given the NHLPA an ultimatium regarding the contested front-loaded contract of not only the Devils’ Ilya Kobalchuk, but Vanocuver’s Roberto Luongo and Chicago’s Marian Hossa, as well, The Post has learned.

A well placed source reports that the league has informed the Players’ Assn. that the league will grandfather the recently submitted Kovalchuk 15-year, $100M contract, Luongo’s 12-year, $64M deal that is entering its second season and Hossa’s 12-year, $63.3M deal that also is entering its second season into the CBA under the following conditions:

1. That the cap hit on future multi-year contracts will not count any seasons that end with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be calculated on the average of the salary up through age 40 only.

2. That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years will be calculated under a formula granting additional weight to the five years with the highest salary.

The league has given the PA, which is being directed by Donald Fehr, until Friday at 5 pm to accept these conditions. If the PA refuses, or if negotiations fail to yeild a common ground, the league has informed the PA that:

1. It will reject the Kovalchuck contract.

2. It will move to immediately devoid the Luongo contract.

3. It will move to immediately open proceedings for a formal investigation into the Hossa contract.

The NHL owns sweeping punitive powers against teams and players judged guilty of circumvention under Article 26 of the CBA.

the nhl is playing dirty now

from the ny post:

The NHL has given the NHLPA an ultimatium regarding the contested front-loaded contract of not only the Devils’ Ilya Kobalchuk, but Vanocuver’s Roberto Luongo and Chicago’s Marian Hossa, as well, The Post has learned.

A well placed source reports that the league has informed the Players’ Assn. that the league will grandfather the recently submitted Kovalchuk 15-year, $100M contract, Luongo’s 12-year, $64M deal that is entering its second season and Hossa’s 12-year, $63.3M deal that also is entering its second season into the CBA under the following conditions:

1. That the cap hit on future multi-year contracts will not count any seasons that end with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be calculated on the average of the salary up through age 40 only.

2. That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years will be calculated under a formula granting additional weight to the five years with the highest salary.

The league has given the PA, which is being directed by Donald Fehr, until Friday at 5 pm to accept these conditions. If the PA refuses, or if negotiations fail to yeild a common ground, the league has informed the PA that:

1. It will reject the Kovalchuck contract.

2. It will move to immediately devoid the Luongo contract.

3. It will move to immediately open proceedings for a formal investigation into the Hossa contract.

The NHL owns sweeping punitive powers against teams and players judged guilty of circumvention under Article 26 of the CBA.

Looking forward to that 3 game SJ-Montreal series next week (remember, Pronger's deal still 'under investigation' too) for the true 2010 champ.

Looking forward to that 3 game SJ-Montreal series next week (remember, Pronger's deal still 'under investigation' too) for the true 2010 champ.

San Jose will have to loan Montreal a goalie for the week, since the Sharks have three and Montreal hasn't signed Price yet.

San Jose will have to loan Montreal a goalie for the week, since the Sharks have three and Montreal hasn't signed Price yet.

If Antii Niemi can do it, why can't Cedric Desjardins?

Or sign Patty Roy to a 10 day contract.

Dear God

NHL vs NHLPA Round 2323 starts now apparently;


The NHL has given the NHLPA an ultimatum regarding the contested front-loaded contract of not only the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk, but Vanocuver's Roberto Luongo and Chicago's Marian Hossa, as well, The Post has learned.
A well placed source reports that the league has informed the Players' Assn. that the league will grandfather the recently submitted Kovalchuk 15-year, $100M contract, Luongo's 12-year, $64M deal that is entering its second season and Hossa's 12-year, $63.3M deal that also is entering its second season into the CBA under the following conditions:

1. That the cap hit on future multi-year contracts will not count any seasons that end with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be calculated on the average of the salary up through age 40 only.
2. That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years will be calculated under a formula granting additional weight to the five years with the highest salary.
The league has given the PA, which is being directed by Donald Fehr, until Friday at 5 pm to accept these conditions. If the PA refuses, or if negotiations fail to yeild a common ground, the league has informed the PA that:
1. It will reject the Kovalchuk contract.
2. It will move to immediately devoid the Luongo contract.
3. It will move to immediately open proceedings for a formal investigation into the Hossa contract.
The NHL owns sweeping punitive powers against teams and players judged guilty of circumvention under Article 26 of the CBA.


NHL gives union ultimatum on Kovalchuk, Luongo, Hossa - NYPOST.com (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/devils/nhl_gives_players_assn_ultimatum_UEbYgwfB6I4E4y7xGbE1OP#ixzz0yNj7hNY7)

I am now eagerly awaiting the next installment of "Down goes Brown." :D

I'm afraid we're headed toward another lockout. Just what the sport needs.

