Jaromir Jagr has left the continent! Russian media is reporting that the future Hall Of Famer has signed a $35m contract with Avangard Omsk. The signing comes a day after the New York Rangers landed Canucks winger Markus Naslund using much of the cash they were saving for Jagr. Negotiations between the two clubs had been cagey and in the past few days it became evident that Jagr would not be back with the Blue Shirts.
Jagr had played with Omsk during the lockout and some say it was during his time with the Siberian club that he regained his passion for the game.
Omsk will be a part of the new Continental League (KHL) next year, which has been searching for marquee names to poach from the NHL. Jagr was a prime target as he is a superstar that still has the ability to play with the best. Signing the former Ranger helps lend the league credibility.
So should the NHL be worried yet? No, I don't think so. The KHL is still not a viable option for most NHL stars. The NHL may not be very happy with the New York Rangers for completely mishandling Jagr's situation however.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
New NikeBauer 9500 Helmet Pics
Just got some shots of the new helmet and cage from Nike Bauer. Great looking bucket if you ask me!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Russians Threatening Suspension for Youngsters Who Come to NA
The New Cold War is getting a bit chillier.
It is being reported that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation is threatening a 4-year suspension from national squads for players who leave their homeland.
While I understand the frustration the Russians may be feeling as they see player after player leave for the NHL, but if true these threats carry a stench of old-school Communist protocol.
If the Russian Federation wants to keep their young stars at home they need to show patience. The formation of the new Continental Hockey League (KHL) could be the foundation for a true rival to the NHL, but so far they are just throwing money at players and hoping they will come. Other important facets like equipment and medical staffs
that are far behind their counterparts in North America, horrific travel, lack of international television distribution and smaller arenas only add to the main concern which is that the most competitive players in the world are still playing in the NHL.
It may take just one name, a star with gas in the tank, to take the bait to add more legitimacy
to the new league. Until the smaller details get taken care of, it will be hard to lure the better players there or keep the promising younger talent home.
It is being reported that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation is threatening a 4-year suspension from national squads for players who leave their homeland.
While I understand the frustration the Russians may be feeling as they see player after player leave for the NHL, but if true these threats carry a stench of old-school Communist protocol.
If the Russian Federation wants to keep their young stars at home they need to show patience. The formation of the new Continental Hockey League (KHL) could be the foundation for a true rival to the NHL, but so far they are just throwing money at players and hoping they will come. Other important facets like equipment and medical staffs
that are far behind their counterparts in North America, horrific travel, lack of international television distribution and smaller arenas only add to the main concern which is that the most competitive players in the world are still playing in the NHL.
It may take just one name, a star with gas in the tank, to take the bait to add more legitimacy
to the new league. Until the smaller details get taken care of, it will be hard to lure the better players there or keep the promising younger talent home.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
FA Day 1: Winners and Losers and all else.
As Day 1 of Free Agent Season is comes to a close OpenHockeyDB takes a look at the winners and loser so far.
Big Winners:
Chicago:
Who they signed: D Brian Campbell (8 years worth $56.8 million), G Christobal Huet (undisclosed)
In Campbell, Chicago picks up one of the best puck movers from the back in the game. Are they overpaying for Campbell? By the time Campbell is in the fourth year of that deal the 'Hawks will be selling out their season tickets, hitting the post-season, and the salary cap will be somewhere around $245 million.
Huet, a rising young goalie will replace Nikolai Khabibulin between the pipes and looks to be in line with Chicago's rebuilding concept.
Lesser Winners:
New York Islanders:
Who they signed: D Mark Streit (5 years worth $20.5m)
The Islanders are getting one of the NHL's most underrated defenseman at a pretty reasonable price. They didn't sign huge, and it may not be enough to get them into the post-season, but it was still a smart pick-up.
