Sport-Scan Daily Brief s2

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/5/2013 Anaheim Ducks Dallas Stars 683783 NHL general managers test the new rules of free agency 683822 After trades, Stars prioritize new position heading into free 683784 Ducks limited in their options agency Boston Bruins 683823 Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly excited to leave Bruins for Stars...seriously 683785 Thumbnail sketches of new Bruins 683824 National Writer: 'Tyler Seguin needs to grow up, but so do a 683786 Over three years, Bruins had seen enough lot of 21-year-olds' 683787 Tyler Seguin traded from Boston Bruins to Dallas Stars 683825 Tyler Seguin’s maturity is an issue, but Stars say it’s an 683788 Loui Eriksson may be key piece to trade for Bruins issue they can handle 683789 Bruins trade Tyler Seguin 683826 Stars not done dealing, reportedly acquire Shawn Horcoff 683790 Buckley: Tyler Seguin? What a waste from Edmonton 683791 Loui Eriksson file 683827 He said it: Stars GM Jim Nill and head coach Lindy Ruff on 683792 B’s trade problem child the trade for Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley 683793 Chiarelli: Seguin "a good kid" 683828 Trading Loui Eriksson for Tyler Seguin the right move for 683794 Bruins deal Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley to Dallas Dallas Stars 683795 Report: Bruins send Seguin to Stars 683829 Blockbuster trade: Dallas Stars send Loui Eriksson to Boston 683796 Report: Seguin swap for Eriksson Bruins for Tyler Seguin in multi-player deal Buffalo Sabres 683830 Dallas Stars land center Tyler Seguin in seven-player trade with Boston Bruins 683797 Sabres likely won’t be making big splash in free agency 683831 Dallas Stars trade Eriksson for Seguin in 7-player deal with 683798 Briere lands in the perfect spot Bruins 683799 Briere signs two-year deal with Canadiens; Sabres' buyout of Gerbe is not of compliance variety Detroit Red Wings 683800 Bruins send Seguin to Ruff-coached Stars for Eriksson 683832 Red Wings talking to half-dozen free agents, but can't make 683801 Maple Leafs put themselves in prime position to make a offers till Friday splash 683833 Red Wings can hold their own in rugged Eastern Conference 683802 More from new Sabres assistant Sacco, a charter member of 683834 Senators' Daniel Alfredsson emerging as possible target of the Mighty Ducks Red Wings Calgary Flames 683835 Red Wings will dip into shallow pool of free agents, but wary of big-money, long-term deals 683803 Johnson: We all can play GM of the Flames, but it’s now 683836 Red Wings free agent talk: Mikhail Grabovski an option; time for Jay to play Jay Daniel Alfredsson suddenly in the mix 683804 Flames will dive into free-agent market mindful of contracts 683837 Carlo Colaiacovo clears waivers, Red Wings buy out final that make sense year of defenseman's contract 683805 McGrattan re-signs with Flames on two-year, $1.5M deal 683838 Red Wings begin exploratory talks with free agents, 683806 Stamps, Flames remember Powers including Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, couple defensemen 683807 Rugged winger Brian McGrattan re-signs with Calgary 683839 Filppula, Weiss, Ribeiro top Wings’ list of second-line Flames centers 683808 Calgary Flames need to keep tight hold of purse strings in NHL free agency Edmonton Oilers Carolina Hurricanes 683840 OKC Barons bench boss ‘disappointed’ Edmonton Oilers selected Dallas Eakins as new head coach 683809 Canes enter free agency with options, openings 683841 Edmonton Oilers buy out Eric Belanger’s contract Chicago Blackhawks 683842 Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff traded to Dallas 683843 MacKinnon: MacTavish clears some space on eve of free 683810 Hawks likely to stay out of free-agent frenzy agency 683811 Goaltending coach Waite leaves Blackhawks 683844 Edmonton Oilers waive Eric Belanger; will buy him out 683812 Blackhawks figure to be quiet in free-agent market 683845 Darnell Nurse’s arrival signals changing of the guard among 683813 Hinsdale goes Cup crazy with Coach Q Edmonton Oilers defence hopefuls 683814 Hawks lose goaltender coach to Montreal 683846 Edmonton Oilers open 2013-14 pre-season with split-squad 683815 Hawks' free agency will have similar feel to '12 clashes against Calgary Flames 683816 Goaltending coach Waite leaves for Montreal 683847 Council agrees to borrow $542 million for downtown 683817 Blackhawks re-sign Nick Leddy to two-year deal Edmonton arena project 683818 Stalberg likely to test the waters, others staying put 683848 What if the Edmonton Oilers had been in the Tyler Seguin 683819 'Keeper of the Cup', Mike Bolt at CSN hunt? Colorado Avalanche 683849 Despite being overlooked in the Edmonton Oilers head coach hunt, OKC Barons head coach Todd Nelson positive 683820 Greg Zanon's contract bought out by Colorado Avalanche on hi eve of free agency 683850 Oilers GM MacTavish heading into free-agency frenzy with Columbus Blue Jackets reduced fan expectations 683851 Edmonton Oilers release pre-season schedule: Four at 683821 Blue Jackets make play for Horton home, four away 683852 Edmonton Oilers trade former captain Shawn Horcoff to Dallas Stars; buy out Eric Belanger Florida Panthers 683853 Stephen Weiss’ time with Florida Panthers might end 683854 Panthers not expected to make splash in free agency Los Angeles Kings 683855 Ellerby re-signs for one year 683856 Thursday morning Scuderi update Minnesota Wild 683857 Wild swaps out Minnesotans 683858 Chart: Wild's outlook in NHL free agency 683859 Rand: Pivotal players are already here for local teams 683860 Minnesota agrees on 2-year contract with defenseman Keith Ballard, cap casualty in Vancouver 683861 Matt Cullen moving on from Minnesota; Keith Ballard coming to Minnesota 683862 Keith Ballard getting lots of interest, says Minnesota's an option 683863 Minnesota Wild sign former Gopher Keith Ballard, won't re-sign Matt Cullen Montreal Canadiens 683864 Spending to spur the market 683865 Habs gaining high-end skill, experience in Brière 683866 Habs will pay 35-year-old Daniel Brière $8 million over two seasons. 683867 Habs new goalie coach Waite coming ‘home’ 683868 Canadiens sign Brière 683869 Habs hire Waite as new goalie coach Nashville Predators 683870 Nashville Predators ready to spend in NHL free agency 683871 Already passed over, Predators' free agent focus is forward New Jersey Devils 683872 Elias Is Staying With the Devils 683873 Devils lose out as Canadiens sign Danny Briere to two-year, $8 million contract 683874 Devils re-sign Patrik Elias for 3 years, $16.5 million; put Johan Hedberg on waivers for buyout 683875 Devils' Lou Lamoriello: We'll be active when free agent signing period begins Friday 683876 Patrik Elias signs three-year, $16.5M deal with Devils 683877 Devils give Elias new 3-year deal New York Islanders 683878 Oft-injured goalie says he’ll play again after Islanders ouster New York Rangers 683879 NY Rangers put Arron Asham and Darroll Powe on waivers to clear up salary cap space 683880 Frugal rangers want moore 683881 Rangers waive veterans Arron Asham, Darroll Powe 683882 Rangers release Arron Asham and Darroll Powe 683883 Free agency day: Will the Rangers really be silent? NHL 683884 Even after missing on NBA and NHL, Seattle can build on this 683885 Glendale City Council votes to keep NHL’s Coyotes in Arizona Ottawa Senators 683886 Alfredsson says he’s closing in on contract…somewhere 683887 Melnyk’s costly (stock) trades 683888 Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson picking between three teams as free agency nears 683889 Ottawa Senators make pitch for free agent David Clarkson 683890 Daniel Alfredsson giving Senators first shot; captain open to other teams 683891 Ottawa Senators make a habit of drafting players from Sweden 683892 Senators sign Paul MacLean for 3 more years Philadelphia Flyers 683893 5 burning questions for the Flyers 683894 Sources: Giroux nears deal on $66M extension 683895 Flyers' prospects get to work Monday 683896 Flyers' Holmgren: Giroux extension 'close,' not done 683897 Adam Hall re-signed to one year, $600,000 deal 683898 Inside the Flyers: Flyers need to get younger up front 683899 Source: Giroux deal not finalized yet 683900 NHL free-agent list has some young talent 683901 What the Flyers need to do for next year 683902 Flyers bringing back Hall; Briere heads to Montreal 683903 Flyers re-sign Adam Hall to one-year deal 683904 Flyers president Peter Luukko: 'We're not done' 683905 Flyers, Giroux agree to 8-year, $66.2 million extension Phoenix Coyotes 683906 Phoenix Coyotes eye free-agency pool Pittsburgh Penguins 683907 Rivals Pens, Flyers come together with Recchi to boost youth hockey 683908 NHL teams set to begin free-agent frenzy 683909 Team’s major role players should test free agent market in NHL 683910 Penguins likely to take conservative approach to free agency San Jose Sharks 683911 Sharks close to signing Kennedy, Hannan St Louis Blues 683912 Blues ready to make pitch to NHL free agents 683913 NHL free agency lacks former glitz 683914 Hockey Guy: Stars honor July 4th with fireworks Tampa Bay Lightning 683915 Lightning looking at free-agent options 683916 Lightning enters free agency looking for No. 2 center 683917 Steve Yzerman Q & A: The GM says finding a No. 2 center is a priority but will 'proceed very cautiously' in fr Toronto Maple Leafs 683918 Leafs would be perfect fit for Gretzky 683919 Mirtle: Grabovski never fit in Carlyle’s system 683920 Maple Leafs buy out Mikhail Grabovski 683921 Bruins quickly sour on former golden boy 683922 Mikhail Grabovski bought out by the Maple Leafs 683923 Keith Ballard, Carlo Colaiacovo among NHL players placed on waivers 683924 Tyler Seguin, Loui Eriksson switch teams in blockbuster trade between Boston and Dallas 683925 Mikhail Grabovski rips coach after Maple Leafs buy him out 683926 No guarantees even if Maple Leafs hit jackpot 683927 Buying out Grabovski shrewd move for Leafs' Nonis 683929 Mikhail Grabovski rips Leafs coach Randy Carlyle after buyout Vancouver Canucks 683938 Jamieson: Tanev in line for a raise, but how much? 683939 Botchford: Canucks need 3 things in free agency, a centre, depth on defence and a scoring winger 683940 Ex-Vancouver Giant Jon Blum makes sense for Canucks 683941 Gallagher: Canucks committed to younger team but may have to wait to get their men 683942 Former Vancouver Giant star Jon Blum “would love,” chance to play for Canucks Websites 683943 ESPN / Seguin's second chance a gamble for Stars 683944 ESPN / Free agency brings out Team Redemption 683945 ESPN / Briere follows his heart to Montreal 683946 USA TODAY / Lower cap forcing teams, free agents to adjust 683947 USA TODAY / Danny Briere chooses the Montreal Canadiens 683948 USA TODAY / Bruins, Stars pull off blockbuster, seven- player trade 683949 YAHOO SPORTS / Growing opportunity: Tyler Seguin gets a fresh start in Dallas as Stars, Bruins swing blockbust 683950 YAHOO SPORTS / 2013 NHL free agency: Silly signings inevitable despite lockout battle, salary cap constraints Winnipeg Jets 683931 Jets re-sign goaltender Al Montoya 683932 Jets development camp runs July 15-19 683933 Five trade targets for the Jets 683934 Plenty of talent for Winnipeg Jets to target in NHL free agency 683935 Ron Hainsey and other Winnipeg Jets UFAs drawing plenty of interest 683936 Goalie Al Montoya re-signs with Winnipeg Jets 683937 Trouba, Morrissey, Scheifele to attend Winnipeg Jets development camp, July 15-19 SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 683783 Anaheim Ducks 683784 Anaheim Ducks

NHL general managers test the new rules of free agency Ducks limited in their options lisa.dillman By ERIC STEPHENS July 5, 2013 2013-07-04 20:26:31

Evidence that NHL general managers are tiptoeing through an often This much is known about what Ducks GM Bob Murray is up to as the bewildering minefield of rules and regulations emerged during Peter market for unrestricted free agents officially opens for business Friday Chiarelli's conference call. morning: Chiarelli, the Boston Bruins' general manager, was talking about the seven- •Murray is working the phones from his office at Honda Center and not player blockbuster trade completed Thursday by Boston and Dallas. Going flying out to woo a specific someone and his representative that he has in to the Stars were Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button in mind. exchange for Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser. •If he has brought in a free agent for a tour of the facilities (and that is a big Late in the call, after a handful of questions about Seguin's maturity level, if), it was done quietly to not tip off his machinations. Chiarelli was asked if he was allowed to talk about the Bruins' pursuit of coveted free agent Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators. Indeed, Because of the new collective bargaining agreement, the Ducks and every Chiarelli had checked and found it was OK for him to mention Alfredsson. other NHL team had a two-day window to talk with those players. Actual contract offers could not be tabled until Friday and the NHL sent email He disclosed that he had spoken to Alfredsson's agent and they would warnings to all 30 teams Thursday. continue to have "some dialogue." Just how much the Ducks can do is limited by the fact they've got only But dialogue does not translate directly into negotiations. about $7.5 million available under the salary cap and will have a sizable portion of that eaten up by the impending re-signing of center Saku Koivu. That's where more confusion ensued on the eve of the NHL's free-agency period, which starts Friday at 9 a.m. PDT. For the first time there had been Koivu is expected to sign a one-year deal. Finnish website MTV3.fi reported a two-day interview period beforehand, modeled, in part, after the NBA. it could be worth between $2.5 million and $3 million. Murray would not confirm the report but told the Register that the two sides are close. Courtship, however, has its limits. Those numbers could represent a small pay cut from his $3 million 2012-13 Apparently, some general managers thought they could negotiate with base salary before it was pro-rated because of the lockout. It also means unrestricted free agents. The league's deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, had the Ducks would have just $4.5 million to $5 million left under the cap. to send out a memo Thursday morning to the general managers saying otherwise. Some of that will go to Teemu Selanne if the winger decides to come back for one more season. The Ducks also have to re-sign restricted free-agent The NHL meets eHarmony. wingers Kyle Palmieri and Matt Beleskey. This all sets the stage for what is practically a Canadian national holiday. None of that addresses their need to solve the void of their No. 2 center Among the names on the market are Alfredsson, New Jersey Devils position. Nick Bonino finished there last season and had a strong playoff forward David Clarkson, Boston forward Nathan Horton, Detroit Red Wings series against Detroit, but the Ducks are on the lookout for more proven forward Valtteri Filppula, Washington Capitals center Mike Ribeiro, Toronto options. Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jarome Iginla. Like many others, Murray was highly disappointed with the Ducks' first- round playoff exit after a lockout-shortened season that saw them win the The 36-year-old Iginla's stock has slipped in a short amount of time. Even a Pacific Division title and head into the postseason as the Western few months ago, he was the subject of a pitched battle between the Bruins Conference's No. 2 seed. and the Penguins. There is still something left in the tank, but exactly how much is unclear. The Ducks were knocked off by Detroit in seven games. But the fact they lost three overtime games, failed to take control of the series when they Then there are goalies: Evgeni Nabokov of the New York Islanders, the could and laid an absolute egg in Game 7 are the things that particularly quirky Ilya Bryzgalov, who was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, and sting. Tim Thomas of the Islanders, who seems ready to emerge from his long sabbatical. It led Murray to publicly declare that there will be some changes. Nothing has materialized but the feeling is some discussions with players or teams This period will be a different one for the Kings, who often have been high- could turn into an actual move or two. profile suitors in free agency. General Manager Dean Lombardi has done an admirable job in managing his salary cap, but even Lombardi has to "I've got a few areas where I'd like to do things," Murray said. "I realize make some tough choices with the cap dropping from $70.2 million this past some guys tell you exactly what they're going to do. I don't do that." season to $64.3 million for the upcoming season. The Ducks wouldn't go to the $4.5 million per year that Vincent Lecavalier The biggest question for the Kings involves unrestricted free-agent eventually got from Philadelphia, and it is certain they won't touch the defenseman Rob Scuderi. They've done their best to try to keep him, but reported $5 million neighborhood that might land Stephen Weiss, Valtteri the 34-year-old may opt to play in the East. He lives in the Boston area in Filppula or Mike Ribeiro. the off-season and grew up in Long Island, N.Y. Versatile center Matt Cullen would be more affordable as Minnesota won't Though the Islanders have abundant cap space, it is understood they are re-sign him. Cullen, 36, was drafted by the club in 1996 and played his first not in the mix for Scuderi. The Maple Leafs displayed some interest, but an six seasons in Anaheim but isn't a prototypical No. 2 and has never official with knowledge of the process but not authorized to comment said reached the 50-point mark. that Toronto was not believed to be Scuderi's first choice. Other options include Tyler Bozak, Mikhail Grabovski and Derek Roy. The Kings took care of one bit of housekeeping, signing defenseman Bozak is also commanding big money while Grabovski was bought out by Keaton Ellerby to a one-year deal. They had not given him a qualifying offer Toronto. Roy isn't on the Ducks' radar, according to his agent, Larry Kelly. earlier in the week, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent, but said that signing him later was a possibility. His deal for next season will be Even if they went that route, it would mean that some money would need to worth $735,000, according to the Kings' website. be moved out. The Ducks continue to get calls inquiring about winger Bobby Ryan ($5.1 million cap hit) and goalie Jonas Hiller ($4.5 million) but LA Times: LOADED: 07.05.2013 aren't trading either until they're blown away by an offer. A mid-level move is more likely. One veteran winger that might be on the affordable side is former Dallas captain Brenden Morrow, a natural left wing who can finish on occasion and would fit the Ducks' desire to add more grit in their lineup. Morrow, 34, showed that he has some game left as he had six goals and eight assists in 16 regular-season games with Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Stars at the trade deadline. He added two goals and two assists in 14 playoff games. Orange County Register: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683785 Boston Bruins

Thumbnail sketches of new Bruins

July 05, 2013 JIM HOBAN

LOUI ERIKSSON Age: 27; Height: 6-2; Weight: 196; Position: Right wing/left shot Considered strong defensively with an offensive touch, and will hit the net with his shot, unlike Rich Peverley . . . Good in the corners and will win puck battles . . . Kills penalties and was on the Stars’ power play . . . An assistant captain with the Stars . . . Native of Sweden scored a career-high 36 goals in 2008-09 . . . Tied for second on offensively starved Stars with 29 points in 2012-13 . . . Has 22 games of postseason experience, with four goals and five assists . . . Averaged 20 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time last season . . . The Stars’ second-round pick, 33d overall, in 2003 . . . On the books the next three seasons for $4.6 million, $4.5 million, and $4.5 million, according to capgeek.com. REILLY SMITH Age: 22; Height: 6-0; Weight: 185; Position: Forward/Left shot Played 37 games for the Stars with three goals and six assists in 2012- 13 . . . The Stars’ third-round pick, 69th overall, in 2009 . . . Played on the same line with Andy Miele, the 2011 Hobey Baker Award winner, at Miami (Ohio) University . . . Speedy winger with good instincts . . . Second in the NCAA with 30 goals in 39 games in 2011-12. Also had eight winners that season. JOE MORROW Age: 20; Height: 6-1; Weight: 204; Position: Defenseman/left shot Puck-moving defenseman who will carry it out of the zone . . . Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, 23d overall, in 2011 . . . Has zero NHL experience . . . Likely will play in Providence next season . . . Spent most of last season with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and had four goals and 11 assists in 57 games . . . Traded to Stars near the deadline for Brenden Morrow (no relation). MATT FRASER Age: 23; Height: 6-1; Weight: 204; Position: Forward/Left shot Big-bodied winger who can bang . . . Led the WHL with 17 goals in 19 playoff games in 2010-11 . . . Had back-to-back 100-plus penalty-minute seasons with Kootenay Ice of the WHL in 2008-09 and 2009-10 . . . Had a goal and two assists in 12 games with the Stars in 2012-13. Boston Globe LOADED: 07.05.2013 683786 Boston Bruins only Eriksson’s $12.75 million, for a net savings of $28.2 million. The break on the upcoming 2013-14 cap is $4.75 million, a portion of which Chiarelli will stuff in an offer Friday when he officially tries to woo Daniel Alfredsson Over three years, Bruins had seen enough away from the Senators. If he fails to land Alfredsson, it’s money he can spend on someone else, or use to ease some of the huge pay increase free agent goalie Tuukka Rask is about to receive.

By Kevin Paul Dupont Now, back to the Bruins’ risk. No one is saying Seguin can’t or won’t get serious about how to apply his obvious, abundant talents. He’s young, and July 05, 2013 history shows very few newbies arrive with the game and adult demeanor/finish of the likes of, say, Ray Bourque, Chris Drury or Alfredsson, just to name three. Let’s also not forget that some arrive with Boston and Dallas partnered in some risky business Thursday, with the the adult thing nailed, such as Sergei Samsonov, and then disappear into Bruins dealing away a potential superstar in Tyler Seguin, and the Stars age 20-something obscurity. Samsonov was the league’s 1998 Rookie of shipping out a known, prime-aged, proven scorer in right wing Loui the Year with the Bruins and that ended up being his career highlight. Eriksson. A lot of US college hockey players are advancing to their senior season at Whose risk is greater? Not doubt that falls to Boston, because Seguin is age 21, and Seguin has 121 NHL points as a headstart on all of them. He only 21, is among the game’s fastest skaters, and really never was given also has the reality slap of Thursday’s trade. It could be the slap that puts the opportunity to prove himself at center, his natural position, which was his game back on that trajectory of being a No. 1 center. how he projected in the NHL when the Bruins made him the No. 2 overall Bruins fans have seen how this can unfold over time. Rick Middleton, the pick in the 2010 draft. No. 14 overall pick by the Rangers in 1973, played two unremarkable But here’s the thing about Seguin: The Bruins stopped believing he could seasons on Broadway before he was dealt to Boston at age 22. He became be a bona fide NHL No. 1 pivot. They began to wonder if he had the a huge star in the Hub and remains one of the game’s top talents not to be toughness and temerity and hockey IQ to play effectively among the top six inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Oh, the negligence of the induction forwards in their north-south, tough-to-play-against, “Bruins style” of committee. hockey. General manager Peter Chiarelli also acknowledged Thursday In the 1983 draft, the Canucks selected Cam Neely No. 9 overall. He sat what he has seen in the “Twitterverse’’ about Seguin, “a lot of reports about virtually at the end of the bench for three seasons until Vancouver dealt him extracurricular stuff.’’ to the Bruins at age 21 in the summer of ’86. He is now the Bruins’ So bundle up the doubts, the clinical read, the innuendo, and the hearsay, president with a Hall of Fame curriculum vitae that reads 726 games, 395 and the Bruins decided to say so long to the potential phenom. Sound goals and 694 points. rash? Well, they had 36 months to live with him, preach their game, tell him Personally, I doubt Seguin’s career comes close to those of Middleton or what they expected out of him shift to shift, and how they expected him to Neely. Both played with the focus, intensity, intelligence, courage, and act when he was away from the rink. unflappability with the puck that Seguin has yet to demonstrate. He could Three years, three seasons, and they finally drew the line, which was quite get there. He may get there. Some even will argue that he should get there. obvious last Sunday when Chiarelli noted at the draft in Newark that it was But just as the Rangers ran out of patience with Middleton, and the time for the promising young gun to button down and be a pro. GMs don’t Canucks with Neely, it ran out here for the Bruins with Seguin. His game hurl wunderkinds under buses without cause, especially not Peter The had holes. Management had questions and a few reservations. On top of it Patient, quite possibly the most reserved of the league’s 30 GMs. all, he was promised paychecks totaling $34.5 million over the next six Now, let it be duly noted that Chiarelli is also the guy who dropped nearly years. It didn’t have to end this way, but it’s no surprise that it did. $35 million in Seguin’s lap last summer in the form of a six-year contract Boston Globe LOADED: 07.05.2013 that kicks in this October. That financial promise, in tandem with the doubts, clinical analysis, innuendo, and hearsay was no doubt the tipping point in finding Seguin a new home. The deal last summer made Seguin a made man, well ahead of him becoming a man in this child’s game of hockey. As I noted in this space last Wednesday, less than 48 hours after the Bruins were eliminated in the Stanley Cup Final, it behooved Chiarelli to investigate trade possibilities for Seguin now, or run the risk that another underwhelming season in 2013-14 would make it all the harder to find a trade partner this time next season. Seguin’s cap hit, $5.75 million, had the potential of turning into an immovable white elephant if his production flatlined or dipped in his fourth NHL season. He did not get better in the shortened 48-game regular season, and under the heat of a 22-game playoff run, he actually got worse. All said and done, he was a third-line right wing with limited effectiveness (22 games, 1-7—8) the night the Blackhawks sashayed down Causeway Street with the Cup. Meanwhile, Eriksson will be 28 later this month and there is no doubting what he is or who he is. He is the quintessential low-maintenance, plug-in, dress-and-aim scorer (left shot/right wing) who averaged roughly 30 goals and 70 points across the four seasons leading to this past season’s lockout. All for an undertalented Dallas squad that failed to make the playoffs in all four of those seasons. All the while providing smart two-way play and rarely missing a game. Since October 2008, in fact, he missed but three games, in 2010-11, and otherwise answered the bell every night. Think of Eriksson this way: He’s Patrice Bergeron with greater scoring touch, playing on the wing instead of in the middle. For a cap hit of $4.25 million on a deal that runs three more seasons. The Bruins haven’t had a regular 30-40—70 guy on the wing for about 10 years, when Glen Murray was cashing in Joe Thornton’s dishes. The maraschino cherry is that Chiarelli also moved a fast-fading Rich Peverley, who had two years left on his deal with a $3.25 million cap hit. In one trade, Chiarelli deleted $41 million in cap committment and took back 683787 Boston Bruins Peverley will carry a $3.25 million cap hit next season. The Bruins needed to clear Peverley’s salary for other moves. Button was a marginal blue-line prospect. Tyler Seguin traded from Boston Bruins to Dallas Stars Boston Globe LOADED: 07.05.2013

By Fluto Shinzawa / Globe Staff / July 4, 2013

Tyler Seguin is an ex-Bruin. The No. 2 pick of the 2010 draft is going to Dallas in a blockbuster trade, a team source confirmed Thursday. Also headed to Dallas are Rich Peverley and defensive prospect Ryan Button. The Bruins receive left wing Loui Eriksson, young NHL forwards Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, and defense prospect Joe Morrow. The trade rivals the deal that eventually brought Seguin to Boston. On Sept. 18, 2009, the Bruins flipped Phil Kessel to Toronto for a 2010 first-round pick, a 2011 first-round pick, and a 2010 second-rounder. The Bruins used those picks to draft Seguin, Dougie Hamilton, and Jared Knight. “He came here with much pomp and circumstance,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a conference call. “He played very well for a young player. This year wasn’t his best year. It was a trying year, a weird year to assess players. Tyler’s a real good kid. I see in the Twitterverse a lot of reports about extracurricular stuff. I made comments as to his professionalism and acting more like a professional. You have to remember he’s 21 years old. He’s a good kid. He’s a terrific player. He’s probably better suited for center. He was very good for us as a winger.” This season, Seguin had 16 goals and 16 assists in 48 regular-season games. Seguin had one goal and seven assists in 22 playoff games. He concludes his Boston career with 56 goals and 65 assists in 203 regular- season games. Seguin is coming off his entry-level contract, and will earn $34.5 million over the next six seasons. Seguin’s $5.75 million annual cap hit would have been second among team forwards after Milan Lucic ($6 million). The gap between Seguin’s pay and projected performance made the right wing expendable. The Bruins must commit big bucks to goalie Tuukka Rask (restricted) and center Patrice Bergeron (unrestricted after 2013-14). “Signing someone to a big deal and trading him doesn’t mean you don’t like the player or he’s not an important part of the team,” Chiarelli said. “What you have to understand in this environment right now is the cap goes down $7 million. You have to make some hard choices and hard decisions. The fact that we signed Tyler had nothing to do with us trading him. It was an opportunity to get a very good player – a natural winger – to get some good prospects, and lower your cap.” The Bruins once projected Seguin to be a Steven Stamkos-like offensive threat. But Seguin’s hockey sense and battle level didn’t develop to match his speed and shot. Seguin played most of the postseason on the third line. Seguin played center in junior hockey. But Seguin was not going to displace David Krejci or Patrice Bergeron in the middle. The Bruins tried to play Seguin in the middle this season when Bergeron was unavailable because of a concussion, but he did not fare well at center, displaying neither the smarts nor courage required of the position. “Tyler is a dynamic player that will be a part of our core group for a long time to come,” Stars general manager Jim Nill told NHL.com. “A player at his age, position and talent level are extremely difficult to acquire and we’re thrilled to bring him into our organization.” The Bruins are now down four right wings from their playoff roster: Seguin, Peverley, Nathan Horton, and Jaromir Jagr. The Bruins continue to pursue Daniel Alfredsson. The Ottawa captain is free to sign a deal tomorrow. The 27-year-old Eriksson carries a $4.25 million annual hit through 2015- 16, according to www.capgeek.com. The left-shot Eriksson most recently played on Dallas’s first line alongside Ray Whitney and Jamie Benn, the position held by Jaromir Jagr prior to his trade to Boston. Eriksson is a smart, responsible, two-way player who had 12 goals and 17 assists this past season. Eriksson is an ideal fit for Claude Julien’s defense- first system. Morrow is the top prospect in the deal. Morrow, formerly Pittsburgh’s first- round pick in 2011, was traded to Dallas for Brenden Morrow. 683788 Boston Bruins

Loui Eriksson may be key piece to trade for Bruins

By Stephen Sellner / Globe Correspondent / July 4, 2013

The Bruins completed a deal that sends Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverly and a minor leaguer Ryan Button to the Dallas Stars for Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, the team announced Thursday afternoon. Eriksson, an assistant captain for the Stars, is a 27-year-old left winger who has spent all seven of his NHL seasons in Dallas. Drafted in the second round (33d overall) by Dallas in 2003, the Gothenburg, Sweden native has 150 goals and 207 assists in 501 career games. Eriksson was tied for second in points (29) and goals (12) for the Stars this season, playing in all 48 games. He is considered strong defensively, although he was a minus-9 on a weak offensive team. In 2011-12, Eriksson logged a team-high 71 points, with 26 goals and 45 assists. Eriksson is a lefthanded shot, and is listed at 6 feet 2 inches, 196 pounds. He will turn 28 on July 17. Morrow is a 20-year-old defenseman who has yet to play in the NHL. Morrow was a first-round selection (23d overall) by Pittsburgh in the 2011 NHL draft, but was aquired by Dallas in last March along with a fifth-round draft pick in a trade that sent Brenden Morrow and a third-round pick to the Penguins. Joe Morrow spent last season in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, tallying four goals and 11 assists in 57 games. He is a lefthand shot and is 6-1, 204 pounds. Smith, 6-0, 185 pounds, is a 22-year-old right winger who had three goals and six assists in 37 games for the Stars last season. Smith, a Toronto native, has 40 games of NHL experience. He was a third-round pick (69th overall) by the Stars in 2009. Fraser, 23, is a right winger with 13 career NHL games, all with Dallas. In 12 games last season, he had a goal and two assists. He is from Red Deer, Alberta, and is at 6-1, 204 pounds. Boston Globe LOADED: 07.05.2013 683789 Boston Bruins Peverley will carry a $3.25 million cap hit next season. The Bruins needed to clear Peverley’s salary for other moves. Button was a marginal blue-line prospect. Bruins trade Tyler Seguin Boston Globe LOADED: 07.05.2013

Posted by Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff July 4, 2013 05:54 PM

Tyler Seguin is an ex-Bruin. The No. 2 pick of the 2010 draft is going to Dallas in a blockbuster trade, a team source confirmed Thursday. Also headed to Dallas are Rich Peverley and defensive prospect Ryan Button. The Bruins receive left wing Loui Eriksson, young NHL forwards Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, and defense prospect Joe Morrow. The trade rivals the deal that eventually brought Seguin to Boston. On Sept. 18, 2009, the Bruins flipped Phil Kessel to Toronto for a 2010 first-round pick, a 2011 first-round pick, and a 2010 second-rounder. The Bruins used those picks to draft Seguin, Dougie Hamilton, and Jared Knight. “He came here with much pomp and circumstance,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said during a conference call. “He played very well for a young player. This year wasn’t his best year. It was a trying year, a weird year to assess players. Tyler’s a real good kid. I see in the Twitterverse a lot of reports about extracurricular stuff. I made comments as to his professionalism and acting more like a professional. You have to remember he’s 21 years old. He’s a good kid. He’s a terrific player. He’s probably better suited for center. He was very good for us as a winger.” This season, Seguin had 16 goals and 16 assists in 48 regular-season games. Seguin had one goal and seven assists in 22 playoff games. He concludes his Boston career with 56 goals and 65 assists in 203 regular- season games. Seguin is coming off his entry-level contract, and will earn $34.5 million over the next six seasons. Seguin’s $5.75 million annual cap hit would have been second among team forwards after Milan Lucic ($6 million). The gap between Seguin’s pay and projected performance made the right wing expendable. The Bruins must commit big bucks to goalie Tuukka Rask (restricted) and center Patrice Bergeron (unrestricted after 2013-14). “Signing someone to a big deal and trading him doesn’t mean you don’t like the player or he’s not an important part of the team,” Chiarelli said. “What you have to understand in this environment right now is the cap goes down $7 million. You have to make some hard choices and hard decisions. The fact that we signed Tyler had nothing to do with us trading him. It was an opportunity to get a very good player – a natural winger – to get some good prospects, and lower your cap.” The Bruins once projected Seguin to be a Steven Stamkos-like offensive threat. But Seguin’s hockey sense and battle level didn’t develop to match his speed and shot. Seguin played most of the postseason on the third line. Seguin played center in junior hockey. But Seguin was not going to displace David Krejci or Patrice Bergeron in the middle. The Bruins tried to play Seguin in the middle this season when Bergeron was unavailable because of a concussion, but he did not fare well at center, displaying neither the smarts nor courage required of the position. “Tyler is a dynamic player that will be a part of our core group for a long time to come,” Stars general manager Jim Nill told NHL.com. “A player at his age, position and talent level are extremely difficult to acquire and we’re thrilled to bring him into our organization.” The Bruins are now down four right wings from their playoff roster: Seguin, Peverley, Nathan Horton, and Jaromir Jagr. The Bruins continue to pursue Daniel Alfredsson. The Ottawa captain is free to sign a deal tomorrow. The 27-year-old Eriksson carries a $4.25 million annual hit through 2015- 16, according to www.capgeek.com. The left-shot Eriksson most recently played on Dallas’s first line alongside Ray Whitney and Jamie Benn, the position held by Jaromir Jagr prior to his trade to Boston. Eriksson is a smart, responsible, two-way player who had 12 goals and 17 assists this past season. Eriksson is an ideal fit for Claude Julien’s defense- first system. Morrow is the top prospect in the deal. Morrow, formerly Pittsburgh’s first- round pick in 2011, was traded to Dallas for Brenden Morrow. 683790 Boston Bruins Boston, has continued to be a 30-goal scorer with the Leafs. In the lockout- shortened 2012-13 season, he scored 20 goals in just 48 games. So now we sit back and wait — and watch — to see if Seguin can be a Buckley: Tyler Seguin? What a waste great player. But as we close the book on the kid’s Boston years, Tyler Seguin was a Friday, July 5, 2013 great waste of talent. Steve Buckley Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013

Maybe Tyler Seguin will pull on his fresh, new Dallas Stars sweater and be, well, a star. Perhaps he’ll string together a decade of 30-goal seasons, with an occasional 40-goal campaign weaved into the mix. And if he can score 40, he can score 50, right? Bet on it, Bruins fans. Bet on Tyler Seguin. You know he can do it. The Stars know he can do it. And surely Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, who engineered the Fourth of July megadeal that sent Seguin, Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button to the Stars, knows it as well as anybody. But are we all agreed that it just wasn’t going to work here for Tyler Seguin? Seguin was — and for the time being still is — one of those infuriating sports teases, the kind of athlete who at any given moment is capable of graceful, eye-popping athleticism. We’ve seen him move to the net with such precision that it looked as though he were skating through opposing skaters, in much the same way we’ve seen the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo glide through the paint and roll in a layup without so much as grazing any of the goliaths in his path. It’s just that with Seguin, you never knew when the brilliance was going to arrive. And when it did show up, it didn’t stay long. The word, always, is that Seguin is immature, and too busy doing whatever he does off the ice to be a complete, take-charger performer when on the ice. Whatever. Seguin is 21 years old, and 21-year-olds generally don’t stay home at night to read the classics, sort the socks or stir the pasta. (I don’t intend any of these to be euphemisms, though I suppose you could use them as such if it works for you.) But, yes, 21-year-olds, be they hugely talented hockey players or marginally talented intramural softball players, like to go out at night. It’s just that the record books in all professional sports are filled with the exploits of stellar athletes who managed to burn opposing defenses while also burning the candle at both ends. It’s also true that there are many, many star athletes who reached the heights because dedication to the craft outweighed all else. And Seguin, during his time in Boston, was never one of those players. As such, the Bruins declared yesterday to be their Independence Day from Tyler Seguin, choosing to pass him off on the Stars in exchange for 27- year-old left winger Loui Eriksson, who can score, as well as 23-year-old left winger Matt Fraser, 23-year-old right winger Reilly Smith and 20-year- old Joe Morrow, the latter pegged as a top defensive prospect by the Hockey People. Considering the depth with which Chiarelli publicly criticized Seguin following the Bruins’ Game 6 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup finals, the real surprise is that the B’s received anything more than a bag of hockey pucks in this deal. When the GM says it’s time for a player “to become more professional,” it’s an announcement that the guy isn’t going to be on the cover of next year’s media guide. Seguin’s lack of . . . of something, and you can call it professionalism or good luck or good health, was never more evident than during the Cup tourney. In 22 playoff games, he scored one goal and tallied seven assists. Yes, there were flashes of brilliance, but that’s always been the problem, hasn’t it? Just last week, when Chiarelli called Seguin out, it was thought that it might be a wake-up call. The problem is that Seguin has already missed wake-up calls — literally as well as figuratively. And if you’re a fan who has invested your time, your passion and your hard-earned entertainment dollars on the Bruins, it all gets a little tired after a while. It should not go unnoticed that the Bruins earned the right to draft Seguin a few years back when they traded another talented player, Phil Kessel, to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel, who scored 36 goals his last season in 683791 Boston Bruins