I'm afraid we're headed toward another lockout. Just what the sport needs.

Three strikes/lockouts in probably less than twenty years is not good for any sport and/organization, but especially so for a league desperate for exposure like the NHL.

San Jose will have to loan Montreal a goalie for the week, since the Sharks have three and Montreal hasn't signed Price yet.

We can schedule this now

Carey Price, 2 years, $2.75M per

Mike Comrie to Pittsburgh, 1 year $500K. Can not complain about the price...hell, even the top AHL guys after Tangradi have $525K or $550K deals.

IF he is healthy, he can duplicate the 20 goals Guerin provided.

Mike Comrie to Pittsburgh, 1 year $500K. Can not complain about the price...hell, even the top AHL guys after Tangradi have $525K or $550K deals.

IF he is healthy, he can duplicate the 20 goals Guerin provided.

Yup...health is the concern but I'm sure last year's flu/mono/whatever it was should be done and over and he should be the steal of this offseason.

its finally over. kovy is a devil, for 15 years

wonder what the rule changes are that come with it

So what does the new deal look like? Cap hits, annual salaries, what not?

for $550,000, far below ther $1 mil the arbitraitor gave him.

Yep. He got something like $300,000 buyout as well, right?

So what does the new deal look like? Cap hits, annual salaries, what not?

Kovalchuk’s 15-year, $100 million contract;
2010-11: $6 million
2011-12: $6 million
2012-13: $11 million
2013-14: $11.3 million
2014-15: $11.3 million
2015-16: $11.6 million
2016-17: $11.8 million
2017-18: $10 million
2018-19: $7 million
2019-20: $4 million
2020-21: $1 million
2021-22: $1 million
2022-23: $1 million
2023-24: $3 million
2024-25: $4 million

6.67m cap hit

6.67m cap hit

Actually, it is $6,666,667. Perfect number for the Devils.

So, based on the concessions given by the PA to go into effect for the next contract, after Kovalchuk's, there would not have been a huge difference had the 15 year/$100M deal been subject to these rules:

2010-11: $6 million
2011-12: $6 million
2012-13: $11 million
2013-14: $11.3 million
2014-15: $11.3 million
2015-16: $11.6 million
2016-17: $11.8 million
2017-18: $10 million
2018-19: $7 million
2019-20: $4 million
2020-21: $1 million
2021-22: $1 million
2022-23: $1 million
2023-24: $3 million
2024-25: $4 million

I think June 30 is the date used in other items to determine age, so assuming it is the same here.

$96M over the first 14 years (ages 27-40) = $6.86M per compared to $6.66M

The final year would count at $4M.

Now, the original deal ($102M/17 years)...

2010-11—$6 million
2011-12—$6 million
2012-13—$11.5 million
2013-14—$11.5 million
2014-15—$11.5 million
2015-16—$11.5 million
2016-17—$11.5 million
2017-18—$10.5 million
2018-19—$8.5 million
2019-20—$6.5 million
2020-21—$3.5 million
2021-22—$750,000
2022-23—$550,000
2023-24—$550,000
2024-25—$550,000
2025-26—$550,000
2026-27—$550,000

First 14 years of the contract = $101.5M (The salaries thru 2022-23, plus for 2020 - 2023, minimum cap hit for ages 36-40 is $1M, converting those from 750,000 and 550,000 to $1M) / 14 years = $7.25M compared to $6M

Final three years would carry $550K hits (without taking into consideration that those would be well below the league minimum at that point).

This would explain the Pirates 18 year tank job...

Crosby Blasts Batting Practice Home Run at PNC Park - Pittsburgh Penguins - Features (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=537039&cmpid=pit-fb-pghpenguins)

We all know what Sidney Crosby can do on the ice, but on Wednesday afternoon the Penguins captain displayed his all-around athletic skills by hitting a home run at PNC Park during batting practice with eight of his fellow Penguins teammates.

http://web25.twitpic.com/img/158708504-66f125be431fc56de61c98f5eb0bfdd0.4c899120-scaled.jpg

goodness. the nhl fined the devils $3m, took their 3rd rounder this year, and the devils have to give up a first in one of the next 4 drafts. they already dont have a 2nd rounder in the next draft from the arnott trade.

baffling, since the arbitrator ruled the devils didnt act in bad faith, and the contract was within the rules of the cba at the time

so, the running total on what it costs the devils so far (not counting the players they still have to move to get under the cap this season):

*$100 million in salary
*$3 million fine
*Loss of one first-round pick in next four years
*Loss of 2011 third-round draft pick
*2010 first-round pick
*RW Niclas Bergfors (2005 first-round pick)
*D Johnny Oduya
*Prospect Patrice Cormier (2008 second-round pick)
**The teams also swapped 2010 second-round picks and the Devils got back defenseman Anssi Salmela in the Feb. 4 trade with Atlanta.

