– New Jersey is going to have a devil of a time (I had to) trying to fill the role that Ilya Kovalchuk is leaving behind. Kovy left the remainder of his contract, some $77M, to go back home to Russia and play in the KHL. He has already signed a contract paying him $10M a year, making him the highest paid hockey player in the world. Kovalchuk’s decision wasn’t a surprise however, as he told GM Lou Lamoriello his intentions after the NHL lockout ended. He could return however, in 5 years at age 35 without penalty to the New Jersey Devils, which is something that I truely believe will happen, and finish his career in the NHL.
– The NHL is going back to the Oympics in Sochi in 2014. The negotiations have been ongoing for weeks with the IIHF, but an agreement was finally reached. The main concern was allowing players to play, but that NHL teams did not want to risk injury to their stars without an insurance plan. More than 120 players are expected to play for the 12 national teams that make up the tournament. The NHL schedule will be condensed to fit in the two and a half week break that many players who aren’t playing in Sochi will welcome with open arms. The medal tounament goes from February 12, 2014 – February 23.
– The NHL also released it’s schedule for next season. The Chicago Blackhawks will open up against the Washington Captails on October 1, along with two other games. The 1,230 game season will end on April 13 with the playoffs begining on April 16. There will be a two and a half week break for the Olympics. The NHL also released the new division names – which are awful. The Central and Pacific will remain in the West. The Atlantic will scoop up 8 teams that strewn throughout the East, which were not part of the original Atlantic Division. The newly named Metropolitan Division will house the Captitals and 7 other teams that group close to the major cities in the Mid-Atlantic. More to come on how I feel about that…
The New Year’s Day Winter Classic game between the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs will headline 6, (yes.. 6!), outdoor games as the NHL is cashing in on their most popular attraction. A four game Stadium Series will feature Anaheim and L.A. at Dodger Stadium (not sure how that will work weather-wise) on January 25th. The Rangers get to host two games at Yankee Stadium against the Devils and Islanders on January 26th and January 29th, and the Pittsburgh Penguins (of course) will take on the Blackhawks at Soldier Field in Chicago on March 1st. The real draw is in Canada, but no one ever hears about it here in the U.S. – the Annual Heritage Classic will be held in Vancouver with the Canucks hosting the Senators on March 2nd.
This outdoor thing is getting a little rediculous.
– The Kings signed captain Dustin Brown to an 8 year extension, keeping him in L.A. until 2021-22. The deal, worth $47M, will have a pay Brown $5.875 a season. The Kings now have Brown, Doughty, Kopitar, Quick, Mike Richards and Stoll signed to long term deals.
– The Avalanche locked up Matt Duchene for 5 years at $30M. Duchene was drafted 3rd overall in 2009 and has 193 points over four years.
— Rumor Time–
Courtesy: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
– Sam Gagner has asked for $5.5M in arbitration from the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are offering $3.5M. Gagner is an RFA and most likely won’t get what he wants, with the Oilers anyway. Rumor has it, and this has been ongoing for weeks, that the Washington Capitals are trying to get Gagner out of Edmonton. The Caps have a good player in Marcus Johansson that they still have not signed yet. Could it be that they’re trying to ship MoJo off to Edmonton to land Gagner as their second line center?
– Thomas Vanek’s name is being linked to New Jersey, but the Devils won’t give up Adam Henrique to get him. Vanek is also a UFA next season and most teams will be scared off by that as it will take a kings ransom to get him. Chances are he’ll remain in Buffalo and be traded next season – they can’t let him walk for nothing especially if they’re rebuilding.
– Mikhail Grabovski is another name that hasn’t signed yet (he’s also honeymooning with his new wife) but the Devils will be calling him as well. Grabovski won’t command as much as Vanek and the Devils could sign him easily with Kovalchuk gone. The Capitals are also kicking the tires, but they must be waiting to see what happens with Gagner first. The Jets are also looking.
– Damien Brunner is also intriguing to the Devils. The 27 year old won’t be returning to the Red Wings as they can’t really afford him. The Caps were linked, but I seriously doubt that would happen. Chances are, Brunner could return to the Swiss league. The Jets are interested as well, as they are with everyone.
– Jaromir Jagr could be a Devil soon. Nothing has been made clear, but Jagr has been visiting the beautiful state of New Jersey recently. Three teams are said to be interested in Jagr, but he’ll go where he feels he’s most wanted. The Flyers are out unless they can ship out Andrej Mazaros or Braydon Coburn.
– Scotty Gomez could also be on the Devils radar. Gomez could be returning home to New Jersey to finish his career and he’d be most welcomed by fans and players. Gomez would be a third or fourth liner now, but he’s still a good player and can contribute.
– Ron Hainsey is stilll unsigned and floating around FA land. The big defenseman is being looked at hard by the Hurricanes, but Columbus is also interested. The Caps are said to be in the mix as well, but other things have to happen first. They could make a trade for Gagner and send a d-man as well as Johansson then sign Hainsey – again just my pipedream.
– Brad Boyes is another name still unsigned. He probably won’t be back with the Islanders at this rate, but the Canucks need help and would love to have him fill in their third line.
– Mason Raymond probably won’t be back with the Canucks but the Devils are looking. New Jersey will probably start to sign a few people as soon as they figure out what they are doing with Jagr and/or Vanek.
– Brendan Morrow is the more shocking UFA’s still out there. He’s been talking with Montreal, Dallas and New Jersey. Montreal seems to be the contender, but Dallas could lure him back now they have Seguin centering Benn.
– Ryan Miller is in the same boat as teammate Vanek. He’s a UFA at the end of the season and most teams may not want to take that chance. However, Miller’s return could land Buffalo another star goalie to replace him and may do a goalie for goalie swap with someone like St. Louis who have three good goaltenders up for grabs in Brian Elliot, Jaroslav Halak and youngster Jake Allen. Edmonton could come calling, but Buffalo might want more from their fledging roster.
– Tim Thomas still wants a shot at an NHL return. but not many people are beating down his door. The once great goalie has some social issues that I’m sure are scaring teams away, that and his age. It could take an invitation from teams to try out during training camp for a GM to get a good look. It’s said that the Hurricanes, Oilers, Islanders (who retain his rights), Blue Jackets and Flames are interested, but all those teams, save for the Hurricanes, have a comfortable tandem in net at the moment. He could be a late season signing for someone – much like Jagr.
More to come…