Loui Eriksson file

Friday, July 5, 2013 Mark Daniels

Age: 27 Position: Left wing (will most likely move to right with the Bruins) Years in NHL: 7 Drafted: Second round, No. 33 overall by Dallas in 2003 How he fits with the Bruins: Eriksson played as a left wing for the Stars, but is expected to play on the right side for the Bruins. A solid two-way player, he fits well into Bruins coach Claude Julien’s system. In his last four full seasons, he’s averaged 29.5 goals and 69.5 points a season. A 2011 All- Star, Eriksson scored 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 48 games last season. He’d fit in well with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand on the B’s second line. JOE MORROW Age: 20 Position: Defenseman Years in NHL: Zero Drafted: First round, No. 23 overall by Pittsburgh in 2011 How he fits with the Bruins: Morrow is the top prospect in this deal for the B’s. The former first-round pick is a strong skater, who’s yet to appear in an NHL game. He was traded from the Penguins to the Stars, last season in the deal for Brenden Morrow (no relation). A left-handed shot, Morrow adds to the B’s young defensive depth and will give Dougie Hamilton, Matt Bartkowski and Torey Krug some competition next season. Reilly Smith Age: 22 Position: Right wing Years in NHL: 1 Drafted: Third round, No. 69 by Dallas in 2009 How he fits with the Bruins: Peter Chiarelli called Smith a “silky-smooth right winger” who is smart with good vision. He’ll instantly add to the Bruins depth on the right side, something they need after the departures of Nathan Horton and Jaromir Jagr. He broke into the league last year, in his first professional season, tallying nine points (three goals, six assists) in 37 games. He spent time on the Stars third and fourth lines. Matt Fraser Age: 23 Position: Left wing Years in NHL: 1 Drafted: Signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2010 How he fits with the Bruins: Fraser has shown to be a proven goal-scorer on every level except the NHL. He played in 12 games with the Stars last season but has shined with the Texas Stars (AHL). In his first two full AHL seasons, he has scored 70 goals — the most by any AHL player. Fraser is said to have a terrific release and will compete for a spot on the Bruins next season. Saw some time on the Stars second line last season. Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683792 Boston Bruins “Tyler is a dynamic player that will be part of our core group for a long time to come,” Nill said. “A player at his age, position and talent level are extremely difficult to acquire, and we’re thrilled to bring him into our B’s trade problem child organization.” Seguin will be used at center by the Stars, although he did not look comfortable with the two-way demands of the position in limited action this Friday, July 5, 2013 season. Stephen Harris Eriksson, who turns 28 on July 17, is a former All-Star. Last season, the 6- foot-2, 200-pound Swede had 12 goals and 17 assists in 48 games. In 501 career games, he has 150 goals and 207 assists. For months, well-placed sources have been predicting that Tyler Seguin’s The Bruins also received 20-year-old defenseman Joe Morrow (the 23rd days with the Bruins were numbered, not just because of his soft, overall pick in 2011) and forwards Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser. It seems underachieving performance on the ice but largely because of his immature reasonable that all three could be in the running for NHL jobs next season. lifestyle choices. The departure of Seguin will not affect the future of Nathan Horton, who is Those sources clearly were onto something, because the Bruins yesterday weighing several offers and will jump to a different team when free agency made the decision to part ways with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 draft, begins today. who they feel is headed for trouble with his nightlife pursuits. The B’s shipped Seguin to the Dallas Stars in a blockbuster seven-player deal that The Bruins have not yet finalized a new contract for goalie Tuukka Rask, returned talented and gritty winger Loui Eriksson. which Chiarelli hoped to have done by the start of free agency. But an announcement on a rich, long-term deal is expected soon. Eriksson is a player fans will like because he fits the Bruins mold perfectly. Many people around the team never really warmed up to Seguin, the player Meanwhile, the Bruins now have a little money to toss around on free or the person. agents. They have a player who was born to wear the spoked “B,” and even if they don’t want to talk about it, they got rid of a problem child who still Eriksson has scored as many as 36 goals in a season and is a speedy, needs to do some growing up. hard-working, responsible two-way forward. The B’s, who also included Rich Peverley in the deal, get several million in needed cap relief and more Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 flexibility in the free agent market, which opens today at noon. “There was an opportunity to get a very good player, get some good prospects and to lower your cap,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said. “And then maybe to improve in the next market (free agency) starting (today).” Peverley had a disappointing season, with six goals, 12 assists and a minus-9 rating in 48 games. He had only two assists in 21 postseason games. The final player from the B’s side was 22-year-old defenseman Ryan Button. Before this deal, the Bruins had less than $6 million in cap space. Now they have more than $9 million. Chiarelli spent much of his 20-minute conference call yesterday commenting on Seguin’s alleged partying. “There are no strictly on-ice decisions on any decision you make with a hockey player,” he said. “So no, it’s not a strictly on-ice decision.” This trade might not be popular among all Bruins fans, who envisioned Seguin as a future superstar. But he might go down as a player who squandered his great gifts. Multiple sources said the 21-year-old Seguin crossed the line this season with reckless partying. It apparently got so bad that during the playoffs, the Bruins ordered Seguin to live in a hotel, where a guard was hired to make sure he stayed in his room. But Chiarelli repeatedly defended Seguin, calling him “a good kid and a terrific player” and “a tremendous package of speed and skill.” Chiarelli spoke at length about Seguin’s reputed off-ice misbehavior. It was generally assumed that when the GM recently expressed concerns about the Seguin’s “professionalism” and “focus,” that’s what he was talking about. But he insisted those comments were about the forward’s preparation for games, not his partying. “I don’t want to really play that up too much,” Chiarelli said. “He’s a 21-year- old that played as an 18-year-old, and I think he was just a 21-year-old kid. He was maturing and growing up, and he liked to have fun like the rest of them. I don’t really think it was such a big deal. But when I said earlier about focus, just about little things, about preparing to play — it was nothing about extracurricular activities. “No player is perfect, either as a player or an individual. All his stuff mushrooms into a proliferation of items on social media and I get overwhelmed by the number of stuff that comes out. Maybe some of it is true, but I know not all of it is true. . . . Tyler is a 21-year-old, he is a good kid, he’s got a good heart and he is going to continue to grow up.” Dallas GM Jim Nill focused on Seguin’s considerable upside. 683793 Boston Bruins

Chiarelli: Seguin "a good kid"

Thursday, July 4, 2013 -- Stephen Harris

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli just wrapped up a conference call during which he discussed the B's blockbuster, seven-player trade with the Dallas Stars, in which Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley were shipped out in exchange for talented and gritty left-shot right winger Loui Eriksson and three prospects. Seguin struggled badly during the playoffs, with just two goals in 22 games. Chiarelli touched several times on the speculation that the B's decision to say goodbye to the 21-year-old Seguin was a response not just to his subpar play, but also his proclivity for enjoying Boston's nighlife. The GM did concede: "It's not strictly an on-ice decision." But he repeatedly defended Seguin, calling him, "a good kid and a terrific player" and "a tremendous package of speed and skill." The Bruins get a very good player in Eriksson, who has scored as many as 36 goals in a season. And they get several million in needed cap relief, giving them improved flexibility in the free agent market, which opens at noon tomorrow. They will certainly be looking for help on right wing, with Seguin, Nathan Horton and Jaromir Jagr all gone. "There was there was an opportunity to get a very good player, get some good prospects and to lower your cap," said Chiareli. "And then maybe to improve in the next market (free agency) starting tomorrow." Chiarelli spoke at length about Seguin's reputed off-ice misbehavior. It was generally assumed that when the GM recently expressed concerns about the player's professionalism and focus, that's what he was talking about. But he insisted it was only small things about his preparation for games. "I see the Twitterverse, whatever it's called, and all of these reports about his extra-curricular stuff," said the GM. "What has to be remembered in all of this is that he's 21 year old. He's a good kid and a terrific player. He liked to have fun like the rest of us. I don't really think it's that big a deal. When I said focus it was about little things, preparing to play. It was nothing about extra-curricluar activities." Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683794 Boston Bruins

Bruins deal Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley to Dallas

Thursday, July 4, 2013 Stephen Harris

Today was expected to be the calm before the storm of the start of NHL free agency at noon tomorrow, but the Bruins and Dallas Stars shook things up nicely — as the clubs swapped star wingers Tyler Seguin and Loui Eriksson as part of a seven-player mega-deal. Talk about Fourth of July fireworks! Seguin struggled badly during the playoffs, with just two goals in 22 games. General manager Peter Chiarelli touched several times on the speculation that the B's decision to say goodbye to the 21-year-old Seguin was a response not just to his sub-par play, but also his proclivity for enjoying Boston's nightlife. The GM did concede: "It's not strictly an on-ice decision." But he repeatedly defended Seguin, calling him, "a good kid and a terrific player" and "a tremendous package of speed and skill." The Bruins get a very good player in Eriksson, who has scored as many as 36 goals in a season. And they get several million in needed cap relief, giving them improved flexibility in the free agent market, which opens at noon tomorrow. They will certainly be looking for help on right wing, with Seguin, Nathan Horton and Jaromir Jagr all gone. "There was an opportunity to get a very good player, get some good prospects and to lower your cap," said Chiareli. "And then maybe to improve in the next market (free agency) starting tomorrow." Eriksson, 27, is a talented and gritty player who’ll fit the Bruins mold very nicely. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Swede had 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 48 games. The previous four seasons he posted 26, 27, 29 and 36 goals. The Bruins also parted with forward Rich Peverley (6-12—18 this year) and defense prospect Ryan Button, and also received from the Stars 20-year- old, minor-league defenseman Joe Morrow (a Pittsburgh first-round pick in 2011) and third- or fourth-line wingers Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser. Chiarelli spoke at length about Seguin's reputed off-ice misbehavior. It was generally assumed that when the GM recently expressed concerns about the player's professionalism and focus, that's what he was talking about. But he insisted it was only small things about his preparation for games. "I see the Twitterverse, whatever it's called, and all of these reports about his extra-curricular stuff," said the GM. "What has to be remembered in all of this is that he's 21 years old. He's a good kid and a terrific player. He liked to have fun like the rest of us. I don't really think it's that big a deal. When I said focus it was about little things, preparing to play. It was nothing about extra-curricluar activities." Seguin is due to start a six-year, $34.5 contract extension this coming season, with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.75 million. Ericksson has three years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $4.25 million per year. Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683795 Boston Bruins

Report: Bruins send Seguin to Stars

Thursday, July 4, 2013 -- Hank Hryniewicz

Today was expected to be the calm before the storm of the start of NHL free agency at noon tomorrow, but the Bruins and Dallas Stars shook things up nicely — as the clubs swapped star wingers Tyler Seguin and Loui Eriksson as part of a seven-player mega-deal. The deal, first reported by Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com, who wrote that Eriksson had to waive a no-trade clause for it to happen. Eriksson, 27, is a talented and gritty player who’ll fit the Bruins mold very nicely. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Swede had 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 48 games. The previous four seasons he posted 26, 27, 29 and 36 goals. The Bruins also parted with forward Rich Peverley (6-12—18 this year) and defense prospect Ryan Buttton, and also received from the Stars 20-year- old, minor-league defenseman Joe Morrow (a Pittsburgh first-round pick in 2011) and third- or fourth-line wingers Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser. The Bruins thus gave up on Seguin, a 21-year-old with great talent — who has underachieved on the ice and shown a lack of maturity off the ice. In the process, facing a tight salary cap next year, the B’s save a large chunk of cash. Seguin is due to start a six-year, $34.5 contract extension this coming season, with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.75 million. Ericksson has three years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $4.25 million per year. Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683796 Boston Bruins

Report: Seguin swap for Eriksson

Thursday, July 4, 2013 -- Stephen Harris

Today is the calm before the storm of NHL free agency opening at noon tomorrow, but TSN reporter Darren Dreger shook things up nicely. Dreger reports that the Bruins are close to a deal sending forward Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars in return for All-Star winger Loui Eriksson. TSN reports that the deal would also involve three more unnamed players. The Bruins would be giving up a 21-year-old with great talent who has underachieved on and off the ice, in exchange for the 27-year-old Eriksson, who is a talented and gritty player who'd fit the B's mold very nicely. The B's would save a large chunk of cash: Seguin is due to start a six-year, $34.5 contract extension this coming season, with an annual salary cap hit of $5.75 million. Ericksson has three years remaining on his contract, with a cap hit of $4.25 million per year. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Swede had 12-17-- 29 in 48 games. The previous four seasons he potted 26, 27, 29 and 36 goals. Boston Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683797 Buffalo Sabres million), Winnipeg ($23.3 million) and Ottawa ($22 million). The Sabres entered today ninth from the bottom in payroll. The Sabres got more room by completing their buyout of left wing Nathan Sabres likely won’t be making big splash in free agency Gerbe. It was not a compliance buyout. It was a normal buyout, which means they still have two compliance buyouts – buyouts that pay the player while erasing him from the salary cap – to use next summer. By John Vogl Because of his age (25), the Sabres bought out Gerbe’s contract for one- updated July 4, 2013 at 11:45 PM third the cost of his salary. He was set to make $1.85 million this year and will get $616,605. CapGeek.com reports the Sabres will receive a cap credit of $91,667 this There’ll be fireworks exploding in the distance till there are no stars season, while Gerbe will count $308,333 against the Sabres’ cap in 2014- anymore. Tragically for Sabres fans, that’s just not hip in Buffalo this 15. summer. Gerbe is free to sign with any team, as are Buffalo defensemen Adam The NHL free agency period transitions from conversing to signing at noon Pardy and Alexander Sulzer. The Sabres did not make a contract offer to today. Teams, agents and players spent the past two days talking to each either unrestricted free agent. other to gauge fit, and pens can meet paper at lunchtime. Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013 The Sabres are expected to brown-bag it. They’re going with a youth-driven rebuild, and General Manager Darcy Regier said he’ll search for pieces to complement the roster. Buffalo likely will leave the big-time wining and dining to others. The Sabres have plenty of money to spend if they change their mind. They are about $13 million under the salary cap of $64.3 million. That includes 18 NHL players under contract, incoming prospect Joel Armia and the money retained from Jason Pominville’s deal when the Sabres sent him to Minnesota. Buffalo still needs to re-sign restricted free agents Cody Hodgson and Brian Flynn. Flynn’s qualifying offer is $874,125 and Hodgson’s offer is $826,875, according to CapGeek.com. Hodgson’s agent, Ritch Winter, had no comment Thursday on the status of negotiations. The Sabres don’t have positional needs heading into the shopping spree as far as roster numbers go. But as can be expected for a team that’s missed the playoffs two straight seasons, they certainly can upgrade the talent level across the board. Forwards such as Colby Armstrong, Jack Skille, Chad LaRose, Brenden Morrow and Danny Cleary could pique the Sabres’ interest as mid-tier players with the experience to help youngsters. The big names sure to draw suitors include Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla, Daniel Alfredsson, Nathan Horton and David Clarkson. Former Sabres co- captain Daniel Briere came off the market Thursday when he signed a two- year, $8 million deal with Montreal. The Sabres learned during the previous two summers that owner Terry Pegula’s checkbook opens doors to contract talks with well-known players. They haven’t been able to close the deals, though. “We can get in the conversations, and we do get in the conversations with free agents,” Regier said. “Sometimes it’s not just about money. Sometimes it’s about opportunity. Sometimes it’s about being close to home. More of these players are having the opportunity to make these decisions at a younger age. It’s what we have to deal with.” Teams that don’t get what they want through free agency might call the Sabres. Goaltender Ryan Miller and leading scorer Thomas Vanek remain up for trade, and they’re surely not alone. The trade market began in earnest Sunday at the draft when Vancouver sent goalie Cory Schneider to New Jersey. Boston and Dallas made a big splash Thursday. The Bruins shipped center Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick in the 2010 draft, to the Lindy Ruff-coached Stars for Loui Eriksson, a perennial 25-plus goal-scorer, in a seven-player deal. “We’re a little bit like an airline as a league that appears to have overbooked, meaning that there’s players teams want to move,” Regier said. “Their ability to move them will affect their activity in the unrestricted free agent market, which success there or lack of success will drive a little more of the secondary trade market after that. “There’s just a lot of balls in the air for teams to deal with there. It’s a different playing surface than in the past.” The teams with the most room to add players, according to CapGeek, are the New York Islanders ($32.8 million under the salary cap), Toronto ($24.5 683798 Buffalo Sabres For all the mistakes the Flyers have made in recent years, and there were many, signing Briere was not one of them. The deal worked for both sides. They came close to winning a title but fell short. They’re putting their money Briere lands in the perfect spot on Vincent Lecavalier, who signed a five-year contract worth $22.5 million. The Canadiens were putting their money on Briere. And he’s pinning his hopes on them. By Bucky Gleason “Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” he said. “Everybody wishes they on July 4, 2013 - 11:29 PM knew how everything would go down. Unfortunately, they don’t.” Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013

Five years older, $47 million richer and considerably more experienced than he was upon leaving town six years ago, Daniel Briere had a slightly different view Thursday morning when it came to unrestricted free agency. If only he had a means of peeking around the corner for the one answer he needed. “I wish I knew which team was winning the Stanley Cup next year,” Briere said by telephone, hours before signing a two-year deal worth $8 million with the Canadiens. “It would make it a whole lot easier.” It would, indeed. Briere ultimately put his faith in the Canadiens, the team he grew up cheering for as a kid while growing up in Quebec and the team he shunned after helping the Sabres reach the conference finals in consecutive years. Two weeks ago, Philadelphia bought out the final two seasons of an eight- year deal worth $52 million and allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. Once again, Briere landed in an enviable position after a team allowed him to walk away. Because his contract was bought out, he was allowed to sign with his new team before free agency opened at noon today. Essentially, he had a head start on joining the team of his choice. He also had plenty of suitors. “You’re trying to find a fit with a team that is excited to bring you on board, a team that feels they have a need for you,” he said. “That’s not possible everywhere.” It will be interesting to see what happens in free agency. Boston and Dallas made a blockbuster trade Thursday. You can expect more major transactions today. The Sabres’ big move going into the free-agent signing period was … waiving Nathan Gerbe. That should inspire the fan base, no? By the way, the Sabres were dreaming if they thought they had any real chance of bringing back Briere. Check his DOB: 10/6/77. Check their roster. He’ll be 36 years old this season, and they’re not going anywhere. It’s one thing for them to make their fans suffer, but there was no reason for him to suffer with them. He had only $5 million remaining on his contract – $3 million for this season and $2 million the following year – when the Flyers cut him loose. His new deal works for all involved. Money was the least of his concerns, but Montreal is paying him more than he would have made with Philly. The Habs get a proven playoff performer at a bargain price by NHL standards. He has 50 goals and 109 points in 108 career playoff games. He’s certain to help their power play. Adding his salary he’ll make with Montreal to his buyout, it’s a $5.65 million score for each of the next two seasons. “I am super excited to join the Canadiens,” said Briere via text. “Playing for my childhood team is a big thrill.” Montreal fans booed him for years because he didn’t play there after leaving Buffalo. It was a compliment of the highest order. The Habs won the Northeast Division last season and appear to be trending upward under new General Manager Marc Bergevin. Briere also holds assistant GM Larry Carriere in high regard. “That’s why they’re so interesting,” Briere said. “They’re a team on the rise. For me, that’s a team that’s interesting because of their history and the fact that I grew up cheering for them as a kid. There’s Larry, and I really like what they’ve done the last couple of years.” He made similar comments about the Flyers and Don Luce when he signed the long-term deal with Philly. He led the Flyers to the Cup finals in 2010, the year Patrick Kane scored the series-clinching goal and his first title with the Blackhawks. Philadelphia made the playoffs in five straight years before falling to 10th after a miserable start last season. 683799 Buffalo Sabres

Briere signs two-year deal with Canadiens; Sabres' buyout of Gerbe is not of compliance variety

July 4, 2013 - 5:38 PM By John Vogl

Sabres fans will get to see a lot of Danny Briere. He’ll just be playing against Buffalo rather than for it. The former Sabres co-captain has agreed to a two-year deal with the division-rival Montreal Canadiens. He’ll make $4 million per year, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN and TSN. The Sabres were one of eight teams in the running for Briere, he told The News earlier in the week, but the Canadiens won the sweepstakes. In other news, the Sabres have informed The News their buyout of Nathan Gerbe is not a compliance buyout. It is just a normal buyout, which means they still have two compliance buyouts – buyouts that pay the player while erasing him from their salary cap – to use next summer. Because of his age (25), the Sabres have bought out Gerbe’s contract for one-third the cost of his salary. He was set to make $1.85 million this year and will get $616,605. CapGeek.com reports that the Sabres will receive a cap credit of $91,667 this season, while Gerbe will count $308,333 against the Sabres’ cap in 2014-15. Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683800 Buffalo Sabres

Bruins send Seguin to Ruff-coached Stars for Eriksson

The Sabres' division was already getting a shake-up with the arrival of Detroit, Florida and Tampa Bay. Longtime rival Boston is intent on changing things, too. The Bruins have sent center Tyler Seguin, plus Rich Peverley and defense prospect Ryan Button, to the Lindy Ruff-coached Dallas Stars for Loui Eriksson, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, according to TSN. Seguin, selected second in the 2010 draft, had 16 goals and 32 points in 48 games. He slumped in the playoffs, though, as Boston lost the Stanley Cup to Chicago. Seguin had one goal and eight points in 22 postseason games. Eriksson had 12 goals and 29 points in 48 games. The 27-year-old scored between 26 and 36 goals in each of the previous four seasons. Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683801 Buffalo Sabres

Maple Leafs put themselves in prime position to make a splash

So what are the big-money, big-market Maple Leafs doing near the bottom of the NHL's salary cap list? Giving themselves plenty of room to get to the top. Toronto is buying out winger Mikhail Grabovski, who had four years and $21.5 million left on a five-year, $27.5 million deal he signed just last year. It is the second of two available compliance buyouts for the Leafs. The move puts the Maple Leafs' payroll 29th in the 30-team NHL, according to CapGeek.com, ahead of only the New York Islanders. Toronto has $40 million committed to 12 players, according to CapGeek, which leaves it with about $24.3 million to spend on 11 players when free agency opens at noon Friday. The Leafs have an uphill job of re-signing players, though. Tyler Bozak is an unrestricted free agent, while Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson and Jonathan Bernier are restricted. Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683802 Buffalo Sabres

More from new Sabres assistant Sacco, a charter member of the Mighty Ducks

July 4, 2013 - 6:00 AM Sacco DucksBy Mike Harrington

Be sure to read my story on new Sabres assistant coach Joe Sacco in Thursday's paper. Had a nice chat on the phone with him Wednesday and he had a good laugh when I asked him what it was like to be an expansion team guy. Didn't have room to get it in the story but he had some interesting thoughts on it. Sacco played on the 1993-94 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, a first-year expansion team that tied an NHL record for wins by a first-year team with 33. They wore cartoonish uniforms based on the movie (note the pic of Sacco at left) and had a team of castoffs. For his part, Sacco was chosen from Toronto in the expansion draft. "All the players came from different teams. You get to Anaheim and you're in a similar situation -- you're coming from a team that I guess at the end of the day really didn't want you," Sacco said. "Because we all had that same attitude and felt we had something to prove, we really came through as a unit and a team. We didn't have a superstar, any name players. We were a bunch of muckers and grinders, castaways from other teams. "We had good leadership like Troy Loney our captain. He won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. We had a group that wanted to belong. We wanted to prove we could stay in the National Hockey League." Sacco had a career-high 19 goals and 37 points and played all 84 games for the Mighty Ducks that year. It was the first of his five seasons in Anaheim. (Check out his career stats here) "Young players have to have that similar mindset whether they've played half a year or one year that they have to belong," he said. "They're not there yet. I always say with young players that the real guys on real teams do it year after year after year. It's 10-12-13-14 years. What can make me stand out from the guy next to me? That' what I try to pass on as a coach and we had it on that team." Buffalo News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683803 Calgary Flames Nathan Horton of the B’s and Jersey’s David Clarkson are going to have their pick of destinations and the slim pickings on offer this July means their dollar-figures are bound to skyrocket. Hard to fathom Dustin (Pancakes) Johnson: We all can play GM of the Flames, but it’s now time for Jay to play Penner choosing to give Alberta another fling after his short stint up north in Jay Edmonton. Among the defensive candidates, Washington’s Jeff Schultz has that local Hitmen tie, but even at 6-6, 227-pounds doesn’t fit that sandpapery style By GEORGE JOHNSON, Calgary Herald July 4, 2013 10:06 PM Feaster is trying to cultivate. Still, a quick glance tells you that Flame blueline’s looking mighty thin, particularly erasing Jay Bouwmeester’s 28- minutes-plus per night over a full 82-game campaign. Cochrane’s Mason Raymond could make sense as one of Calgary’s top There’s always Andrew Ference, whose name evokes memories of better targets when unrestricted free agency opens on Friday. days, but age, 34, is against him as a fit here. Ron Hainsey of the Jets, perhaps, but he’s 32. Power play point specialist Pierre-Marc Bouchard, It’s this city’s favourite pre-Stampede Guess-What’s-Deep-Fried-Today? late of Minny, is intriguing but his cap hit last year was $4 million. parlour game. On Wednesday, Feaster was keeping his likes and dislikes close to the You Play Jay (not available in Wii or X-Box versions). vest. Yes, despairing Calgary Flames’ devotees actually are more than willing to Should the GM add a piece or two, great. But if he does nothing, that would stand in Calgary Flames GM Jay Feaster’s well-polished brogues and be OK, too. No one player available is going to turn this rebuild on its head, decide how best to continue the Joan Rivers-degree of cosmetic surgery time-warp/fast-track it forward substantially. Some out there, however, the organization is undergoing at present. could obviously help the process along. Everyone can’t wait to take a turn. This isn’t going to get fixed in day. Not even a day as hyped as Free-Agent Which unrestricted free agents to avoid today. Which to flash the cash on. Frenzy Friday. And Jay has cash to flash: $17,421,667 according to the Wall Street The parlour game of You Play Jay has passed. All turns are over. Journal of hockey financial news, capgeek.com. Today, Jay Plays Jay. Not an easy game to win at, by any means. Free Agent Frenzy Friday is upon us. And given the pre 48-hour window The trick on Feaster’s part being, naturally, to patiently construct a teams were allotted to speak to pending UFAs, make pitches and forge collection of players — young players — capable of moving forward, alliances, there’s bound to be a flurry of activity right off the hop. building together, and not merely a haphazard hodgepodge of different How deeply Jay Feaster gets involved remains to be seen. faces recruited solely because change was the only available option Caution, though, would seem to the watchword. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.05.2013 “We’re not going to go out and say ‘Well, we have to sign four guys at $4 million each so we can say we spent $16 or $17 million’,” Feaster vowed on Wednesday. “We want to get better, we want to improve the team, and the good news is that we have the financial resources to do that. “From our perspective, that’s how I think we got in trouble. We spent freely and we committed to long-term deals. That’s not a place we want to go again. “If there are players out there we think help the team and it’s at a term and a dollar-figure we’re comfortable with, we do it.” The key, as Feaster emphasized, is not merely to spend money, but to spend it wisely. From a Flames’ standpoint, leading the list of potentials is Vancouver Canucks’ lickety-split winger Mason Raymond. And the demographic certainly fits: Born in Cochrane, only 27, and a goodly amount of big-league experience (374 regular-season games and 55 more in playoffs). Some inscrutable west coasters are adamant that this one is already done and just waiting for today’s go-ahead to be announced. And Raymond would certainly be a nice addition to an attacking set that has cut ties with both its identity (Jarome Iginla) and a good deal of its panache (Alex Tanguay) over the past few months. From there ... None of the golden oldies in search of new digs — Jagr, Alfredsson, Selanne, Iginla, Morrow — make a lick of sense, for a variety of reasons. Both theirs, and Feaster’s. After the last lockout, remember, GM Darryl Sutter went out and stockpiled bought-out veterans — Darren McCarty, Tony Amonte et al — and anyone who was here at the time can fill you in on how splendidly those additions worked. Leaf Tyler Bozak’s name continues to swirl, as does Detroit winger Valtteri Filppula, who just might be enticed for big dollars to join his old Red Wing comrade Jiri Hudler. At 29, he’s sure to be much sought-after, though. As will Florida’s Stephen Weiss, who would, it must be said, fill an aching need at centre down at the ’Dome. Mike Ribeiro? Talented but erratic and sure-to-be costly. Uber-expensive Toronto buyout Mikhail Grabovsky? Ditto. So proceed with the utmost caution. 683804 Calgary Flames “We’ve established in our own minds what we think the dollar ranges should be in everyone we’re interested in,” Feaster says. “Basically, you just have those conversations and continue those right through July 5. Flames will dive into free-agent market mindful of contracts that make We’ve had conversations already . . . talking to agents and getting a sense sense of the players that we’ve targeted, exactly where they are. Are they thinking about re-signing with their old teams? Are they going to look at other offers? And, if so, what kind of a term are they thinking about? Talk a little bit about what they think the dollar range will be.” By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald July 4, 2013 10:56 PM Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.05.2013

Cap space? Check. Blank cheques? Check. Suitable targets? Check. Now, with the National Hockey League’s free-agent market opening Friday, all Jay Feaster has to do is convince established players to pack up and come to Calgary. He must somehow get across the point that, despite the organization’s ongoing overhaul, it is worth dedicating a chunk of a short career to the Flames’ cause. Word is, it’s a tough pitch these days. Feaster scoffs. “I don’t agree with that concept,” says the Flames general manager. “I know that it’s a popular narrative, but I don’t think we have anything to take a back seat on here. It’s a tremendous city. If you’re a married player . . . it’s a great place to raise a family. “I think any time you have a building that is full every night the way the Saddledome is, any time you’re in that kind of a hockey market — a market where the game matters — I think it’s an easy sell. I really do.” Time will tell exactly how easy. At the very least, the Flames are expected to announce Friday the signings of goalie Karri Ramo and centre Corban Knight. Beyond that, they are in the running for a variety of roster upgrades — up the middle, on defence. They need the big. They need the scrappy. Feaster does allow that the Flames can sometimes be a victim of geography. “We’ve seen this in the past . . . we saw it with Brad Richards (when) he wanted to be in the east,” Feaster says of his July 2011 bid for the veteran centreman. “That’s the one thing I can’t do anything about — I can’t take Calgary and move it to an eastern location. But other than that sort of thing — a player saying the travel is hard in the west or ‘I really want to be in the east because of family’ — that’s the only kind of resistance I’ve ever encountered.” Besides, Feaster is eager to point out, the Flames are not spinning their wheels. An about-face can happen quickly, even for a team that’s missed the playoffs for four straight years. So landing in Calgary may mean catching a club on its upswing, according the general manager. “There’s no question that we’re selling opportunity,” says Feaster. “Yes, we’ve acknowledged that we’re in a rebuild — but the rebuild doesn’t have to take forever when you get a group of guys that are committed to the program. I thought it was interesting, (when newcomer) T.J. Galiardi talked about the fact that a couple of years ago in Colorado, there was no expectation on that team (because) they were rebuilding. A young team playing the system, doing what the coach asked them to do, doing it with honesty and integrity and energy — and they make the playoffs. “So, again, it is about opportunity, about ‘Do you want to be here? Is it a fit for us? Is it a fit for you?’ ” Feaster pointed out that while centremen top his list of needs — “Having said that, it also doesn’t mean that we’re prepared to overpay” — that void can be filled via trades, too. Not just through costly bidding wars. “Any time you go into the free-agent market — they don’t call it free-agent frenzy for nothing — that always happens, the term starts to run up, the dollars start to run up,” says Feaster. “We’ll be very mindful about how far out we’re willing to go, and how much money.” Per the new world order, the Flames, like all NHL teams, were permitted to chat with pending free agents Wednesday and Thursday. So, already, they’ve been pitching woo. 683805 Calgary Flames

McGrattan re-signs with Flames on two-year, $1.5M deal

Calgary Herald July 4, 2013

The Calgary Flames have re-signed heavyweight enforcer Brian McGrattan. The veteran right-winger inked a two-year deal worth $750,000 per season. McGrattan himself announced the contract Thursday evening via his Twitter account “the big ern is back for 2 years smashin faces@NHLFlames.” Which, yes, basically sums it up. McGrattan, a 31-year-old from Hamilton, had been plucked off waivers last winter from the Nashville Predators, joining the Flames for his second tour of duty. In 19 appearances, the six-foot-four, 235-pounder scored three times and fought three times. Calgary Herald: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683806 Calgary Flames

Stamps, Flames remember Powers

First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:08 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:16 PM MDT Staff

As news spread of the double-murder of radio legend Billy Powers and his wife Donna Lee in their Calgary home Thursday, football temporarily became an afterthought for many around the Calgary Stampeders organization. GM/head coach John Hufnagel was clearly affected by the news Thursday when the team arrived in Regina and preferred not to comment on the situation. “I’ll keep that to myself,” said Hufnagel, who spent many years working closely with the longtime radio personality. “Billy was a very special friend of mine.” Former Stamps offensive co-ordinator and current Saskatchewan Roughriders playcaller George Cortez was at a loss for words when informed of Powers’ death following a Riders practice, as few details had yet to emerge about the crime. The Stampeders released a statement later in the evening. “Bill was a larger-than-life person who brought laughter to everyone around him,” said Stampeders president Gordon Norrie. “He was an engaged Calgarian in terms of the community and a valuable and contributing member of the Stampeder Football Club. Bill and Donna Lee will be missed.” Later Thursday, a statement was issued by the Flames. “On behalf of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment group, we are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Billy Powers and his wife Donna Lee. He was a good friend … Our sincerest condolences to their families during this difficult time.” Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683807 Calgary Flames

Rugged winger Brian McGrattan re-signs with Calgary Flames

By WES GILBERTSON,Calgary Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 05:41 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 05:46 PM MDT

