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| Rolston's rights dealt to Lightning | Sunday 6/29, 11:19 PM CT |
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The Wild traded the rights to forward Brian Rolston to the Lightning on Sunday, the AP reports. They received a conditional draft pick in return. Rolston, 35, scored 31 goals and chipped in 28 assists last season. The Lightning have exclusive rights to talk to Rolston until Tuesday.
Our View: Rolston was a popular player in Minnesota, but it became apparent in the last week that he was going to test the market. The Wild have a lot of other tough decisions ahead of them this offseason. Meanwhile, Rolston will likely have a lot of suitors if he doesn't reach a quick deal with the Lightning. |
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| Visnovsky dealt to Edmonton | Sunday 6/29, 11:11 PM CT |
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The Oilers have acquired defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky from the Kings in exchange for forward Jarret Stoll and defenseman Matt Greene, the AP reports.
Our View: Visnovsky had a down season after signing a five-year extension last July. Moving away from the lowly Kings may be a good thing for his fantasy value, and we hope he can shoot back up above 55 points in 2008-09. |
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| Foote re-signs | Sunday 6/29, 9:49 PM CT |
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Defenseman Adam Foote has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Avalanche, TSN.ca reports.
Our View: We didn't figure that the soon-to-be 37-year-old Foote would be going too far this summer. He no longer has any fantasy value. |
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| Malone agrees to seven-year deal | Sunday 6/29, 9:46 PM CT |
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Ryan Malone has agreed to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract with the Lightning, TSN.ca reports. His exclusive negotiating right were traded to the Lightning on Saturday. Malone notched 27 goals and 24 assists over 77 games for the Penguins last season.
Our View: Looks who cashed in on a career year, huh? Malone is primed to continue his ascent as an all-around force up front, though just how high his ceiling is is unclear. |
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| Liles sticking in Colorado | Sunday 6/29, 8:51 PM CT |
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John-Michael Liles and the Avalanche have agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth slightly more than $4 million per season, TSN.ca reports. The defenseman put up 32 points in 81 games for the Avalanche last season.
Our View: Liles had a bit of a down fantasy year, but that may simply mean he comes at a discount prior to the 2008-09 campaign. |
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| Eminger inks with Flyers | Sunday 6/29, 1:25 PM CT |
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Steve Eminger has inked a one-year deal with the Flyers, according to the AP. Terms of the deal were not dislosed. GM Paul Holmgren said, "Steve is a young two-way defenseman that will fit nicely with our group."
Our View: The Flyers recently acquired the 24-year old defenseman in a draft-day trade with the Capitals. Eminger was selected 12th overall by Washington back in 2002, but failed to make an impact, and won't likely break out and emerge as "fantasy worthy" in Philadelphia. |
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| Green given qualifying offer | Sunday 6/29, 11:00 AM CT |
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Mike Green has been given a qualifying offer by the Capitals, according to the Washington Post.
Our View: Green ranks among the top defensemen in the NHL as he racked up 18 goals and 38 assists (56 points) over 82 games in 2007-08. He will garner strong interest from several clubs as a restricted free agent. |
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| Brunette interested in Wild? | Sunday 6/29, 10:40 AM CT |
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Andrew Brunette is believed to be interested in heading back to Minnesota to play for the Wild, according to the Star-Tribune. Brunette said, "I have nothing but great memories in Minnesota, and it's an organization that's real close to my heart and a place where I loved to play. I don't know what their interest level is. But if they're interested and it falls into place, if everything was comparable, if they were in range, definitely, that's one place I'd love to play."
Our View: Brunette averaged 68.3 points over his three seasons with the Avalanche, and averaged 54.6 over his three seasons with the Wild. He wants to rejoin Minnesota, but wouldn't hold as much fantasy value as he did during his tour of duty with Colorado, unless Brian Rolston doesn't come to an agreement to re-sign with the Wild. |
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| Bieksa could be dealt? | Sunday 6/29, 10:32 AM CT |
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The Canucks could intend to deal Kevin Bieksa this off-season, according to the Vancouver Province. The source states they may trade him to bring in more offensive-skilled players.
Our View: The defenseman racked up 12 goals and 30 assists in 2006-07, but was reduced to only 12 points (two goals) over 34 games in 2007-08 due to a calf laceration. He could serve as solid trade bait, based on his potential, to add more firepower to their offense next season. |
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| Cujo could end career in Toronto? | Sunday 6/29, 8:17 AM CT |
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There is speculation swirling that Curtis Joseph may be brought back to Toronto to finish his career, according to the Toronto Star.