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini told Sheldon Souray late last week that he was not invited to the Oilers training camp.

I wonder if this will be the end of his career? If they don't want him around the pro-team, surely they don't want him around the AHL team. I don't see another NHL team taking a shot at him either unless they know he is healthly...

Flyers sign Billy Guerin to a tryout offer

Flyers sign Billy Guerin to a tryout offer

Rangers signed Rusty Fedotenko to tryout offer late last week.
Fedotenko and Guerin both worried Arron Asham will beat them to 5/5 in the Atlantic.

Bobby Ryan, 5 years/$25.5M to stay in Anaheim

Nic Bergfors 1 year $900K in Atlanta

Good deals for both teams, although I wonder if the Thrashers wanted to Bergfors signed for longer term to avoid the same thing next summer.

Bobby Ryan, 5 years/$25.5M to stay in Anaheim.

Very good deal for the Ducks (although Ryan can't be complaining either ;) ).

This ensures Ryan won't also be a free agent at the same time as Getzy, Perry and Hiller, all due up in three years. Ryan's original demands were for a three year deal, and that would have been crazy time in the offseason in three summers, with all those Ducks stars as free agents. I think Lupul's deal is up that summer, too. Even without Ryan, that's going to be a very interesting summer.

Hopefully the Ducks can do some exciting things in the mean time. Very deep and versatile set of forwards, one of the deepest in the league (Getzy, Ryan, Perry, Teemu, Koivu, Blake, Lupul, Marchant, Bonino, Sexton, Beleskey). Now, if only the defense didn't suck, maybe all the pubs would stop picking them to miss the playoffs again.

Very good deal for the Ducks (although Ryan can't be complaining either ;) ).

This ensures Ryan won't also be a free agent at the same time as Getzy, Perry and Hiller, all due up in three years. Ryan's original demands were for a three year deal, and that would have been crazy time in the offseason in three summers, with all those Ducks stars as free agents. I think Lupul's deal is up that summer, too. Even without Ryan, that's going to be a very interesting summer.

Hopefully the Ducks can do some exciting things in the mean time. Very deep and versatile set of forwards, one of the deepest in the league (Getzy, Ryan, Perry, Teemu, Koivu, Blake, Lupul, Marchant, Bonino, Sexton, Beleskey). Now, if only the defense didn't suck, maybe all the pubs would stop picking them to miss the playoffs again.

Where are they cap wise?
If the had another legit top 4 dman then I think they'd be pretty competitive. Visnovsky is a top pair guy. Sutton isn't terrible, but ideally on the 3rd pair. Same for Brookbank. Lydman is a solid top 4. Sbisa could be, but still uncertain.

Not sure who is left that is trade bait...Sarich is probably available, Calgary currently over the cap.

Awesome news - I was ready for a 1 or 2 year deal and either having to dole out 6.5 mil a year or losing him at that point, so a 5 year deal is beyond anything I expected.

SR - Ducks are still close to 6 million under, so plenty of room to pick up a defenseman if one becomes available.

Trola

This is pretty odd. Apparently Eric Belanger has signed with someone...actually, this happened a little while ago. Who? NA NA NA NA NA NA, I'M NOT TELLING! :p

Éric Bélanger signe… mais ne dit pas où ! | Kathleen Lavoie | Actualités sportives (http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/sports/actualites-sportives/201008/11/01-4305515-eric-belanger-signehellip-mais-ne-dit-pas-ou-.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B13b_actualites_612_section_POS2)

Quadrola (seriously, please someone else post in here, it's getting lonely)

To finish the story above...it's the Caps. 1 year $1.85M (10K raise over last year) for Belanger.



This is really fucked up. Apparently, this deal to return to the Caps was agreed upon, but never signed. Weeks pass...now Belanger signs in Phoenix for $750K.

Éric Bélanger trompé par la direction des Capitals | Richard Labbé | Hockey (http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/hockey/201009/14/01-4315599-eric-belanger-trompe-par-la-direction-des-capitals.php?utm_categorieinterne=trafficdrivers&utm_contenuinterne=cyberpresse_B4_manchettes_231_accueil_POS3)

Eric Belanger had to report to the Washington Capitals. He will report ultimately to the Phoenix Coyotes ... for much less money.

The attacker Quebec, who was an unrestricted free agent July 1, has finally agreed a deal for a $ 750,000 season with the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday. A new start for him, but also a decline in terms of wages, and in July, the Washington Capitals yet he had verbally agreed a deal for one season, for $ 1,850,000. However, the agreement was never formalized by the Capitals, who needed to exchange a player to center to make room for Belanger.