Brian McGrattan, punching out? No way. Amid rumblings the Calgary Flames had signed the enforcer to a two-year contract, the 31-year-old announced it himself Thursday evening. McGrattan's two-year deal is reportedly worth US$750,000 per campaign. “the big ern is back for 2 years smashin faces @NHLFlames,” McGrattan wrote on Twitter. McGrattan was slated to become an unrestricted free agent Friday. Desperately seeking a nuclear deterrent, the Flames re-acquired McGrattan in a Feb. 28 trade from the Nashville Predators. The 6-foot-4, 230-lb. right- winger appeared in 19 games, registering a career-high three goals, plus 49 penalty minutes. After his exit meeting at the Saddledome — where he was also a fan favourite during the 2009-10 NHL campaign — in late April, McGrattan made it clear he wanted to remain with the Flames as they continued their rebuild. “I want to be part of the team and be a part of the process moving forward,” McGrattan said. “I never wanted to leave in the first place a couple years ago. It was awesome coming back here.” In 233 NHL outings, the tough guy from Hamilton, Ont., has six goals, 13 assists and 505 penalty minutes. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683808 Calgary Flames Can sixth-overall draft pick Sean Monahan or fellow first-rounders Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk — all 18-year-olds with oodles of enthusiasm — push for a job? Calgary Flames need to keep tight hold of purse strings in NHL free agency You’ll never know if you don’t … Well, you get the idea. Make no mistake, standing pat in free-agency won’t get the Flames any By WES GILBERTSON ,Calgary Sun closer to being a playoff team in 2014. First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 04:37 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, It will, however, give them an opportunity to truly assess what they have in July 04, 2013 11:40 PM MDT the system, to truly identify holes that will need to be plugged in future years. After all, there’ll be another frenzy next summer. If you see Jay Feaster, steal his wallet. Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013 Alright, alright … maybe that’s a bit extreme, but perhaps leave only a couple of blanks in his chequebook and rip out the rest of the pages — anything to ensure the Calgary Flames GM isn’t planning a spending spree for Friday, the start of the NHL’s latest free-agent craze. If Feaster figures a young forward such as Mason Raymond or Tyler Bozak — both 27 — fits the long-term plan to return the Flames to the playoff picture, then go for it. Just don’t spend on stop-gaps. Not now. Feaster said it himself Wednesday, hours after the beginning of the 48-hour window to chat with soon-to-be UFAs: “They don’t call it ‘free-agent frenzy’ for nothing.” Some team is going to give 30-year-old centre Stephen Weiss a schwack of cash for an attempted quick-fix on one of their top lines. Some team is going to offer a whole lotta loot to 28-year-old winger Nathan Horton, who reportedly requires shoulder surgery and won’t be ready to start the season. Some team — and not even the one that surrendered three draft picks for his services at the trade deadline — will make a significant deposit to 30- year-old Ryane Clowe’s bank account to beef up their forward unit. For all the griping about long-term, big-ticket deals during the lockout, a few NHL GMs will spend Friday like over-served cowfolks at Nashville North. Hopefully, Feaster isn’t one of them. Not because the Flames don’t have the cash or the wiggle room in their budget. In fact, they have more than US$17-million in free space under the salary cap. If goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff retires, as expected, that number will grow. Because while Feaster is selling opportunity to the would-be additions, there needs to be opportunity to offer to the current assets, too. Sure, fill a couple of holes through free agency. Just don’t fill all of ’em. That’s part of the process of a rebuild. Sven Baertschi capped an up-and-down rookie campaign this past season with an eight-game point spree, and, after fellow left-winger Alex Tanguay was traded to the Colorado Avalanche last week, it would be a shame to see the 20-year-old bumped back down the depth chart to make room for a free agent. Did centre Max Reinhart, 21, learn enough during his 11-game audition for the Flames at the end of the lockout-shortened campaign to be a full-time contributor next winter? Give him an extended shot to prove he did. Is 22-year-old local product Corban Knight — a point-per-game guy and effective faceoff man for the past few seasons at the University of North Dakota — ready to make the jump to hockey’s highest level? There’s only one way to find out. Can winger Ben Hanowski, 22, who was acquired in the Jarome Iginla deal at the trade deadline, skate well enough to work a regular shift on the fourth line? Is Chris Breen, who just turned 24 and has logged three full campaigns with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat, ready for a role as a bottom-pairing defenceman? 683809 Carolina Hurricanes LaRose, 31, has been a part of the organization for many years. A popular player, he was a part of the Canes’ Stanley Cup run in 2006. Odds are, LaRose and the Canes will be parting. But Rutherford did not rule Canes enter free agency with options, openings out signing one or two others. “We’ll have a better idea in 48 hours to a week,” he said. “Some of those Published: July 4, 2013 Updated 1 hour ago guys can still play and help teams, including ours, so we’ll keep an open mind.” By Chip Alexander Free agency has a different twist to it this year. Under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, teams were able to conduct interviews with soon-to-be unrestricted free agents on Wednesday and Thursday, and RALEIGH — A holiday for most, the Fourth of July was a busy work day for make verbal agreements. the Carolina Hurricanes and other NHL teams. “I don’t know that it changed a whole lot,” Rutherford said of the interview Free agency begins Friday at noon. NHL teams will start the scramble to period. “It does give you the chance to get a head start, but the real work sign players, and hopefully fill needs, from a free-agent pool enlarged by will start (Friday.) NHL compliance buyouts and teams looking to shed salary with the NHL salary cap shrinking to $64.3 million next season. “As we have seen in the past, some free agents sign right out of the gate and for others it might be a week or a month. If nothing happens (Friday) it Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said he was not sure how active doesn’t mean we will not continue to work on things and look at options.” the Canes will be Friday. Rutherford and other GMs could wait until after the initial signing flurry and see what makes sense, both financially and News Observer LOADED: 07.05.2013 from a roster standpoint. The Canes are about $6.4 million under the cap. “It’s hard to say,” Rutherford said Thursday. “We were working (Wednesday) and will continue to work, looking at different options – what our projections are and what the possibilities are. The options range from free agency to a trade to continuing on the path we’re on now.” A year ago, the Hurricanes made megabuck offers for free-agent forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. Both signed with the Minnesota Wild. If the Canes have targets in mind, they likely will not be as high profile or costly as Parise and Suter. Carolina traded for veteran defenseman Andrej Sekera on Sunday, during the 2013 NHL draft, and Rutherford said Thursday, “our focus will continue to be on improving our defense.” Defenseman Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins and Rob Scuderi of the Los Angeles Kings are due to become unrestricted free agents Friday. Both could fetch longer contracts at bigger salaries than the Canes are willing to pay, and Scuderi could re-sign with the Kings. Another defensive option for the Canes, Rutherford noted, was inserting former first-round pick Ryan Murphy and Brett Bellemore into the lineup. Murphy has the speed and Bellemore, recently signed to a one-year contract, is a physical type. “We could let Murphy and Bellemore play full seasons,” he said. The Canes have 10 forwards signed to NHL contracts. Among them: Drayson Bowman and Jeremy Welsh, who has a $1 million salary next season. Forward Elias Lindholm of Sweden, the fifth overall pick of the draft Sunday, is expected to be on the Canes’ roster. Others who will compete for jobs are forwards who spent a chunk of last season with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL – Riley Nash, Zac Dalpe, Brett Sutter and Zach Boychuk. Rutherford indicated Sunday the Canes are leaning toward having goaltender Justin Peters go into training camp as Cam Ward’s backup, but he said Thursday the Canes would continue to look at options. “We like Justin a lot and he played some very good games for us as he continues to learn the league,” Rutherford said. “If the right goalie is there for the right price, we’d take a look, although I’m not suggesting it’s a top priority.” Rurherford said sometimes the best “bargains” and signings can come late. He noted former goalie Arturs Irbe signed with the Canes in September 1998. Irbe played with Carolina until 2004 and helped the Canes reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2002. “There are going to be a lot of goalies this year playing musical chairs,” Rutherford said. “A few aren’t going to find an open chair when the music stops.” The Hurricanes have some decisions to make about their own unrestricted free agents, including goalie Dan Ellis. The others are forwards Chad LaRose and Tim Brent; and defensemen Joe Corvo, Bobby Sanguinetti and Marc-Andre Bergeron. 683810 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks likely to stay out of free-agent frenzy

By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter 5:36 PM CDT, July 4, 2013

When NHL free agency opens Friday, Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman likely will be more spectator than participant in the annual free-for- all to fill rosters. After Bowman re-signed winger Bryan Bickell and traded away center Dave Bolland and winger Michael Frolik on draft day last weekend, the Hawks likely will round out the 2013-14 roster with players from their American Hockey League affiliate. "We've got guys who are knocking on the door to get into the NHL," Bowman said. "They've been in our system for two years and they probably would be playing on many other teams already. "That's a good situation for us, because we've let them take their time to develop and we're not rushing them to the NHL. If you look at their accomplishments in the American League, Brandon Pirri led the whole league in scoring as a 21-year-old kid. At some point, you have to give them a chance to play. Same thing with Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin and Ben Smith. "These guys … paid their dues and they deserve a chance to play at the NHL level. That's sort of the way the puzzle is supposed to work — if you draft well and you develop well, they're going to become NHL players and you don't need to go in the free-agent market." Bowman might be forced to make at least one free-agent move if backup goaltender Ray Emery signs elsewhere. The Hawks were negotiating with the unrestricted free agent's agent, J.P. Barry, but the veteran may jump at a deal to become a starter elsewhere. Otherwise, it's likely that when training camp opens in September, most of the new faces will be familiar — albeit young — ones. "We've got a lot of young guys and there are only 12 spots up front," Bowman said. "We have to find a spot for some of these guys to play. Whether they're all in the lineup next year or we're going to get other pieces, that remains to be seen." Like the last two seasons, Bowman's biggest task is finding a No. 2 center. Two years ago, the Hawks tried to shift Patrick Kane from right wing to the middle and that failed. So did the attempt to move Bolland from this familiar third-line checking role to the second line last season. Next up appears to be Pirri, who led the AHL in scoring with 22 goals and 53 assists in 76 games with the Rockford IceHogs. "Brandon has done everything we've asked him to do," Bowman said. "He's slowly grown his game each year. He's not just an offensive guy, he played in all situations. To lead the whole league in scoring as a 21-year-old — it's pretty impressive. (It) showed he's got a lot of talent. We've brought him along slowly and we're excited about what he brings." •The man who helped develop Corey Crawford into one of the NHL's best goaltenders has left the Hawks to coach with the Canadiens. Stephane Waite, who just completed his 10th season with the Hawks and helped guide Crawford and backup Ray Emery to the William B. Jennings Trophy — awarded to the team with the best goals-against average — was hired by the Canadiens on Thursday. "We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time," Bowman said. "We wish him and his family the best in his new position." Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683811 Chicago Blackhawks

Goaltending coach Waite leaves Blackhawks

By Chris Kuc 11:41 AM CDT, July 4, 2013

The man who helped develop Corey Crawford into one of the NHL's best goaltenders has left the Chicago Blackhawks organization to coach with the Montreal Canadiens. Stephane Waite, who just completed his 10th season with the Hawks and helped guide Crawford and backup Ray Emery to the William B. Jennings Trophy -- awarded to the team with the best goals-against average -- was hired by the Canadiens on Thursday. "Stephane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach, including the past 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization," said former Hawks assistant general manager and current Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin in a statement. "He contributed to two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks during his tenure working closely with two different goaltenders, namely Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford. We are very pleased to welcome Stephane in our organization. He has a vast experience and a thorough knowledge of our local market and we are convinced that out goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic." In addition to working with Crawford, who was arguably the Hawks' most valuable player during their run to the 2013 Stanley Cup, Waite helped develop Niemi into a top-flight goalie. "We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. "We wish him and his family the best in his new position." Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683812 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks figure to be quiet in free-agent market

BY MARK LAZERUS July 4, 2013 9:14PM Updated: July 5, 2013 2:20AM

With the Stanley Cup in hand and most of the roster locked into deals for next season, it’ll be a relatively quiet offseason for the Blackhawks. Free agency begins on Friday, but Hawks general manager Stan Bowman doesn’t expect to make much of a splash. For one thing, much of the Hawks’ cap space — just a little under $7 million after Nick Leddy’s two-year, $5.4 million deal — will go toward re-signing their own guys, such as restricted free agent Marcus Kruger and possibly unrestricted free agent Ray Emery, who has expressed an interest in returning to Chicago but also could be in line for a starting job elsewhere. For another, Bowman dealt away Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik not only to shed some salary, but to open up roster spots for some of the Hawks’ prized prospects in Rockford — guys such as forwards Brandon Pirri, Ben Smith, Jimmy Hayes and Jeremy Morin, and defensemen Ryan Stanton and Adam Clendening. “We’ll look at [the market],” Bowman said. “But we’ve got guys that are knocking on the door to get in the NHL that have been in our system for two years, and I think they probably would be playing on many other teams already. That’s a good situation for us because we’ve let them take their time to develop and we’re not rushing them to the NHL.” The Hawks picked a good year to be relatively stable, as the free-agent market isn’t quite as enticing as it in some years. Sure, a Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy or Stephen Weiss finally could be the answer to the Hawks’ long-standing question mark at second-line center, but the Hawks are unlikely to be willing or able to pay them fair market value, anywhere from $3 million-$5 million. Other top free agents are Vinny Lecavalier — bought out by Tampa Bay and already snatched up by the Flyers — and Nathan Horton of the Boston Bruins (the Hawks have little need for another top-six right winger with Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane on the roster). Beyond that, it’s largely role players and veterans, and if the Hawks are looking for those types, they can try to re-sign Michal Handzus and Michal Rozsival. It’s just about plugging holes this offseason, not overhauls. There is one surprise hole the Hawks need to fill now, however, as goaltending coach Stephane Waite — to whom Corey Crawford deferred much of the credit for his breakthrough season — left to take the same job with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Waite, who also helped turn Antti Niemi into a championship goaltender in 2010, is a native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, about 90 minutes east of Montreal. “He has a vast experience, and a thorough knowledge of our local market, and we are convinced that our goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic,” said Canadiens GM — and former Hawks assistant GM — Marc Begervin. Said Bowman: “We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time. We wish him and his family the best in his new position.” Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683813 Chicago Blackhawks

Hinsdale goes Cup crazy with Coach Q

By Daily Herald report

The latest installment of "Where's the Cup" takes us to Hinsdale, where the fireworks started a little early Thursday. The Stanley Cup celebration continued in the Chicago suburbs as Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville hoisted the trophy in the Hinsdale's Fourth of July parade. Quenneville, who also lives in Hinsdale, was honored as the parade's Grand Marshall. He traveled atop a fire truck with the 35-pound silver trophy to the delight of the crowd. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683814 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks lose goaltender coach to Montreal

By Daily Herald Report

After 10 seasons and two Stanley Cup titles with the Blackhawks, veteran goaltender coach Stephane Waite is leaving Chicago to join the Montreal Canadiens. Waite helped Blackhawks goalies Corey Crawford and Ray Emery earn the Jennings Trophy last season with the best goals-against average in the NHL. In 2010, he helped develop Antti Niemi as the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup title in 49 years. Waite, who joined the Hawks during the 2003-04 season, was hired away from Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, a former Blackhawks assistant GM who took the top job at Montreal in May 2012. "Stéphane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach, including the past 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization," Bergevin said in a statement. "He contributed to two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks during his tenure working closely with two different goaltenders, namely Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford. We are very pleased to welcome Stéphane in our organization. He has a vast experience, and a thorough knowledge of our local market and we are convinced that our goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic." Blackhawks vice president/general manager Stan Bowman, who has been busy re-signing key players this week, praised Waite's contributions to the club. "We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time. We wish him and his family the best in his new position," Bowman said. After finishing last in 2012, the Canadiens finished with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference this past season, posting an impressive 29-14-5 mark behind Pittsburgh. But Montreal faded in April, with a 7-7 record down the stretch, and then lost 4-1 in the first round of the NHL playoffs to Ottawa. Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683815 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks' free agency will have similar feel to '12

July 4, 2013, 6:00 pm Tracey Myers

The Chicago Blackhawks were relatively quiet during free agency last summer, as general manager Stan Bowman preferred subtle tweaks to big twists. It paid off, as the deep and balanced Blackhawks hoisted their second Stanley Cup in the past four seasons. So as another free-agency period begins, don’t be surprised if the Blackhawks take that same approach. Free agency begins a few days later than normal this July, thanks to the lockout and later postseason. But the Blackhawks’ course of action is likely to be similar to the summer of 2012: add a piece here or there if it’s feasible – and affordable. Otherwise, leave it alone. Bowman talked about free agency following the 2013 NHL Entry Draft on Sunday. At that time, he was fresh off trading two of the Blackhawks’ blue- collar guys, Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik, to Toronto and Winnipeg, respectively. The two leave voids, especially with Bolland at the center spot that the Blackhawks weren’t too deep at even before he was traded. Despite those trades, Bowman said that didn’t necessarily change the team’s outlook on free agency. “We’ll look at that, but we have guys who are knocking on the door to get into the NHL; guys who have been in our system for two years and they’d probably be playing on many other teams already. That’s good for us,” Bowman said. “We’ve let them take their time to develop. We’re not rushing them. But if you look at their accomplishments in the American league – (Brandon) Pirri led the AHL in scoring as a 21-year-old – you have to give them a chance to play. They’ve paid their dues and they deserve a chance to play at the NHL level. That’s how the puzzle is supposed to work.” Bowman is a big believer in the current way of doing things. He believes in getting a good core, which the Blackhawks have, then drafting well and developing those draftees to eventually play for the big club. Free agency? Well, that’s what you lean on when you absolutely have to; Bowman found himself in that position when the Blackhawks had their major sell-off following the 2010 Cup. He’d rather not do it again. So Bowman will look at what’s out there, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blackhawks are relatively quiet. Yes, there’s a void at No. 2 center again, a position that Michal Handzus played well through the postseason. Bolland didn’t fare too well there in the regular season. Marcus Kruger, who has yet to be signed, would be a great checking-line center. Andrew Shaw could be there or center the fourth line, or go back to the wing. There are good second-line center candidates on the market, but they’re probably going to go for steep prices. One of the top centers is Mike Ribeiro, who’s coming off a five-year, $25-million deal, wants something similar to that again. He’s skilled, no doubt, but that should be considered too rich for the Blackhawks’ blood. Tyler Bozak is also reportedly looking for a big payday. There are a few good products and a lot of demand, so the cash could get silly again. Bowman avoided that money grab last summer and will probably do the same again. If it’s time for players like Pirri, Ben Smith, Jeremy Morin and others to get their opportunity, now is as good a time as any. If the Blackhawks need help, they can save their cash and find something at the trade deadline. The Blackhawks were quiet last summer; it turned out well. Chances are the team looks to up-and-coming talent in its own ranks before spending too much on those coming in from the outside. “We had good players develop over the last few years and we want to keep that cycle going,” Bowman said. “That’s really ben the success of the last few seasons. We’ve had one or two guys graduate each year, and we want to keep that going.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683816 Chicago Blackhawks

Goaltending coach Waite leaves for Montreal

July 4, 2013, 10:45 am Tracey Myers

The man who helped Corey Crawford hone his skills en route to a Stanley Cup has left the Chicago Blackhawks. Goaltending coach Stephane Waite was appointed to that job for the Montreal Canadiens, the team announced on Thursday. “Stéphane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach… . We are very pleased to welcome Stéphane in our organization,” said current Canadiens general manager and former Blackhawks assistant GM Marc Bergevin. “He has a vast experience, and a thorough knowledge of our local market and we are convinced that our goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic.” Waite spent 10 seasons as the Blackhawks’ goaltending coach, helping such netminders as Antti Niemi and Crawford. This past season, Crawford and backup Ray Emery combined to win the William B. Jennings Trophy, awarded to the goaltender(s) with the best goals-against average. Waite and Crawford had a great relationship; the two didn’t live far from each other in the Montreal area. Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman released the following statement on Thursday following Waite's departure: "We would like to thank Stephane for his 10 years of service with the Blackhawks organization and the quality of work he put in with many goaltenders over that period of time. We wish him and his family the best in his new position." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683817 Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks re-sign Nick Leddy to two-year deal

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman made it clear he was going to get defenseman Nick Leddy re-signed. On Wednesday, the Blackhawks did. Leddy was signed to a two-year deal, the Blackhawks officially announced on Wednesday afternoon. The deal for the 22-year-old, a restricted free agent, is for $2.7 million per season. Around 5 p.m. today Leddy’s agent, Neil Sheehy, tweeted the following: “Nick Leddy loves playing for the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Expect an announcement from the ‘Hawks on Nick's future with Club.” At around 6 p.m., that announcement came. “I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to remain in Chicago and be a part of this special group of young, experienced players on a team in a winning environment," Leddy said in a statement. “The organization is first class both on and off the ice, and I’m honored to be a member of the Chicago Blackhawks.” Leddy, who was paired with Michal Rozsival or Sheldon Brookbank as part of the Blackhawks’ third defensive pair, had six goals and 12 assists during the regular season. He had a relatively quiet postseason, and his minutes diminished in the Stanley Cup Final. But Bowman was looking at the big picture with his young defenseman, and said last week the Blackhawks were determined to keep him. “Nick had a tremendous season if you look back,” Bowman said. “We’re excited about his future. He’s taken steps every year, and I expect next year to be another one where he’ll raise his game. He has that experience now, and we look forward to next year for him.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683818 Chicago Blackhawks

Stalberg likely to test the waters, others staying put

Viktor Stalberg said last week that he’s in the “driver’s seat” in terms of his hockey future. According to his agent, Stalberg will likely take a spin and see what he can get come July 5. Stalberg’s agent Wade Arnott said, via email, that he’s had a talk with Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman regarding his client; but Arnott added it’s “highly likely” the speedy forwardwill test the free-agent waters. With the lockout-shortened season and lengthy postseason, the free agency period opens on July5 this year. Other Blackhawks are facing more certainty with the team. Bowman said Sunday that “we’re certainly going to sign” defenseman Nick Leddy and forward Marcus Kruger, both restricted free agents. Leddy made just over $1.116 millionlast season; Kruger made $900,000. A report via The Fourth Period said that the Blackhawks were nearing an extension with goaltender Ray Emery. A message left with Emery’s representative, seeking confirmation, was not immediately returned. The 27-year-old Stalberg just wrapped up his two-year deal with the Blackhawks. While he was a regular-season staple for the Blackhawks – he was part of a successful third line with Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell – Stalberg was benched twice in the postseason. The first benching came in the first two games of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the DetroitRed Wings, the second in the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final versus the Boston Bruins. Stalberg was frustrated by the turn of events. “It’s tough. But at the end of the day we won (the Cup),” he said at the team’s final availability last week. “I had to fight through it for all the guys in the room It’s what you do with it.” As far as his free-agent status, Stalberg is excited about the possibilities. “It’s one of those things, I’m in the driver’s seat. I have options, can pick and choose where I want to go,” he said. “If (the Blackhawks) want to keep me, they want to keep me. I’m not saying I want to stay; I haven’t made that decision. We’ll figure out… what their plans are and what mine are and go from there.” Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683819 Chicago Blackhawks

'Keeper of the Cup', Mike Bolt at CSN

July 2, 2013, 4:15 pm Sara Vallone

Just sit there and think about what the best job in the world might be. If you're a hockey fan, the "Keeper of the Cup" probably sounds like the greatest job description ever. Mike Bolt, who is the "Keeper of the Cup", was in CSN's AT&T U-verse Lounge talking about the crazy ride it has been so far following Lord Stanley around Chicago. Bolt, having been all over the United States with the Cup, didn't waste a second when asked to rank the craziness of Chicago fans when it comes to catching a glimpse, maybe even getting to touching Lord Stanley. "Number one for sure," Bolt said. "It's just been unbelievable." Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683820 Colorado Avalanche

Greg Zanon's contract bought out by Colorado Avalanche on eve of free agency

By Adrian Dater Posted: 07/05/2013 12:01:00 AM MDT Updated: 07/05/2013 12:26:49 AM MDT

Defenseman Greg Zanon gets a salute from fans before an Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center last season. (John Leyba, Denver Post file) The Avalanche opened up a roster spot Thursday just in time for Friday's free-agency period, albeit in a manner that cost its owner $1.5 million. The Avs did a standard buyout on the contract of defenseman Greg Zanon, one day before the start of free agency. Zanon, 33, had the final year of his contract, worth $2.25 million, bought out, meaning the Avs have to pay him two-thirds ($1.5 million) in a lump sum. Under NHL collective bargaining, the Avs can spread the cost over two years against the team's salary cap, meaning they will take a $750,000 hit this season and again next season. The Avs could have used one of their two "compliance" buyouts on Zanon. With the NHL's salary cap dropping from $70.2 million to $64.3 million, teams can buy out up to two players this offseason, with no hit against the cap. But with only one year left at a relatively modest amount on his deal, the Avs chose the standard buyout on Zanon. Typically, compliance buyouts involve players with several years and many more millions left on contracts. The Avs had hoped another team might take Zanon, along with Matt Hunwick, when they placed each on waivers Tuesday, but there were no takers. Zanon's departure opens up a roster spot, which the Avs could fill Friday. The free-agent signing period begins at 10 a.m., and there are several defensemen who might draw interest from the Avs. Arguably the most attractive is hard-nosed veteran Andrew Ference, who was a regular on Boston's strong teams in recent years. Though 34, Ference remains well regarded. His last contract paid him $2.25 million, and he could double that on the open market. According to Capgeek.com, the Avs' cap-averaged payroll — after the Zanon buyout — stands at $54.1 million; some of that includes bonuses that don't count against the cap. While the Avs therefore have about $13 million to play with under the new cap, that doesn't take into account first overall draft pick Nathan MacKinnon's contract, which when it's signed will probably take another $3 million. Still, the Avs have the money to woo a good, new defenseman. If not Ference, other options could include Rob Scuderi, Douglas Murray, Ron Hainsey, Michal Rozsival, Toni Lydman or Marc-Andre Bergeron. While the Avs aren't expected to make offers on any forwards, it's not out of the question. There are several attractive players available there, including Nathan Horton, Jarome Iginla, David Clarkson and Michael Ryder. Denver Post: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683821 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets make play for Horton

By Aaron Portzline The Columbus Dispatch Thursday July 4, 2013 5:08 AM

A couple of days after the Boston Bruins lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals, winger Nathan Horton informed the Bruins that he would seek a “new beginning” this summer as a free agent. That new spot could be with the Blue Jackets. Sources told The Dispatch yesterday that the Jackets hosted Horton in Columbus all day, taking him on a tour of the city and Nationwide Arena, and that he was expected to watch Red, White & Boom last night. His agent, Paul Krepelka, confirmed the visit but didn’t want to comment further. One source said Horton, who was third on the Bruins in goals this past season, would very much consider the Blue Jackets: “He wouldn’t have been there if he wasn’t serious.” It’s unclear if Horton would leave town today with a contract offer, but no contracts can be signed until noon Friday. The NHL has given clubs a two- day window to contact players in advance of Friday. The Blue Jackets are believed to be the only NHL club to host a player yesterday, but a handful of other clubs are expected to today. Horton’s hosts were Blue Jackets president of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. It’s unclear if the Blue Jackets will have more visitors today. The Blue Jackets have said they want to improve their offense without sacrificing their growing identity as a club that’s difficult to play against. And a little size among their forwards wouldn’t hurt, either. Horton, 28, fills that bill. He is a power forward in the classic sense at 6 feet 2 and 230 pounds. He has six 20-goal seasons during a nine-year career with Florida and Boston, and he can play center or right wing. Horton played for the Stanley Cup in two of his three seasons with the Bruins, winning it in 2011 against Vancouver. In 591 NHL games, he has 198 goals, 204 assists and a plus-57 rating, impressive since he spent the first six years of his career with the lowly Panthers. Last season, he had 13 goals and nine assists in 43 games. It’s unclear why Horton wants to leave Boston — the Bruins are one of the best-run organizations in sports today, not to mention an NHL powerhouse — but he has made it clear he won’t be back. One wrinkle: Horton suffered a shoulder injury in the playoffs and will need surgery this summer. He’s waiting until after he signs with a new club so he can be advised by its doctors. He’s not expected to be ready for training camp in September. Still, gaining Horton would be a major coup for Kekalainen, who was hired by Davidson in February. The Blue Jackets have roughly $9 million in available space under the NHL salary cap. Horton’s previous contract had a average salary of $4 million. Horton would join Marian Gaborik, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, R.J. Umberger, Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno and Ryan Johansen as candidates to fill the Blue Jackets’ top two lines. With Matt Calvert, Jared Boll, Blake Comeau, Mark Letestu and possibly rookie Boone Jenner, it would be the deepest, most formidable group of forwards the franchise has assembled. “We want to add a guy in free agency, but it can’t be just about the numbers or the name,” Davidson said on Sunday at the NHL draft, though he wasn’t speaking specifically about Horton. “We found out a little bit last season about who we are and how we have to play to be successful. So we want to add to that, and do it in the right way.” Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.05.2013 683822 Dallas Stars

After trades, Stars prioritize new position heading into free agency

By MIKE HEIKA Published: 04 July 2013 11:19 PM Updated: 04 July 2013 11:19 PM

The Stars will take a completely different look at free agency Friday after loading up on centers Thursday. Now, the team will concentrate on a backup goalie and possibly another winger, Stars GM Jim Nill said. “We’re certainly prepared to look at a lot of options, but we took care of a lot of business today,” Nill said. “I would really like to get an experienced backup, that’s probably next on the agenda.” The Stars last season allowed Cristopher Nilstorp and Richard Bachman to share the backup job. Bachman, 25, went 6-5-0 with a 3.25 goals against average and an .885 save percentage. It was the second season for the 2006 Stars draft pick in that role. Nilstorp, 29, went 1-3-1 with a 3.09 GAA and .897 save percentage. The Stars signed Nilstorp to a two-way contract, and decided to pass on extending a qualifying offer to Bachman, a restricted free agent who required a one-way contract. Nill said he might circle around after a couple of days of free agency and possibly talk to Bachman again if he hasn’t signed with another team. However, he said he would like to add a veteran backup through free agency. “I think Kari Lehtonen is one of the best goalies in the league, and I think he’s in for a big year. I just think it would be great to have someone who can both support him and push him. I think that’s a huge part of winning games in the NHL.” The Stars have missed the playoffs for five straight seasons, including some years where they have missed by only a couple of points. Backup goaltending has been a problem in recent years. “You look at those seasons and think that maybe two, three extra wins could have put you in the playoffs,” Nill said. “Or looking at it more optimistically, two or three more wins can give you a division championship or a higher seed. It’s huge in the NHL these days.” There are some interesting targets for the Stars out there, ranging from huge risks to extremely safe. Maybe the most intriguing player is Tim Thomas. The former Vezina Trophy winner took last season off because of the lockout and has decided to return to play this season. He is 39 years old, but he won the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2011 and posted a solid 35-19- 1 record in 2011-12. He had a 2.36 GAA and .920 save percentage in his last full NHL season. However, Thomas is probably looking for a No. 1 goalie spot at his age, and also is looking for a team close to winning the Stanley Cup. There’s a chance he doesn’t see that in Dallas. On the positive side, Thomas played in Finland earlier in his career and would probably forge a strong relationship with Lehtonen in a tandem. Other wild cards include: Rick DiPietro, the injury-prone goalie just bought out by the New York Islanders, and Ilya Bryzgalov, the unpredictable former Coyotes goalie who was just bought out by the Flyers. The Stars could settle on a cheaper veteran. Among those who could be available are former Stars backups Dan Ellis and Johan Hedberg, as well as Boston backup Anton Khudobin. Hedberg is 40, and has been squeezed out in New Jersey. He was 6-10-3 with a 2.76 GAA. Ellis, 33, went 6-8-2 with Carolina last year with a 3.13 GAA. Khudobin is 27 and went 9-4-1 with a 2.32 GAA in Boston. He might want to stay with the Bruins, but they haven’t signed him yet. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683823 Dallas Stars “It’s a nice, refreshing feeling that I get to go and start from scratch really, a new organization and new home,” Seguin said. “I’m going in seeing differently from my experiences in Boston. Whether it is on or off the ice I Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly excited to leave Bruins for Stars...seriously want to succeed in expectations that are given toward me and, if I can, definitely overcome those.” Seguin is excited to get back to the center position and believes he will see By MIKE HEIKA his numbers increase there. Published: 04 July 2013 10:45 PM “To me it’s my own game when I’m playing center,” he said. “I feel like I can get a lot more speed coming out of the zone, I feel I can create odd-man Updated: 04 July 2013 11:00 PM rushes more than when I’m on wing.” And if he plays beside Benn, all the better. The Stars are a hungry team, and that seems to fit perfectly with their two It’s a work in progress for everyone – one at which everyone seems excited most recent additions. to start working. Rich Peverley and Tyler Seguin were acquired from Boston on Thursday in Follow Mike Heika on Twitter: @MikeHeika a seven player-deal that cost the Stars Loui Eriksson and three prospects, and both players say they’re excited about moving away from a Bruins team Tyler Seguin that won a Stanley Cup in 2011 and lost in the finals this year. Born: Jan. 31, 1992, Brampton, Ont. Wait, what? Height: 6-1. Weight: 182 No, it’s true. Seguin (pronounced SAY-gin) was the second overall pick in the 2010 draft but was playing out of position on the wing and had been Position: Center. Shoots: Right dealt some harsh words from Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli last NHL career: 203 games, 56 goals, 121 points, plus-23 week. Peverley, a 30-year-old center, also was being pushed down the lineup during the playoffs and should become a much bigger force in the Notable: Drafted second overall in 2010 behind Taylor Hall after he posted Stars’ lineup. 106 points (48 goals, 58 assists) for Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League. “I’m really excited,” Peverley said. “Everyone is going to be really motivated to take the team to another level.” Rich Peverley And that’s sort of nice for Stars fans to hear. Since being named general Born: July 8, 1982, Guelph, Ont. manager in May, Jim Nill has named a new coach in Lindy Ruff, acquired free-agent defenseman Sergei Gonchar, drafted 18-year-old winger Valeri Height: 6-0. Weight: 195 Nichushkin and now swung a deal for two right-handed centers to fill a big Position: Center. Shoots: Right hole in the Stars’ lineup. NHL career: 380 games, 77 goals, 211 points, minus-4. “I feel good, I feel like we’re making progress,” said Nill, who spent 18 years as an assistant in the Detroit Red Wings organization. “But we still have to Notable: Undrafted after a four-year career at St. Lawrence University, prove it on the ice, we still have to come together as a team and do the Peverley earned a spot on the Milwaukee Admirals and posted 68 points for things that we know we can do, that we have the capability of doing.” the AHL team in 2006-07 The trade boosts the Stars’ payroll. Seguin is under contract through 2018- Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 19 at a cap hit of $5.75 million and is the Stars’ highest-paid non-goalie. Peverley is signed through 2014-15 at a cap hit of $3.25 million. The Stars lose Eriksson, whose deal runs through 2015-16 at a cap hit of $4.25 million. In addition, the Edmonton Journal is reporting that the Stars are in talks to acquire Edmonton captain Shawn Horcoff — another center — for a seventh-round draft pick and defenseman Philip Larsen, but that the deal had not been finalized Thursday night. Horcoff, 34, also is a player who could use a fresh start, as he has seen his role diminish in Edmonton. He is signed for two more seasons at a cap hit of $5.5 million. Nill is big on talent and responsibility. He feels players win games, and the teams with the best players win the most games. But, he also believes the coaches and managers have to set a high bar and make the players reach it every day. And that’s important with the team he’s constructing. Seguin is 21 and has been told he has to improve his work ethic and focus. Here was Chiarelli talking to media last week: “He’s got to commit his mind and focus to the one task at hand — he’s got to become more of a professional.” That’s one of the reasons Seguin was available. He had 106 points in 63 games as a center with Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League in 2009-10, and that’s how he was drafted second overall, so he clearly has talent. But with the Bruins needing to dump some salary and Seguin’s new, six- year contract about to kick in, Seguin seemed expendable. The Bruins got not only a perfect fit in Eriksson, a scoring winger, but also three of the Stars’ better-known prospects in wingers Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, as well as defenseman Joe Morrow. Good deal, for them, right? But, it’s also a good deal for the Stars, because it fills a gaping hole at center, allows Jamie Benn to move back to a wing, and creates a buzz around the team that maybe this “rebuilding” won’t take too long. 683824 Dallas Stars

National Writer: 'Tyler Seguin needs to grow up, but so do a lot of 21-year- olds'

By SPORTSDAYDFW.COM Published: 04 July 2013 10:38 PM Updated: 04 July 2013 10:38 PM

Tyler Seguin comes to Dallas in a similiar way he came to Boston: with high expectations. To live up to them, says Yahoo! Sports' Nick Cotsonika, Seguin is going to have to be more mature. "Seguin needs to grow up," Cotsonika wrote. "So do a lot of 21-year-olds. So do a lot of talented kids who achieve fame and fortune at a young age. It doesn’t excuse everything, but it’s not uncommon." Cotsonika points to Seguin's offensive potential (he had more points than Loui Eriksson in a 'down year') and his underrated defensive ability. He talks about how Seguin could be a force with his speed while playing center, his natural position, and how he'll be mentored by his former linemate Mark Recchi, who is now an advisor with the Stars. But Cotsonika has one question: Is Seguin ready for a leadership role on the Stars? Everybody will find out soon enough. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683825 Dallas Stars He is a talent, and he believes he can get better by coming to a new team and playing center. “I didn’t take it as being put on the wing when I first came into the NHL, I Tyler Seguin’s maturity is an issue, but Stars say it’s an issue they can feel like I learned to adapt and I am happy that I can play different handle positions,’’ he said. “To me it’s my own game when I am playing center. I feel like I can get a lot more speed coming out of the zone. I think I am getting better as far as being responsible inside the zone. Again, the By Mike Heika / Reporter biggest thing for me when I am playing center is I feel I can generate a lot more speed and creating odd-man rushes than when I am on wing.’’ 10:36 pm on July 4, 2013 He also is excited about playing beside Jamie Benn, who will move to the wing now that the Stars have increased their center depth. Tyler Seguin draws comparisons to Patrick Kane _ and that’s both a good “I’ve watched his game, met him at the All-Star Game,” Seguin said of and bad thing. Benn. “He’s a great player and seems to be a great person. I am looking forward to the opportunity to play with him and obviously form new The new Stars center is a dynamic talent with incredible skill, just like the friendships. I’ve definitely seen the guy shoot the puck, so I’ll definitely be nifty Conn Smythe Trophy winner from the Chicago Blackhawks. But, also looking for him out there.” like Kane, Seguin is accused of having a little too much fun at times. There will be a lot of pressure on Seguin to be a leader here, but there also He’s 21, he’s single, he’ll show up at the clubs and maybe end up on was pressure when he was selected second overall and when he signed his Twitter or YouTube. It happens. But it was enough of a concern in Boston big contract. He’s shown at times he can handle the pressure, and at times that GM Peter Chiarelli talked it about last week when reporters tracked him it has weighed on him. down at the draft. But the Stars will do what they can to show him the right way. They have to, “He’s got to commit his mind and focus on the one task at hand,” Chiarelli they have a lot invested. told reporters. “He’s got to become more of a professional. And you know what? I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds. I know he got criticized for “It’s one of the most difficult challenges, and there’s some patience you’ve playing on the periphery and all that stuff. He did. He’s got to commit to got to have,’’ Stars coach Lindy Ruff said when asked about coaching being a professional and focusing on the game. He does that, we don’t young players. “But you already look at Seguin with a couple of years under expect him to be crashing and banging. Just play your game.” his belt. The Russian player we drafted (Valeri Nichushkin) obviously has tremendous upside too, tremendous skill and good size. But it is one of the Strong words, and words that should probably concern Stars fans after GM toughest positions to play. It’s always a work in progress.” Jim Nill sent Loui Eriksson and three prospects (Reilly Smith, Matt Fraser and Joe Morrow) to Boston for Seguin, veteran center Rich Peverley and The Stars believe they can find that progress in Seguin. prospect defenseman Ryan Button. Seguin is the key to this whole deal. He’s probably going to be the team’s No. 1 center going into next season, “You know, I come to the rink every day, I’m always professional and work and they would like to think he can fill that role for years to come. my hardest,” Seguin said. “Obviously I think the first three years of my career so far have been a big learning curve. I look forward to getting better He’s going to hear a lot of “The Next Mike Modano” talk around here. every day, and I’m definitely more motivated coming into a great city like Dallas.” He just signed a six-year contract extension at a cap hit of $5.75 million, so a lot is riding on the kid. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 But the good thing is, many on Thursday said he can handle it. “I think Tyler’s under quite the microscope here in Boston,” Peverley said on a conference call. “I’ve heard a lot of things in the past 24 hours about Tyler that I don’t think are true, and it’s unfortunate that it’s come to people talking like that. He works very hard. He’s gotten a lot more mature the three years I’ve been with him. He commits himself to the game and getting better. I don’t see any reason why he can’t continue to improve all the time.” Stars GM Jim Nill said the Stars did their due diligence and have an ace card in executive advisor Mark Recchi, who played with Seguin in Boston in 2011 when the team won the Stanley Cup. “Well, Mark knows him very well. He’s not an unknown,’’ Nill said. “I watched Tyler when he was in Plymouth. I lived in Detroit there as you know and I’ve seen him grow up as a junior and turn into a great pro. We’re very fortunate he played with the Boston Bruins. They do things right. I know he’s had great coaching and great fundamentals and he’s built a great foundation there. So we’re very fortunate that way. We just look forward to him taking a leadership role down here in Dallas. He’s going to be growing up with the Jamie Benns and these guys. We’ve got a core group of players now that are all under the age of 25 and 26 and younger and I think it’s going to be great for him to kind of grow in with the rest of these players and help create a great environment down here for us.” And even Chiarelli softened his statement after the trade. “No player is perfect, either as a player or an individual,” Chiarelli said to Boston media. “All this stuff mushrooms into a proliferation of items on social media. I get overwhelmed by the number of stuff that comes out. Maybe some of it’s true, but I know not all of it’s true. Tyler’s a 21-year-old. He’s a good kid. He’s got a good heart. He’s going to continue to grow up.” So, who is Tyler Seguin? Well, the last time he was a full-time center, he tallied 106 points (48 goals, 58 assists) in 63 games in junior hockey for Plymouth. Even with the move to right wing, he still has 121 points in 203 NHL games, third most of any player drafted in 2010. His plus-57 over the past two seasons is surpassed only by teammate Patrice Bergeron. 683826 Dallas Stars