Big Losers:
Toronto:
Who they signed: D Jeff Finger (4 years @ $3.5m per season), G Curtis Joseph (1 year @ $1.5m), LW Niklas Hagman (4 years @ $3m per season)
When the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had signed Jeff Finger the Leaf faithful bellowed a large collective "WHO?!" When it was announced they would pay him $3.5 million a season for four years the number of gun sales in Canada went through the roof. JEFF FINGER IS MAKING $3.5 MILLION A YEAR!! If that doesn't give the average Joe hope then nothing does.
Thankfully, after using their new handguns, many Leafs fans were spared the news that Toronto had signed Curtis Joseph. That would be 41-year old Curtis Joseph. Toronto's front office capped the day off by overpaying Niklas Hagman by a million dollars. I dare say the Leafs will be begging for the return of Jason Blake in about five months.
Hit and Miss:
New Jersey:
Hit: LW Brian Rolston (4 years worth $20.25m) Jay Pandolfo (3 years worth $7.5m) David Clarkson (2 years $1.675m)
Miss: C Bobby Holik (1 year @ $2.5m) D Bryce Salvador (4 years worth $11.9m)
Hey guys! We're getting the band back together!! Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is bringing back the 1995 Devils! So dust off those Micron Air 90s and Cooper Technoflex gloves and Easton Aluminum sticks! Did he lose Neal Broten's number?
Seriously, the Rolston signing brings in an unbelievable special teams player who still has a ton of gas in the tank. Rolson is coming off three straight 30-goal seasons under defensive czar (and former Devils bench boss) Jacques Lemaire. He will fit well into Sutter's system and the Devils locker room.
Re-signing Pandolfo brings back one of the best shut-down players in the game. Injured most of the season, Pandolfo actually showed a bit of offense in the early part of the year. That he was slowed by injuries may have saved the Devils a ton of cash or a teary goodbye Pando.
The Devils declined their option on versatile winger Sergei Brylin who was a part of all three of New Jerseys Stanley Cup wins as well as their 2001 Cup run. The rationale was to give younger players a chance to prove their worth. So, the Devils signed The fact that Holik gives his all every night may be outweighed by the fact that he publicly admonishes teammates anytime one of them does not abide by his standards. A great defensive forward, Holik may be useful as a fourth liner which is really the only spot for him. Fortunately, he has agreed to play on the fourth line all year. If he does a 180 at any point this could be an ugly $2.5m cap-hit. I've also been told that Holik, a friend of Patrik Elias, may be able to help light a fire under the stalled forward.
As for Bryce Salvador, they have him for $2.9 a year and Colin White for $3m a year. One wonders why they don't just spend $6m on an actual proven #1 defenseman.
Salvador's agent said basically, "We didn't get a no trade clause but the team can't move him. Either he's a steal at $2.9 a year and they won't want to trade him or he will be God-Awful and no team in their right mind will take him!". Well, there's always Toronto.
Under the Radar Moves:
Pittsburgh:
Who they signed: W Pascal Dupuis (3 years @ $1.4m per season)
Dupuis was one of the Pens best players in the post-season this year a year after being one of the few Thrashers to show up against the Rangers in 2007. A tireless penalty killer, Dupuis uses his speed to create chances and is capable of being an effective checker or playing with more skilled players. With all of Pittsburgh's high-end talent Dupuis may prove to be one of the role players that helps the team reach the next level.
What remains:
Where will Sundin and Jagr wind up?
Mats Sundin
Rumored destinations: Vancouver, Detroit, NY Rangers, Montreal
Concrete: Vancouver offered Sundin 2 years at $10 per season. Ok, now pick your spleen off the floor and put it back. $10m a season is a hell of a lot, but it might be enough for a healthy and focused Canuck squad to be a serious Cup contender again. It may also entice UFA and team captain Markus Naslund to stay (if they can get a deal) and light a fire under him. The possibility of Sedin-Sundin-Sedin is alliteration heaven. Now that Detroit has locked up Hossa for 1-year $7.4m, they may not be able to afford Sundin.
