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| Montreal believe Sundin is out of reach | Tuesday 8/26, 11:47 PM CT |
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With the start of training camp just three weeks away, the Montreal Canadiens aren't holding out much hope of landing unrestricted free agent Mats Sundin, according to TSN. General Manager Bob Gainey discussed the team's attempts to try to sign the centre on Tuesday and admitted there's been little response from Sundin's camp. "It's hard to be optimistic," Gainey told TSN's sister station RDS on Tuesday. "We haven't had much contact with him. It appears he's not interested. He hasn't asked many questions about the organization."
Our View: The Canadiens were seen as the front runners for the 37-year-old after the team acquired his negotiating rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs in late June. But the former Leaf captain remains undecided on whether or not he wants to return for another NHL season. As many as six teams have expressed interest in Sundin's service, including the Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers. While teams have remained in contact with Sundin's agent J.P. Barry, Gainey has not heard anything as of late. |
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| Boedker ready for rookie challenges | Tuesday 8/26, 8:02 PM CT |
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Left wing Mikkel Boedker, the Coyotes' first pick in the entry draft this summer, is expected to get a lot of playing time this season, according to the Arizona Republic. "It helps when they show confidence in you (young players) and then tell you you're doing a god job. It helps a lot, but you're just looking forward to come here and skate every day, and it gives you a lot of confidence," said Boedker.
Our View: The Coyotes need to get the franchise back on track and Boedker is viewed as a major step in that process. As a result, he'll get a ton of playing time as a rookie and will be asked to carry a large burden of the workload to help the team reverse recent fortunes. He seems rather confident, but we will see if his game translates as easily as scouts believe it can. |
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| Melrose more than happy to praise Stamkos | Tuesday 8/26, 6:36 PM CT |
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New coach Barry Melrose appears to be as happy as ever, taking the plunge back into coaching with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but more importantly, he appears enamored with the league's 1st-overall draft pick Steven Stamkos, according to ESPN. "He's cut," Melrose told the St. Petersburg Times about Stamkos' physique. "He'd be a male model if he wasn't a hockey player. But he's slim. He's 18 years old. He's not a man yet." Melrose continued, "He's one of the most beautiful skaters I've ever seen. I hate to use the word beautiful in hockey, but your eyes are drawn to him on the ice. I know he was with kids and stuff, and it's not a fair comparison. But a great skater is a great skater."
Our View: Melrose and the Lightning want Stamkos to put some pounds on his 6-1, 184-pound frame, according to the Times. Aside from that, Melrose doesn't find anything else wrong with Stamkos while otherwise gushing during the Lightning's recent prospect camp in Victoria, British Columbia. |
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| Forsberg still interested in return | Tuesday 8/26, 6:30 PM CT |
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Peter Forsberg's agent, Don Baizley, reports his agent has not ruled out a return to the NHL, according to the Denver Post. "Peter would like to play if his foot problems are solved, and he's checking away at that," Baizley told The Post.
Our View: Forsberg scored a hat trick in a recent exhibition game in Sweden, raising the hopes that the injury-prone center's career isn't finished. Forsberg played for a team with several Swedish NHL stars in their 11-4 victory over Swedish Elite League club Luleo in his first game since the Avalanche were eliminated from the playoffs in April. Forsberg, 35, has said he wants to only play for the Avalanche if he returns to the NHL, according to the Post. |
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| Avs may be joining bidding for Sundin | Tuesday 8/26, 6:24 PM CT |
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The swirl of intrigue around future Hall of Fame forward Mats Sundin continues to grow as we learn the Colorado Avalanche may be jumping into the fight to lure the free agent, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Our View: The bulk of the rumor can be blamed on worry surrounding the potential retirement of Joe Sakic. Should he decide to go, Sundin would be an obvious target for the Avs to consider, and they would have the cap dollars to make it work. Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry recently downplayed a rumor in the New York Post that he has been in constant communication with the Rangers because the center wants to play with New York. Instead, Barry asserts a total of six teams are in constant contact with hopes of getting a deal done. Vancouver, New York, Philadelphia, Montreal, and his long-time employer Toronto have all confirmed their presence on that list. That leaves one secret team we have yet to identify, and it now appears Colorado may be that franchise. We will keep you posted as further news develops. |
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| Lecavalier to be captain | Tuesday 8/26, 9:56 AM CT |
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Vincent Lecavalier is going to wear the "C" as the team captain of the Lightning in 2008-09, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: Lecavalier is a solid choice as he understands what it means to be a leader, and should continue to play at a high level. He racked up 40 goals and 52 assists (92 points) over 81 contests last season. |
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| Nash gets tryout contract | Tuesday 8/26, 9:52 AM CT |
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Tyson Nash has received a tryout contract with the Lightning, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: The Lightning are deep at the wing positions, so he will be hard-pressed to make the team. |
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| Thrashers look to sign Bogosian | Tuesday 8/26, 8:34 AM CT |
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GM Don Waddell is expected to have Zach Bogosian signed by September 13, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Waddell met with Bogosian during the USA Hockey junior evaluation camp at Lake Placid early this month. Waddell liked what he saw on the ice and said, "In that group, he’s a man. Physicality-wise he’s so much ahead of other 18-year-olds. From a physical standpoint, he looks ready to play."
Our View: Bogosian’s contract and potential bonus money should put the Thrashers over the NHL payroll minimum of $40.7 million, which they need to reach before the start of the season. He is expected to push for a roster spot with the club in 2008-09. |
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| Richardson wants to remain in Ottawa | Tuesday 8/26, 8:26 AM CT |
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Luke Richardson wants to serve one more season with the Senators, according to the Ottawa Sun. But the 39-year-old defenseman currently does not have a contract. He is still getting ready to go to camp and said, "I know now that you have to be patient. You never know how long these decisions are going to take. This might not be something that happens until the Senators actually get to camp. I'd like to play. I've been getting ready to play. I feel good and I just made a decision that I'd like to come back to play one more season."
Our View: The Senators already have defensemen Chris Phillips, Anton Volchenkov, Christoph Schubert, Brian Lee, Jason Smith, Lawrence Nycholat, Brendan Bell and Matt Carkner under contract, meaning it will be difficult for Richardson to make the club. |
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