Stars not done dealing, reportedly acquire Shawn Horcoff from Edmonton

By SPORTSDAYDFW.COM Published: 04 July 2013 07:28 PM Updated: 04 July 2013 08:28 PM

Mere hours after the Stars sent Loui Eriksson and prospects to Boston for Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly, they have reportedly acquired center Shawn Horcoff from Edmonton, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. Horcoff, 34, has spent the entirety of his 12-year career in Edmonton. He played 31 games for the Oilers last year, recording 12 points and averaging 16:51 in ice time. Horcoff, the Oilers' captain, has two more years left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.5 million per year according to CapGeek.com. Larsen played 32 games for the Stars last year, scoring five points and recording a -10 plus/minus rating. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683827 Dallas Stars “I think it’s enough but like I say, we’re always looking but I know it’s a lot better than it was an hour ago.” On if he’s spoken to Seguin He said it: Stars GM Jim Nill and head coach Lindy Ruff on the trade for Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley “Yes, I’ve spoken to all the players involved. Peter and I, we both spoke to our own players first and then we spoke to the players we acquired.” By Mike Heika / Reporter RUFF 6:37 pm on July 4, 2013 On if Seguin will play center “That’s correct. I think that we’re looking at somebody that can Here are some highlights from the conference call today with Jim Nill and obviously play with Benn. It’s a position that we wanted to fill. It’s a natural Lindy Ruff: position for Tyler and he’s looking forward to playing it.” STARS GM JIM NILL On how he views younger players and fitting them in quickly On what the genesis of this deal was “It’s one of the most difficult challenges and there’s some patience you’ve got to have. But you already look at Seguin with a couple of years “It’s kind of the dynamics of the new CBA. We all know that money is under his belt. The Russian player we drafted obviously has tremendous part of the new CBA in that, so we kept in touch. I think the big thing, what upside too, tremendous skill and good size. But it is one of the toughest people need to realize is we’re talking some pretty good players here. I positions to play. It’s always a work in progress. I’ve had good success with know Tyler Seguin is a big, big part of this trade, a big name along with Mr. younger players down the middle but you have to be patient as a coach.” Peverley. Loui Eriksson from our end is a very good player but probably a little hidden down here in Dallas. But Boston knew that and they knew that On how Peverly will contribute on the penalty kill is a big part of their puzzle and I know he’s going to be a good fit going “Well, first of all, he’s coming from a tremendous program if you want forward.” to look at Boston’s penalty killing, being part of that unit, success they had On if this move means they’re now done at center in the playoffs. His face-off performance is something on penalty kill you win a draw, get it down the ice. Being part of a team that’s been around the “In this business, every day you come to work you try and get better, Stanley Cup now past four years, real important, I think he understands so we’re looking at other options. But this adds two center icemen to our how hard it is, what it takes. And when you can surround your younger roster. We’re excited about it, both right-handed shots, which you don’t find players with a player who has been in those battles, I think there’s a lot of a lot of. This gives us a good mix at center. Our one weakness here in value there.” Dallas is that we had no depth at center ice. You talked about moving Jamie Benn back to the wing this gets him back to the wing, puts everybody Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 in their proper position and adds depth to our organization.” On if Tyler Seguin does need to be more professional and if he talked to Stars consultant Mark Recchi, who played with Seguin in Boston “Well, Mark knows him very well. He’s not an unknown. I watched Tyler when he was in Plymouth. I lived in Detroit there as you know and I’ve seen him grow up as a junior and turn into a great pro. We’re very fortunate he played with the Boston Bruins. They do things right. I know he’s had great coaching and great fundamentals and he’s built a great foundation there. So we’re very fortunate that way. We just look forward to him taking a leadership role down here in Dallas. He’s going to be growing up with the Jamie Benns and these guys. We’ve got a core group of players now that are all under the age of 25 and 26 and younger and I think it’s going to be great for him to kind of grow in with the rest of these players and help create a great environment down here for us.” On what he saw in Seguin when he was in juniors “Well, we’re excited about the prospects of that. If you look at in junior when he was the second pick overall, that just kind of says it right there. But he was a great junior. You talk about he didn’t make the World Juniors but that was in his draft year. He turned pro after that and probably would have made the World Juniors team two years in a row after that. You look at his stats, first year he had a great year. Second year, I believe he had 26 or 28 goals, which is hard to do in the NHL. We know there’s great potential there and we look forward to him kind of continuing to grow here in Dallas.” On Peverley “He’s a great player. I’ve been watching him ever since the days when I was with Detroit. We watched him lots. He’s a very effective player, very versatile and can play any position, very strong on draws. He’s going to add the depth we need at that position for us moving forward.” On if Peverly and Eakin can handle 2 and 3 center spots “Yes, that’s what we’re planning on. We’re going to come to training camp. That’s Lindy’s. Lindy’s going to get a chance to look at all these guys. Training camp we’ll sort all that out. It just gives us some great options.” On if that’s enough 683828 Dallas Stars

Trading Loui Eriksson for Tyler Seguin the right move for Dallas Stars

By Tim Cowlishaw / Columnist 5:56 pm on July 4, 2013

This is simple. The Dallas Stars were on the right end of a blockbuster trade with Boston Thursday because of who they are. And the same can be said for the Bruins. The Stars have been a bad team for years. That’s why they have a new GM and new head coach. And Jim Nill made the right move in trading popular and dependable forward Loui Eriksson along with some top prospects to Boston for a package highlighted by Tyler Seguin. In the seven-player deal, Seguin is the potential superstar. After being picked No. 2 in the 2010 draft, he had his name etched on the Stanley Cup at 19. At 21, he was a disappointment in the playoffs this year with just one goal in 22 games. That and a big contract made him expendable in Boston’s eyes. But this guy very recently was the Bruins’ superstar-in-waiting. And, again, keep in mind it will be midseason before he turns 22. The Bruins, trying to win another Cup and in need of signing other key players, couldn’t live with Seguin’s mistakes. They prefer the steady play of Eriksson at this stage. The Stars can live with a mercurial player at center ice. Heck, they just drafted one five days ago when they picked Russia’s Valeri Nichushkin, an 18-year-old who insists he’s ready for the NHL, with the 10th pick. You hate to see them give up this quickly on defenseman Joe Morrow, a player with promise just acquired from Pittsburgh for Brenden Morrow in March. But Seguin and center Rich Peverley bring playoff experience and potential to a team in desperate need of both. Nill is quickly reconstructing this team, injecting speed and youth at the front end while solidifying the back with the experience of Sergei Gonchar. The Stars will be drastically different in 2013-14. That can only be a good thing. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683829 Dallas Stars Button is a defensive defenseman. The 22-year-old is 6-0, 196 and had two points (both assists) in 28 games with Providence last season. He was taken in the third round by Boston (86th overall) in 2009. Blockbuster trade: Dallas Stars send Loui Eriksson to Boston Bruins for The Stars gave up a good deal to get Seguin and Peverley. Eriksson will Tyler Seguin in multi-player deal turn 28 on July 17 and has been one of the team’s best players for the past five seasons. He led the team in goal-scoring in 2008-09 (36) and 2009-10 (29) and led the Stars in point scoring in 2011-12 (71). He is regularly By Mike Heika / Reporter considered one of the most underrated players in the league. 2:17 pm on July 4, 2013 Smith, 22, was drafted in the third round in 2009 (69th overall) and was among the NCAA goal-scoring leaders for Miami (Ohio) with 30 goals in 39 games in 2011-12. He tallied nine points (three goals, six assists) in 37 games for the Stars last season. The Stars have acquired centers Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button from the Boston Bruins for wingers Loui Eriksson, Fraser, 23, was signed as a free agent out of juniors in 2010 and has been Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser and defenseman Joe Morrow, according to an the AHL’s leading goal-scorer over the past two seasons. He had 37 goals NHL source. in 73 games in 2011-12 and had 33 goals in 62 games last season for the Texas Stars. He had one goal and two assists in 13 games with the Dallas Seguin was the second overall pick in 2010 and recently signed a six-year Stars last season. contract with the Bruins that averages $5.75 million. Peverley will turn 31 on July 8 and has two years remaining on his contract that averages $3.25 Joe Morrow was acquired from Pittsburgh for Brenden Morrow. The 20- million. Boston is juggling cap issues and must sign goalie Tuukka Rask to year-old defenseman had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 57 games a contract extension, so swapping Seguin and Peverley for Eriksson (who with Wilkes-Barre last season. He was drafted 23rd overall in 2011. has three years left with a cap hit of $4.25 million) saves them cap room and gives them a proven scoring winger. Seguin was playing out of position Both Smith and Fraser are in the last year of their two-way entry-level on the wing for the Bruins. contracts. Smith has a cap hit of $900,000, while Fraser has a cap hit of $625,000. The two right-handed centers are exactly what the Stars need, as they have shed top-line centers Brad Richards, Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy in recent Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.05.2013 years and are hoping to move their No. 1 center Jamie Benn back to left wing. Stars GM Jim Nill said on Tuesday after the Stars’ pursuit of free agent center Vincent Lecavalier ended fruitlessly that he still was hoping to acquire two centers in order to move Benn back. “That’s my thinking. I believe that’s his natural position,” Nill said. Seguin would go a long way to making that wish come true. Listed at 6-1, 182, Seguin is a fast skater, a skilled puck handler and a right-handed shot. He has been playing almost exclusively on the wing because of Boston’s depth at center, so he would get a chance to return to his natural position, as well. While the loss of Eriksson would be a serious blow for the Stars, it would open the door for players like Alex Chiasson, Brett Ritchie or Valeri Nichushkin to play in the top six or would create an opportunity for a veteran like Erik Cole to step up. Seguin last season tallied 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 48 games and was plus-23 for a very good Boston team. However, he is not without his critics. Seguin tallied just one goal and eight assists in 22 playoff games, and was moved to the third line at times during the Bruins run to the finals. When his name came up in trade talk at the draft Sunday, Boston GM Peter Chiarreli said he hoped trade talk will motivate Seguin should he stay with the Bruins. “If I were to trade Tyler, it would be for an elite young prospect or player,” Chiarelli told reporters. “He’s an elite young player who had an average year. He’s 21, and I expect big things from him. I wasn’t satisfied with his year and neither was he.” When pushed on what Seguin needed to do, Chiarelli said: “He’s got to commit his mind and focus to the one task at hand _ he’s got to become more of a professional. I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds. I know he got criticized a lot for playing on the periphery, and he did. He did. But he’s got to commit to being a professional and his focus on the game. We don’t expect him to crash and bang, just focus on his game.” While Seguin has played out of position, he has had solid ice time in Boston. He was fourth among forwards in average time on ice last season at 17:00, and he was third among forwards in average power play time at 2:11. Seguin’s faceoff numbers have been average, but he really hasn’t taken many faceoffs. He took just 45 draws and won 48.9 percent last season. In 2010-11, he had 303 faceoffs and won 49.5 percent. The fact he is right-handed would help the Stars balance their faceoff options. Dallas ranked 27th in the league in faceoff success last season at 47.2 percent. Peverley brings a veteran presence and strong defensive play. He is an exceptional faceoff man, winning 58.4 percent of his draws in the regular season and 63 percent during the playoffs. He had 18 points (6G, 12A) in 47 games during the regular season and added two points (2G, 0A) in 21 playoff games. However, he was a minus-9 during the regular season and minus-8 during the playoffs. 683830 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars land center Tyler Seguin in seven-player trade with Boston Bruins

Posted Thursday, Jul. 04, 2013 By Travis L. Brown

The last time the Boston Bruins and the Dallas Stars played in the American Airlines Center, Loui Eriksson and Tyler Seguin scored the first goals for their respective teams. The Stars won 4-2 in Seguin’s only trip to Dallas in his three-year career. He will be a regular at the AAC after Thursday’s seven-player swap between Dallas and Boston. Seguin, center Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button are going to the Stars while Eriksson, right wings Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, and defenseman Joe Morrow head to the Bruins. A late report from TSN in Canada suggests the Stars might not be through dealing. The report says Edmonton Oilers center and team captain Shawn Horcoff will head to Dallas in return for a seventh-round draft pick and defenseman Phillip Larsen. In the Boston deal, Dallas gives up Eriksson, a 27-year-old winger who tallied 357 points in seven seasons. But the Stars fill a glaring hole in the middle with Seguin, who is expected to move from wing back to center while Jamie Benn slides back to a wing. “I think that we’re looking at someone who can play with Benn,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s a position we wanted to fill and it’s a natural position for Tyler and he’s looking forward to playing it.” Seguin, 21, finished third among Boston scorers last season, picking up 32 points on 16 goals and 16 assists. He is signed through 2019 at $5.75 million a season, according to CapGeek.com. “We have a good core group of players now that are under the age of 25 or 26 and I think that will be great for [Seguin] to grow with these players,” Stars general manager Jim Nill said. Seguin said the trade came as little surprise to him as he had heard rumors surrounding his imminent departure during the NHL Draft on Sunday. “I come to the rink every day and work my hardest and I think the first three years of my career have been a learning curve. I look forward to getting better every day and I’m more motivated to come into a big city like Dallas,” Seguin said. Peverley, 30, adds a veteran presence and a solid faceoff man for the second line. He finished last season with a 58.4 face-off percentage and tallied 18 points, including six goals. “His face-off performance is something that, on any penalty kill, if you win a draw, you get it down the ice it’s 20 seconds before the other team can get it back up and get in the zone and get it set up,” Ruff said. “Being part of a team that’s been around the Stanley Cup for the past four years, I think he understands how hard it is and what it takes.” Peverley said Thursday’s trade combined with the management moves the Stars have made during the off-season will make an impact on those just joining the team and returning players alike. “Bringing in new management and coaches, everyone is going to be really motivated to take the team to another level,” he said. “I’m really excited about the opportunity and hopefully it works out great.” Dallas was expected to make a big splash in the free agent market, which opens Friday, but these trades fortify at least one of the Stars’ big needs down the middle of the ice. “I think that’s enough, but we’re always looking,” Nill said of the center depth chart Thursday. “I know it’s a lot better than it was an hour ago.” Star-Telegram LOADED: 07.05.2013 683831 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars trade Eriksson for Seguin in 7-player deal with Bruins

Staff Posted Thursday, Jul. 04, 2013

Boston Bruins General Manager Peter Chiarelli announced Thursday that the club has acquired forwards Loui Eriksson, Matt Fraser, Reilly Smith and defenseman Joe Morrow from the Dallas Stars in exchange for forwards Rich Peverley, Tyler Seguin and defenseman Ryan Button. TSN reported earlier Thursday that the blockbuster, seven-player trade had been completed, with the swap of 21-year-oldSeguin for Eriksson as the key. Seguin was selected second overall in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. According to TSN, he signed a six-year, $34.5 million contract before the NHL lockout began last year. The deal takes effect this coming season and has a salary cap hit of $5.75 million. Eriksson, 27, has three years remaining on his contract and has a cap hit of $4.25 million per year, TSN reported. He played in all 48 games last season for Dallas, recording 12 goals and 17 assists. In the four seasons before the lockout, the winger recorded at least 26 goals in each campaign. Star-Telegram LOADED: 07.05.2013 683832 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings talking to half-dozen free agents, but can't make offers till Friday

7:35 PM, July 4, 2013 By Helene St. James

Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland has been in contact with pretty much every candidate that would make a good No. 2 center — Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson is the leading candidate, if he agrees to a bonus-loaded contract — but an e-mail sent out around noon today precluded the Wings and every other NHL team from making any concrete offers to a new face. Contrary to many clubs’ impression, contract offers to unrestricted free agents cannot be made until noon Friday. That was the gist of a message sent out by Bill Daly, after Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi called and complained early Thursday. The Wings do have offers out to all of their own three UFAs — Valtteri Filppula, Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner — but all three are expected to cross into the free market Friday. Filppula is out of the picture for the Wings, anyway, because he believes himself to be a No. 1 center. Cleary is looking for a three-year contract around $3 million per season, and he has garnered interest from almost a dozen other teams. The Wings remain hopeful of working out a deal because Cleary rebounded from a slow start to have a great playoff stretch, he brings leadership and he’s beloved by coach Mike Babcock. Likewise, Brunner’s camp has been contacted by several suitors, but the Wings remain hopeful of retaining his services, too. Looking at possible new faces, the Wings have had talks with the camps for Alfredsson, Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, Tyler Bozak and Matt Cullen, as well as Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow. It’s not that the Wings aren’t willing to spend money; it’s that they don’t want to overpay for services. Alfredsson would make a good fit, because he might agree to a low salary with bonuses that could be deferred until 2014-15’s higher salary cap. Weiss is rumored to be pushing for close to $6 million a season, an average cap number that would match that of Henrik Zetterberg. The Wings were very interested in New Jersey’s David Clarkson, until they were told he’s looking for six-to-seven years at a $6 million average. Boston’s Nathan Horton, on the other hand, is looking for a quiet hockey market in preferably a warm climate, so that knocks Detroit out on both counts. The Wings already have 12 forwards under contract for next season, and will soon add restricted free agents Joakim Andersson and Gustav Nyquist. Much as they are looking for a No. 2 center, they’ve solved that in the past by splitting up Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. They do need a scorer, but that might just end up coming in the face of someone familiar, like Cleary and Brunner. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.05.2013 683833 Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings were 14th of the 15 teams in the West, with 25 more hits than the Blackhawks, the Stanley Cup champions, who were dead last in the NHL. Red Wings can hold their own in rugged Eastern Conference If the Red Wings had played in the East, they would have ranked one slot lower, 28 hits behind the Devils.

Gregg Krupa ■ In blocking shots, an act requiring grit and determination as well as skill, nine of the top 15 teams were in the East, where teams blocked an average of 14.4, to 11.9 in the West.

Red Wings forward Jordin Tootoo's pugnacious style will gain more traction At 11.7, the Red Wings were just below average, ranking 14th in the West. in the more rough-and-tumble Eastern Conference. In the East, they also would have been 14th. Detroit — The Red Wings are moving to the big, bad, new Eastern ■ As for fights, 10 of the 15 teams with the most fights were in the East. Conference, where teams are said to devour smaller, softer, skilled clubs, like some of the wimpy guys who skate in the West. Four fought 30 times or more: Maple Leafs, 44; Flyers, 33; Bruins, 32; and Lightning, 31. In the West, it was only the Blue Jackets, with 34. Or so the story goes. With 14 fights, the Red Wings were 14th in the West, two behind the How will the redeveloping Red Wings grapple with the consequences? Will Blackhawks and Coyotes and one ahead of the Oilers. They would have any moves on free agents beginning today account for the difference in been dead last in the East, one behind the Capitals and Devils and four styles of play? behind the Rangers. Before we all get too far down the road, we ought to check some of the ■ Penalties, in general, may provide some evidence of the degree of assumptions and listen to the two guys charged with making the transition. physicality. But it also is true that some penalties result from a lack of quickness, skill or a momentary lapse of wisdom. Analyzing statistics yields some conclusions. Regardless, the five most-penalized teams in the NHL were in the Eastern First, the Red Wings are not among the smallest teams in the NHL, and Conference, and 10 of the top 15. Western teams are not significantly smaller than those in the East. But a lot of the stuff about physical aspects of the game is generally true. Again, the Red Wings had the 14th most penalty minutes in the West, with 9.8, slightly more than the Blackhawks with 9.3. There is not a statistic for physical play, but there are statistics that suggest physicality: hits, fights, blocks and penalties. Eastern teams generally hit In the East, the Red Wings would have had the 13th-most penalty minutes and fight more, block more shots and take more penalties. of the 15 teams, slightly more than the Islanders with 9.6 and the Rangers with 9.2. But the quicker, skilled teams in the East, like the Penguins, Canadiens and Capitals, vied for the top playoff spots last season. So does it much matter? No worries? Asked if the Red Wings must adjust their game to win in the East, coach It all suggests that based on the statistics, the Red Wings generally would Mike Babcock said he talked to one of his former assistants, Paul MacLean, rank about the same in some of the indicators of physicality. But the gap who moved to the East two seasons ago to coach the Senators. MacLean between them and the more physical teams, based on statistics, will grow. justly won the 2013 Jack Adams Award for the coach who contributed most to the success of his team. Does it matter? And, if it does, what can the Red Wings do? “I asked him the same question,” Babcock said. “He says it’s more My sense is these are not, in fact, significant issues. physically demanding right from the get-go, as far as fighting and The Stanley Cup winners, the Blackhawks, have precisely the same physicality. But he told me that he just did what he always did. average weight, hit less, fought only two more times and went to the box “And so, that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to understand that less. might be part of it, but we’re going to get prepared.” Among the top finishing teams in the East, the Penguins, Canadiens, Numbers game Bruins, Capitals and Leafs all blocked more shots and fought more. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland has acknowledged in recent But while physicality is evidence of toughness, there are better indicators, years the two big criticisms of his roster are size and lack of belligerence. including defeating a higher-ranked team in the playoffs and winning four in a row, for the first time all season, in the last week to garner a playoff spot. In some of the new, young players in the lineup, the choices last weekend in the draft and perhaps in any signings of free agents beginning at noon The Red Wings accomplished both. today, the Red Wings clearly are getting bigger. Meanwhile, teams with the most skill and speed generally play at the top in But are they rougher and do they need it to compete successfully in the the East, just as they do in the West. The Penguins, Canadiens and East? Capitals proved that in 2013, and even the big, bad Bruins had plenty of skill to go along with all of the brawn. “Boston is a big team and has had lots of success,” Holland said. “Montreal had a lot of success and they are not quite as big. Toronto is fast ...” So, how do the Red Wings counter the greater grit in the Eastern Conference? “We’d like to get five percent better.” Skate fast, keep their heads up, hit when they can, fight when they need to It may surprise some, but the Red Wings do not seem to need much more protect and score more goals than the other guy. The adjustment seems size. Not counting goaltenders, the average weight of a player in the West less about changing personnel, although tweaking the roster to add grit last season was 203.1 pounds. In the East, 203.7 pounds remains a priority. On the Red Wings roster, the average was 204.4. For Babcock, as usual, it is much about preparation. That was sixth-heaviest in the West, where the Kings were largest at 207.3. “We’ve broken up that league into groups so that each coach covers it and The Red Wings would have been seventh-biggest in the East, where the gets a good handle on all of the players,” he said, referring to the teams in Lightning were largest at 209.3. the East, himself and his assistants. Coaches often counsel that making absolute judgments based on statistics “We’ve got to know all of the players before we get back to camp. So, we’ll is folly. But stats nonetheless provide some basis for judging. have that all done and looked after. ■ In hits, seven of the top 10 teams in the 30-team league were in the East, “And we’ll be all excited for short trips and good sleeps.” as were nine of the top 15. Players in the East averaged about 20 percent more hits, 24.9 to 20.9. Bad boys The top 10 teams in hits and fighting majors during the 2012-13 regular season: Hits 1. Toronto (East)…1,626 2. Los Angeles (West)…1,446 3. N.Y. Rangers (East)…1,413 4. Winnipeg (East)…1,411 5. Philadelphia (East)…1,316 6. Ottawa (East)…1,307 7. Phoenix (West)…1,260 8. Colorado (West)…1,241 9. Pittsburgh (East)…1,229 10. Boston (East)…1,200 29. Detroit (West)…865 Fighting majors 1. Toronto (East)…44 2. Columbus (West)…34 3. Philadelphia (East)…33 4. Boston (East)…32 5. Tampa Bay (East)…31 6. Vancouver (West)…28 7. Dallas (West)…26 7. Ottawa (East)…26 7. Winnipeg (East)…26 10. Buffalo (East)…25 10. Montreal (East)…25 29. Detroit (West)…14 Detroit News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683834 Detroit Red Wings With the buyout of defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo earlier in the week, the Red Wings will likely look for a depth defenseman in free agency — a defenseman on a two-way contract who can shuttle between Grand Rapids Senators' Daniel Alfredsson emerging as possible target of Red Wings and the Red Wings when injuries hit. Detroit News LOADED: 07.05.2013

Ted Kulfan

Detroit — A day after Fourth of July fireworks, hockey fireworks will take place Friday. That’s because Friday is decision day for NHL teams and unrestricted free agents, who can begin signing with their present teams, or new ones, starting at noon. Count the Red Wings among the many teams who have some big decisions to make. There’s an interesting list of free agents set to hit the market. Florida’s Stephen Weiss, Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson — a longtime Senators captain who is having difficulty coming to terms on a new contract — Washington’s Mike Ribeiro and Minnesota’s Matt Cullen are among players that have been linked to the Red Wings. Another intersting name emerged Thursday after the Toronto Maple Leafs bought out center Mikhail Grabovski. A good friend, and linemate of Pavel Datsyuk's during the lockout in the KHL in Russia, Grabovski only had nine goal and seven assists in 48 games with a minus-10 rating. But Grabovski could supply the type of ability that would lessen the blow if Valtteri Filppula departs in free agency. General manager Ken Holland said he contacted up to six players in the 48- hour period that prospective free agents were able to have discussions with interested teams. Alfredsson’s name emerged in numerous reports around the league Thursday after negotiations between the Senators and their longtime star hit a snag. A veteran of many Swedish national teams, Alfredsson, 40, would be very comfortable in the Red Wings locker room — made up of such Swedish stars such as Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen. All of those Red Wings players have been teammates of Alfredsson on national teams in the past. Senators general manager Bryan Murray was asked about Alfredsson’s status Thursday during a press conference to announce a three-year contract extension for head coach Paul MacLean. Murray expressed confidence that the Senators can get a deal done with Alfredsson. "I guess it's the big issue in town now," Murray told reporters. "I didn't realize it was that big an issue because we're going to get it done I would assume." There’s also the Red Wings’ own free agents, and Holland is working on those negotiations with agents for forwards Damien Brunner, Daniel Cleary and Filppula. Filppula is a key piece of the puzzle. If Filppula were to leave —which is expected — Holland would go on the market in search of a center, such as Weiss or Ribeiro, to replace Filppula. About six teams have shown serious interest in Filppula, 28, who slumped to a 17-point season (nine goals, eight assists) last season. Filppula earned $3 million last season but could attract an offer close to $5 million because of a free-agent class that lack many proven offensive players. The situations with Cleary and Brunner are different from Filppula’s. Cleary, 34, is looking for about a three-year contract, which he would likely get from another team if he can’t come to terms with the Red Wings. Brunner continues to attract attention from numerous teams because of his offensive potential. Brunner’s agent, Neil Sheehy, confirmed there was contact with teams over the last 48 hours and said, “Important decisions will have to be made between now and Friday.” 683835 Detroit Red Wings They're selling an opportunity to play with stars Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. They're selling a chance to perhaps play in a new arena in three years. Red Wings will dip into shallow pool of free agents, but wary of big-money, long-term deals What they won't be doing is buying at what they feel is too high a cost, in money and years. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.05.2013 Ansar Khan on July 05, 2013 at 1:01 AM, updated July 05, 2013 at 2:29 AM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings won't make a splash in free agency Friday, they will dip into a shallow pool of players with caution and trepidation. Their fear is being on the hook for an undesirable contract a few years from now for an average to ineffective player. The NHL's free agent crop gets thinner and less appealing every year as teams lock up their best players to long-term deals. What remains is a small group of noteworthy players that many teams bid for, inflating their prices (money and term). Players can begin signing with other teams at noon. The Red Wings' primary need is a second-line center. Florida's Stephen Weiss, 30, has been their main focus for weeks. But, they may not be willing to meet his contract demands, expected to be at least five years and more than $5 million per season. Washington's Mike Ribeiro is seeking a similar deal. That's more than the Red Wings would be willing to give a 33-year-old. Detroit might seek lower-cost options like Tyler Bozak (Toronto), Matt Cullen (Minnesota) or Derek Roy (Vancouver). The Red Wings spoke to Senators captain and franchise mainstay Daniel Alfredsson on Thursday, as did the Boston Bruins, but he is expected to re-sign with Ottawa. Mikhail Grabovski will become available on Friday after Toronto waived him for the purposes of buying out his contract (four years and $21 million remaining). Grabovski, 29, is a close friend of Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, his linemate on CSKA Moscow during the lockout. This free agent class is void of bona fide superstars. The closest would be Boston right wing Nathan Horton. But, his reported asking price of six years at $6 million a season, coupled with injury concerns (concussion, shoulder), make him a risky acquisition. New Jersey right wing David Clarkson has a nice combination of scoring ability and toughness, but he is seeking a seven-year deal worth between $5 million and $6 million per season. The Red Wings aren't getting into a bidding war for him. The club has not made any headway in talks with Valtteri Filppula because the enigmatic forward wants a seven-year pact in excess of $5 million per season. He is generating a lot of interest. Tampa Bay and Columbus are possible landing spots. Ideally, the Red Wings hope they don't need any wingers. They're hoping to re-sign Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner. Talks will continue until noon Friday, if that's what it takes. But, they're also garnering interest from many other teams. If the Red Wings don't sign them by noon, the likelihood that they'll return diminishes significantly. The club and the players must move on once free agency opens. The Red Wings have spoken to the representatives of wingers Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow, both formerly of Pittsburgh. They were high on Chicago's speedy Viktor Stalberg, but that was before he disappeared in the playoffs (no goals, three assists in 19 games). Other available wingers include Ryane Clowe (Rangers), Mason Raymond (Vancouver) and Peter Mueller (Florida). The Red Wings don't need a defenseman, but that didn't prevent them from kicking the tires on Marek Zidlicky (New Jersey) and Andrew Ference (Boston) on Wednesday. The Red Wings have spent the past two days talking to several free agents, promoting their program. They're selling their winning tradition – a 22-season playoff streak that is the longest of the four major sports. 683836 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings free agent talk: Mikhail Grabovski an option; Daniel Alfredsson suddenly in the mix

Ansar Khan on July 04, 2013 at 5:50 PM, updated July 04, 2013 at 7:01 PM

DETROIT – Another free-agent option became available for the Detroit Red Wings today, when the Toronto Maple Leafs waived center Mikhail Grabovski for the purposes of buying out his contract. Grabovski, a creative playmaker and good skater who can play center and the wing, is a close friend of Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk, whom he idolizes. They played on the same line for CSKA Moscow during the NHL lockout this season. The Red Wings will be seeking a second-line center when free agency begins Friday at noon, if, as expected, they're not able to re-sign Valtteri Filppula. Grabovski (5-11, 183) was placed on unconditional waivers. He has four years and $21 million remaining on his contract, so it's highly unlikely he will be claimed by noon Friday. He will become a free agent, able to sign with any team except Toronto. He might be had at a somewhat discounted price, since the Maple Leafs will be paying him $1.8 million a year through 2020-21. The Red Wings began reaching out to free agents on Wednesday, the first day clubs were permitted to make contact under the new CBA. Stephen Weiss of Florida is their primary target. They also touched base with the agents for Mike Ribeiro (Washington) and Matt Cullen (Minnesota), among others. Grabovski, 29, slumped this season, with nine goals, seven assists and a minus-10 rating in 48 games. He had a disastrous playoff series against the Boston Bruins, with two assists and a minus-10 rating in seven games. Grabovski, who shoots left, had 12 goals and 24 points in 29 games while playing alongside Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov, formerly of the Nashville Predators, for CSKA Moscow. Grabovski has scored 20 or more goals three times in five NHL seasons, with career highs of 29 goals and 58 points in 2010-11. What's it all about, Alfie? It seems unlikely that Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, the longtime face of the franchise, would sign elsewhere, but other teams are inquiring, including the Red Wings. Alfredsson, who is in Sweden, spoke to Detroit general manager Ken Holland today and is expected to make a decision Friday morning. The Boston Bruins also are interested, according to reports. Alfredsson is seeking a one-year deal and has been negotiating with the Senators. Alfredsson, 40, has spent his entire 17-year career in Ottawa. The right- handed shooting center had 10 goals and 16 assists in 47 games this season. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.05.2013 683837 Detroit Red Wings

Carlo Colaiacovo clears waivers, Red Wings buy out final year of defenseman's contract

