Re: Re: Penguins sign Gonchar to $25-million deal
Quote:
Originally posted by Full Bug
GM ruining Leafs
So far, Ferguson out to lunch in new NHL
By STEVE SIMMONS
JOHN FERGUSON hasn't looked so cool with how he has handled some of the Maple Leafs' affairs. (Michael Peake, SUN files)
TWO DAYS into the brave new hockey world and already John Ferguson's reputation is taking a pounding.
What, players and agents are wondering, is the general manager of the Maple Leafs doing?
The answers, however varied, are not encouraging.
Ferguson's clumsy handling of negotiations with Gary Roberts and Joe Nieuwendyk -- where he attempted to have close friend Roberts undercut close friend Nieuwendyk -- sent a cryptic message to those within the industry. And then, to follow that up with a desperation offer to Nieuwendyk, after first trying an end run on him, only demonstrated his own inexperience in deal making.
Players talk. Word gets around fast. The Leafs have suddenly become an exit ramp instead of a destination. Those who play for the team and those who want to play for the team now wonder amongst themselves about the lack of buyouts, about free-agent qualifying offers, about a team that appears to be heading nowhere.
There were 57 messages on Roberts' cellular phone on Monday, almost of all them from players around the NHL. Not coincidentally, Adam Foote, hoping to play for the Leafs, signed a long-term contract in Columbus, where no one grows up dreaming of playing for the Blue Jackets.
Just last week, board chairman Larry Tanenbaum described the Leafs as the "No. 1 franchise in the National Hockey League." Today, we might demand a recount, as the No. 1 franchise is finding itself forced to dine out on other people's table scraps.
The way Ferguson has positioned this team in the post-lockout NHL has one wondering exactly why Pat Quinn was replaced as general manager in the first place.
Ferguson insisted the Leafs would be competitive this coming season. He has not wavered from that stance. But how is that going to be possible?
Ferguson has said he had a plan heading into the re-establishment of the NHL, but no plan is evident. And the notion that he is clearing cap room to take a run at younger free agents a year from now makes nice logic if: a) you believe it; b) you think players such as Vinny Lecavalier, Joe Thornton and Jarome Iginla won't be signed long term by then; c) he has the foresight and long-term confidence to write-off an entire season and deal with the fall-out from that.
The largest problem for the Leafs is how little money they have and how the player market -- post lockout -- hasn't corrected itself as much as many expected it to. Conventional wisdom was there would be a significant drop in player contract values in the new economic world.
So far, that hasn't been the case.
Quality defenceman such as Foote, Adrian Aucoin, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje have all signed in the $3-million to $4-million range per season. That's more money than even some optimistic of agents were banking on.
Yesterday, quality forwards but not star players such as Glen Murray, Bobby Holik and Pavol Demitra all signed contracts for more than $4 million a season. Which is out of the Leafs' price range because of the way they've bungled their cap situation.
With only a maximum of $9 million left to spend -- and remember, the Leafs and every team have to leave some room available in order to make moves during the season -- Ferguson has the ability to sign one reasonably priced player and not much more than that.
So he will gamble on Jason Allison, who hasn't played a full season in four years and he will hope. And he likely will gamble on Eric Lindros, who he can afford because Lindros missed 100 days of hockey last time there was a season and qualifies for performance bonuses and he will hope.
The No. 1 team in hockey, built on gambling, hoping and inexperience.
A year ago, the Leafs had Nieuwendyk and Roberts and Alexander Mogilny and Owen Nolan and Brian Leetch and Tie Domi -- all of them real pros -- on a team that wasn't considered good enough.
How is John Ferguson going to fix that now?
Geez, he's just as bad as his old man when he was running the Jets in the 80s.
Flyers ship Roenick to Los Angeles
TSN.ca Staff
8/4/2005 12:53:14 PM
One of the most colourful and outspoken players in the National Hockey League will get a chance to shine in Tinseltown, as the Philadelphia Flyers have traded veteran centre Jeremy Roenick and a third round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday in exchange for future considerations.
The deal comes just a day after the Flyers signed free-agent forward Peter Forsberg to a two-year, $11.5 million US contract and the team was expected to trade Roenick and keep their payroll under the $39 million US salary cap.
Roenick will make $4.94 million US this season.
In 16 seasons with the Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks, Roenick has scored 475 goals and 1120 points in 1124 regular season games.
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I'm vewy vewy happy.
Penguins sign forward Andre Roy
8/4/2005 12:17:17 PM
The Pittsburgh Penguins made another move in the free agent signing period, signing right wing Andre Roy.
Terms of the contract were not released.