Jaromir Jagr
Rumored: NY Rangers Pittsburgh, Russia
Concrete: Omsk offered, will Jagr accept? One rumor had Jagr making a return to Pittsburgh. Crosby and Jagr could be an interesting combination. Dynamite on the ice? Well, wasn't the Gomez-Jagr combo suppose to tear up the league as well? Jagr might also want to bring some cookies for Sid after his harsh words during the playoffs.
Big Winners:
Chicago:
Who they signed: D Brian Campbell (8 years worth $56.8 million), G Christobal Huet (undisclosed)
In Campbell, Chicago picks up one of the best puck movers from the back in the game. Are they overpaying for Campbell? By the time Campbell is in the fourth year of that deal the 'Hawks will be selling out their season tickets, hitting the post-season, and the salary cap will be somewhere around $245 million.
Huet, a rising young goalie will replace Nikolai Khabibulin between the pipes and looks to be in line with Chicago's rebuilding concept.
Lesser Winners:
New York Islanders:
Who they signed: D Mark Streit (5 years worth $20.5m)
The Islanders are getting one of the NHL's most underrated defenseman at a pretty reasonable price. They didn't sign huge, and it may not be enough to get them into the post-season, but it was still a smart pick-up.
Big Losers:
Toronto:
Who they signed: D Jeff Finger (4 years @ $3.5m per season), G Curtis Joseph (1 year @ $1.5m), LW Niklas Hagman (4 years @ $3m per season)
When the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had signed Jeff Finger the Leaf faithful bellowed a large collective "WHO?!" When it was announced they would pay him $3.5 million a season for four years the number of gun sales in Canada went through the roof. JEFF FINGER IS MAKING $3.5 MILLION A YEAR!! If that doesn't give the average Joe hope then nothing does.
Thankfully, after using their new handguns, many Leafs fans were spared the news that Toronto had signed Curtis Joseph. That would be 41-year old Curtis Joseph. Toronto's front office capped the day off by overpaying Niklas Hagman by a million dollars. I dare say the Leafs will be begging for the return of Jason Blake in about five months.
Hit and Miss:
New Jersey:
Hit: LW Brian Rolston (4 years worth $20.25m) Jay Pandolfo (3 years worth $7.5m) David Clarkson (2 years $1.675m)
Miss: C Bobby Holik (1 year @ $2.5m) D Bryce Salvador (4 years worth $11.9m)
Hey guys! We're getting the band back together!! Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is bringing back the 1995 Devils! So dust off those Micron Air 90s and Cooper Technoflex gloves and Easton Aluminum sticks! Did he lose Neal Broten's number?
Seriously, the Rolston signing brings in an unbelievable special teams player who still has a ton of gas in the tank. Rolson is coming off three straight 30-goal seasons under defensive czar (and former Devils bench boss) Jacques Lemaire. He will fit well into Sutter's system and the Devils locker room.
Re-signing Pandolfo brings back one of the best shut-down players in the game. Injured most of the season, Pandolfo actually showed a bit of offense in the early part of the year. That he was slowed by injuries may have saved the Devils a ton of cash or a teary goodbye Pando.
The Devils declined their option on versatile winger Sergei Brylin who was a part of all three of New Jerseys Stanley Cup wins as well as their 2001 Cup run. The rationale was to give younger players a chance to prove their worth. So, the Devils signed The fact that Holik gives his all every night may be outweighed by the fact that he publicly admonishes teammates anytime one of them does not abide by his standards. A great defensive forward, Holik may be useful as a fourth liner which is really the only spot for him. Fortunately, he has agreed to play on the fourth line all year. If he does a 180 at any point this could be an ugly $2.5m cap-hit. I've also been told that Holik, a friend of Patrik Elias, may be able to help light a fire under the stalled forward.