Ansar Khan on July 04, 2013 at 1:01 PM, updated July 04, 2013 at 1:05 PM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings signed Carlo Colaiacovo last summer because they needed an experienced third-pair defenseman. But, the emergence of Brian Lashoff, improvement of Jakub Kindl and signing of Danny DeKeyser made Colaiacovo expendable. Colaiacovo, 30, cleared waivers today and was bought out of the final year of his contract. It clears $2.5 million in salary cap space and still leaves the team with seven NHL defensemen. The Red Wings have 20 players signed for the 2013-14 season for $54.6 million. The salary cap is $64.3 million, down from $70.2 million this past season. The Red Wings will sign restricted free agents Brendan Smith, Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson. That accounts for 23 players. They hope to re-sign unrestricted free agents Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner and are looking to acquire a second-line center to replace Valtteri Filppula, who is expected to sign elsewhere. That would give them 26 players, three over the limit. But, they don't know if third-line center Darren Helm, plagued all season by a back issue, will be ready for the start of the season. And Mikael Samuelsson also has injury issues (pectoral muscle). Colaiacovo, whose actual 2013-14 salary was $2.85 million, becomes an unrestricted free agent. The Red Wings will pay him two-thirds of his salary ($1.9 million) spread out over the next two seasons. So, if Colaiacovo were to sign a one-year deal for $1 million with a team (the Red Wings can't re- sign him for one year), he would actually come out ahead financially. Colaiacovo was limited to six games during the regular season (no goals, one assist, minus-4 rating) due to a sprained shoulder sustained during the second game of the season, Jan. 21 in Columbus. He was a healthy scratch down the stretch and during the first five playoff games before playing in the final two games of the first round against Anaheim and the entire seven-game series vs. Chicago. He had no goals, one assist and a plus-3 rating in nine playoff games. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.05.2013 683838 Detroit Red Wings If the Red Wings acquire a defenseman, Quincey would seem to be the most likely candidate to be dealt. The free-agent crop is particularly weak on defense, which might enable Red Wings begin exploratory talks with free agents, including Stephen Ference, 34, to get a four-year deal worth around $3.5 million a season and Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, couple defensemen Zidlicky, 36, a short-term pact for more than $4 million per season. Michigan Live LOADED: 07.05.2013 Ansar Khan on July 04, 2013 at 12:01 AM, updated July 04, 2013 at 1:44 AM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings management team began working the phone lines Wednesday, contacting representatives of several free agents to express interest and get a feel for what those players are seeking. The free agency signing period begins Friday at noon. The Red Wings' top priority is a second-line center, barring a breakthrough in negotiations with Valtteri Filppula that have yielded little progress. The Red Wings have had exploratory talks with the agents for Stephen Weiss (Florida), Mike Ribeiro (Washington) and Matt Cullen (Minnesota), among others. The small but skilled Weiss (5-11, 190) is their top priority because he can score, set up teammates and plays well defensively. He's likely seeking a five-year deal for between $4.5 million and $5 million per season. Ribeiro is the leading scorer in this thin free-agent class, coming off a 13- goal, 49-point season. He is a creative playmaker with good hands and can agitate opponents despite his slight frame (6-0, 177). But, his ability to play with pace and defensive game are concerns. Plus, he's 33 and said to be seeking a five-year deal worth $5 million a season. The Red Wings continue talking to Filppula's agent, but it doesn't appear as if he's lowered his asking price of 5-7 years at $5 million or more a season. Tampa Bay and Columbus might have interest. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman knows Filppula well from his days in Detroit. Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen also has ties with Filppula, his fellow Finnish native. If the Red Wings lose Filppula and are unable to land Weiss or Ribeiro, they might offer Cullen a short-term deal (two years). He is 36, but is a decent skater and playmaker and can play all forward positions. But, he has limited offensive ability. The Red Wings have some interest in right wing Jarome Iginla, who brings many desirable qualities (offense, toughness, leadership), but also raises some concerns (he's 36 and has a lot of mileage). Detroit wasn't on his list of four teams he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to join when Calgary dealt him to Pittsburgh late in the season. Detroit is not prepared to make huge offers to top free agents David Clarkson (New Jersey) or Nathan Horton (Boston). Clarkson could command a seven-year deal worth more than $5 million per season. Horton reportedly is seeking $6 million or more a season. Horton visited Columbus on Wednesday, contradicting reports that he's only interested in playing in a warm-weather city. The Red Wings are hoping to re-sign their own free-agent wingers, Daniel Cleary and Damien Brunner, who also began talks with other clubs on Wednesday. Unlike previous years, the new CBA allows teams to talk to players and their representatives 48 hours prior to the start of free agency. In the meantime, teams are getting an idea of what kind of term and salary a player is seeking and players are learning more about the clubs that are pursuing them. It enables both sides to gain information and digest it for a couple of days instead of having to make a quick decision when free agency begins. The Red Wings also spoke to the agents for defensemen Andrew Ference (Boston) and Marek Zidlicky (New Jersey). They have seven defensemen after putting Carlo Colaiacovo on waivers Wednesday for the purpose of buying out his contract on Thursday, so they don't need anybody else. But, they're also looking ahead to 2014-15, when they might have one or two holes to plug, with Kyle Quincey and Jonathan Ericsson eligible for free agency. 683839 Detroit Red Wings However, there are concerns with both players on whether they fit in the Wings’ plans as they’re in the midst of building a team that likes to get up- and-down the ice. Filppula, Weiss, Ribeiro top Wings’ list of second-line centers The free agency signing period begins Friday at noon. The Wings are also possibly looking into bolstering up the blue line. By CHUCK PLEINESS Two names they appear to have interest in are Andrew Ference and Marek Thursday, July 4,2013 Zidlicky. Ference, 34, would slot right in and would provide a veteran presence along the Wings’ youthful blue line. DETROIT – The Wings’ shopping free agent list on Friday appears to be a very short one. He made $2.25 million last season and may cost the Wings a year-deal at $3.5 million to obtain his services. Their top need is a second line center. Zidlicky, 36, may bit a bit costlier since he’s coming off a deal that paid him And as of now there are three players they’re quite interested in and $4 million last season in New Jersey. He could be looking for a two- or another one they’d be willing to settle. three-year deal at $4 to $4.5 million to sign. The most notable player on that list is Valtteri Filppula. His point-per-game average has been on a decline and his play in the defensive zone has made him a liability. Just as his days in Detroit appeared all but over there’s a possibility Filppula, 29, could return to the team. On Wednesday, Detroit placed defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo on unconditional waivers with the intention to buy out the final year of his Filppula’s agent continues to talk with the Wings. contract. “I haven’t thought about (leaving Detroit), but obviously it’s a possibly that Colaiacovo was not claimed off waivers on Thursday so the Wings will use could happen,” Filppula said during the Wings’ end-of-season locker one of two amnesty buyouts to shed his $2.5 million salary-cap hit next cleanout. “It’d be tough. It’s been a really great place to be. I’ve been so season. happy here. We’ll see if we go … if that’s what’s going to happen.” Teams are permitted two amnesty buyouts that can be used this summer or The Wings did make offers to Filppula in August and September before next summer. talks broke down. They would be able to buy out a player at two-thirds of the remaining value Filppula, who made $3 million last season, is believed to be asking for of the contract and not have any of the salary count against the salary cap. about a $2 million raise a year. Colaiacovo’s actual salary is $2.85 million next season, which means the Detroit could be in competition for his services with Tampa Bay and Wings will pay him roughly $1.9 million over the next two seasons. Columbus. Detroit currently has six defensemen under contract for next season – The other two unrestricted free agent centers the Wings have had Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Kyle Quincey, Jakub Kindl, Danny discussion with are Mike Ribeiro and Stephen Weiss. DeKeyser and Brian Lashoff. Ribeiro, 33, made $5 million last season with Washington. Brendan Smith is a restricted free agent and will get a deal done bringing the total to seven on the blue line heading to training camp. The problem with signing him could be the number of years on a deal since he reportedly rejected a three-year extension offered by the Capitals. A five- Detroit just re-signed Kindl, who was a restricted free agent, to a four-year year deal seems to be what he’s looking for. extension worth $9.6 million. He was second on the team in points last season with 13 goals and 36 The Wings also have a number of defensemen coming up through the assists in 48 games. ranks, including Ryan Sproul, Xavier Oullette and Mattias Backman. His strengths are his playmaking abilities as well as leadership on the ice, Macomb Daily LOADED: 07.05.2013 while his weakness tends to be in the faceoff circle. Ribeiro was traded to Washington from Dallas during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He’s also played for Montreal. Weiss, 30, seems to tops on the Wings’ shopping list. Weiss, who played for the Plymouth Whalers, has spent his entire career with the Florida Panthers where he’s their all-time leader in games played. Weiss made $4.1 million last season. But just like Ribeiro, the length of a deal could be a sticking point. It’s believed Weiss is looking for a four- or five-year deal worth between $4.5 and $5 million a season. Weiss does lack size (5-foot-11, 190 pounds), but has an offensive upside, scoring 20 or more goals four times in the past seven seasons. He’s also stronger in faceoffs compared to Ribeiro. He missed the final 26 games of the season with a wrist injury. If the Wings are unable to land one of those three, Matt Cullen would be next on the list. Cullen, 36, made $3.5 million last season with Minnesota and could be had for a one- or two-year deal. Detroit also seems a bit interested in wingers Jarome Iginla, 36, and Brenden Morrow, 34, if they’re unable to bring back either Daniel Cleary or Damien Brunner. 683840 Edmonton Oilers

OKC Barons bench boss ‘disappointed’ Edmonton Oilers selected Dallas Eakins as new head coach

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal July 4, 2013

EDMONTON - There may come a day when Todd Nelson finally gets his chance to move into the National Hockey League, but if he does it may not be with the Edmonton Oilers. Nelson, who has been tutoring the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate for the last three years and is certainly establishing a noteworthy resume, was passed over recently when Dallas Eakins was recruited from the Toronto Marlies to replace Ralph Krueger as head coach. “Yeah, I’m disappointed,” Nelson said after guiding the Oilers prospects through their paces at the club’s annual development camp. “I do think they have a great coach in Dallas Eakins, I think he’s going to do a fantastic job. (But) I feel I’m very close. “I look at other coaches in our league that have got jobs that haven’t achieved as much as I have, so I know I’m close,” he continued. “I just haven’t been given an opportunity.” Nelson has two years left on his current deal and will do all that he can to assist Eakins while continuing to develop the Oklahoma City Barons, but his end goal is to coach in the NHL. “I want to see this organization have stability with the coaching staff, so with the situation and the way it went down I have to keep all doors open,” he said. “I expressed to management that I’d want their help to maybe explore different opportunities and they agreed. “Right now, it wasn’t my time. Last year, it wasn’t my time. Who knows what the future holds, but it may have to be a different organization. Right now, I’m proud to be part of this rebuilding process. We’re moving in the right direction.” In the three years he has been with the organization, Nelson has led the Barons to the playoffs and made appearances in the AHL Western Conference final in 2012 and again this past spring. And, like Eakins, he spent two years working as an assistant coach in the NHL (Atlanta Thrashers 2008-10; while Eakins worked with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2006-08). He’s also working in a non-hockey market, which has certainly limited his exposure. What can’t be overlooked are his achievements. In 2011, the team’s first in the AHL, the goal was to just get to the post-season and the Barons clawed their way in, despite losing a raft of players to the Oilers. Last season, the Barons finished first in the Western Conference and their leading scorer was Ryan Keller, who had 49 points. They bowed out to Eakins’ Marlies in the conference final. This year, the season started with an injection of NHL talent in Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent- Hopkins and Justin Schultz during the lockout, then the team had to reload and refocus when the lockout ended. In the 2013 conference final, against the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Barons had to try to push past the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes that tore through the area. They fell to the Rapids in Game 7. “We’re very proud of what we’ve built in Oklahoma City,” Nelson said. “We took an organization’s farm team, a team that didn’t make the playoffs for eight years or whatever it was and were able to do it for three straight years. “We’re going to continue to build on that. “We all want this organization to succeed.” Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683841 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers buy out Eric Belanger’s contract

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal July 4, 2013

EDMONTON - Add Eric Belanger to the list of players who will be looking for work on Friday when the NHL free-agent market opens. The Edmonton Oilers put the centre on waivers on Thursday so that they could buy out the final year of his contract – a $833,333 hit that will not count against the salary cap. The Oilers had signed Belanger to a three-year free agent deal in 2011 and while he was good in the faceoff circle, he produced just four goals and 15 assists in 104 games. Anton Lander, whom the Oilers have been grooming for a role in the bottom six since he was drafted in 2009, will be penciled in as the fourth-line centre when camp opens in September. Elsewhere on the roster, the Oilers are obviously going to give Ben Eager another chance after last season’s demotion to the American Hockey League. By all accounts, he was a solid performer for the Oklahoma City Barons, playing in nine regular-season games and 13 playoff games after he struggled to find any traction with the Oilers. He has one year left on his contract ($1.2 million). The window for compliancy buyouts closed at 3 p.m. Thursday. General manager Craig MacTavish, who had been looking to acquire some roster players at the NHL draft, will actively be looking for some free agents — namely another goaltender, a top-two defenceman as well as some depth players for the third and fourth lines. He’ll definitely need a third line centre to fill the void left by captain Shawn Horcoff who was traded to the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Clarke MacArthur, who has spent the last three seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was reportedly in Edmonton to talk about a possible move. He does have some history with new head coach Dallas Eakins and he’s the kind of depth player the Oilers are looking for. MacTavish, meanwhile, was out of town on Thursday, courting other key free agents the team has tagged. All NHL teams had a 48-hour window to talk to players and/or their agents, but no deals were to be signed until 10 a.m. MDT Friday. Several of the players on last season’s Oilers roster have contracts that are now expired, a list that includes: Ryan Jones, Lennart Petrell, Jerred Smithson, Ryan Whitney, Mark Fistric, Nikolai Khabibulin, Darcy Hordichuk and Chris VandeVelde. Theo Peckham, who was not qualified earlier this week, is another of Edmonton’s unrestricted free agents. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683842 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers captain Shawn Horcoff traded to Dallas

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal July 5, 2013 12:02 AM

EDMONTON - Shawn Horcoff, who arrived in Edmonton as a rookie and will leave the Oilers as team captain, is on the verge of becoming a member of the Dallas Stars. The veteran centre was told Thursday that he was going to the Stars, ending a 13-year stay in the Oilers organization. What wasn’t confirmed were the pieces coming to Edmonton. At last report, it was depth defenceman Philip Larsen and a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft, but until the trade is finalized, the Oilers were not prepared to comment Thursday. “Tough to see (Horcoff) go,” Oilers centre Sam Gagner tweeted Thursday evening. “I’ve learned so much from him over the years. Dallas got a great professional and teammate.” The 34-year-old Horcoff weathered a lot of criticism in Edmonton for signing a six-year, $33-million contract extension back in 2008, particularly after his point production tailed off. He still has two years left, but it’s obviously a price the Stars were willing to pay. Horcoff’s departure frees up $5.5 million in salary-cap space in each of the next two years for the Oilers. In actual dollars, Horcoff is slated to earn $4 million in 2013-14 and $3 million in 2014-15. Drafted by the Oilers in 1998, Horcoff had a no-trade clause in his contract that kicked in July 1, so he had to OK his part of the deal. It was, obviously, time for a change. General manager Craig MacTavish had said last month that there comes a point when a player and a franchise reach a crossroads, and that’s when a move is required. What Dallas is getting is a tireless worker who can play on the penalty kill, move up and down the lineup, and win draws — which is exactly the kind of player MacTavish now has to recruit when the free agent market opens Friday. MacTavish and new head coach Dallas Eakins do have a young captain-in- waiting in Taylor Hall, who was one of Horcoff’s assistants last season. Horcoff was made team captain in 2010. Earlier Thursday, the Oilers put Eric Belanger on waivers so they could buy out his contract, while the Stars, clearly in the midst of retooling their roster, acquired Tyler Seguin from the Boston Bruins, along with Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button for Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith, Matt Fraser and Joe Morrow. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683843 Edmonton Oilers It also leaves the Oilers with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, as the club’s top centre, with Sam Gagner slotted in at No. 2. Anton Lander, who spent most of the truncated 2013 season with the MacKinnon: MacTavish clears some space on eve of free agency Oilers American Hockey League farm club in Oklahoma City, might be the No. 4 centre at the moment. When he was introduced as GM, MacTavish spoke of the need for bold By John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal July 4, 2013 10:06 PM moves to improve the Oilers, whose top-end skill in Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov is the envy of the league. The club is thin on role players, two-way grinders and, for the moment at least, in goal, with only Devan Dubnyk slated to return for next year. EDMONTON - On the eve of NHL free agency, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish did some significant site clearance, shedding the MacTavish’s next move could well be to secure a chunk of the ‘meat’ he franchise of veteran centres Shawn Horcoff and Eric Belanger. pledged to add to the roster in the form of David Clarkson, a gritty, six-foot- one, 200-pound free-agent right-winger who was reportedly in Edmonton in Neither move qualifies as the sort of bold change MacTavish heralded in his the last day or two. introductory news conference as GM in April, but taken together, the moves could be the precursor to major changes for the club in the coming weeks, if MacTavish has intimated that right-winger Ales Hemsky would be moved, not days. also, although it’s not clear when such a move might occur. MacTavish was in the process Thursday night of trading Horcoff, the club’s All in all, MacTavish has estimated the Oilers will have six-to-eight new captain who turns 35 in September, to Dallas for what was reported to be a players on the roster by the onset of the 2013-14 season. In shedding the seventh-round pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft and depth defenceman contracts of Belanger and Horcoff, MacTavish has cleared some space. Philip Larsen. The deal was to be completed Friday. What happens next could be fascinating. Belanger, who turns 36 in December, was placed on waivers for the purposes of having the final year of his contract bought out by the Oilers. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 Once bought out, Belanger will become an unrestricted free agent. Once completed, the Horcoff trade will end the two-way centre’s 13-year stay with the Oilers, during which he played 12 seasons, including the 2005-06 campaign when Edmonton advanced to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. Horcoff, benefiting as all the Oilers did from the sublime presence of defenceman Chris Pronger, scored 22 goals and added 51 assists for 73 points that campaign, far and away his most productive NHL season. He has two years remaining on his six-year contract at a cap hit of $5.5 million per year. In actual dollars, Horcoff is slated to earn $4 million in 2013-14 and $3 million in 2014-15. So, Horcoff takes far less salary baggage to Dallas than he carried in Edmonton for much of the life of that deal, signed in July 2008. The deal saw his cap hit and salary sit at $7 million in Year 1, $6.5 million in Years 2 and 3 and $6 million in Year 4 while the team struggled, as did Horcoff. He signed the deal on the heels of a 50-point season in 2007-08, and he followed it up with a 53-point year in ’08-09. He never came close to that plateau again, In trading Horcoff, MacTavish rids his payroll of a contract that was seen, symbolically, as a classic overpayment for a very good, but not great player. If that lengthy, generous contract was a mistake, it was one made on Kevin Lowe’s watch as GM, now belatedly corrected. Belanger was signed as a free agent by Steve Tambellini, who succeeded Lowe and preceded MacTavish as GM. In two seasons with Edmonton, the veteran Belanger never found his niche. When he was signed, it seemed the perennial 12-13 goal scorer, adept faceoff man and strong two-way player, would be a good fit on a team that needed a role player who could play responsible defence. Overall, Belanger’s performance amounted to being a non-negative factor, to use a favourite phrase of MacTavish’s. Horcoff was a leader for much of his time in Edmonton, including team captain from 2010 until his departure. One of the fittest Oilers, year after year, Horcoff’s all-around game was rooted in hard work and on-ice smarts. He played hurt and his body took a pounding over the years. He was mostly a good soldier as the Oilers struggled to replace key pieces, like Pronger, Michael Peca and Jaroslav Spacek, who departed almost as soon as the magical 2006 Stanley Cup run ended. Horcoff could well be a splendid fit in Dallas, where his role would probably more narrowly defined This trade will enable new coach Dallas Eakins to install a young captain on a young team, with left-winger Taylor Hall widely thought to be the obvious choice. The moves also clear $6.33 million from the Oilers payroll, an enabling precondition to whatever other moves MacTavish plans to make. 683844 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers waive Eric Belanger; will buy him out

July 4, 2013. 9:43 am • Jonathan Willis

Belanger had one year left on his contract with a cap hit of $1.75 million. Interestingly, in real dollars the final year of his deal came with only a $1.25 million actual salary, menaing that the buyout cost the Oilers a shade over $800,000 (two-thirds of actual dollars). As mentioned earlier, this buyout does not come as a surprise. Belanger hadscored between 13 and 17 goals and recorded between 35 and 41 points in each of seven consecutive seasons following the 2004-05 NHL Lockout. More than that, he had done so while playing an important defensive role killing penalties and taking own-zone draws. For a time, he was one of the better third-line centres in the game, and when he signed in Edmonton the expectation was that he would offer them play at that same level. Instead, the scoring dried up; in 104 games with the Oilers Belanger scored only four times and manged 15 assists. As for the rest of his game, colleague Bruce McCurdy summed it up nicely in his excellent recap of Belanger’s desultory 2013 campaign: Whoever he was with, got crushed. For every 60 minutes Belanger was on the ice the Oilers got outshot 36-22 — and that was facing the weakest players on the other team for the most part. Behindthenet.ca shows him as having the second worst Relative Corsi on the club (ahead of only Eager), while stats.hockeyanalysis.comconfirms the dreadful shots ratio of 3:5 and further shows virtually every teammate performed better when separated from Belanger than they did when on his line. Here at the Cult of Hockey, Belanger posted the worst Neilson Number in memory, at least for a forward. David Staples saw him as contributing to just 22 scoring chances for the Oilers while being one of the defensive culprits on 56 opposition chances. To call those numbers “dreadful” would be an understatement. This signing, while defensible, ended up being a disaster for the Oilers. A useful NHL performer for the better part of a decade, Belanger’s career came off track at the age of 34 and the Oilers got burned; understandably, after two seasons they had seen enough. Now the only questions that remain are where the team turns to shore up a weak depth chart at centre, and whether Belanger can find a team willing to give him another chance. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683845 Edmonton Oilers excellent choice in 1983. Other than that, Frankie Leroux was a minor hit, mostly elsewhere, and the rest were flat out duds. It’s not just the first round either. In total the Oilers have drafted 99 (!) Darnell Nurse’s arrival signals changing of the guard among Edmonton defencemen since Paul Coffey. Just 3 of them played as many as 500 Oilers defence hopefuls games, a mere 13 of them made it to 100. The entire group of 99 guys has so far combined for 1368 NHL points — less than Paul Coffey achieved on his own! Sure, Coffey was an outlier, but since his inspired selection the July 4, 2013. 6:00 am • Oilers scouting staff has suffered a collective fall from grace that lasted from that day to this. Bruce McCurdy Or nearly so. While the page has turned on Plante, another minor chapter in the manner of Odelein, Stajduhar, or Descoteaux, it remains very much an open book for the two guys at the very bottom of the list. Way too early to After a day of off-ice testing, Edmonton Oilers’ summer development camp lump Klefbom and Nurse in with the busts, or to do much more than hope gets underway for real this morning when the latest crop of young hopefuls that they might turn out fractionally as good as Lowe or Coffey. takes to the ice at Millennium Place. Much of the cast of characters is the same as a year ago, but as usual it will be the newcomers who will draw the In Nurse’s case, perhaps a reasonable template is the career path of most scrutiny from the ever-observant Oil Country, which presumably will Beukeboom, another towering d-man from the Soo. It’s worth revisiting that be out in force once again. path just as a reminder of how long it can take, even for a guy who eventually pans out. Nothing wrong with setting high expectations, but with With no shiny baubles of type “1 OV” to wow the masses with their mad defenders it’s not wise to set them too early. Developing a young skills this time around, towering rearguard Darnell Nurse steps into the defenceman takes time, patience and luck, with many a fork in the road that limelight, having been drafted seventh overall this past weekend. While he can send a young career down a different path if not into the ditch. That’s a is not expected to step directly into the NHL as previously happened with fact to which Oilers fans of the past 30 years can readily attest, all the while Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Nail Yakupov, his initial impression holding out hope that this time it really is going to be different. at summer camp can nonetheless be expected to provide the benchmark against which his future development can be gauged. To which one can only add “good luck” to both the departed and the incoming. I’ll be among those Oilers fans watching (and live tweeting) at As Nurse joins a promising young group that includes Oscar Klefbom, Millennium Place this morning, following up with a radio spot to summarize David Musil, Martin Gernat, Brandon Davidson and Dillon Simpson, an the day’s highlights on The Lowdown With Lowetide at 11:40 MDT on The older group of once-touted defenders will be making room for them, haven Team 1260. I’ll also have a written report here at the Cult a little later in the gotten the proverbial one-way ticket out of town earlier this week. By not day. submitting qualifying offers, the Oilers organization cut ties with a former first-round pick in Alex Plante, another player of similar pedigree acquired Out with the (not so) old, in with the new — the endless cycle of the game. by trade in Colten Teubert, and a third-rounder in Theo Peckham who had spent most of his seven years in the organization convincing a lot of people Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 he was developing into a useful NHL rearguard. Three huge, talented guys, cut loose in one fell swoop. It’s disappointing, but that’s the nature of the beast. In this business, you progress or you get swept aside to make room for the next group. Besides the acquisition cost of draft choices and other assets, the purge of Peckham, Plante, and Teubert writes off a sunk cost of some 700 games of professional development within the Oilers organization, nearly 200 of those with the big club itself. Yet all had stalled; after repeated cups of coffee (and much more in the case of Peckham), the trio played just 4 NHL games among them in 2013, and all spent ample time in the press box. When Teubert and Plante found themselves watching OKC Barons’ playoff run from on high, the writing was on the wall. Peckham had an outside chance with the changes in management and coaching by the Oilers, but it turned out he remained out of favour and will be given his chance to “get a second opinion” with another organization. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if one of these three eventually turned out to be an NHL player, but which one? All have been spinning their wheels in the Edmonton organization, with each having struggled with injury at various points along the way. That too is a cost of doing business for young hockey players, defencemen in particular, and rugged d-men even more so. It’s sobering to reflect that all three young men suffered serious setbacks when they sustained concussions in fights, more than once in the case of Alex Plante. Hard not to wonder what role that head trauma may have played in slowing their development both short- and long-term. While much was made this past weekend about how Edmonton hasn’t drafted a defenceman with its first, first-round pick since Jason Soules way back in 1989, the Oilers have had a number of years where they had two or more picks in that first round, and have often drafted a d-man with their second roll of the dice. In all, the Oil have drafted a dozen d-men in the first round. After a brilliant start, it’s a pretty dismal group: Oilers first round D Lowe and Coffey were the first two defencemen ever drafted by the Oilers organization after Edmonton was admitted to the NHL in 1979. Each stepped directly into the NHL right after the draft, never played a game in the minors, and went on to decorated careers. Since then? Ugh. Consider that the ten first rounders taken since 1980 have played a combined 1099 games, fewer than either Lowe or Coffey on their own. Most of those were accumulated by Jeff Beukeboom, another 683846 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers open 2013-14 pre-season with split-squad clashes against Calgary Flames

Edmonton Journal July 4, 2013 Staff

EDMONTON - While a double dose of Calgary is rarely something Edmontonians look to endure, Oilers' fans will gladly take it Sept. 14 as the NHL team opens its pre-season schedule with split-squad games in both Alberta cities against the rival Flames. The pair of games that Saturday night are among eight on the 2013-14 exhibition slate for the Oilers, who will also face both the Vancouver Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets twice, with one date each against the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars. Four of the pre-season contests will be held at Rexall Place, with one of the road games -- the final one on the exhibition schedule -- slated Sept. 27 in Oklahoma City, the home of the Oilers' AHL affiliate, against the Stars. Edmonton Oilers 2013-14 NHL pre-season schedule Saturday, Sept. 14 at Calgary Flames 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Calgary Flames 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Winnipeg Jets 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Vancouver Canucks 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Vancouver Canucks 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 vs. Winnipeg Jets 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 vs. New York Rangers 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Dallas Stars (at Oklahoma City) 6 p.m. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683847 Edmonton Oilers A similar surcharge will remain for shows at Rexall Place under a separate bylaw. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 Council agrees to borrow $542 million for downtown Edmonton arena project

By Gordon Kent, Edmonton Journal July 3, 2013

EDMONTON - An irate Mayor Stephen Mandel complained that downtown arena opponents are misrepresenting numbers Wednesday as council approved borrowing $542 million to pay for the project. “The challenge is people only want to read what they want and hear what they want to hear,” he said, pointing to the public document showing how the loan will be repaid. “Here’s the report that (outlines) all the money. It isn’t rocket science.” Mandel became upset after councillors Linda Sloan, Tony Caterina and Kerry Diotte — who voted against the bylaw — asked numerous questions about borrowing plans, repayment schedules and the city’s liability for the debt. “There are different people who want to misrepresent (the issue). The simple fact is the Katz Group is responsible for about half the money and we’re responsible for about half the money,” Mandel said. “This is not complicated, it’s nothing scary … If anybody, on this council particularly, doesn’t understand it, they haven’t been at the meetings.” When reporters later asked Mandel whether he feels the three opponents were trying to mislead the public, he said “if they were to read the reports that were in front of them the last 15 times they would have enough information.” But Sloan, who has long been against the project, insisted she wasn’t trying to drag out the issue and merely wanted to clarify the numbers involved. “I take some offence in the suggestion that this is an unnecessary discussion when it’s probably one of the largest debentures the city will undertake. It will implicate the city for the next 30 years.” Diotte repeated his point that the city is financing and building a structure from which it won’t receive any revenue, despite Coun. Kim Krushell’s challenge to come up with a better arrangement. “Many, many citizens realize it’s a bad deal, and I can’t support borrowing money to do that,” Diotte said. Councillors voted to go ahead with the arena May 15 using money from Oilers owner Daryl Katz, a ticket tax, property taxes on downtown growth, new parking revenues, government help and redirected grants from Rexall Place. The scheme’s total cost will be $604 million. That’s made up of $480 million for the arena and $124 million for land, a pedestrian corridor and Wintergarden bridge over 104th Avenue, a community rink and an LRT link. Conservative calculations show future property taxes in the area will produce more than enough money to cover what’s required for debt payments, chief financial officer Lorna Rosen said. Coun. Don Iveson said the loans, being taken out in stages between this year and 2017, will have “the lowest interest rates in the history of civilization.” “I know a lot of Edmontonians are concerned because of what they’re hearing from their elected representatives about debt, that we don’t have a plan … but every debt has an identified source of payment.” Council and Katz must still accept a plan coming later this year for setting the maximum $480-million price before arena construction can start next spring. The project will be changed to cut costs if the figure comes in above the maximum price, although features for which Katz alone is paying, such as an escalator, are outside this estimate, city manager Simon Farbrother said. Councillors also passed a bylaw allowing a seven-per-cent ticket tax to be imposed on all arena events, which will cover $125 million of the construction budget. 683848 Edmonton Oilers

What if the Edmonton Oilers had been in the Tyler Seguin hunt?

July 4, 2013. 3:32 pm • Jim Matheson

We don’t know if Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish was sniffing around Tyler Seguin like scads of other general managers — he’s currently keeping his player movement ideas very quiet — unusual for MacT, who has been very forthright in pursuing people — but if he’d been offered Seguin, would he have considered moving Jordan Eberle or Nail Yakupov for the youngster? That surely would have been Boston’s asking price considering they got the best winger in Dallas, Loui Eriksson, who has three 70-plus seasons and is smack-dab in his prime, turning 28 later this month, for Seguin in the blockbuster trade with the Stars Thursday. Eriksson is one of the NHL’s secrets because he plays in Dallas. Eriksson is one of the NHL’s most underrated players — a great two-way forward who is no maintenance — so the Stars gave up a considerable amount to get him because they felt they could move their Canadian Olympic team possibility Jamie Benn back to the wing from centre, where he is less comfortable. But again, if you were the Oilers, would you have surrendered either Eberle or Yakupov, your best two RWs with Ales Hemsky likely traded later this summer? II would have considered it, although I love Eberle’s hands and ability to score highlight reel goals, and his work ethic and his devotion to playing the game the right way. He’s got a letter on his jersey and might be captain this upcoming season, either he or Taylor Hall. But Seguin is a big-time talent, too, with a few blemishes admittedly. He was playing out of position in Boston, on the wing, because they had David Krejci, who led everybody in playoff points this year, and Patrice Bergeron, who will be on Canada’s 2014 Olympic squad if healthy, in the middle. He was on the wing on the third line with Chris Kelly at centre. Seguin fell out of favour in Boston for his healthy upcoming contract (they are looking at signing goalie Tuukka Rask for about $7 mil a season), plus it didn’t seem like Seguin was going to be a top two centre there and he wasn’t what they wanted to replace UFA Nathan Horton in the top six on the wing. There have also been questions about Seguin’s maturity off the ice, with GM Peter Chiarelli opening saying he has to “be more of a professional and focus more,” but he’s still a kid, just three years into his NHL career. He has to buckle down, but to me, he’s a Jeremy Roenick-type player — a shooter more than a passer as a centre, without Roenick’s hitting ability. RNH and Seguin as the top two centres here? What would be wrong with that scenario? Seguin starts a six-year contract with a cap hit of $5.75 million, which would have made him an expensive second-banana to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but the Oilers did seriously consider drafting Seguin first overall in 2010 before deciding on left-winger Taylor Hall. He had dinner with owner Daryl Katz, too, just like Hall, if I’m not mistaken Eberle, 23, would have been a very stiff price for Seguin, but you would still have Yakupov as a high-end winger, coming off 17 goals as a rookie. I suspect the Bruins would have liked the ready-made Eberle before the one- year NHLer Yakupov, but would it have been so far-fetched, giving up a very good player in Eberle to get a very good 21-year-old in Seguin? I I don’t think so. Seguin had 67 points in 2011-12. This past season, Seguin had 16 goals and 32 points in a support role. Eberle had 37 points, Yak 31. If nothing else, it’s food for thought as MacTavish tries to remake the Oilers roster through free agency and trade. Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683849 Edmonton Oilers “I can’t control that,” he said, adding he believes his time is coming. “I know I’m close, I feel that in my heart. And I feel I’m very capable.” If he gets a shot in the NHL, it seems obvious now that it won’t be with Despite being overlooked in the Edmonton Oilers head coach hunt, OKC Edmonton. Barons head coach Todd Nelson positive his chance will come … somewhere “I’m hoping other teams are looking at what I’m doing,” he said. “I have to keep all doors open. Who knows what the future holds but it may have to be a different organization. By Robert Tychkowski ,Edmonton Sun “Right now I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in Oklahoma City and I First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 06:09 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, think the Oilers are going to see the benefits in the future.” July 04, 2013 06:48 PM MDT Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013

EDMONTON - It is a stupid question but we have to ask it, and Todd Nelson is kind enough to answer politely. Disappointed? “Yeah, I’m disappointed,” said the Oklahoma City Barons coach, in Edmonton for the first time since being passed over for the Oilers head job. “I talked to management about that and it’s out of my control.” Nelson, who has a glowing resume in OKC, leading the Barons to the AHL’s Western Conference finals the last two seasons, was hoping the Oilers would promote from within when it came time to name a new coach. Instead, the Oilers promoted from within the Maple Leafs organization, naming Dallas Eakins of the Toronto Marlies their fifth head coach in the last six years. “That was management’s decision,” said Nelson. “I think they have a great coach in Dallas Eakins. I think he’s going to do a fantastic job.” Disappointment and bitterness are two different emotions, and Nelson wants to make sure nobody gets the two of them confused. “I love working with this organization, we’re a family,” he said. “They’ve treated me well, they’ve supported me.” Nelson’s work in Oklahoma City, under some harsh circumstances, has been stellar. He took teams that knew nothing but failure, teams that were decimated by call-ups, and a team stripped of its five best players and turned them into championship contenders. “All three years we’ve done it differently,” said Nelson, who compiled a 125- 76 record in three seasons with Oklahoma City, after spending two years as an assistant with the Atlanta Thrashers and winning back-to-back UHL championships with Muskegon in 2004 and 2005. “Our first year, our goal was just to get into the playoffs. We had players in the organization who’d never seen the post-season. We scraped and clawed and got our way in. That was the season we had eight guys called up at one time (because of injuries in Edmonton). We’re proud of that season. “Two years ago we finished first in the Western Conference and people looked at our team and wondered how we did it because our leading scorer was Ryan Keller at 49 points. But we were so close as a team and played the game the right way that we just wore teams down.” This season he had to re-structure his entire team, twice, when Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Justin Schultz and Magnus Paajarvi parachuted in during the lockout, then left gaping holes in the Barons lineup after the NHL resumed. “We had to push the reset button and find the pieces that we needed,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of a hockey team than I was this year, with the guys we had. “All the adversity the guys faced, tornados, going through Brandon Davidson’s (cancer) situation, the lockout, it was a very emotional season and our guys showed true character.” That none of that even warranted an interview with the Oilers seems odd, until you consider that Lindy Ruff didn’t even get an interview, either. Had Nelson done all that in Toronto instead of Oklahoma City, maybe he’d have been the hot commodity heading into this off-season, but there was no eastern media love-in for him. No Toronto network guys tweeting his praises. 683850 Edmonton Oilers “It’s the whole Alberta advantage. The taxes are a big part of it. The economy is excellent. We’re getting a new building which adds a lot of excitement to the downtown core. Oilers GM MacTavish heading into free-agency frenzy with reduced fan “The passion of the fans here. The excitement in the building for a team out expectations of the playoffs for a seventh straight season. Passion resonates with players.

By Terry Jones ,Edmonton Sun “You can go to Anaheim or Florida or Tampa for the weather, but there’s a lot of time to be retired. First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 04:59 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 06:44 PM MDT “Coming to a situation here, with a lot of very good players to grow with … I would say, from a self-satisfaction standpoint, there’s no better situation for a player than to get in on the ground floor in building a championship team.”