Roy, 30, played in 33 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2003-04 season, tallying two points (1+1) and 78 penalty minutes.
In 21 playoff games that same season, he recorded three points (1+2) and 61 penalty minutes while helping the Lightning win its first Stanley Cup Championship in team history.
The 6-4, 221-pound Roy has played in 310 career games in the National Hockey League for the Lightning and Ottawa Senators, recording 52 points (25+27) and 734 penalty minutes. He set career highs in goals (10) and points (17) during the 2002-03 season while playing for Tampa Bay.
Roy was drafted by Boston in the fifth round (151st overall) of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
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Joseph 'intrigued' with playing in Pittsburgh
TSN.ca Staff
8/5/2005 9:59:37 AM
The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to make a final decision on goaltender Curtis Joseph, possibly as early as Friday.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, general manager Craig Patrick and Joseph's agent, Don Meehan, spoke earlier this week about the veteran netminder.
"He's going to get back to me at the end of the week," said Meehan. "He had some other priorities, but he's indicated he is going to have an interest."
"I've indicated to Craig that I wouldn't do anything until I talked to him."
Meehan says he did not discuss what kind of role Joseph would play with the Penguins, whether it be a co-number one with Marc-Andre Fleury or as a backup. However, he says Joseph is "intrigued" by the possibility of playing in Pittsburgh.
Joseph spent the 2004 season as part of a revolving goaltending carousel in Detroit, going from starter to backup to minor leaguer in the span of about five months. After veteran Dominik Hasek was sidelined for the season with a groin injury, Joseph and Manny Legace settled into the starters role. He finished with a 16-10-3 record and a 2.39 goals against average.
Meehan says up to four other teams have indicated an interest in the 38 year old.
The Penguins are also said to be interested in netminder Sean Burke.
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Free agent Khabibulin joins Blackhawks
8/5/2005 12:29:59 PM
The most coveted goaltender in the free agent market has finally found a home, as veteran netminder Nikolai Khabibulin has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks.
It is a four-year deal worth $27 million US.
"When we began this process, we targeted Nikolai Khabibulin and Adrian Aucoin as the two main players we wanted to sign," said Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon.
"Not only did we accomplish our goal in signing these players, but we were also able to sign Martin LaPointe and Jaroslav Spacek. Along with Jassen Cullimore, Matthew Barnaby, and Curtis Brown whom we signed last year we feel that we have really improved our team."
Khabibulin, 32, helped lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to their first Stanley Cup title in 2004, posting five postseason shutouts and a 1.71 goals-against average.
The native of Russia posted a 28-19-7 regualr season record in 2003-2004 with three shutouts and a 2.33 goals-against average.
Since being acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on March 5, 2001, Khabibulin has amassed a 83-74-28 record while leading the team to consecutive Southeast Division titles. He holds franchise records in wins, shutouts (14) and consecutive wins (eight).
The signing will all but likely spell the end of Jocelyn Thibault's tenure in Chicago. The veteran netminder was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens back in 1998.
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Re: Joseph 'intrigued' with playing in Pittsburgh
Quote:
Originally posted by guwapo_rocker
TSN.ca Staff
8/5/2005 9:59:37 AM
The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to make a final decision on goaltender Curtis Joseph, possibly as early as Friday.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, general manager Craig Patrick and Joseph's agent, Don Meehan, spoke earlier this week about the veteran netminder.
"He's going to get back to me at the end of the week," said Meehan. "He had some other priorities, but he's indicated he is going to have an interest."
"I've indicated to Craig that I wouldn't do anything until I talked to him."
Meehan says he did not discuss what kind of role Joseph would play with the Penguins, whether it be a co-number one with Marc-Andre Fleury or as a backup. However, he says Joseph is "intrigued" by the possibility of playing in Pittsburgh.
Joseph spent the 2004 season as part of a revolving goaltending carousel in Detroit, going from starter to backup to minor leaguer in the span of about five months. After veteran Dominik Hasek was sidelined for the season with a groin injury, Joseph and Manny Legace settled into the starters role. He finished with a 16-10-3 record and a 2.39 goals against average.
Meehan says up to four other teams have indicated an interest in the 38 year old.
The Penguins are also said to be interested in netminder Sean Burke.
Link
Neither one of these guys would I mind...as long as they are backups...and damn...Burke or CuJo as a fucking backup...gotta love that...
Re: Re: Joseph 'intrigued' with playing in Pittsburgh
Quote:
Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Neither one of these guys would I mind...as long as they are backups...and damn...Burke or CuJo as a fucking backup...gotta love that...
I doubt Cujo would be happy as a backup, that wouldnt sit well with him at all.....