As for Bryce Salvador, they have him for $2.9 a year and Colin White for $3m a year. One wonders why they don't just spend $6m on an actual proven #1 defenseman.
Salvador's agent said basically, "We didn't get a no trade clause but the team can't move him. Either he's a steal at $2.9 a year and they won't want to trade him or he will be God-Awful and no team in their right mind will take him!". Well, there's always Toronto.
Under the Radar Moves:
Pittsburgh:
Who they signed: W Pascal Dupuis (3 years @ $1.4m per season)
Dupuis was one of the Pens best players in the post-season this year a year after being one of the few Thrashers to show up against the Rangers in 2007. A tireless penalty killer, Dupuis uses his speed to create chances and is capable of being an effective checker or playing with more skilled players. With all of Pittsburgh's high-end talent Dupuis may prove to be one of the role players that helps the team reach the next level.
What remains:
Where will Sundin and Jagr wind up?
Mats Sundin
Rumored destinations: Vancouver, Detroit, NY Rangers, Montreal
Concrete: Vancouver offered Sundin 2 years at $10 per season. Ok, now pick your spleen off the floor and put it back. $10m a season is a hell of a lot, but it might be enough for a healthy and focused Canuck squad to be a serious Cup contender again. It may also entice UFA and team captain Markus Naslund to stay (if they can get a deal) and light a fire under him. The possibility of Sedin-Sundin-Sedin is alliteration heaven. Now that Detroit has locked up Hossa for 1-year $7.4m, they may not be able to afford Sundin.
Jaromir Jagr
Rumored: NY Rangers Pittsburgh, Russia
Concrete: Omsk offered, will Jagr accept? One rumor had Jagr making a return to Pittsburgh. Crosby and Jagr could be an interesting combination. Dynamite on the ice? Well, wasn't the Gomez-Jagr combo suppose to tear up the league as well? Jagr might also want to bring some cookies for Sid after his harsh words during the playoffs.
NY Post: Shanahan to the Devils?
The NYPost's Larry Brooks is reporting that NY Rangers winger Brendan Shanahan may sign across the Hudson with the NJ Devils.
Brooks writes:
Rather, The Post has been told to expect the 39-year-old winger to go home again - home to New Jersey to complete the circle of his first-ballot worthy Hall of Fame career that commenced with the Devilsin 1987-88.
Usually I take anything Larry Brooks writes with a shaker of salt so I'm wasn't getting my hopes up too high. I think Brooks has a good eye for the game, but is not as reliable when it comes to the business side of hockey.
To verify, I just spoke to a friend close to Shanahan and he told me only that Brendan's intentions were to stay in NY and he had not ruled out NJ as an option.
While there's no indication Shanahan has been leaving unsolicited voice mails on Lou's cell, it is a promising sign that a once sour relationship can be rectified.
I'd love to see Shanny return to the Devils. He's coming off a year that was ruined by injury and the failure to treat them properly. Now healed, Shanahan can still be a contributor on the ice as well as a mentor. Hey, just look what he did with Sean Avery. Imagine how he can help younger guys on this side of the River Sanity.
The guys already done so much for the organization (see: Scott Stevens) it would be wonderful to see him come back and show once again that he still has some gas left in the tank.
UPDATE: Debunked
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/rangers/2008/07/sather-rangers-making-waves-du.html
Shanahan:
“The Devils weren’t one of the teams that contacted my agent today. I guess people just figured that I’d want to go there because I wouldn’t want to move my family. But I want to play for the Rangers.”
One wonders where Larry Brooks finds his sources.
Free Agent Season is Finally Here!!
July first marks the first day of Free Agent Season!
Some of the big names out there this year include Mats Sundin, Jaromir Jagr, Marian Hossa, Brian Campbell, Jose Theodore, Brad Stuart, Rob Blake, Pavol Demitra, Brian Rolston, Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, Brendan Morrisson, Markus Naslund, Darcy Tucker.
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