EDMONTON - When you think about it, this is the day Edmonton hockey Off his track record already, to have MacTavish flying around in a private jet fans should have managed to get themselves all lathered up and excited in the last 48 hours making that pitch, should generate some optimism. about. Not last Sunday. But, unlike having the entire fan base with the heebie jeebies like last week, Instead ‘Free Agent Frenzy’ begins here today with a lot less hype and far maybe it’s better without the great expectations. fewer expectations. It’s almost like the fans are not willing to build themselves up for another large letdown after new general manager Craig Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013 MacTavish failed to deliver a single deal at the NHL Entry Draft. The only thing MacTavish came home with other than No. 7 pick Darnell Nurse and another batch of prospects which you can watch this week at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, was an early submission for Quote of the Year. “My deal rate per spoken word is extremely low right now,” he quipped. MacTavish had great expectations of being the most active general manager at the draft but received a rookie GM education on just how difficult it is to do a deal, much less three or four, with the current salary cap situation. But when it comes to bagging free agents … MacTavish has a proven record already. As a coach, he played a big part in landing Chris Pronger coming out of the 2005 lockout, a move that took the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. MacTavish was the point man in organizing the successful sell job which resulted in free agent college defenceman Justin Schultz choosing Edmonton over 29 other teams. He did it again with a trip over to Finland for the world championships where his presence and interest convinced Russian national team defenceman Anton Belov to choose the Oilers over all other suitors. And if Danny DeKayser didn’t grow up in Michigan as a Detroit Red Wings fan, he might have had him as a free agent catch, too. Instead, another submission for Quote of the Year: “Everything went phenomenally well when Kevin Lowe and I had dinner with him. As we were leaving to drive back to Chicago, we were going to follow Danny’s car back to the highway so he could point us in the right direction. When we were behind him, I looked up and noticed that he had a Detroit Red Wings vanity plate.” The Oilers were left as first runner up in that one when DeKayser signed with Detroit. MacTavish had no media send-off to deliver optimistic expectations before the new 48-hour window to court free agents opened leading to Friday’s open season on unrestricted free agents. But reports at the Oilers development camp, where no management members were to be found and where new coach Dallas Eakins was also noticeable by his absence, indicated he flew in Daryl Katz private jet to visit free agents Wednesday and that free agent David Clarkson met with the Oilers Thursday in Edmonton. It didn’t get much play on the day when Steve Tambellini was fired and McTavish was hired because there was so much other content involved, but MacTavish went into why he believed he was going to be able to be successful in selling players on becoming Oilers in situations like this. “I’ve been telling this story for some time and it’s a compelling story,” he said. 683851 Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers release pre-season schedule: Four at home, four away

First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 12:15 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 12:34 PM MDT Staff

The Edmonton Oilers will play eight pre-season games in September — four at home and four away. The team released its pre-season schedule today. One game is set to be played in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Barons are the Oilers' AHL affiliate. The schedule is (All time MST. SS=split squad): DATE OPPONENT VENUE TIME SATURDAY, SEPT. 14 VS. CALGARY FLAMES REXALL PLACE 8:00 P.M. *(SS) Saturday, Sept. 14 @ Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome 7:00 P.M. *(ss) Tuesday, Sept. 17 @ Winnipeg Jets MTS Centre 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, Sept. 18 @ Vancouver Canucks Rogers Arena 8:00 P.M. SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS REXALL PLACE 8:00 P.M. MONDAY, SEPT. 23 VS. WINNIPEG JETS REXALL PLACE 7:30 P.M. TUESDAY, SEPT. 24 VS. NEW YORK RANGERS REXALL PLACE 7:30 P.M. Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Dallas Stars Cox Convention Center (OKC) Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683852 Edmonton Oilers Belanger came to the Oilers two years ago as an unrestricted free agent and seemed exactly what the Oilers needed, a guy who could win faceoffs and put up about 40 points a year. But his career hit a brick wall in Edmonton Oilers trade former captain Shawn Horcoff to Dallas Stars; buy Edmonton — 16 points in 2011-12 and just three in 26 games last year. He out Eric Belanger had one year left on a $1.75 million cap hit. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.05.2013

By Robert Tychkowski ,Edmonton Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 07:27 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 09:11 PM MDT

EDMONTON - Edmonton Oilers fans won’t have Shawn Horcoff to kick around anymore. The club cut ties with the 34-year-old whipping post Thursday night, informing their captain he is being traded to the Dallas Stars in a deal that, barring a colossal last-minute snag, will be finalized Friday morning. “He was a great captain and will be missed by a lot of guys in the room,” said Taylor Hall, who many believe will inherit Edmonton’s captaincy. Horcoff leaves after 796 regular season games with the Oilers in which he scored 162 goals and added 285 assists. The Oilers get a seventh-round draft pick and small, offensively challenged defenceman Philip Larsen back, in what is basically a salary dump. Being the captain and highest-paid player during the worst era in franchise history made Horcoff’s career in Edmonton a stormy one at times. Drafted 99th overall in 1998 out of Michigan State University, Horcoff got his foot in the Oilers door in 2000 as a fourth-line centre and leaves 13 years later with two years left on a six-year, $33-million contract that made him a lighting rod for criticism. He made the NHL All-Star game in 2007-08 and was a solid two-way centre, excellent faceoff man and good leader, but the points never matched the money and that was a problem for a lot of Oilers fans. His career high was 73 points and in his last two full seasons he couldn’t crack the 40-point barrier. “I’ve always been a guy who whatever my role is, whatever is wanted out of me, I’m going to play it to the best of my ability,” he said during his 2012 exit interviews. “The unfortunate thing is that it just doesn’t add up to what I’m being paid to do.” Still, his work ethic and commitment to the organization were never questioned and he earned a lot of respect in the dressing room. He was also heading into the low end of his contract ($4 million this year and $3 million next), but he and the Oilers agreed it was time for a new start from both perspectives. Former teammate Sam Gagner tweeted his tribute a few hours after the story broke: “Tough to see Horc go. I’ve learned so much from him over the years. Dallas got a great professional and teammate today.” Horcoff’s high-point as an Oiler came during Edmonton’s run to the Stanley Cup final in 2006, when his 19 points in 24 playoff games were second only to Chris Pronger’s 21. But he knew the moment he signed a contract that would pay him $7 million at its apex that he’d be under a microscope. “Nobody wants to produce more than I do,” he said in the same 2012 exit interview. “I give it 110% every night. I understand there is going to be frustration with some people and fans, but really, at the end of the day I have to be able to come to the rink, play the best that I can and live with the results.” Earlier in the day, the Oilers closed the book on Eric Belanger, buying the slumping centre out of his contract. With Horcoff and Belanger gone, the Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (who’s coming off shoulder surgery), Sam Gagner (who’s unsigned) and Anton Lander (who’s unproven) at centre. That means GM Craig MacTavish must have a free-agent lead or two that he’ll be confirming when the market opens Friday morning. 683853 Florida Panthers

Stephen Weiss’ time with Florida Panthers might end

By George Richards

For a good number of NHL players, including Florida’s Stephen Weiss, Friday will become their independence day. Weiss, like many others, is free to sign with any other team as the league’s free agency period begins at noon. The Panthers have said they had been working to keep Weiss with the only organization he has known, but as expected, Weiss will be a free agent for the first time. Reports say Weiss is being heavily courted by Detroit — close to where he played junior hockey in Plymouth, Mich. Weiss and agent Pat Morris did not respond for comment. Weiss was the fourth overall pick of the 2001 draft held in Sunrise; he made his NHL debut with the Panthers in 2002 and became the franchise’s all- time leader in games played in 2012. The Panthers are expected to be in the market for a few players, although with about $45 million committed to players already under contract, Florida isn’t expected to be a big player in the free agency market. General manager Dale Tallon said as much Tuesday. The Panthers’ payroll doesn’t include unsigned players such as goalie Jacob Markstrom and center Shawn Matthias. Tallon, handcuffed by an internal budget, said the Panthers will likely try to find free agent deals once the dust settles and the likes of Weiss, Nathan Horton and Danny Briere have found their new homes for more money than Florida can afford. “We’ll probably be more active in August. We’re not going to overpay on July 5,” Tallon said. “We’re going to sit tight and be patient and get some good players at the right price.” Florida is expected to be much closer to the salary cap floor ($44 million) than the ceiling ($64 million) with money from a recent buyout of defenseman Filip Kuba counting against the cap. The Panthers put Kuba on waivers Wednesday so they can buyout the final year of his $3.7 million contract. “We want more speed, more skill, more grit,” Tallon said. Florida will have to pay two-thirds of Kuba’s contract spread out over the next two years so Kuba will get $2.6 million and is free to sign with another time. The Panthers’ $45 million payroll includes Kuba’s buyout number. With Kuba gone after just one season, the Panthers will look to strengthen not only their defense but also bring in at least a center and right winger. Florida is letting Tyson Strachan walk, but the defenseman could return on a two-way deal. Florida currently has 14 forwards and eight defensemen with NHL experience under contractual control. At least two of those players — Ed Jovanovski and Kris Versteeg — likely won’t be ready to start the year after having surgery last season. Look for the Panthers to be young next year with Alex Petrovic, Colby Robak, Mike Caruso, Nick Bjugstad, Quinton Howden, Drew Shore and rookie Sasha Barkov all expected to make the team. Goalie Jose Theodore is also a free agent. “We’re not going to go crazy. There aren’t a lot of free agents available,” Tallon said. “The prices are going to be high for those particular players. We’ll just sit tight and see what happens. If it makes sense and a player wants to come here badly, we’ll be aggressive.” Miami Herald LOADED: 07.05.2013 683854 Florida Panthers •Michael Ryder; RW; 33: Has notched five seasons of 25 or more goals; perfect fit. •Chad LaRose; RW; 29: Affordable third- or fourth-line center who can put Panthers not expected to make splash in free agency the puck in the net. •Peter Mueller; C/RW; 25: If he eschews arbitration could return to help fill By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel the void until Kris Versteeg's knee is mended. 6:18 PM EDT, July 4, 2013 •Ray Emery; G; 30: Coming off sensational season as champions Blackhawks backup; would complement Markstrom. Sun Sentinel LOADED: 07.05.2013 Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon trumpeted his arrival in the summer of 2010 by making a tidal wave-like $67 million splash into free agency, bringing in seven veterans as well as trading for established defenseman Brian Campbell and forward Kris Versteeg. Three years later, after building the franchise's depth through the draft with 36 picks, including two No. 3s in defenseman Erik Gudbranson and Calder Trophy winning forward Jonathan Huberdeau, as well as NHL-ready center Sasha Barkov at No. 2 in last Sunday's draft, Tallon may only dip his big toe into what is considered a shallow talent pool of free agents, beginning on Friday at noon. While Tallon's inaugural plunge paid immediate dividends when the Panthers surprisingly went from last to first in the Southeast Division and snapped their dubious NHL record of missing the playoffs in 10 straight seasons, they took a step backwards last season when injuries combined with shoddy goaltending had them buried in the NHL cellar. "We'll probably be more active in August. We're not going to overpay on July 5th,'' Tallon said on Tuesday. "We're going to sit tight, be patient and get some good players at the right price. "There aren't a lot of free agents available so the price is going to be high for those particular players. … We'll see what happens. If somebody wants to come here badly and it makes sense, then we'll be aggressive.'' Tallon said his free-agent priorities are for a center, right wing and "probably'' a defenseman. "Those are the three spots I'd like to change,'' Tallon said. "We're trying to get faster, more aggressive. We're trying to change the dynamics a little bit of our fourth line and defensive pairings, more energy, more speed and more grit.'' Tallon hasn't ruled out the signings of any of his own free agents, including centers Stephen Weiss and Peter Mueller, who wasn't tendered an offer sheet on Tuesday, thus freeing him to sign elsewhere. According to capgeek.com, the Panthers are about $20 million under the salary-cap ceiling of $64.3 million and right at the floor ($44 million), which is generally where the financially challenged franchise targets. With five defensemen on two-way deals, including veteran Ed Jovanovski, whose career is in jeopardy after major hip surgery, but excluding young defenseman Gudbranson, that leaves one or two roster spots on the blue line, which will most likely be filled by promising prospects such as Alex Petrovic, Colby Robak or Mike Caruso. Including Huberdeau and breakthrough rookie Drew Shore the Panthers will have nine forwards spots locked up with youngsters Quinton Howden, Nick Bjugstad and Barkov challenging for three more. The goaltending situation seems set with Jacob Markstrom and Scott Clemmensen, although the Panthers may deal Clemmensen and sign one of the available free-agent goalies. Potential free-agent targets •Andrew Ference; D; 34: Stanley Cup winner and a compliance buyout bargain that could be Jovanovski insurance. •Mikhail Grabovski; C; 29: Throw out lockout numbers; he'll get you 25 goals and should be affordable after Leafs bought him out for $14 million over next eight years. •Valtteri Filppula; C; 29: Red Wings championship pedigree, third-line center could help mentor fellow Finn Barkov. •Stephen Weiss; C; 30: Never say never; he may end up taking hometown discount if he's not bowled over by mundane offers due to brittle, yet tough reputation. 683855 Los Angeles Kings

Ellerby re-signs for one year

Posted by JonRosen on 4 July 2013, 11:43 am

The Kings announced on Thursday that defenseman Keaton Ellerby, who was not qualified by the team on Wednesday, has been re-signed to a one- year contract. Ellerby, a left-handed shot, represents valuable insurance should Los Angeles not be able to retain the services of Rob Scuderi – another left- handed shot – through free agency. More analysis of what Ellerby’s signing means to the Kings will be provided once Scuderi’s future becomes clearer. In 35 games with Los Angeles last season, Ellerby recorded three assists, 16 penalty minutes and a plus-five rating, while his regular season time-on- ice average of 14:17 was a low amongst defensemen. For a full evaluation of his 2012-13 season with the Kings, click here. LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683856 Los Angeles Kings

Thursday morning Scuderi update

Posted by JonRosen on 4 July 2013, 10:18 am

From this morning’s Cross Checks Blog on ESPN.com: -Don’t expect a final decision from UFA blue-liner Rob Scuderi until Friday. Sources say Scuderi got a real nice offer from the Kings on Tuesday night but the veteran player wanted to see what was out there on the market with the 48-hour window for talking to other teams opening Wednesday. He has done that, hearing from several East Coast teams. Basically, if Scuderi does leave the Kings, he’s going to the East. It would not surprise me if Pittsburgh was among the several teams that called about Scuderi. The Pens know him well from his previous playing days in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh isn’t the only team interested in Scuderi; Toronto, Tampa Bay, and a collection of other Eastern-based teams are also likely to pursue the defenseman who becomes an unrestricted free agent at 9:00 am on Friday. The interest in the two-time Stanley Cup winner appears to be high enough that it could push his desired annual salary beyond what the Kings have offered (and could potentially offer due to existing contracts, the need to sign restricted free agents and the shrunken salary cap). LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683857 Minnesota Wild Cullen says he has received “plenty of interest.” His priority is going someplace he can win. St. Louis, Detroit and Tampa Bay are three teams pursuing. Wild swaps out Minnesotans The going rate for a No. 2 center in free agency (Mike Ribeiro, Valtteri Filppula, Stephen Weiss, Tyler Bozak) is expensive and long-term, so unless Fletcher can find a bargain or has something else up his sleeve, the Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune Wild might pass the baton to youngsters Charlie Coyle or Mikael Granlund next season. Updated: July 4, 2013 - 11:35 PM Fletcher declined to comment regarding Cullen and can’t discuss Ballard until the signing is official Friday. Matt Cullen is moving on, and Keith Ballard will be joining the team. There will be at least five subtractions from the Wild — Cullen, Gilbert, Cal Clutterbuck, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Justin Falk. The Wild will lose one Minnesotan in free agency but gain another. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 When the clock strikes 11 a.m. Friday, veteran center Matt Cullen will officially be moving on from the Wild. But defenseman Keith Ballard, who hails from Baudette and won two national championships with the Gophers, will sign a two-year, $3 million contract with Minnesota. Ballard, unlike most free-agents-to-be, was able to agree to terms before the opening bell because he was bought out Thursday by the Vancouver Canucks. “This isn’t a big homecoming celebration,” said Ballard, 30. “There’s a lot of work to be done to re-establish my career. It’s an important year for me. I’m not overly wrapped up in [the returning home] side of it. I’m just focused on putting all my efforts into having a good year and helping the team do well.” Cullen, though, had a phone conversation Wednesday night with Chuck Fletcher in which the general manager said he just didn’t have the salary- cap space to make a legitimate offer. “It was a sad night in the Cullen household last night,” Cullen said. “We were pretty disappointed but understanding of the situation.” Ballard is ultra-motivated after three rough years in Vancouver. He had injury problems (shoulder, concussion, knee) and spent much of his tenure dipping in and out of former coach Alain Vigneault’s doghouse. The old-school Vigneault felt he was too high-risk, and Ballard spent much of his time bouncing from left side to right, from pair to pair and into the press box. In last postseason’s sweep to San Jose, Ballard was scratched for a rookie. “It was a battle to find the right fit,” Ballard said. With the Canucks strapped for cap space and Ballard owed $8.4 million the next two years, Vancouver bought him out. Ballard’s salary cap hit in Minnesota will be $1.5 million. The Wild cleared $4 million of cap space Thursday by buying out defenseman Tom Gilbert. “I did need a change, so to me the buyout is a good thing,” said Ballard, who was sought by a half-dozen teams. “It’s a funny feeling. In a lot of ways I’m very excited, but it’s disappointing that it got to this. I’m so excited for the opportunity and what’s going to come this next season.” Ballard, a 2004 Hobey Baker finalist and All-America, is physical (occasionally deploys the almost-extinct hip check), mobile and blocks shots. He has shown the ability to generate points, too, racking up 149 his first five years with Phoenix and Florida before totaling just 16 points in 148 games as a Canuck. He is top-10 in Gophers history in goals and points by a defenseman. Ballard, a left-shot blue-liner who might play the right side in Minnesota, believes that he can still “play at a high level.” Cullen, 36, who has played 1,073 games over 15 seasons and won a Stanley Cup with Carolina, scored 33 goals and 101 points in 193 games with the Wild. He scored an additional 11 goals in the shootout. “I really enjoyed my time there,” said Cullen, who played at Moorhead High and St. Cloud State. “It was more than I would have ever imagined as far as playing at home and raising my kids here and being part of the organization and watching the organization grow from where it was three years ago to where it is now. “Obviously, I would have liked to have won more games, but last year was one of my most enjoyable seasons playing hockey, and to go on that note, not many guys play pro hockey in their home state. Now it’s time to move on.” 683858 Minnesota Wild

Chart: Wild's outlook in NHL free agency

Updated: July 4, 2013 - 11:36 PM Staff

NHL FREE AGENCY Opens: 11 a.m., Friday Wild unrestricted free agents: C Matt Cullen, RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard, D Tom Gilbert, D Brett Clark and minor-leaguers Drew Bagnall, David McIntyre, Jeff Deslauriers, Benn Ferriero, Joel Broda and Jarod Palmer. Wild restricted free agents: D Jared Spurgeon and minor-leaguers Tyler Cuma, Justin Fontaine, Kyle Medvec and Carson McMillan. Top NHL free agents: Forwards — Vincent Lecavalier (signing with Philadelphia), Daniel Briere (signing with Montreal), Daniel Alfredsson, David Clarkson, Valtteri Filppula, Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, Tyler Bozak, Mike Ribeiro, Ryane Clowe, Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Nik Antropov. Defensemen — Keith Ballard, Gilbert, Mike Komisarek, Andrew Ference, Rob Scuderi, Tomas Kaberle, Jeff Schultz, Marek Zidlicky, Ryan Whitney. Goaltenders — Ilya Bryzgalov, Tim Thomas, Rick DiPietro, Evgeni Nabokov, Ray Emery. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683859 Minnesota Wild

Rand: Pivotal players are already here for local teams

Updated: July 4, 2013 - 11:48 PM MICHAEL RAND

Mikko Koivu likely will matter far more next season to the Wild than any player the team brings in this offseason. Much of the local sports conversation lately has centered upon player movement among our various pro teams. What players are coming in, which ones are leaving, and how much will it make a difference? Greg Jennings gives the Vikings renewed life, as do their three first-round picks. The Wild shook things up with a draft-day trade and will be looking for more roster overhauling. The Timberwolves retained Chase Budinger, who barely played in his first season with the Wolves because of an injury, and added shooting guard Kevin Martin to go with their draft class. All of this is well and good. But this seems like a good time to offer a reminder that the real players who will make or break those three teams likely already existed on their rosters before all the moving and shaking began. More specifically, these three players — one from each team — will be hugely influential on their team’s success next season and will be the target of much adulation or scorn from the public depending on how things go: • Mikko Koivu, Wild: Part of the push to get Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last offseason was to supplement a key piece the Wild already had in place in Koivu. But after the captain went without a point and was a minus-6 in the team’s five-game playoff series loss to the Blackhawks, he comes into 2013-14 with plenty to prove and achieve if the Wild is going to take another step forward. • Kevin Love, Wolves: At his best (2011-12), Love is a versatile, game- changing forward and one of the top 20 players in the NBA. At his worst (2012-13), he appears pouty, injury-prone and unhappy to be here. The Wolves need to stay healthy and focused this season; a healthy and motivated Love could make the Wolves one of the top eight teams in the Western Conference this year. • Christian Ponder, Vikings: Minnesota grabbed Jennings in free agency and drafted Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round. They also brought in Matt Cassel, a backup QB option with far more accomplishments than Ponder’s competition had a year ago. Translation: This is Ponder’s make- or-break year, and a chance to find out if Minnesota made the playoffs because of him or despite him last season. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683860 Minnesota Wild

Minnesota agrees on 2-year contract with defenseman Keith Ballard, cap casualty in Vancouver

Article by: DAVE CAMPBELL , AP Sports Writer Updated: July 4, 2013 - 7:00 PM

This Fourth of July for the Minnesota Wild was a little less eventful than the last. Still, the Wild made another holiday splash by bringing in more help for their blue line. The Wild announced Thursday they agreed to terms on a two-year contract with defenseman Keith Ballard, who was available after being let go by Vancouver earlier this week with a compliance buyout to clear space under the salary cap. The Wild said paperwork for Ballard's deal would be filed Friday, when the free agent market opens. The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported Ballard's contract is worth $3 million. He was scheduled to make $4.2 million in each of the final two seasons of his previous deal with the Canucks. The 30-year-old Ballard managed just two assists in 36 games for Vancouver in 2013. Over three seasons there since being acquired in a draft-day trade in 2010 with Florida, Ballard had only 16 points in 148 games. He was hindered by several injuries. Before that, though, the former University of Minnesota star was far more productive. Over five seasons with Phoenix and Florida, he averaged nearly 30 points while playing in 97 percent of the games. As a rookie with the Coyotes in 2005-06, Ballard had eight goals and 31 assists and played in all 82 games. In his first year with the Panthers in 2008-09, the 5-foot-11, 200- pound Ballard had six goals and 28 goals with a plus-14 rating while again playing all 82 games. Ballard will essentially replace defenseman Tom Gilbert, another local guy, who was dumped by the Wild with a compliance buyout this week. Ballard is from Baudette, Minn., on the Canadian border. He won two NCAA championships in his career with the Gophers. Another Minnesotan, center Matt Cullen, will be moving on as the Wild's most prominent unrestricted free agent. Cullen told the Star Tribune that Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher informed him he couldn't offer him a fair contract given the team's cap constraints. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683861 Minnesota Wild “Chuck was great though. He could have made this a lot more difficult than he did, but I got the strong impression that he tried awful hard, but it’s just one of those things. It’s a tough cap situation.” Matt Cullen moving on from Minnesota; Keith Ballard coming to Minnesota It’s unclear if the Wild will look for a No. 2 center in free agency or just hand the baton in camp to Charlie Coyle or Mikael Granlund.

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: July 4, 2013 - 6:34 PM As for Ballard, I talked to him earlier as you saw on the previous blog, and he said Minnesota is an option. It's an option now. The Wild’s about to lose one Minnesotan, but it will gain another. “I did need a change, so to me, the buyout is a good thing,” Ballard said. “In Wild center Matt Cullen will become a free agent when the market opens at my meetings at the end of the year with management in Vancouver, we all 11 a.m. CT Friday. The veteran had a conversation with Chuck Fletcher last agreed that however it worked out, I needed a change. It’s a funny feeling. night where the general manager informed him he could not extend a In a lot of ways I’m very excited, but it’s disappointing that it got to this. I’m contract offer. so excited for the opportunity and what’s going to come this next season. However, defenseman Keith Ballard, the Baudette native and former “There’ been so much adversity in Vancouver the last few years, and I’ve University of Minnesota star, has agreed to terms with the hometown Wild. gone through a lot. If anything my belief in myself has gotten better. Not Ballard, 30, was bought out of the final two years of his contract by the right away. There was some up and down there, but it’s a fact, I know I can Vancouver Canucks this morning. It's a two-year, $3 million deal -- much play at a high level in a long time.” less than the Tom Gilbert $4 million cap hit. The buyout is why Ballard could agree early. The signing won't be official until Friday. On playing in Vancouver, Ballard said, "It was a battle to find the right fit. I had a few injuries. It was a different role than I was accustomed to. There "It is exciting in the sense that I’ve enjoyed playing here on a visiting team," were a lot of different situations that took place. There weren’t one or two said Ballard, saying he got interest from a half-dozen teams. "I love the things that went wrong. At the same time, I really, truly loved my time in building, I’ve got great memories playing here in the three years in college Vancouver. The guys I played with, it was a great group. It’s bittersweet and playing in front of these fans. And I know the support that the team right now. I’m really excited to be moving on and getting a fresh start, but gets. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be nice to be closer to family and it’s hard leaving people you were close to and a city and a fan base that I friends, but at the same time, this isn’t a big homecoming celebration. really enjoyed playing in front of." "There’s a lot of work to be done to reestablish my career. It’s an important Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 year for me. I’m not overly wrapped up in that side of it. I’m just focused on putting all my efforts into having a good year and helping the team do well." Ballard, a left-shot D will play the right side in Minnesota. In 545 career games with Phoenix, Florida and Minnesota, the two-time Gophers national champ has scored 36 goals and 165 points. In 193 games with the Wild, Cullen scored 33 goals and 101 points. He scored an additional 11 goals in the shootout. Cullen is coming off a strong season, still has the legs of a 20-something and has won a Cup in Carolina. He has scored 202 goals and 562 points in 1,073 games in 15 seasons with Anaheim, Florida, Carolina, the Rangers, Ottawa and Minnesota. The Wild never made Cullen an offer. “Chuck said all along he wasn’t going to do that unless he could make a legitimate offer,” Cullen said. “That’s a pretty classy move. He called me last night and we talked a little while and he said it’s a tough call to make, but he just can’t find the room to make an offer. So that was it. “It was a sad night in the Cullen household last night. We were pretty disappointed, but understanding of the situation.” Cullen, the former Moorhead High standout and St. Cloud State Huskies center, said he leaves Minnesota with good memories. “I really enjoyed my time there,” Cullen said. “It was more than I would have ever imagined as far as playing at home and raising my kids there and being part of the organization and watching the organization grow from where it was three years ago to where it is now. I just leave with a lot of positive memories. It was a great experience for me. It was a lot of fun. Obviously, I would have liked to have won more games, but last year was one of the most enjoyable seasons playing hockey, and to go on that note, not many guys play pro hockey in their home state. “Now it’s time to move on.” Cullen said he doesn’t know if he’ll sign exactly Friday, but there’s been “plenty of interest.” “It’s kind of interesting because all along in the back of my mind I expected it would eventually work out with Minnesota,” Cullen said. “Now it’s a completely different mindset, and I took last night to regroup and gather my thoughts and emotions and start thinking about the future here. “For me, the priority is going to a place where I have a chance to win along with the family situation. 683862 Minnesota Wild

Keith Ballard getting lots of interest, says Minnesota's an option

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: July 4, 2013 - 12:13 PM

Keith Ballard cleared unconditional waivers at 11 a.m. this morning, paving the way for his buyout from the Vancouver Canucks. Minutes afterward, his agent’s phone started ringing. The Wild was one team that immediately expressed interest in the 30-year-old defenseman. “I’m excited to see what’s out there and what opportunities there are,” Ballard said. “Minnesota’s an option, and I think for me Minnesota makes sense, that I’m familiar with the guys, obviously that I live here, that I train with some of the guys during the offseason. But ultimately that’s not going to be the determining factor at all. “It’s more of where’s a good opportunity? I’m not looking for anything more than a chance to play. I’m not looking for a long-term deal or anything, more just an opportunity to get my career back going where I think it can.” The Wild’s in the market for a defenseman or two this summer after today’s buyout of 30-year-old Tom Gilbert also became complete. He will receive $1 million this year and the next. Ballard will have the final two years of his contract bought out and will receive $1.4 million the next four years. Ballard never got off to the right foot in Vancouver after his 2010 acquisition from Florida, but he’s only 30, still skates well, is physical, is willing to block a shot and proved, at least before Vancouver, that he can score some points. He can play right D, which is a need now in Minnesota. “I did need a change, so to me, the buyout is a good thing,” the former Gophers national champ said. “In my meetings at the end of the year with management in Vancouver, we all agreed that however it worked out, I needed a change. It’s a funny feeling. In a lot of ways I’m very excited, but it’s disappointing that it got to this. I’m so excited for the opportunity and what’s going to come this next season." The Wild, which frees up an additional $4 million by buying out Gilbert, will be looking for some bargains. Ballard seems willing to sign a one- or two- year deal in an attempt to reestablish his career. “It’s not me looking to go play somewhere for a couple years and ride off into the sunset and have a little cash along the way and call it a day,” he said. “I think I have a lot of years left in me. But this is an important year for me, so it’s going to be what fits the best.” Of course, depending on the interest, that could change. Apparently, there’s been a lot already. The Wild, as I reported in today’s paper, has called into other defensemen as well. If there’s any other news today, I will update the blog from Target Field, where I do plan to take in the Twins-Yankees game. Star Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683863 Minnesota Wild The Wild likely will sign another defenseman because they are looking for someone they can sign to a two-way contract, which would give them added flexibility in the roster structure. Minnesota Wild sign former Gopher Keith Ballard, won't re-sign Matt Cullen Pioneer Press LOADED: 07.05.2013

By Chad Graff Posted: 07/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT Updated: 07/04/2013 09:51:24 PM CDT

The rest of the summer is shaping up to be awfully quiet around the Xcel Energy Center. A team official said the Wild agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Keith Ballard, a native of Baudette, Minn. They also informed Moorhead, Minn., native Matt Cullen they will not be able to offer him a contract, Cullen told the Pioneer Press on Thursday. Ballard, 30, agreed to terms on a two-year contract, which will carry an annual average value of $1.5 million, said the team official, who requested anonymity. The Wild will file the necessary paperwork to finalize the deal shortly after free agency kicks off at 11 a.m. Friday. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams have been able to talk with unrestricted free agents since 11 p.m. Tuesday. The Vancouver Canucks used one of their compliance buyouts on Ballard earlier in the week. Ballard, who will play on the right side for the Wild, was a proven two-way defender with the Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers before heading to Vancouver. But his time with the Canucks didn't go as he had planned. He had just 16 points over the past three seasons after recording at least 21 points in each of the prior five seasons. Ballard played three seasons for the University of Minnesota, helping the Gophers win national championships in 2002 and 2003. He was a Hobey Baker finalist as a junior in 2004 before leaving to join the Coyotes, who had drafted him in the first round of the 2002 NHL draft. Cullen said he was informed by Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher that the team would not be able to offer him a contract. Last season, the 15-year veteran was on pace for his best year with the Wild. Cullen netted seven goals and recorded 27 points in 42 games, but he suffered a lower body injury April 1 against St. Louis, and the team's offensive production suffered during the games he missed. He also served as a mentor to the team's younger players, particularly linemate Jason Zucker, and was the only Wild player who had won a Stanley Cup. In three seasons with the Wild, Cullen recorded 101 points in 193 games. The Wild's attention now turns to who takes Cullen's spot centering the second line. They have two options: Try to find room under a tight salary cap to sign a center or slide a player already on the roster to that spot. Charlie Coyle would be the most likely candidate. He showed last season that he can play as a top-six forward in the NHL, and he played center in the American Hockey League and in college. But he succeeded at wing, and it's unclear whether the Wild would want to try to fix something that's not broken. Mikael Granlund also would get a look there. He's in the opposite position as Coyle. He played center last season but showed he wasn't ready for consistent NHL action. If Coyle slides into the second-line center spot, Jason Pominville probably moves to the first line, and the real competition for a roster spot becomes at left wing on the second and third lines -- a battle that likely would be between Jason Zucker, Granlund and newly acquired Nino Niederreiter. All three are high potential players between 20 and 21 years old. But one won't make it out of camp. 683864 Montreal Canadiens Two years ago, it was the Buffalo Sabres. Last year, it was the Minnesota Wild. This year, it might be the New York Islanders, who unexpectedly made the playoffs and are a year away from moving to Brooklyn. Spending to spur the market The Islanders have the most cap space available – about $32-million – and have their best player, John Tavares, signed through 2017-18 for a reasonable cap hit of $5.5-million. ERIC DUHATSCHEK The Isles would need to step up for any of the available unrestricted free Published Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 11:15 PM EDT agents to bolster a blueline that has already lost Mark Streit to the Philadelphia Flyers, even if means paying outrageously. Last updated Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 11:55 PM EDT “Signing someone to a big deal and then trading them doesn’t mean that you don’t like the player or he’s not an important part of your team,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said of Seguin. “What you have to Whatever level of frenzy NHL free agency brings – be it manic or muted – understand in this environment, right now, is the cap goes down $7-million nothing that happens Friday, when the market officially opens, can top the and you have to make some hard choices, hard decisions. pure, old-fashioned hockey deal that went down 24 hours earlier. “You have to manage your team, manage your players and manage your It is rare a team will surrender the rights to a player, drafted second overall, cap. That was part of the reason why we made this move.” that scored 29 goals as a 20-year-old, but that’s exactly what happened when the Boston Bruins shipped Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars in a Historically, NHL GMs make more mistakes in free agency than at any massive seven-player deal that brought them Loui Eriksson and prospects other time in the year, knowing they’ll have to overpay to get the players in return. they want and often ruing decisions long after the fact. Eriksson is a gem. He annually tops the list of most-underrated players in Some believe the collective pursuit of unrestricted free agents will be more the NHL and, just two weeks short of his 28th birthday, he will give the sober this summer because of the aforementioned shrinking cap – and that Bruins reliability, consistency and stability – all the things they want in a reasonable, cautious, prudent spending habits will be the order of the day. player and Seguin couldn’t deliver. He is also ultradurable, having missed just three games over the past five seasons. Odds are, that’s going to be wrong again. Before his scoring numbers fell off this year, Eriksson had been averaging Privately, a lot of GMs believe league revenues will soar next year, meaning close to a point per game from 2009-12, and had four consecutive years of the cap is going right back up, perhaps by as much as $10-million. That scoring 26 goals or more. Head coach Claude Julien is going to love him. anticipation – and thinking big-picture, long-term thoughts – will play into their buying decisions. But in exchange for Eriksson, the Bruins took a calculated risk in trading away Seguin, a player with a far-greater upside who may perhaps mature The dollars and terms the likes of Clarkson and Tyler Bozek will command into a dominant centre under the new Dallas regime headed by general might even make you forget about Ville Leino – for a while anyway. manager Jim Nill and head coach Lindy Ruff. Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.05.2013 Nill joined Dallas this past spring, after two decades in the Detroit Red Wings organization, where he had a front-row seat to a lot of what Seguin accomplished as a junior with the Plymouth Whalers. Seguin was seen as the rawer of the two talents in 2010, when the NHL entry draft fixated on Tyler vs. Taylor – Seguin vs. Hall – and now he’ll get a much-needed clean slate in the heart of Texas. The Seguin-Eriksson deal (which also included Rich Peverley and Ryan Button going to the Stars and Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser going to the Bruins) was a fascinating development in a fast-and-furious week around the NHL. Teams systematically dumped bad contracts through compliance buyouts and cleared off salary-cap space to bid on the comparatively nondescript group of unrestricted free agents that hits the market Friday. The problem with this year’s crop of players is most of the really intriguing commodities re-signed with their teams, including the duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry with the Anaheim Ducks. Daniel Brière was one of the more attractive candidates out there, but he, too, is off the market after verbally notifying the Montreal Canadiens that he will sign a two-year, $8-million (U.S.) deal to join them. Montreal is small and getting smaller, but you cannot dispute Brière’s fabulous playoff pedigree – 109 points in 108 career games. Few players elevate their games in the postseason the way he can. Former Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla is probably the biggest name in the class of 2013, although it is likely Bruins centre Nathan Horton who will draw the most interest, given how well he played in the playoffs. Once upon a time, Horton and Stephen Weiss were the two most prominent players on a succession of Florida Panthers teams that kept missing the playoffs. Weiss is available this summer, too, and both should cash in, even if their respective injury histories might give teams pause. The Edmonton Oilers were also busy, courting free-agent winger David Clarkson and trying to complete a trade to send veteran centre Shawn Horcoff to the Stars. Every summer, one or two teams spend outside of their usual comfort zones to spur the market. 683865 Montreal Canadiens Lecavalier evidently didn’t feel strongly enough about to sign on the dotted line. Sure, Brière is from Gatineau, not Montreal, but the symbolism of his Habs gaining high-end skill, experience in Brière decision to commit to the team he grew up cheering for – even if it’s at the second time of asking – is unmistakable.

SEAN GORDON When he raised the idea of signing in Montreal with his family, the reaction was near unanimous: do it. Published Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 5:39 PM EDT “Having my parents and friends close by was a big factor. We all grew up Last updated Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 11:52 PM EDT cheering for the Canadiens, everyone was pushing me the same way,” said Brière, whose children live in Pennsylvania (“we haven’t gotten around to figuring that out yet.”) It appears the Montreal Canadiens could start next season with five Brière acknowledged the unique pressures associated with being a French- forwards who are five-foot-ten or shorter – feel free to freak-out, Habs speaking player in Montreal, and if it was a factor against signing for the Nation. Habs in 2007 – which he’s hinted at in the past – it was an attraction this time around. The incipient hand-wringing conveniently ignores the fact they had four stumpy-ish forwards even before they gave free agent Daniel Brière two “I’m a little older, I hope I’ve acquired a little maturity . . . I feel ready for it,” years, $8 million and no-move protection to join the party. said Brière, who was also courted by the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils, among others. “When the Canadiens called, my eyes Why, the high-strung fan might ask, in the world has Marc Bergevin done definitely twinkled a little more . . . I realize I won’t have another chance to this? play in Montreal.” It’s simple, really. The decision to sign him is a deeply unpopular one in some segments of The Habs need more high-end offensive skill, and Brière has tons of it, the fan base and commentariat – one Montreal radio host sent out a Tweet even though he’s older and several concussions removed from the 95-point saying the honeymoon with Bergevin is over – but for every hater there is a player he was the last time Montreal tried to woo him (it was in 2007, he lover, Brière’s phone fairly exploded with text messages and emails (“I can’t bolted to Philly, in much the same way Vinny Lecavalier, another keep up”). compliance buyout case, did earlier this week). So, yeah, he’s not six-foot-five and 238 pounds, like 2013 first round pick Also, hockey fans have short memories: small can be beautiful. Michael McCarron, but Brière doesn’t make the Habs worse, provided he can stay healthy. In 2010, the Habs were propelled to the Eastern Conference final by a five- foot-nine scoring machine – Mike Cammalleri – and hot goaltending, only to A motivated, chip-on-his-shoulder player of his skills and experience might be done in by the Flyers and Brière, who was dominant in the playoffs that even make them appreciably better. year. Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.05.2013 Which is really the point. Bergevin said at last weekend’s draft that it’s nice to have players who can get you to the playoffs, but you also need people who can get you through them. Brière, despite his stature, is a playoff monster, having scored 109 points in 108 post-season games. The move is not without risk, given Brière is 36 now, and his point-per- game production in the regular season has sagged noticeably – he managed only six goals and 10 assists in 34 games last season, hence the Flyers’ decision to buy him out to save cap space. Athletes, being proud, don’t take kindly to being discarded, and Brière said he’s extra motivated. “I wasn’t happy with the way things went (last season), I’m going to do everything in my power to turn that around,” he told a conference call from former teammate Claude Giroux’s golf tournament in Hearst, Ont. And there’s another intangible factor driving Brière this summer: the prospect of pulling on the famed CH. “In the bottom of my heart I’ve always been a kid who grew up dreaming of playing for the Canadiens. I’m spoiled to have a second chance . . . it’s a great, great honour for me,” said Brière, who added he is suffering no ill effects from the concussion he suffered last year, his second in as many seasons. In essence, the Habs’ decision needs to be looked at this way: Brière replaces Michael Ryder, who had an indifferent playoffs, as a top six right winger (though he’s a natural centre) and as the main right-handed one- timer threat on the top power-play unit (although Brendan Gallagher may have something to say about that this year). The other main factor: Brière comes at the right price – $500,000 more than Ryder earned last year, and less than Lecavalier is getting or what big bodies David Clarkson or Ryane Clowe should command when teams are allowed to sign them Friday. He’s prepared to play whatever position the team wants, and more importantly, is willing to embrace the role of Francophone offensive star that 683866 Montreal Canadiens

Habs will pay 35-year-old Daniel Brière $8 million over two seasons.

