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| Salary Cap to rise to $56.7 million | Thursday 6/26, 8:56 PM CT |
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The NHL's salary cap will rise for the 2008-09 season some $6.4 million dollars to $56.7 million, according to ESPN.
Our View: The league is witness some growth in revenue, and that will be passed on to the players who can now earn up to $11.34 million in 2008-09. |
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| Grant could make club | Thursday 6/26, 8:54 PM CT |
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Triston Grant may have a roll with the Predators replacing the depaarted Darcy Hordichuk, according to the Tennessean. "He's a tough kid and he's a prospect," GM David Poile said. "I think we need to get to know each other a little better and that's what training camp is all about. But we want to put him in a position where he can vie for that role.''
Our View: Grant is a rough and tumble skater who has never been much on the offensive side of the puck (37 points in 197 AHL games). He isn't afraid to mix it up however (570 PIM), so he could be someone to keep an eye on in leagues that counts PIMs if given a regular shift. |
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| Perry presented qualifying offer | Thursday 6/26, 8:08 PM CT |
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Corey Perry has been extended a qualify offer by the Ducks meaning they have the right to match any contract that is offered to him, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
Our View: Perry scored 29 goals with 108 PIM last season in a year that was limited to 70 games because of an injury to his leg that required surgery. Perry will likely end up signing for big dollars, which when combined with the return of Scott Niedermayer, will put the Ducks above the salary cap and necessitate some decisions by the front office. |
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| Niedermayer to play final season | Thursday 6/26, 8:04 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier story it is now official. Scott Niedermayer will indeed return for a final season with the Ducks, according to ESPN. "I guess after a shorter year and shorter playoff run I definitely feel physically and mentally ready to go," Niedermayer said. "I'm happy to have a decision made and to be moving forward."
Our View: Niedermayer is still considered to be one of the top-10 defensemen in the world, and it's not like he is over the hill, he's still just 34 years old. Niedermayer should be drafted at a #1 defensemen next season with confidence. |
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| Theodore to test free agency | Thursday 6/26, 2:47 PM CT |
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Jose Theodore will test the free agent market on July 1, according to TSN.ca. Contract talks between Theodore and Colorado have broken down. His agent (Don Meehan) stated, "I would say we are going to July 1. There's a chance we could still negotiate with the Avalanche after that, but right now it's looking like we're going to July 1."
Our View: The 31-year old netminder is coming off a solid season as he went 28-21-3 with a 2.44 GAA and .910 save percentage. If Theodore does become a free agent on July 1, he would be considered the top goalie on the market. |
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| Straka's agent denies report | Thursday 6/26, 1:56 PM CT |
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Updating a previous story, Martin Straka's agent has denied a report that his client is going to rejoin his former Czech team, according to ESPN. His agent (Ritch Winter) said, "Marty has made it clear that he will wait until after July 1 to evaluate all his options and make an informed decision at that time. Plzen has made an aggressive offer but it's just one of the offers he will be considering."
Our View: The Czech team in question, HC Lasselsberger Plzen, announced on its web site Thursday that Straka would be rejoining them as a player and sports director. Plzen president Tomas Kral stated that he struck a deal with Straka last night. |
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| Campbell re-signs with Panthers | Thursday 6/26, 1:48 PM CT |
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Restricted free agent forward Greg Campbell has agreed to a two-year deal to remain with the Panthers, according to the Sun-Sentinel. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Campbell said, "I'm just excited to have another chance with Florida. It's a team I was drafted by, so it's a team I want to be with. I see positive changes."
Our View: He has served on the third and fourth lines for Florida, and reached a new career-high with 18 points in 2007-08. He should continue to improve, but not likely enough to make a fantasy impact next season. He holds his most value as a solid penalty killer for the Panthers. |
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| Eriksson given qualifying offer | Thursday 6/26, 1:29 PM CT |
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The Stars have given a qualifying offer to Loui Eriksson, according to the AP.
Our View: The 22-year old left winger enjoyed a solid second campaign with the Stars in 2007-08, as he notched 14 goals and 17 assists (31 points) over 69 games. He chipped in one goal and one assist over six games in the Stars' playoff series against the eventual champion Red Wings. |
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| Niedermayer will return? | Thursday 6/26, 1:12 PM CT |
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Scott Niedermayer has reportedly decided to return to the Ducks for another NHL campaign according to TSN.ca.
Our View: The source states that he informed Ducks' GM Brian Burke that he will return to fulfill the final year of his contract in 2008-09. He should be in better shape next season and will likely rebound from his disappointing 25-point campaign in 2007-08, hence ranking among the top-12 fantasy defensemen. |
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| Nilson released on waivers | Thursday 6/26, 1:07 PM CT |
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Marcus Nilson has been placed on waivers by Calgary, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: The nine-year vet signed a two-year, $2 million contract extension with the Flames last summer. He chipped in three goals and two assists over 47 games in 2007-08. He won't likely hold any fantasy value with another club next season.