Our View: The 41-year old only played in nine games (five starts) with Calgary in 2007-08, and went 3-2 with a 2.55 GAA. He played for the Maple Leafs from 1998-2002, and led the club to the conference finals twice. The Leafs exercised their buyout option on the contract of goalie Andrew Raycroft Thursday, and are in need of a backup for Vesa Toskala.
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| Zhitnik placed on waivers | Sunday 6/29, 8:11 AM CT |
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Alexei Zhitnik has been placed on waivers by the Thrashers, according to the Calgary Herald.
Our View: The 35-year old only scored three goals and five assists over 65 games in 2007-08. GM Don Waddell previously stated that Zhitnik would still be a big part of the Thrashers' future, but he has changed his mind, evidenced by his release. |
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| Morrison on Jackets' radar? | Sunday 6/29, 7:54 AM CT |
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The Blue Jackets are believed to make Brendan Morrison a offer when he hits the free agent market on July 1, according to the Calgary Herald.
Our View: Although they acquired R.J. Umberger at the NHL entry draft, Columbus sees Morrison as a better playmaking fit to work with physical winger Rick Nash and also balance out their top two lines. The Blue Jackets may be offering a three-year deal at about $8 million. He racked up nine goals and 16 assists over 39 games with Vancouver in 2007-08, and is hopeful to be ready for training camp in September as he is recovering favorably from his surgery on his right knee. If paired with Nash in Columbus, and if he proves to be healthy, he could make a solid fantasy impact next season. |
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| Dubielewicz bound for Russia? | Sunday 6/29, 7:46 AM CT |
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Wade Dubielewicz has reportedly inked a deal with Ak Bars Kazan of the Russian league K.H.L, according to the NY Times.
Our View: He showed up to training camp out of shape last fall, and the Islanders started Rick DiPietro at goalie in 33 of the first 35 games of the season. He went 9-9-1 over 20 games played, with a 2.70 GAA. He denied the Islanders' offer and opted to play in Russia. |
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| Huselius still on Islanders' radar | Sunday 6/29, 7:38 AM CT |
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The Islanders may take another shot at Kristian Huselius when he becomes a free agent on July 1, according to NY Newsday.
Our View: GM Garth Snow tried to acquire Huselius at the trade deadline but the deal fell through due a lack of time. Snow offered approximately what Huselius is expected to be offered Tuesday, and was well above what the Flames could afford at the time. Snow added that the Islanders won't be major players during free agency. Huselius would be a rock solid addition to the club, as he scored 25 goals and 41 assists (66 points) over 81 games with Calgary in 2007-08. |
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| Kalinin set to test market | Sunday 6/29, 7:28 AM CT |
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Dmitri Kalinin is set to enter the market as a free agent on July 1, according to the Buffalo News.
Our View: He is expected to get offers on the first day of bidding. The defenseman racked up one goal (on a power-play) and seven assists over 46 games in 2007-08. |
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| Jagr's future is unclear | Sunday 6/29, 7:22 AM CT |
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Jaromir Jagr said he wants to play in the NHL for two more years, but he is unsure it will be as a member of the Rangers, and playing in Russia remains an option, according to NY Newsday. Jagr said, "I would be happy if it was a clear sky, but nothing is clear. I do not know where I will play next season. One day it looks like America, the second day back to Europe. I'm waiting for a signal."
Our View: Until July 1, only the Rangers can negotiate with Jagr, and a one-year, $6-million offer is believed to be on the table. Avangard Omsk of the Russian Continental League is a likely suitor if he doesn't ink with New York. |
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| Mara yet to receive offer | Sunday 6/29, 7:15 AM CT |
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Paul Mara is yet to receive a contract offer from the Rangers, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: He looks to become a free agent on July 1. He will be hard-pressed to find a club to match his $3 million salary of 2007-08, but his experience and power-play skills should still bring him a solid deal. |
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| Warrener not ready to end career | Sunday 6/29, 7:11 AM CT |
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Rhett Warrener, who was recently placed on waivers by the Flames, feels he is in great shape and want to sign with a team looking for solid blue-line depth, according to the Calgary Sun. He said, "I still think I can play. I don't think that I should be packing it in or thinking that way."
Our View: The 32-year old was limited to only 31 games in 2007-08 due to leg and ankle injuries. He was the team's nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy however, which goes to the player who displays the best leadership qualities on the ice. He should find work with another club. |
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| Metropolit weighing offer | Sunday 6/29, 7:03 AM CT |
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Glen Metropolit is weighing his contract offer from the Bruins, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View: He may test the free agent market before deciding where to sign. The Maple Leafs are believed to be among the clubs interested in him. David Krejci emerged last season, and Patrice Bergeron is expected to bounce back healthy, meaning Metropolit could end up on the fourth line if he re-signs with Boston. |
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