By Pat Hickey, The GazetteJuly 4, 2013

MONTREAL — If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That philosophy paid off for the Canadiens Thursday when they reached an agreement with free-agent right-winger Daniel Brière, who turned his back on Montreal in 2007. The contract, which will be formally announced after noon Friday, will pay the 35-year-old $4 million in each of the next two seasons. Brière took heat from the Montreal fans when he played with the Flyers at the Bell Centre but, in a conference call from Hearst, Ont., where he is playing in Claude Giroux’s charity golf tournament, he described the locals as passionate and said he hopes that “we’ll all be cheering in the same direction.” Brière said he was grateful for a second chance to play for the Canadiens and he said it was an opportunity that he wished for in his heart. The Canadiens wooed the Gatineau native when he became an unrestricted free agent in 2007 but he left Buffalo to sign an eight-year, $52- million deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers elected to use one of their compliance buyouts to shed his $6.5-million cap hit. Philadelphia needed cap space to make room for free agents Mark Streit and Vincent Lecavalier, whose demands in terms of contract length proved too much for Montreal. The deal is good one for Brière. Because his contract was front-loaded, he was scheduled to make $3 million next season and $2 million in 2014-15. In addition to his Montreal salary, he will receive $3.33 million from the Flyers spread over the next four seasons. The question is whether it will be a good deal for the Canadiens. Brière’s numbers have declined steadily over the past three seasons. He had six goals and 10 assists in 34 games during the lockout-shortened season that was even shorter for him; he missed four games with a wrist injury and 10 more with a concussion. Brière said injuries contributed to his slow start and he said “never caught up.” He said he would use the poor season as a motivator and he hoped to prove the past season was a fluke. Brière has suffered concussions in each of the past two seasons but said he wasn’t concerned. He noted that he followed the protocol on both occasions and didn’t return until he was 100-per-cent healthy. Brière has played centre for most of his career but he said he will play wherever coach Michel Therrien feels he can contribute to the Canadiens’ success. The best bet is that he will be pencilled in as the right winger on one of the top lines, a position filled by Michael Ryder at the end of last season. Ryder is expected to be in demand when the free-agent bidding begins in earnest. Brière is a francophone, which is always a plus in Montreal although it does carry some extra pressure. This didn’t seem to be a problem as Brière was grilled by the media Thursday. On the ice, he has skills and his experience at centre will be an asset. But he doesn’t address the Canadiens’ need for size. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, Brian Gionta, David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher are the only Canadiens who will be looking up to him. With the signing, the Canadiens have 11 forwards under contract for the coming season and they have about $5 million in cap space remaining. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.05.2013 683867 Montreal Canadiens

Habs new goalie coach Waite coming ‘home’

By Pat Hickey, The GazetteJuly 4, 2013

MONTREAL — Stéphane Waite said the decision to become a goaltending coach was an easy one. “I wanted to get to the NHL and I knew that I wasn’t good enough to make it as a player,” Waite said Thursday after he was introduced as the Canadiens’ new goaltending coach. “It’s great to be coming home,” added Waite, who began coaching goaltenders 32 years ago as a 16-year-old in his hometown of Sherbrooke. “My goal when I started out was to coach in the NHL, then it was to win a Stanley Cup, and I did that twice, and now I’m working for the team I cheered for as a youngster and I want to win the big one here.” Waite joins the Canadiens after 10 years with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he worked with current Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin, assistant GM Rick Dudley and director of player development Martin Lapointe. But this isn’t a case of the Canadiens hiring a member of the old boys’ club. The 48-year-old Waite has solid credentials at every level of the game. After more than two decades in minor and junior hockey, he joined the Blackhawks in 2004. He’d probably still be there if the opportunity to come back to Quebec hadn’t arisen with the Canadiens’ decision to dismiss Pierre Groulx. Waite said he thought about the Montreal job when Groulx was let go, but was focused on what would be a successful run to the Stanley Cup. “The Blackhawks indicated that they wanted me to stay and they were willing to make me one of the highest-paid goaltending coaches, but this was a family decision,” said Waite, who has maintained an off-season home in Sherbrooke. While financial terms of his contract weren’t disclosed, Waite said he signed for three years. Waite, who runs a summer goaltending school, has worked with dozens of NHL goaltenders, including Jocelyn Thibault, Félix Potvin, Craig Anderson, Nikolai Khabibulin, Marty Turco and his brother, Jimmy Waite. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010 with Antti Niemi in goal and again this year with Châteauguay’s Corey Crawford. Waite said this year’s win was personally satisfying because people were saying Chicago didn’t have the goaltending to win the Cup. Chicago finished the regular season with the best goaltending in the NHL. Waite helped revive Ray Emery’s flagging career, while developing Crawford into an elite goaltender. Crawford and Ray Emery finished ranked Nos. 3 and 4 in goals-against average in the regular season, while Crawford was outstanding in the playoffs. Waite said he was excited to be working with Carey Price. The 25-year-old Price is coming off a so-so season, but Waite said he was one of the top goaltenders in the league. Waite said he doesn’t believe in making major changes in a goaltender’s style, adding he believes goaltenders must have good technique, but also have to be allowed to follow their instincts. Waite said he has some ideas of what he wants to do with Price, but wants to look at video and talk with the goaltender before making a game plan for next season. Waite said he planned to talk with Price and Peter Budaj in the coming days and is thinking about heading west to spend some time with Price during the off-season. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.05.2013 683868 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens sign Brière

The GazetteJuly 4, 2013

MONTREAL — The Canadiens have signed unrestricted free-agent Daniel Brière to a two-year deal, the club confirmed late Thursday afternoon. The deal is believed to be worth $8 million, for a cap hit of $4 million per season. Brière had his contract bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers on June 20. A native of Gatineau, Brière has 286 career NHL goals in 847 games. In the postseason, the forward has 50 goals and 59 assists in 108 games played. More to come. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.05.2013 683869 Montreal Canadiens

Habs hire Waite as new goalie coach

The GazetteJuly 4, 2013

MONTREAL — Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced on Thursday morning that Stéphane Waite has been hired as the team’s new goaltending coach. “Stéphane Waite has over 30 years of experience as a goaltending coach, including the past 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks organization,” Bergevin said in a statement. “He contributed to two Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks during his tenure working closely with two different goaltenders, namely Antti Niemi and Corey Crawford. We are very pleased to welcome Stéphane in our organization. He has a vast experience, and a thorough knowledge of our local market and we are convinced that our goaltenders will benefit from his expertise and his work ethic.” Waite just completed his 10th season as goaltending coach with the Blackhawks. Chicago goaltenders Crawford and Ray Emery earned the William B. Jennings Trophy this past season, awarded to the goaltenders with the best goals against average in the NHL. Prior to joining the Chicago organization, Waite served as Sherwood Hockey’s Pro goaltender representative (2001-04). He was also a goaltending consultant for IMG Hockey (2000-2004). Waite replaces Pierre Groulx, whose contract wasn’t renewed after last season. Groulx spent four seasons as the Habs’ goalie coach after taking over from Rollie Melanson. This past season, Carey Price ranked 29th in goals-against average (2.59) and 35th in save percentage (. 905) while posting a 21-13-4 record with three shutouts. His performance was particularly shaky at the end of the season and in the playoffs he posted a 1-2 record with a 3.26 GAA and a .894 save percentage. For his career, Price has a 9-17 playoff record with a 2.90 GAA and .905 save percentage. Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.05.2013 683870 Nashville Predators you’re going to go after the 35-year-old Briere, why not the 30-year-old Roy? His previous contract paid him $4 million per season. He had a down year in 2013 between Dallas and the Canucks. If the market is low for him, Nashville Predators ready to spend in NHL free agency he could be a good value to Nashville. Defense

Jul. 4, 2013 10:43 PM 1. Douglas Murray, Penguins. If the Predators are interested in getting bigger and stronger, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Murray would be a good fit. Josh Cooper He’s a little quicker than the recently discarded Gill and is one of the most feared hitters in the NHL. Murray, 33, also is left-handed, and would be a nice match for the right-handed Seth Jones, the Predators’ most recent first-round pick. PREDATORS’ BEST SIGNINGS 2. Alex Sulzer, Sabres. Another lefty, Sulzer, 29, was drafted by the Josh Cooper rates Nashville’s free-agent signings over the years: Predators in 2003 and played for them until a 2011 trade to Florida. He • 1. Paul Kariya, 2005. He was easily the franchise’s highest-profile free knows the system and still has a home in the area. He wouldn’t cost a ton agent. He holds the franchise record for points in a season (85). of money. • 2. J.P. Dumont, 2006. The playmaking winger had 72 points in his second His previous contract was a one-year deal for $725,000. season with the Predators. He was a first-line player for four of his five Goaltending years in Nashville. 1. Thomas Greiss, Sharks. The 27-year-old netminder is about as good a • 3. Jason Arnott, 2006. The captain brought size up front and also had a backup as there is on the market. He actually has some decent NHL 72-point season in 2007-08. It was the second-best total of his career. numbers: 2.52 goals-against average and .912 save percentage through 44 • 4. Joel Ward, 2008. The low-profile signee turned into a terrific two-way games. Last season he made $625,000, less than former Predators backup player. After scoring 13 points in 12 playoff games in 2011 with the Chris Mason. Predators, he cashed in with the Capitals. 2. Jason LaBarbera, Coyotes. At 33, he falls into the experienced backup Free agency often brings caution and calculation from the Predators. category. Last season his salary cap hit was $1.25 million, which is similar to what the Predators paid Mason. The past two seasons he has had goals With the exception of last year, when they tried to re-sign defenseman Ryan against averages of 2.54 and 2.64, respectively. Suter and bring in forward Zach Parise, they often are shrewd in their decisions. Tennessean LOADED: 07.05.2013 When the clock hits 11 a.m. today — the point at which NHL teams can sign free agents — the Predators might find themselves with a little bit more of a cavalier attitude. Asked whether he has the financial flexibility to reel in players on his wish list, specifically at the forward position, general manager David Poile quickly said, “I know we do.” The Predators have close to $11 million in salary cap space and have contracts dedicated to 20 players, according to capgeek.com. Cap space could balloon to $16 million if defenseman Hal Gill’s contract is bought out and forward Sergei Kostitsyn’s deal is terminated as anticipated. Still, there are different factors at play in terms of signing the right player. “It’s a combination of, is it the right guy? How much do you want to spend exactly, number of years?” Poile said. “It might be a situation where a guy for one to two years may be a better fit than someone for five years.” At the top of Nashville’s wish list is a top-six forward, a position of need for many years, but one that has eluded the Predators in free agency. Also, a backup goaltender is needed in order to give starter Pekka Rinne a rest as he recovers from hip surgery. The Predators have said they’re set on defense and won’t look to make any major moves there. Here are my rankings of the top potential free agent targets for the Predators: Forward 1. Nathan Horton, Bruins. The big, burly winger is everything the Predators need at the moment. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder provides size, grit and scoring. Horton, 28, also has a concussion history, and some reports say he’s looking for a multiyear deal worth $6 million annually. That might be too rich for the Predators. 2. Viktor Stalberg, Blackhawks. He’s a former 20-goal scorer who stands 6- 3 and has excellent speed. The 27-year-old winger also could come at a solid value, with his last contract being two years at $1.75 million. In the right system, he could blossom into a 30-goal scorer. There are some character questions after he was a healthy scratch during the playoffs. The coach who scratched him, Joel Quenneville, is a good friend of Nashville’s Barry Trotz. 3. Derek Roy, Canucks. Roy fills a position of need as a playmaking, offensively minded center. Nashville recently went after former Flyers center Daniel Briere and lost out on him to the Montreal Canadiens. If 683871 Nashville Predators 683872 New Jersey Devils

Already passed over, Predators' free agent focus is forward Elias Is Staying With the Devils

Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 9:01pm By JEFF Z. KLEIN By David Boclair Published: July 4, 2013

The Nashville Predators’ aim in free agency is obvious. They need to get a The Devils answered one of the biggest free-agency questions in the N.H.L. forward … or two or three. on Thursday by re-signing forward Patrik Elias. They will be short at least one target, though, when the signing period Elias, 37, has been a Devil since 1995-96 and is the team’s career leading opens Friday. scorer with 375 goals and 930 points in 1,090 regular-season games. He ranks second among active N.H.L. players in playoff scoring with 125 Reports early Thursday said that Nashville was one of three teams on the points, trailing only Jaromir Jagr. short list of veteran forward Daniel Briere, who became available when the Philadelphia Flyers bought him out of the final two years of his contract. By His new contract is for three years and will pay him an average of $5.5 late afternoon, though, reports said that the 35-year-old had agreed to million per season, a $500,000 raise from his previous contract. terms with the Montreal Canadiens and intended to sign Friday. General Manager Lou Lamoriello re-signed Elias a day before the free- “We’ve got some openings on our forward situation,” Predators general agent market opens despite the Devils’ longstanding debt problems, which manager David Poile said earlier this week. “That’s what’s going to be our have led the owner Jeff Vanderbeek to take a $30 million loan from Andrew primary goal when we get to [Friday] as to what we can do to fill in one or Barroway, a Pennsylvania-based securities lawyer, and may force two holes.” Vanderbeek to sell a majority interest in the club in the coming months. The Predators traded Martin Erat, a fixture on their top two lines for years, A remaining mystery is how active the Islanders will be. After years of late last season. Sergei Kostitsyn, the team’s leading goal scorer in 2010- spending the minimum on payroll under league rules, the Islanders showed 11, seems headed for the Kontinental Hockey League even though he has that they may be getting serious about constructing a stronger team when one year remaining on his current contract. Matt Halischuk was not offered they bought out goalie Rick DiPietro this week. the qualifying offer this week necessary for Nashville to retain his rights, which makes him an unrestricted free agent, and Brandon Yip is a free In the past the Isles might have retained DiPietro and his $4.5 million cap agent who will not get an offer from Nashville. hit to help them make the salary floor, $44 million next season. But with DiPietro off their books, they stand 30th in the 30-team league in payroll There are prospects who spent some time in the NHL and could fill a spot expenditure, at $32.3 million, with eight roster openings. or two, Among that group are Taylor Beck, Filip Forsberg, Daniel Bang and Kevin Henderson. Whether they simply try to reach the minimum again, or instead sign free agents that bring them closer to the $64.3 million salary ceiling, could be an However, Poile would like to add some veteran presence, not to mention indication of how serious the owner Charles Wang and General Manager proven scoring to a lineup that had the fewest goals of any Western Garth Snow are about building around center John Tavares. Conference team in 2012-13. Last season the Islanders fell in six games to Pittsburgh in the first round of “We’ll try to get the best forward that we can sign,” Poile said. “There will be the playoffs, their first appearance after missing five consecutive certain characteristics that we’ll be looking for and we’ll try to get the best postseasons. one at this position.” The Rangers are not expected to be active in the free-agent market. Actually, it could be at any one of the three forward spots. Among the most prominent free agents expected to be available Friday are With players like Nick Spaling, Craig Smith and Colin Wilson, all of whom forwards Nathan Horton, Jarome Iginla, Valtteri Filppula, Jagr and the can play center or wing, Nashville has the flexibility to accommodate Devils’ David Clarkson; defensemen Andrew Ference, Rob Scuderi, Ian virtually anyone up front. White and the Devils’ Marek Zidlicky; and goalies Ilya Bryzgalov, Tim Thomas, Ray Emery and the Islanders’ Evgeni Nabokov. However, with nearly $15 million of salary cap space (approximately 23.1 percent of the $64.3 million limit, to be exact) devoted to two players, A version of this article appeared in print on July 5, 2013, defenseman Shea Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne, there are limits to how much the team can spend. New York Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 “It’s a combination of, Is it the right guy? How much do you want to spend exactly? How many years?” Poile said. “There’s going to be different situations. … We’re just going to have to look at the whole situation. “… Trading a defenseman might be a way to get a forward too.” In addition to Briere, Nashville had interest in Vincent Lecavalier, another veteran whose contract was bought out. Lecavalier told Predators officials he wanted to play on the east coast and soon after agreed to terms with Philadelphia. So the number of possibilities might be a little smaller, but Nashville’s approach has not changed. “We’re prepared with each player we want to talk to in terms of why we think there’s a fit, what our plan would be for the player and things we would do contractually,” Poile said. “So we’re all set. “It usually goes pretty fast. You have to get in there and get across to the player and the agent what you want to do and why you have a fit for them and a plan and all that.” Nashville City Paper LOADED: 07.05.2013 683873 New Jersey Devils

Devils lose out as Canadiens sign Danny Briere to two-year, $8 million contract

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on July 04, 2013 at 5:29 PM, updated July 04, 2013 at 5:35 PM

The Devils lost out to the Montreal Canadiens today in the sweepstakes for veteran center Danny Briere. Briere, whose contract was bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers last month, signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Canadiens. He was eligible to sign prior to tomorrow's noon (ET) start of the NHL's free agent signing period because of the compliance buyout. The Devils, Canadiens and Nashville Predators were believed to be the three finalists. Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello says the team will be active when clubs are allowed to begin signing free agents tomorrow. New York Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683874 New Jersey Devils

Devils re-sign Patrik Elias for 3 years, $16.5 million; put Johan Hedberg on waivers for buyout

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on July 04, 2013 at 12:36 PM, updated July 04, 2013 at 4:18 PM

The Devils announced today that they have completed the deal to re-sign veteran forward Patrik Elias to a three-year, $16.5 million contract. That will be a $5.5 million cap hit for the team. The contract includes a no-movement clause. Although the deal was close for the last few days, general manager Lou Lamoriello was able to put the finishing touches on the agreement to keep the franchise's all-time scoring leader. Elias issued this statement through his agent, Allan Walsh: "To Lou, all my teammates and Devils fans, I'm excited to sign a new contract and be back with New Jersey. This year marks my 17th year with the Devils and its very special to be a member of one organization for my entire career. We've shared some great moments together and I look forward to working with everyone to create new ones. Go Devils!" Elias, 37, led the Devils with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games last season. At the same time, Lamoriello spoke about how difficult it was to put goalie Johan Hedberg on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying out the final season on his contract. "It was one of the more difficult decisions I've been faced with in many years," Lamoriello told The Star-Ledger. "It's unfortunate. It's not his fault. "I had to get my head out of the way to make the trade (for Vancouver Canucks goalie Cory Schneider). It was a franchise decision. It was an opportunity that will help the franchise long term." Lamoriello, with the help of Hedberg's agent, tried to trade the goalie. However, because Hedberg had a no-trade clause in his contract, he had to approve the team. His family has a home in New Jersey. Hedberg will entertain offers from other NHL clubs when he becomes unrestricted at noon tomorrow and Lamoriello believes there will be significant interest. Hedberg played three seasons for the Devils, who signed him as a free agent on July 1, 2010. His final Devils stats are 38-29-7 in 80 games with a 2.42 goals-against average and eight shutouts. He appeared in one playoff game, a loss to the Florida Panthers in 2012. The new three-year, $9.3 million contract for Dainius Zubrus, which had been completed some time ago, will also be announced today. TSN has reported that the Devils are very interested in Rangers LW Ryane Clowe an unrestricted free agent. Potential unrestricted free agent David Clarkson met with Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray yesterday. The Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in Clarkson, but the Senators will make a strong push. “He’s competitive, gritty, tough,” Murray told the Ottawa Citizen. “We hope that he chooses us. Unfortunately, we don’t dictate all of it. He’ll have, I’m sure, a number of options, but he is one person we have targeted and he fits the role we’re looking for. "We like grit on our team and I’ve heard from some reporters here that they like the odd guy to have the odd fight, so he can even do that if he had to, I suppose.” Star Ledger LOADED: 07.05.2013 683875 New Jersey Devils

Devils' Lou Lamoriello: We'll be active when free agent signing period begins Friday

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger on July 04, 2013 at 11:38 AM, updated July 04, 2013 at 12:27 PM

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, awaiting a decision by UFA center Danny Briere, said the team plans to be active when the NHL's free agent signing period begins at noon (ET) tomorrow. “No question there are interesting players out there,” Lamoriello said. “I think we will be doing something. We have some needs. We’ll see what transpires.” The Devils would like to get a center, which is why they are believed to be finalists for Briere along with the Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators. Beyond acknowledging that the team could use some scoring help, Lamoriello would not say which players he might be pursuing. “There are needs, but I’m not going to get into them right now,” Lamoriello said. “You’re never good enough.” With the interview period leading up the start of signings, many teams will have their decisions already made by noon tomorrow. Not Lamoriello. “No, I don’t think it’s any different than when it started July 1. It’s just a window and nothing can be officially done,” Lamoriello said. “It’s been different. We’ll have to wait and see how it turns out. No question there is a lot of conversation.” The Devils would like to re-sign defenseman Marek Zidlicky. If they are unable to keep him, would that dictate whether Devils sign a defenseman? “Not necessarily,” Lamoriello said. Goalie Johan Hedberg, with one year ($1.4 million) remaining on his contract, was placed on unconditional waivers today. That means the Devils will be buying out the goalie's contract for $933,333, to be paid over two years. His $1.4 million will not count against the salary cap. Hedberg, who is home in Sweden, said just after noon (ET): "I have no comment today." The goalie was clearly disappointed that Lamoriello was unable to work out a trade to another NHL team. The Ottawa Sun has reported that Devils free agent right winger David Clarkson was in that city yesterday to speak with the Senators. As expected, the Toronto Maple Leafs will also be key players in the attempt to sign Clarkson. Star Ledger LOADED: 07.05.2013 683876 New Jersey Devils

Patrik Elias signs three-year, $16.5M deal with Devils

Thursday, July 4, 2013 Last updated: Thursday July 4, 2013, 9:27 PM TOM GULITTI

Having finally completed the contract that will likely keep Patrik Elias in a Devils’ uniform for the rest of his career, general manager Lou Lamoriello will move on today to trying to upgrade his team’s offense. Lamoriello has promised to be active on the free agent market this year and spent the last two days talking to players who will be free to sign with other teams beginning at noon today. Lamoriello missed out on one of the players he was pursuing as former Flyer Danny Briere opted to accept a two-year, $8 million deal from the Montreal Canadiens instead. The Devils were reportedly one of the finalists in the bidding for Briere, 35, who became an unrestricted free agent when the Flyers bought out the last two years on his contract. Multiple reports had the total value of Briere’s deal with the Canadiens at $8 million. Elias, 37, signed a three-year contract for $16.5 million that includes a full no-movement clause, meaning he cannot be traded, waived or sent to the minors. Lamoriello had been saying the deal was “very close” since Monday. “I’m excited to sign a new contract and be back with New Jersey,” Elias said in a statement. “This year marks my 17th year with the Devils and it’s very special to be a member of one organization for my entire career. We’ve shared some great moments together and I look forward to working with everyone to create new ones.” Elias, a Devils’ second-round draft pick in 1994, led the Devils in 2012-13 with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 48 games. He’s the organization’s all-time leader in goals (375), assists (555) and points (930) in 1,090 career regular-season games. “He’s been here since he was 18 years old and his contribution speaks for itself both on and off the ice as far as the way he plays,” Lamoriello said. “He’s still an elite player in this league and [plays] in all situations and does anything you ask. “Really, this will keep him a Devil and, in my opinion, he’ll retire a Devil.” Word that the Devils were interested in signing Rangers left wing Ryane Clowe seemed to indicate that Lamoriello is bracing to lose David Clarkson, who, like Clowe, can become an unrestricted free agent today. Lamoriello would not comment on the status of talks with Clarkson. Senators GM Bryan Murray told reporters Thursday that Clarkson visited Ottawa on Wednesday and the 29-year-old right wing reportedly visited Edmonton on Thursday. Clowe, 30, had just three goals and 16 assists in 40 games in 2012-13 with San Jose and the Rangers. He suffered two concussions during the regular season and a third in the playoffs against Washington. HEDBERG BOUGHT OUT: After trying unsuccessfully to trade him for two days, the Devils placed goaltender Johan Hedberg on unconditional waivers Thursday and used a compliance buyout on the final year of his contract. The window to buy out players closed at 5 p.m. Thursday and Lamoriello had to make a decision on Hedberg after acquiring goaltender Cory Schneider in Sunday’s trade with Vancouver. “It’s not his fault this transaction took place,” Lamoriello said of Hedberg. “It was one that we had the opportunity to make and for the franchise it had to be done. We tried for the last two days to get whatever scenario there was in [Hedberg’s] best interest and we were unsuccessful.” Hedberg will receive two-thirds of his $1.4 million salary (or $933,333) paid out over the next two seasons. Bergen Record LOADED: 07.05.2013 683877 New Jersey Devils

Devils give Elias new 3-year deal

By BRETT CYRGALIS Last Updated: 4:48 AM, July 5, 2013 Posted: 2:54 AM, July 5, 2013

The Devils may be a different looking team than they were last year, but general manager Lou Lamoriello made sure they won’t look too different. Yesterday, one day before free agency officially begins, Lamoriello locked up the franchise’s leading scorer, Patrik Elias, with a three-year, $16.5 million contract. The $5.5 million annual salary cap hit will most likely take the 37-year-old Elias to the end of his sparkling career, one that started when he was a second-round pick of the Devils in 1994. “To Lou, all my teammates and Devils’ fans, I’m excited to sign a new contract and be back with New Jersey,” Elias said in a statement. “This year marks my 17th year with the Devils and it’s very special to be a member of one organization for my entire career. We’ve shared some great moments together and I look forward to working with everyone to create new ones. Go Devils!” Elias reportedly has a full no-movement clause, as the seven-year, $42 million contract he just completed also had. At the end of last season, as the Devils floundered and missed the playoffs one season after reaching the Stanley Cup finals, Elias was visibly distraught at the plight of the franchise. Yet, Lamoriello wasn’t about to let him just walk out the door. “He’s been here since he was 18 years old and his contribution speaks for itself both on and off the ice as far as the way he plays,” Lamoriello said. “He’s still an elite player in this league and [plays] in all situations and does anything you ask. Really, this will keep him a Devil and, in my opinion, he’ll retire a Devil.” Lamoriello also inked 35-year-old forward Dainius Zubrus to a three-year, $9.3 million deal. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder played in only 22 games for the Devils last season and had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist. “When you talk about the orchestra, you have all kinds of instruments and his size, strength and his character, his leadership [are important], also his play,” Lamoriello said of Zubrus. “His best play has always come in the playoffs for us.” Lamoriello also made one tough decision yesterday, using a compliance buyout on veteran goalie Johan Hedberg. After Sunday’s draft-day trade with the Canucks for future starter Cory Schneider, Hedberg was out of his job as Martin Brodeur’s backup. Lamoriello tried to trade Hedberg, but was unsuccessful and the 40-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent. * Reports out of Ottawa said free-agent winger David Clarkson met with Senators GM Bryan Murray on Wednesday and the former Devil was being targeted by the team. New York Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 683878 New York Islanders

Oft-injured goalie says he’ll play again after Islanders ouster

By BRETT CYRGALIS Last Updated: 3:25 PM, July 4, 2013 Posted: 12:48 AM, July 4, 2013

There was no waver in his voice, no second-guessing, no questioning. Rick DiPietro wants to play hockey again. “I’m still a young man,” DiPietro told The Post yesterday, the day the oft- injured goalie cleared waivers and was bought out by the Islanders, the only NHL team he has ever played for. “I think a lot of people think of me as an old, washed-up guy, but I’m only 31 and I haven’t gotten a chance over the past couple years here to get back being healthy.” After a lengthy list of mostly knee and hip surgeries, DiPietro was able to play only 50 games for the Islanders the past five seasons. General manager Garth Snow placed him on waivers Tuesday, and when he cleared at noon yesterday, the team used its first compliance buyout to wipe off the salary cap the $32 million over eight years it still owed him. As per the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, DiPietro will receive $1.5 million annually for the next 16 years. But that is not a retirement cushion for the netminder, whom the Islanders made the No. 1-overall pick in the 2000 draft. DiPietro has battled hard times during his injuries, but he feels like he’s not entirely removed from his lone All-Star appearance in 2008 or his job as the starting goaltender for Team USA in the 2006 Turin Olympics. “I just want to be feeling good on the ice and have no reservations,” said DiPietro, who was working out in anticipation of returning to compete for the Islanders’ starting job. “I’m feeling that way now, so I’m excited for an opportunity. Hopefully something will come up and I’ll get back to where I want to be.” Now the question is where that next opportunity will arise — if it arises at all. DiPietro was open to signing a two-way contract, meaning he could be sent back and forth from the minors. But he is also not about to start predicting the future, having already traversed a fate that few would wish on their worst enemy. “I think as an athlete you use every little thing for motivation and give you that edge to train and work,” “The last couple years, you can’t choose to get injured,” DiPietro said. or not get injured It’s just part of the sport and it happens. I’ve gotten to a point now where I feel good and I feel healthy and hopefully that translates onto the ice. DiPietro played just three games for the Islanders last season before he was demoted to the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers. There, he played in 18 games and finished with a record of 9-9-0, a 2.93 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage. “It was an extremely tough decision to use the compliance buyout on Rick’s contract,” Snow said in a statement. “His drive to win games and compete at the highest level for the New York Islanders was never questioned. With Rick back at 100-percent health, we wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his career.” Snow was the GM in name only when DiPietro was handed his landmark 15-year, $67.5 million contract by owner Charles Wang in September 2006. After that, there were some good times, but mostly bad. Now DiPietro is left without a team, without a contract, and hoping to pick up the pieces. But just as has always been the case, when asked if he wants to keep going, the cocky kid from Winthrop, Mass., would not, could not, hesitate. “No question at all,” he said, and so it goes. New York Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 683879 New York Rangers

NY Rangers put Arron Asham and Darroll Powe on waivers to clear up salary cap space

By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Thursday, July 4, 2013, 4:20 PM

Arron Asham becomes expendable to the Rangers, who try to unload the right winger in order to clear cap space. The Rangers placed veteran forwards Arron Asham and Darroll Powe on waivers Thursday, hoping to free about $2 million of salary cap space for the open of free agency on Friday at noon. If Asham and Powe are claimed by another team, the Blueshirts would have about $15 million to re-sign restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk, and to test the free- agent waters. If Asham and Powe depart - and assuming Stepan, Hagelin and Zuccarello all re-sign - the Rangers would have just 12 forwards on the roster going into free agency. Though the Rangers' limited funds make them unlikely competitors at the top of an already thin free-agent list, this year's crop is headed by forwards Danny Briere, David Clarkson, Nathan Horton, Valtteri Filppula, Jarome Iginla and defensemen Andrew Ference and Ron Hainsey. Ranger forward Ryane Clowe is becoming an unrestricted free agent, and though both parties originally wanted Clowe to remain in New York, negotiations stalled after Glen Sather elected to keep Brad Richards and limited his financial means. Clowe's previous contract had a $3.625 million annual cap hit, and retaining him also would cost the Rangers a second- round pick in next year's draft rather than a fifth-rounder, per the terms of their in-season deadline deal with San Jose. One forward to watch is center Manny Malhotra, 33, a former 1998 Rangers first-round pick who spent parts of four seasons in New York and who also played for new Blueshirts coach Alain Vigneault during parts of three seasons in Vancouver. Malhotra's previous contract carried a $2.5 million annual cap hit. Malhotra suffered a career-threatening left eye injury when struck by a puck in March 2011. He rebounded to play 78 regular season games in the 2011- 12 season and in the playoffs. But this past season, Malhotra was placed on injured reserve after just nine games by Vancouver GM Mike Gillis, who cited trying to preserve Malhotra's long-term health. Assuming Powe and Asham are claimed, both players only spent this past season with the Rangers. Powe, 28, came over in a Feb. 4 trade from the Minnesota Wild to add forward depth, particularly on the penalty kill. He had no points in 34 games as mostly a fourth-line center and winger, then played only three playoff games due to a concussion suffered in the first round against Washington. Powe has one year at $1,066,667 remaining on his contract. Asham, 35, signed a two-year deal as a free agent last July. He battled injury but had two goals in 27 games, fairly regularly providing an effective, physical forecheck on the fourth-line wing. Then, he scored two goals in 10 playoff games but was mysteriously scratched in the final two games of the second round, one of many reasons John Tortorella lost his job after the Rangers were eliminated. Asham has one year at $1 million remaining on his deal. New York Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683880 New York Rangers

Frugal rangers want moore

By LARRY BROOKS Last Updated: 1:59 AM, July 5, 2013 Posted: 12:25 AM, July 5, 2013

The Rangers won’t make a splash when the free-agent market opens at noon. The limited amount of cap space available simply doesn’t allow for the big-market team to be in play for the big boys. Of course, given history in the form of Wade Redden, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Bobby Holik, Alexander Frolov, Patrick Rissmiller and Ales Kotalik, to name but a few, perhaps the constraints on general manager Glen Sather are every bit as much a blessing as a curse. Still, the Blueshirts do need to produce a ripple in the pool, even if not necessarily today. The roster isn’t deep enough and the prospects aren’t sure enough to enter the lengthy season-opening trip without cost-effective reinforcements to fill lineup holes that will be created by the absences of Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin, who are both recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries. The Post has learned the Rangers have held discussions with fourth-line, checking-oriented center Dominic Moore, who is pondering a return to the league after sitting out last season after the death of his wife, Katie, who lost her two-year fight against a rare form of liver cancer on Jan. 7. A source has confirmed Moore, who will turn 33 next month, had spoken extensively with the Rangers last year before the lockout and likely would have signed with the club if his wife’s medical condition had allowed. Moore, who began his career with the Blueshirts in 2005-06 as the center of the HMO Line between Ryan Hollweg and Jed Ortmeyer, earned an average of $1.1 million his last three seasons. That’s a number the Blueshirts can accommodate. Signing Moore would allow the Rangers to move Brian Boyle, whose $1.7 million cap hit is a bit pricey for a fourth-line center under prevailing conditions, to the wing to at least start the season — or out of town as part of a trade. If the Rangers pass on Moore, the club could have interest in fourth-line center Maxim Lapierre, who filled the role as the defensive faceoff specialist in Vancouver last year for coach Alain Vigneault after Manny Malhotra went on long-term injury reserve with an eye injury. The 28-year-old Lapierre is coming off a two-year deal under which he carried a $1 million cap hit. On Wednesday, Sather spoke about wanting to leave roster spots open for the Rangers’ prospects. But there is a difference between giving an opportunity to kids such as Danny Kristo, Marek Hrivik, Oscar Lindberg and Jesper Fast — not to mention Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller — and guaranteeing them roster spots they may not earn. The Rangers could use depth on defense as well, though they seem to be prepared to enter the season with the current seven-man group consisting of Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh (presuming he is re-signed), Marc Staal (believed recovering well from his eye injury), Anton Stralman, Michael Del Zotto, John Moore and Justin Falk. * The Rangers yesterday placed Darroll Powe ($1.067 million cap hit) and Arron Asham ($1 million) on waivers. Unless claimed (extremely unlikely), this will have no impact on the club’s cap space for the summer. If they are sent to the AHL Wolf Pack at the start of the season, Powe’s cap charge will become $142,000 while Asham’s will be $75,000. New York Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 683881 New York Rangers

Rangers waive veterans Arron Asham, Darroll Powe

Friday, July 5, 2013 STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Despite having little salary-cap maneuverability, the Rangers perhaps signaled they will try to make some depth moves once the free-agent market opens today by placing two forwards on waivers. Arron Asham, 35, and Darroll Powe, 28, were put on regular waivers Thursday. If they clear by today at noon, the Rangers will be able to reassign them to Hartford (AHL). Both have one season remaining on their contracts with Powe counting $1.066 million against the $64.3 million salary cap and Asham having a $1 million cap hit. The Rangers have approximately $14 million available in salary cap space, but must re-sign key restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin as well as RFAs Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk while also trying to negotiate a lucrative, long-term contract extension for franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist. The gritty Asham had two goals and 50 penalty minutes in 27 games in his first season with the Rangers. Powe, a penalty-kill specialist acquired from the Wild early in the season for Mike Rupp, went scoreless with 18 penalty minutes in 34 games. The Rangers are not obligated to remove the two from their roster if they do clear waivers. — Andrew Gross Bruins deal Seguin The Boston Bruins traded Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars for fellow forward Loui Eriksson as part of a seven-player trade. In addition, the Bruins are also acquiring forwards Matt Fraser, Reilly Smith and defenseman Joe Morrow. Dallas will receive forward Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button. Briefs Former Flyer Danny Briere agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Canadiens. … Flyers captain Claude Giroux agreed to an eight-year contract extension, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. … The Wild agreed to terms on a two-year deal with defenseman Keith Ballard. Bergen Record LOADED: 07.05.2013 683882 New York Rangers

Rangers release Arron Asham and Darroll Powe

Updated: July 4, 2013 10:10 PM By STEVE ZIPAY

Arron Asham and Darroll Powe were waived by the Rangers on Thursday, clearing about $2 million in cap space and setting the table for a trade or acquiring a free agent when the market opens at noon Friday. With only about $13 million to sign restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk, the extra dollars will give the team more flexibility if the players are claimed. Three forwards who formerly played for new coach Alain Vigneault might be on the radar: Max Laperriere, 28, an aggressive third-line center; Mason Raymond, 27, a left wing who had 10 goals and 22 points in 46 games, and Manny Malhotra, 33, a center who spent four seasons with the Rangers. He has experienced eye problems and played nine games last season for the Canucks. Asham and Powe are the 13th and 14th forwards on the roster, and the Rangers need more players up front because Ryan Callahan and Hagelin had shoulder labrum surgery. They will miss training camp and probably some regular-season games. Teams are allowed to exceed the 2013-14 salary cap of $64.3 million by 10 percent during the summer as long as they are compliant by opening night. Asham, 35, is in the final season of a two-year contract. He played only 27 games, with two goals, but scored twice in 10 playoff games before being benched, along with Brad Richards, for the final two postseason games against the Bruins. Primarily a penalty-killer, Powe, 28, was acquired in the deal that sent Mike Rupp to the Wild. He was pointless in 34 games and three playoff games and suffered a concussion in the postseason. The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Rangers, Madison Square Garden and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday. Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683883 New York Rangers

Free agency day: Will the Rangers really be silent?