Sherbrooke player must join his new team Wednesday in Arizona, but he and his agent Joseph Tacopina could decide to take the Capitals to justice.

In an email sent to DG Tacopina Capitals George McPhee on August 26, including The Press obtained a copy, clan Belanger says he was fooled by the direction of the Capitals, who never wanted to confirm the hiring center in Quebec, but he was still asked to stop talks with other teams in the league. Another email Capitals sent to Eric Belanger, including La Presse also obtained a copy, informs him that he must come to Washington later than September 16, to take part in training camp.


"They tricked us and we were deceived, Joseph Tacopina thundered during a telephone interview with La Presse. What they did to Eric is morally atrocious. We are examining all legal options available to us yet. In this story, (the CEO) George McPhee has never bothered to negotiate directly with me, I had to negotiate with one of his assistants during this time. McPhee never called me. We've been had. "

Mr. Tacopina said that Belanger has more to sign a lease for a house in the Washington area, in addition to enroll their children at a nearby school. "The Capitals had a verbal agreement with Eric, and they should honor it, added the officer. It's been expected since July. They told us to engage with them. I ended my discussions with other teams because we had an agreement in place with the Capitals. And then at the last minute, they tell us that it no longer holds. This is nonsense. "

Awesome news - I was ready for a 1 or 2 year deal and either having to dole out 6.5 mil a year or losing him at that point, so a 5 year deal is beyond anything I expected.

SR - Ducks are still close to 6 million under, so plenty of room to pick up a defenseman if one becomes available.

Paul Mara it is...1 year

google translated the hell out of that. im most impressed with google right now (less so with the capitals)

Rangers and Marc Staal agreed to a 5-year deal.

The deal is worth $19.875 million, a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek, with a breakdown of: $3.1 million this season; $3.675 million in 2011-12; $3.775 million in 2012-13; $3.875 million in 2013-14; and $5.45 million in the final year.

I'm watching tonight's Bruins-Islanders rookie game on the Bruins website. Tyler Seguin is playing for the Bruins. It's nice to watch some hockey again.

I'm watching tonight's Bruins-Islanders rookie game on the Bruins website. Tyler Seguin is playing for the Bruins. It's nice to watch some hockey again.

My tickets came in the mail today...3 weeks to go

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/bob_mckenzie/?id=334094

Bob McKenzie did a piece today on cancer-stricken former coach Pat Burns over at TSN.ca.

Maybe one of the most moving pieces I've ever read in sports. Truly great stuff.

Thanks for the link, that was a great, great read.

All but 1 Sabres' game on TV in 2010-11 - Business First of Buffalo (http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2010/09/20/daily16.html)

I don't get why the Dec. 21st is an exclusive VS window? What does that mean?

We are getting close....

Preseason opener, Pens- Wings, first game in the new building.

No TV :( ...but listening to the radio feed.
Pens up 3-0 in the first...

All but 1 Sabres' game on TV in 2010-11 - Business First of Buffalo (http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2010/09/20/daily16.html)

I don't get why the Dec. 21st is an exclusive VS window? What does that mean?

Some of the VS. Monday and Tuesday night games are supposed to be exclusive (think ESPN Sunday Night Baseball), so no other games can be televised during their time, even locally. Happened to the Sharks a couple times last year.

HBO to film 'Hard Knocks' type show featuring Pens and Caps

HBO to film Penguins-Capitals (http://www.post-gazette.com/PG/10266/1089756-61.stm)

SR - What happened last night with Orpik/Franzen/Bertuzzi? Franzen is livid at Orpik and said it was the stupidest play he's ever seen. I haven't seen video on it though. Sounds like a knee to knee hit. I guess Bertuzzi went after Orpik after but like I said, didn't get to see it.

SR - What happened last night with Orpik/Franzen/Bertuzzi? Franzen is livid at Orpik and said it was the stupidest play he's ever seen. I haven't seen video on it though. Sounds like a knee to knee hit. I guess Bertuzzi went after Orpik after but like I said, didn't get to see it.

Unfortunately, no one I know has seen it either. I was listening on the radio, there was no TV feed. Orpik got 5 and a game, but Babcock saying it's a charley horse, so that sounds like knee/thigh rather than knee/knee.

Best I can guess, Crosby sent Orpik out to get revenge for game 7, 2009 SCF.

Peter Mueller suffered another concussion. Not good news for him.

Some of the VS. Monday and Tuesday night games are supposed to be exclusive (think ESPN Sunday Night Baseball), so no other games can be televised during their time, even locally. Happened to the Sharks a couple times last year.

Sounds like a great idea for success.

Peter Mueller suffered another concussion. Not good news for him.

or the Avs