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| Eriksson placed on waiver | Thursday 6/26, 1:03 PM CT |
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The Flames have placed defenseman Anders Eriksson on waivers, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: Eriksson is to earn $1.5 million next season, and is in the final year of a two-year contract with Calgary. The NHL-journeyman has played in 552 NHL games with Calgary, Detroit, Chicago, Florida, Toronto, and Columbus.
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| Warrener placed on waivers | Thursday 6/26, 12:45 PM CT |
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Rhett Warrener has been placed on waivers by the Flames, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: The defenseman is entering the final season of a three-year deal that will pay him $2.5 million. Over 31 games in 2007-08, he had four points and was a minus-2. He was also the team's nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which goes to the player who displays the best leadership qualities on the ice.
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| Filatov selected first in CHL draft | Thursday 6/26, 12:40 PM CT |
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Russian winger Nikita Filatov has been selected number one overall in the CHL import draft by the Sudbury Wolves, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: Filatov was the top European taken in the NHL entry draft last week at number six by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is a tough and aggressive player despite his 5-11 165-pound frame. Filatov stated that he would like to play in North America, and he could work in the AHL if he isn't ready to make the Blue Jackets' roster.
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| Straka to join Czech team | Thursday 6/26, 10:09 AM CT |
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Martin Straka is leaving the Rangers and the NHL to return to his former Czech team, according to CBSsports.com.
Our View: He will serve as a player and sports director for HC Lasselsberger Plzen. The 35-year old forward recorded 257 goals and 460 assists over 954 NHL regular season games, and added another 26 goals and 44 assists in the playoffs. He enjoyed another favorable campaign in 2007-08 with 14 goals and 27 assists (41 points) over 65 games.
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| Forsberg's return is questionable | Thursday 6/26, 8:25 AM CT |
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Peter Forsberg's return to the Avalanche next season is questionable, according to the Denver Post. His agent stated that unless he can get his foot issue resolved, he won't be playing.
Our View: He also battled a groin ailment last season, and was reduced to only nine games of action, but proved he can still be effective as he scored 14 points. Ultimately though, he can no longer be counted on as a fantasy performer. |
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| Kubina unlikely to be dealt | Thursday 6/26, 8:09 AM CT |
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Pavel Kubina will unlikely to be dealt by Toronto, according to TSN.ca. Kubina has a small window in his contract that would allow the Leafs to trade him over the summer, but GM Cliff Fletcher said, "Everybody in the league knows that he can be traded between now and the 15th of August. If somebody wants to talk seriously about it and make us a serious offer, we'll consider it. We're not going to give him away. He can be an integral part of a team. Kubina's value is very high."
Our View: The defenseman scored 11 goals and 29 assists (40 points) over 72 games in 2007-08, with 116 penalty minutes. Four of his goals were game winners. |
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| Rolston may not re-sign with Wild | Thursday 6/26, 7:51 AM CT |
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Brian Rolston previously stated that he wants to remain in Minnesota, but now it appears that negotiations to re-sign him have stopped and he could become an unresctricted free agent on July 1, according to the Star Tribune. Rolston's agent has not returned a team's phone call since last week, and it would appear that Rolston will opt to test the free agent market.
Our View: Rolston has scored at least 30 goals in three straight seasons, and would garner strong interest if he hits free agency, even at 35-years old. |
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| Leafs will talk to Sundin | Thursday 6/26, 7:44 AM CT |
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The Leafs are expected to talk to Mats Sundin before July 1, according to TSN.ca. GM Cliff Fletcher said, "We will talk to him absolutely. The reason why we gave Montreal the rights to talk to him was because they were the team from what we could gather, a team that Mats would always consider as an alternative to Toronto."
Our View: Sundin still has enough left in the tank to be a solid starter, as he notched 78 points over 74 games in 2007-08, but he will take his time regarding a decision on his playing future. |
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| Clowe given qualifying offer | Thursday 6/26, 7:37 AM CT |
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Ryane Clowe has been given a qualifying offer by the Sharks, according to the Mercury News.
Our View: He racked up three goals and five assists over 15 games with the Sharks in 2007-08, and is held in high regard with the club. He ended the season on a hot streak as he scored five goals and four assists during their playoff run. |
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| Peverley given qualifying offer | Thursday 6/26, 7:06 AM CT |
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Rich Peverley has been given a qualifying off from the Predators, according to the Tennessean. The team also made qualifying offers to the newly acquired Triston Grant and Matt Ellison.
Our View: The Predators have the right to match other teams' offers if those players reach July 1 without new contracts. Peverley only scored five goals and five assists over 33 games with Nashville in 2007-08, and won't likely make a fantasy impact next season.
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| Bochenski will not get offer | Thursday 6/26, 7:00 AM CT |
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Brandon Bochenski will not be given a qualifying offer by the Predators, according to the Tennessean.
Our View: He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but the team still has interest in him if he will accept a two-way contract. He spent the 2007-08 campaign with Boston, Anaheim, and Nashville, and scored three goals and 10 assists over 40 contests. |
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