05 July 2013, 3:39 am by Carp

New York Rangers Introduce Alain Vigneault The free-agent signing period opens at noon. I know, the Rangers don’t have much cap space at all because they decided to keep Brad Richards rather than buy him out. They still have a whole bunch of RFAs to re-sign, especially Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin and probably Mats Zuccarello and Justin Falk, with an eye on a new deal for Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers, because of the Richards decision, are more likely to lose free agents today, i.e. Ryane Clowe—not sure they’d be bringing him back anyway after two concussions in a short period of time, the expected long- term, high-priced deal it would take to retain him, and the higher draft pick they’d have to give San Jose if they do re-sign him. So it looks as if the Rangers are going to be spectators today. Yet something, just a gut feel maybe, or a guess, tells me Glen Sather will do something of significance, that he isn’t going to go into next season with a new coach and virtually the same cast of players who were eliminated in Boston on May 25. We’ll be here all day long for discussion, of course. Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683884 NHL There’s no such thing as a frank robber. Seattle can’t play the devious game. It cares too much about integrity, and many of us love this city for its moral code. Even after missing on NBA and NHL, Seattle can build on this If Seattle is going to get the NBA and NHL here, there are two routes now: 1. Expansion. 2. If the leagues presented a relocation opportunity in which it was an absolute that the franchise would move. Jerry Brewer Over the next 6-12 months, my prediction is that expansion will become a legitimate hot topic. Why? Because money talks. And the NBA knows how badly Hansen wants an NBA team. His bidding led to a ridiculous $550 Well, we sure do stink at taking things that don’t belong to us. million sale price of the Kings. And the NHL knows that Bartoszek and Lanza were willing to pay $50 million over the asking price for the Coyotes. Neither the NBA nor the NHL will be here next season because, well, Seattle has a secret power. We didn’t know it until recently, but we have the The needle is moving, and it looks like a mini-Space Needle. Yeah, we’re supernatural ability to solve other cities’ sports problems. All we have to do awful thieves, but Seattle is a haven for good businessmen. Now that is show interest in another town’s team, start rationalizing why it’s OK to do they’re in the door, there’s a better chance to advance the conversation what Oklahoma City did to us five years ago, and, poof, like magic, our beyond the gamesmanship of the past half year. potential victims begin doling out franchise-saving public subsidies. It’s as if we’re hosting some bizarre telethon to benefit wealthy owners. Seattle Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 There may be no honor among thieves, but in Seattle, there’s no joy among aspirant thieves. Our motto should be something like: Always the robbed, never the robber. First, NBA commissioner David Stern led Chris Hansen’s investor dream team to believe the Sacramento Kings were a legitimate relocation option, but it turned out to be a trick, which resulted in a frustrating, faux open competition that was meant to keep the team in Sacramento all along. Now, after a random public revelation by the NHL two weeks ago that Seattle was Plan B if the Phoenix Coyotes couldn’t work out a lease agreement in Glendale, Ariz., we played the role of Leverage City for a second time this year. Naturally, the Coyotes are skipping home with a fresh business deal. Seattle should really charge a fee for its services. The NBA relocation fight remains a sensitive issue, but Tuesday’s news about the Coyotes staying is nowhere near the emotional blow. For one, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was more forthright than Stern. In addition, after the NBA debacle, everyone knew not to get too attached to the notion of a miracle NHL gift. But now that the awkward, nervous pursuit of two Big Four sports teams is over, for now, it’s better to reflect on the progress of this mission rather than wallow in lament. Yes, Seattle was so close to an embarrassment of sports riches. How close? If eight more NBA owners would’ve voted for relocation and one more Glendale City Council representative would’ve voted against the Coyotes lease, then both sports leagues would be here next season. It’s an unfathomable thought, but to find the proper perspective about a hunt that is only beginning, consider how far this sports town has come in only 20 months. Hansen went public with his plan early in 2012, and since then, he has forged an agreement with the city and county on a $490 million Sodo arena that will be 58 percent privately financed. The work done in 2012 to negotiate this arena plan led to the drama of the past six months. We’re focusing on the results right now — no teams — but there was a consolation in bidding for the Kings and being available if the Coyotes wanted to move. Seattle is now No. 1 on the waiting list for both leagues. As contentious as the NBA relocation became, it’s a net positive because Hansen, Steve Ballmer and Co. stood before the NBA and its owners and provided compelling evidence about their aptitude as potential owners, Seattle’s growth over the past five years and the city’s overall NBA worthiness. On the NHL side, Bettman also has a greater understanding of this market now, and if potential Seattle NHL investors Ray Bartoszek and Anthony Lanza are serious about bringing a team here, there are now real people attached to that effort. If Seattle can keep this arena deal together, which is a concern the longer Hansen goes without securing an NBA team, then the pieces are in place for an amazing story of redemption, rebirth and reinvention. Of course, if there’s one thing we’ve learned through these processes, it’s this: We want no part of being the aspirant thief anymore. 683885 NHL

Glendale City Council votes to keep NHL’s Coyotes in Arizona

By José Miguel Romero

GLENDALE, Ariz. – City council members voted late Tuesday night to approve a lease agreement with an ownership group that will keep the Phoenix Coyotes in Arizona for at least the next 15 years, ending hopes of the National Hockey League franchise relocating to Seattle. A packed council chambers, mostly filled with Coyotes fans, looked at each other with smiles, forbidden from cheers or outbursts during the meeting. It took four hours of public testimony, discussion among council members and statements from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and prospective owner Anthony LeBlanc to reach a final vote. The vote was 4-3 in favor of awarding a lease deal — which included a $15 million per-year management fee that the city will pay to ownership group IceArizona — that keeps the team at Glendale’s Jobing.com Arena until 2028. The council set a deadline of Aug. 9 to close the lease deal. The final gavel to end the meeting brought cheers and shouts from the crowd. Despite concerns from dissenting council members, notably the absence of a five-year “out” clause favored by Mayor Jerry Weiers should city financial losses mount, the vote went through. “We have a decision, we’re going to live by that decision,” Weiers said after opposing the lease. Had the vote gone against the lease, the currently ownerless Coyotes — to whom the city has given $25 million over the past four years while cutting services and the public safety budget — might have had a new home in Seattle’s KeyArena. “There was a lot of speculation,” Councilman Manny Martinez said after the meeting. “I would just say to them (the people of Seattle) good luck in the future, maybe they can get another team there.” After cheers for Bettman, who spoke briefly, and more cheers for Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris, who took a seat in the back of the room, the league and ownership group began to make its case. “It’s been a long road, but I think people feel confident in the progress that we’ve made,” Bettman said after the meeting. “We are grateful to the council for their confidence in the new ownership group for the Coyotes moving forward.” LeBlanc told council members he is confident that the proposal for the lease “is in the best interest of residents and the taxpayers of the city of Glendale.” “We are here for the longterm,” LeBlanc said after the meeting. “We are focused on keeping the Coyotes here in the valley and making this a longterm success.” Weiers suggested to LeBlanc that the council take a couple of more weeks to further look into the matter, a statement met with groans from the crowd and a fast rebuttal from Martinez, who said a vote needed to be taken that night. Public input began two hours into the meeting and those given the opportunity to speak were given three minutes each. The first few speakers expressed support for keeping the team in Glendale based on economic impact and the devotion of players the community. Seattle Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683886 Ottawa Senators

Alfredsson says he’s closing in on contract…somewhere by Ken Warren on July 4, 2013

The awkward re-signing of Ottawa Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson to a new contract took another twist late Thursday. Alfredsson, who is vacationing in Sweden, told Swedish TV station SVT Thursday that he expected to sign an NHL contract on Friday, but did not say it would definitely be with the Senators. It’s believed that Boston and Detroit are also making serious pitches for the Senators captain. On Thursday afternoon, Senators general manager Bryan Murray said he was waiting for J.P. Barry, Alfredsson’s agent, to give him a salary figure on a one-year contract – somewhere in the $4 million-$6 million range — a deal which the Senators would either accept or negotiate from. If a deal is ironed out before Alfredsson becomes an unrestricted free agent at noon Friday, it clears up a major headache for Murray. The Senators general manager has been frustrated with how the story has developed ever since word of Alfredsson’s return for another season leaked out in Sweden — also coming out during an interview on SVT – on June 28. In the Senators ideal world, they would have preferred to announce Alfredsson’s return and accompanying contract at the same time. Instead, Murray and Barry talked at the NHL draft last weekend and played phone tag all week. Until Thursday, the only agreement they had reached was that Alfredsson wanted a one-year deal. The negotiations dragged on so long that Alfredsson became a potential free agent target for other teams during the free agent wooing process earlier this week. Boston, Detroit and San Jose Sharks were among the teams that expressed an interest in him, giving the Alfredsson camp additional leverage in talks with the Senators. Even though it was highly unlikely that Alfredsson would ever pick up and move from Ottawa for another season – one of the main reasons for his hesitation in announcing his return for another year was due to family concerns – the speculation about the Senators captain playing elsewhere took on a life of its own. “It’s the big issue in town now,” Murray said Thursday afternoon. “But we’re going to get it done, I assume.” Murray says he bears no ill-will against rival general managers — “that’s our job to investigate every possible player out there,” he said – but he is angered that Senators organization was being perceived as cheap for not getting a deal done sooner. Boston’s blockbuster deal with the Dallas Stars on Thursday — with Tyler Seguin going to Dallas and Loui Erickson returning to Boston — cleared up salary cap room for Boston, allowing them room to possibly sign Alfredsson. The Alfredsson signing is connected to whatever else the Senators choose to do on the free agency market. “Whatever the (contract) is, it gets tied up one way or another, “ Murray said. “(The money) is not available if Alfie is here.” Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 07.05.2013 683887 Ottawa Senators change the direction of the company. The new group laid out its strategy in 2008, calling for greater focus on drugs aimed at curing or alleviating central nervous system disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple Melnyk’s costly (stock) trades sclerosis. Although Melnyk had retired from Biovail in mid-2007, he challenged the new direction at the annual shareholder meeting in 2008. He was By James Bagnall, Ottawa Citizen July 4, 2013 unsuccessful. From late 2009 to early 2010, Melnyk proceeded to unload the vast majority of his remaining 17 million shares. Regulatory filings show he sold at an average price of less than $16 per share. He was done with the firm. OTTAWA — As the Ottawa Senators try to lock down players’ contracts for next season, it’s no secret that team owner Eugene Melnyk is feeling less The irony, of course, is that Melnyk’s challengers proved to be very able flush than he used to. corporate stewards. Shortly after Melnyk dumped his shares — realizing more than $250 million in gross proceeds — Biovail acquired U.S.-based The signs are many. The team’s annual salary bill will likely run about $50 Valeant, and kept the name. Valeant is now a multibillion-dollar-a-year million — significantly below the $64-million cap that determines the upper operation with a wide range of specialty pharmaceuticals. It closed recently limit for players’ wages. Unless, of course, Melnyk shells out millions for at $95.19 per share on the TSX. free agents. This seems a long shot, though. Melnyk has been urging Senators president Cyril Leeder for many months to keep close watch on Had Melnyk simply kept quiet and not sold his shares, his stake in Valeant the Senators’ operating expenses. would this week easily top $1 billion. Money also seemed on Melnyk’s mind when Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson An inquiry to Melnyk’s spokesman about the state of his finances went recently declared the Kanata stadium out of the running as a location for a unanswered. lucrative casino. The Senators’ owner was furious — though whether at the arbitrary process or the foregone revenue wasn’t clear. Perhaps it was both. What is his net worth now? It’s hard to say. Over the past decade, he has cashed in shares valued at hundreds of millions of dollars — but he is also Melnyk has also been liquidating some of his other business interests. A a heavy spender. He divorced several years ago and maintains a small year ago, he sold his Junior A hockey club, the St. Michael’s Majors. More army of thoroughbred horses in Florida and a mansion in Barbados. His recently, he slashed his personal stake in his latest biotech venture — investments in biotech firms Trimel Pharmaceuticals and PurGenesis of Trimel Pharmaceuticals — to less than 27 per cent from 64 per cent. Quebec have not been cheap. Forbes Magazine estimates his Senators are worth $220 million U.S. as a team, though it is also carrying about $130 And, last month, Melnyk unexpectedly terminated a 15-year marketing million U.S. in debt. agreement with Scotiabank eight years early. While the deal did allow for such a possibility, insiders thought it significant that Melnyk had approached Let’s put it this way: Melnyk is behaving as though he no longer has the Senators’ new partner, Canadian Tire Corp., and not the other way unlimited resources — which is not a bad thing for any business owner. around. Whether it means he is now considering options such as lining up another equity partner for the Senators or perhaps selling the team outright, is not Canadian Tire declined to say how much it would pay for the right to yet clear. The price he is prepared to pay for Senators talent this year could rename the stadium — though it would be surprising if it was for less than well be an important clue. the $20 million pledged by Scotiabank over a 15-year period, or roughly $1.3 million annually. Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 07.05.2013 From the team’s perspective, the Scotiabank signing did not compare favourably with more lucrative arrangements, such as the $10 million Bell Canada is paying each year for the right to name the Montreal Canadiens’ home. Even sports venues in smaller U.S. markets, such as Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, manage to fetch $6 million annually for naming rights. Duncan Fulton, vice-president of corporate affairs for Canadian Tire, said we shouldn’t assume his company paid substantially more than Scotiabank’s payment stream. “We are involved in a great many sports partnerships,” he said. “We know the real value of these things.” Nevertheless, Melnyk’s negotiations with Canadian Tire produced a multi- layered marketing partnership that also includes Canadian Tire affiliates Mark’s Work Wearhouse and Sports Experts, and joint promotions of local sports. Canadian Tire is also treating the Senators’ home as a test lab for electronic commerce, allowing fans, for instance, to order team jerseys from their seats and pick them up between periods. Revenue opportunities abound. The question is, why is Melnyk now cutting new revenue deals and liquidating some of his holdings? Wasn’t he the biotech billionaire who promised to give the Senators franchise some much-needed stability? In fact, he was that man, but his fortunes have turned. The value of his stake in Biovail — the firm he founded in 1989 — was worth a tidy $1.7 billion when he rescued the team from bankruptcy in August 2003. Just a few weeks after he bought the team, his financial world began weakening. It started when a truck loaded with Biovail’s then-new drug, WXL, was involved in an accident one day after the close of the company’s third fiscal quarter. Biovail cited the incident to explain why its financial projections had fallen short. Securities watchdogs, including the Ontario Securities Commission, said other factors were involved. There followed extensive civil litigation — on this and other matters having to do with the disposition of Melnyk’s Biovail shares. Melnyk settled the claims against him in 2011 without admitting any wrongdoing. However, he paid fines and agreed not to serve in a senior capacity with a public company for five years. Meantime, other Biovail investors and directors — led by Dr. Douglas Squires who succeeded Melnyk as Biovail CEO in 2004 — led a push to 683888 Ottawa Senators Murray said he doesn't blame other teams for calling Alfredsson during the two-day window to hold talks. "I understand if another manager calls. That's their job ... that's my job," Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson picking between three teams as free said Murray. "I'm calling other free agents and they belong to other teams. agency nears That's our job to investigate every player that could be out there. So I'm doing that. And if Boston is doing that or San Jose is doing that, good for them." By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 09:20 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:04 PM EDT

Bytown, Motown or Beantown? Daniel Alfredsson has a decision to make. He can stay home with the Senators or head for greener pastures. Hockey fans in Ottawa were sitting on pins and needs because the Senators captain had not officially closed the door on either the Boston Bruins on Detroit Red Wings Thursday night with the possibility of becoming a unrestricted free agent at noon Friday looming large. Alfredsson shut it down for the night at 3 a.m. in Sweden. The Sun has confirmed Alfredsson had telephone discussions with Boston GM Peter Chiarelli and Detroit GM Ken Holland to get an idea of what they are planning, but Alfredsson has maintained re-signing in Ottawa is his top priority. He and his wife Bibi were huddled at their home in Sweden late Thursday trying to decide whether he'd continue to negotiate a deal with the Senators or head to a place like Boston or Detroit to expedite the opportunity to win a Stanley Cup before he retires. Earlier in the day, there was hope he'd already decided to stay in Ottawa. Asked if he had extended with the Senators, Alfredsson told SVT he was closing in on a deal. "Not quite done yet, we're in negotiations but I hope it gets done (Thursday) or (Friday)," said Alfredsson. That wasn't the case. His Kelowna-based agent J.P. Barry said late Thursday he was in discussion with the club's captain and "no decision" has been made on whether he'll test the market or come back to Ottawa for his 18th season with the Senators. The Bruins and Wings were among a group of six teams that called Alfredsson's camp. It's believed the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens were both prepared to make offers, but they weren't in the mix. Either the Bruins or Wings would be a nice fit. Detroit already has Swedish stars Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen in their room. Chiarelli and Alfredsson have a relationship from their days in Ottawa. Murray is confident Alfredsson will be back for his 18th season and wondered what all the fuss was about when speaking with reporters at the Canadian Tire Centre. "I guess it's the big issue in town now," said Murray. "I didn't realize it was that big an issue because we're going to get it done I would assume." Murray said the discussions with Barry have been cordial and he certainly doesn't think the captain is going anywhere. "Alfie and I talked about three days before he went back to Sweden. We talked about the ability to add to our team going forward and whether we're going to be better this year," said Murray. "I've talked to J.P. Barry three times. It was decided we would talk one year at a time. They will come back to me with the dollar figure. I have not heard the dollar figure." Murray said he told Barry just to get Alfredsson to name his price. The Senators were waiting to hear. "(Barry) said, 'Why don't you make an offer.' It was simply like this: 'Talk to Alfie and ask him how much he needs to play in Ottawa,' " Murray said. "I assume they will call me (Thursday) and we'll have an opportunity to talk and decide where we're going. That's where it's at." 683889 Ottawa Senators "He did come to Ottawa and he did want to talk to us. We did some things to encourage him to come here. He knows some people here. He doesn't know all of us, but we gave it our best pitch." Ottawa Senators make pitch for free agent David Clarkson PERSONS OF INTEREST David Clarkson, RW, New Jersey: Was in town Wednesday and the By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun Senators will make an offer. Tough competition. First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:27 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, RW, Minnesota: He's right in Ottawa's July 04, 2013 11:26 PM EDT wheelhouse. At 29, he is looking for a short-term deal. Ryane Clowe, LW, N.Y. Rangers: He'd like to stay in the East after a stint with the Rangers. Isn't afraid to pay price. The Senators are trying to score big on the free agent front. Michael Ryder, LW, Montreal: He could end up back with the Bruins. Fits Senators GM Bryan Murray confirmed New Jersey Devils winger David the role of a Top 6 forward if Ottawa has interest. Clarkson, the top unrestricted free agent in this year's class, spent the day in Ottawa Wednesday and the club will try to sign him Friday at noon. Mason Raymond, LW, Vancouver: Will be valuable commodity on the market. He had 10 goals and 12 assists last season. Clarkson, 29, who has spent the last eight years in the Devils organization, will be one of top UFAs available. He is expected to be pursued by five or Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 six teams -- including the Toronto Maple Leafs -- and could make huge money. Murray said the club spent the day making a hard pitch to Clarkson to try to lure him to come to the Senators. The belief is Clarkson was supposed to go visit with the Philadelphia Flyers, but backed off after they signed Vinny Lecavalier. The Senators are looking for a Top 6 forward and believe Clarkson would be a nice fit. "He's competitive, gritty, tough. The last full season, he got 30 goals. Last year, he led the Devils with 15," said Murray. "We hope that he chooses us. Unfortunately, we don't dictate all of it. He'll have, I'm sure, a number of options. "But he is one person we have targeted and he fits the role we are really looking for. We like grit on our team. I've heard some reporters here that they like the odd guy to have the odd fight, so he can even do that if he had to I suppose." Last season, Clarkson had a cap hit of $2.6 million with New Jersey, but there could be a Battle of Ontario over his services. Sources say Leafs GM Dave Nonis is poised to offer a seven-year deal in the $5 to $5.5-million range. The Senators have to decide how far they are willing to go on the free agent market. Murray said owner Eugene Melnyk is willing to spend money to sign captain Daniel Alfredsson and a unrestricted free agent. The club's payroll will likely be around $54 million. The club has approximately $43 million committed. "It all depends on the next 24 hours, really. Who is available and who would like to come to Ottawa," said Murray. "I can tell you this: Mr. Melnyk and I have talked 10 times in the last three days and he's given me the green light to go get a free agent if I can. "I told him the target I had. I'm going to try to get Alfie done and we are getting comments made about us that I don't understand. (There's people calling them) cheap, that we don't spend money. I shouldn't say it that way, but that's pretty much it." If the Senators aren't able to sign Clarkson, they could turn in a different direction or try to acquire winger Bobby Ryan from Anaheim in a trade. The asking price for Ryan was off the charts at the draft, but that could change. "We built the farm system for a reason. If somebody calls me and offers me a quality player for a couple of prospects, I would consider it," said Murray. "It doesn't seem to be (Friday) is that day. "It seems to me that maybe over the summer you have a chance to interact with other managers more often." That's why Murray will focus on free agency. The club could turn to Minnesota winger Pierre-Marc Bouchard. He is the same type of player as Clarkson and wants a short-term deal. It may help that centre Jason Spezza is a close friend of Clarkson. "It was a recruiting day," said Murray. "I'm sure he'll be intrigued, but he'll get the same story from a number of teams that he goes to visit. 683890 Ottawa Senators

Daniel Alfredsson giving Senators first shot; captain open to other teams

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:55 AM EDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:18 AM EDT

Daniel Alfredsson will give the Senators the first shot at signing him but he's certainly thrown a loop into negotiations. The Senators captain told the Gothenburg Times -- a newspaper in his Swedish hometown -- Thursday that his No. 1 priority is negotiate a new contract with Ottawa. Asked where he wished to play, Alfredsson gave an answer that will send shivers down the spines of Ottawa fans: "I don’t wish anything. The only thing I’ve decided is that I want to play for another year. At least.” To call Alfredsson tight-lipped would be an understatement. “First, we will negotiate with Ottawa and then we will see what happens,” said Alfredsson. While the Boston Bruins have confirmed they’ve spoken with Alfredsson’s agent J.P. Barry, it’s believed the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings might be among a group of “multiple” teams that have called his camp. If Alfredsson does test the market Friday when free agency opens at noon it will be the first time in his career with the Senators he’s done that. Teams have a two-day window before that to speak to free agents. Alfredsson, who is expected to make a decision, said he isn’t sure if he will test the free agent market. “I don’t know, nothing’s decided yet,” said Alfredsson. Alfredsson certainly didn’t sound like somebody who has ruled out moving on if the opportunity presents itself. “I haven’t spoken to my agent (Thursday), but we assume that several clubs will call and show interest,” said Alfredsson. Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 683891 Ottawa Senators The last 11 players to be drafted out of Europe by the Senators. 2013 Ottawa Senators make a habit of drafting players from Sweden Round 3 (78th): G Marcus Hogberg, Linkoping Jrs. Round 4 (102nd overall): RW Tobias Lindberg, Djurgardens Jrs. By Don Brennan ,Ottawa Sun 2012 First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:34 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, Round 7 (196th overall): D Mikael Wikstrand, Mora IK July 04, 2013 11:02 PM EDT 2011 Round 1 (6th): C Mika Zibanejad, Djurgardens IF Stockholm At least there can be no mistaking the Senators' favourite European destination. Round 5 (126th): D Fredrik Claesson, Djurgardens IF Stockholm Dating back to 2008, the last 11 times they have drafted a player from 2010 across the big pond it's been out of Sweden. In his six years as GM, Bryan Round 4 (76th): RW Marcus Sorensen, Sodertalje Jrs. Murray has never picked from anywhere else in Europe. 2009 The Senators did take Czech Jakub Culek with their first pick in 2010, but he was playing with the QMJHL's Rimouski Oceanic at the time. Round 2 (39th): LW Jakob Silfverberg, Brynas Jrs. And Culek is taking longer than hoped to develop. Round 2 (46th): G Robin Lehner, Frolunda Jrs. "I don't know, probably (Daniel) Alfredsson talks to the coaches and stuff," 2008 Stockholm-born defenceman Fredrik Claesson (Ottawa's fifth-round pick in 2011) joked Thursday at Sensplex. "We work hard, and I think most of the Round 1 (15th): D Erik Karlsson, Frolunda Jrs. Swedes are good in a group and stuff like that. I don't know, there's a lot of Round 4 (109th): RW Andre Petersson, HV 71 Jrs. Swedes now in the NHL. That's good for us." Round 7 (199th): LW Emil Sandin. Brynas IF Gavle Last week in New Jersey, Murray and his staff used two of their seven picks on Swedes. Goalie Marcus Hogberg was their second selection of the day, Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 snapped up in the third round (Ottawa didn't have a pick in Round 2), 78th overall. The 6-foot-4, 194-pounder is on the national team's "radar" and is expected to play in Sweden's second division next season. The next Robin Lehner, perhaps? "Yeah," assistant GM Tim Murray said when asked if there were similarities between Hogberg and Lehner, the Senators' 21-year old backup who is seen as a star in the making. "Nationality, and size." Other than that? "No, I don't think we're that far down the road with him yet," said Murray, whose scouts saw Hogberg as the best goalie prospect in Europe. "The better we get to know him, we'll see his competitive level. That's what stood out with Robin when you watched in his draft year, besides the size and everything. "That's something we have to get to know with this kid." Hogberg had no idea the Senators were interested in him. "It was very good to hear my name ... Ottawa selects ... me," said the native of Orebro. "It's fun so many Swedish (players) play for Ottawa. It's easy to talk (to guys) when I don't understand." Hogberg has never met Lehner, only watched him play "a few" times. While still learning English, he did have an answer when asked about the recent infusion to the NHL of tall Swedish goalies. "Maybe I eat well," Hogberg said with a laugh. With their fourth-round choice, the Senators took left-handed shooting right winger Tobias Lindberg, a 6-foot-2, 187-pounder. Lindberg, who will stay home to play next season with Djurgardens, admitted to a comfort level in being drafted by the Swedish-loaded Senators. He also is thrilled to be in the same system as Alfredsson. "He's an inspiration, of course," said Lindberg. "You dream to play as good as he plays in his career. He's just an inspiration. Now to be in the same organization as he is, it's just a dream." The Senators might not yet be Sweden's favourite team, but they're getting there. "It's still Detroit," said Claesson, who in 2013-14 is expected to spend his third season being groomed in Binghamton. Now when (Nicklas) Lidstrom not playing any more, it swings a little. But of course Ottawa and the Red Wings are the most popular teams in Sweden." SWEDISH DELIGHTS 683892 Ottawa Senators going to be even harder, but that's what motivates me, that's what scares me. Every day we've got to come in here and try to find a way to be a little bit better. Senators sign Paul MacLean for 3 more years "We're going to work to get better again. We're going to work every day to get better. If we do that, we're going to like where we are at the end."

Don Brennan, Ottawa Sun With MacLean under wraps, what about Murray? Asked if he was going to be here to see the end of his coach's contract, the 70-year old Murray was First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 12:31 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, noncommittal. July 04, 2013 10:26 PM EDT "I can't imagine," he said. "I can't imagine." Ottawa Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 OTTAWA - In a perfect world, Paul MacLean might be the highest paid coach in hockey. But the NHL, as we all know, is far from a perfect world. The reigning Jack Adams winner as coach of the year and a finalist for the award in 2011-12 — his first season as the Senators bench boss — MacLean signed a three-year extension with the team Thursday. As next season would have been the last on his contract, the 55-year old Maritimer is now locked up until 2017. "You know when you have a good coach," said GM Bryan Murray. "You know because the players respond with their effort on the ice, but they also talk, and they talk a lot. "I have a good relationship with most of our guys. They come in and they tell me the good and the bad about everybody. And now that he's signed, the compliments were fairly substantial with Paul. "I think I knew a short time after he was here that this was going to work." So what is MacLean's reward? Money is an even hotter topic than usual in the NHL these days, with the dawn of free agency upon us, but as a coach's salary is not included in the cap, it is hard to pin down. Arguably, the Chicago Blackhawks' Joel Quenneville should be the top paid coach, as his stacked team won the Stanley Cup. But Hawks players don't make the most money in the league. Championships isn't the first word used in negotiations. Those individuals who are the best at their job generally get and deserve the biggest cheques. The last two years have proven MacLean is the top coach in the NHL. But while Alain Vigneault (who didn't coach as far into the spring as MacLean did in 2013) is believed to be at the pinnacle of the pay scale with a reported five-year, $10 million deal from the New York Rangers, MacLean (and we are strictly guessing here) is likely just into the seven-figure threshold per season. "Markets are different, so different it's unbelievable now," said Murray, adding that it wasn't difficult to get a deal done with MacLean. "We've got the Rangers and Detroit and some big market teams with big revenue, and there's other teams, and we all understand, we all work in the league under different conditions. "We all as a staff understand that, and I think behave and get paid accordingly." MacLean signed on the dotted line because he is loyal to the "good people" who gave a "longtime assistant coach an opportunity to prove something in the league." And because he believes he is in a good situation. "The comfort level there was great," he said about lengthening his deal. "I thought the commitment that we made to go three more years is really a confidence thing. At the same time, I was prepared to just do my job, but this is what I wanted, and we're really excited about it. "I like my coaching staff and the way we work together. I like the fact I get to work with Bryan Murray, Tim Murray and Pierre Dorion. I feel they're one of the best scouting staffs in the league and I think the evidence is out on the ice at the Sensplex, with the amount of good young prospects we have in the organization, that we draft well. "In order to be a good coach, you need good players. And the opportunity here in Ottawa gives me a chance to work with good players. It gives us a chance to coach." After guiding the Senators into the first round two seasons ago and into the second in 2013, what does MacLean do for an encore? "I try to be consistent, and I know that's what scares me and terrifies me every day ... can we do it again?," he said. "Is it going to be easy? No, it's 683893 Philadelphia Flyers Somehow, though, I just don't get the sense Jagr would be willing to take less money to return to Philadelphia. The man's mission, right or wrong, has been to make the most money possible. That's what leans me to say 5 burning questions for the Flyers his ship has sailed with the Flyers, who won't have enough cap room for another $4 million forward. 5. Will the Flyers target any restricted free agents? Frank Seravalli Last summer, the Flyers shocked the hockey world by signing Nashville Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013, 3:01 AM defenseman Shea Weber to a poisonous, 14-year, $110 million offer sheet. Nashville matched. The Predators are now in the process of sucking up $62 million in signing bonuses alone. IF THERE ARE any fireworks left over, hockey fans may want to save them Could the Flyers try to poach the market again? General managers have for noon today: the official beginning of hockey's annual free-agent frenzy. been very quick to say that they'll match any offer that comes along for their For the first time in its history, the NHL allowed free agents a 48-hour high-priced players. negotiating period before today's kickoff, so the number of early signings should be at an all-time high. Three players should pique the Flyers' interest: St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic and Toronto goaltender Here are answers to five burning questions facing the Flyers: Jonathan Bernier. 1. Will the Flyers make another splash in free agency? Pietrangelo, 23, is already one of the best blue-liners in the game. He's coming off a $3.25 million deal and looking to be paid quite handsomely. Probably not, given the fact that the Flyers are the NHL's only team The Blues already locked up Kevin Shattenkirk with a $4.25 million cap hit, currently over next season's $64.3 million salary cap. This is one of the but Pietrangelo has been tougher to nail down. thinnest free-agent classes in recent memory - perhaps ever. Few wanted to become free agents after a lockout season, choosing long-term deals Hamonic, 22, might seem a bit off the wall but he's a solid, second-pair ahead of time. defenseman who is only getting better. He's looking for a long-term deal and sources say Hamonic and the Islanders aren't that close. Hamonic is Plus, the Flyers already got two of their guys, signing center Vincent coming off his entry-level contract at $875,000. Hamonic played 25 minutes Lecavalier (5 years, $22.5 million) and defenseman Mark Streit (4 years, per game in the playoffs for New York. As you can see in the compensation $21 million) to new deals before free agency even began. Also, some of the chart, signing Hamonic to an offer sheet below $3.36 million per season other big names on the market, including Chicago forward Bryan Bickell, would be of hardly any risk at all. already re-signed. If the Flyers are to make waves today, it will likely be via trade. Perhaps the Maple Leafs are beginning to sweat after acquiring the rights to Bernier, 24, from Los Angeles on June 23 for Ben Scrivens, Matt Frattin, a 2. What are the Flyers' biggest needs? second-round pick and salary-cap space. As of last night, Bernier was still In order of priority: a goaltender to play in tandem with Steve Mason, a first- unsigned, leaving him vulnerable to an offer sheet. He was easily the line winger, and less-expensive defense. Flyers' No. 1 choice, yet they didn't have all the assets to land him in a trade. Bernier has just 62 NHL games under his belt, but many consider The Flyers made a thorough pitch to goalie Ray Emery yesterday to try to him a bona fide starter. The longer he lingers unsigned, the more it will lure him out of Chicago. As late as Wednesday, the Flyers were operating make teams wonder. under the assumption that Emery would be staying in Chicago as Corey Crawford's backup. Emery, 30, has been the Flyers' No. 1 target in goal Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 after they fell short in a bid to acquire Jonathan Bernier from Los Angeles. He was 17-1-0 last season with Chicago, plus he's already familiar with Philadelphia (2009-10) and his salary would likely meet the Flyers' needs. Unless Lecavalier or Brayden Schenn is willing to slide to the wing to play alongside Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek - or Scott Hartnell returns to the Hartnell of 2 years ago - the Flyers still need help on their top line. 3. Will the Flyers trade a defenseman? When asked if the Flyers had too many defenseman last week, Paul Holmgren acknowledged that they have probably budgeted too much money on defense. With Streit, the Flyers have $27.65 million committed to seven defensemen. That doesn't include the modest raise that will be coming to Erik Gustafsson as a restricted free agent. That number needs to shrink. Clearly, Holmgren was working the phones to try to move Braydon Coburn last weekend at the draft, particularly to Edmonton. That didn't pan out, though the deal might not be dead yet. The teams spoke again yesterday. Coburn is likely the defender the Flyers would least like to trade. Yet, given the injury concerns of Andrej Meszaros and Nick Grossmann, Coburn is probably the only tradeable piece with any value at this point. Coburn, the Flyers' longest-tenured player at just 28, has a limited no-trade clause. 4. Could the Flyers possibly go after Jaromir Jagr? After initially saying that the Bruins would cut ties with Jaromir Jagr, suddenly Boston GM Peter Chiarelli has interest again. Everyone made a big deal out of the fact that Jagr went through the entire postseason without a single goal. If you watched Jagr play closely in the Stanley Cup final, there is still magic in those 41-year-old hands. His lack of goal scoring was more fluke than anything. Clearly, the Flyers missed Jagr's presence, both on Giroux's line and in the locker room last season. He never really fit in Boston or Dallas this year. 683894 Philadelphia Flyers

Sources: Giroux nears deal on $66M extension

FRANK SERAVALLI Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013, 3:01 AM

ONE YEAR ago, Peter Laviolette called him the best player in the world. Starting next season, Claude Giroux will be paid like one of the best players in the world. The Flyers are putting the finishing touches on an 8-year contract extension for Giroux that will pay him in the neighborhood of $66 million, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the negotiations. The deal is not yet completely ironed out but has been in the works for 2 weeks. He was not officially eligible to sign an extension with the Flyers until entering the final year of his current 3-year, $11.25 million deal on July 1. Giroux and his agent, Pat Brisson, did not return a phone call seeking comment yesterday. Giroux, 25, will carry a salary-cap hit around $8.25 million per season. The actual number may waffle depending on the total value of the deal, which is not yet finalized. His salary-cap figure this season will be $3.75 million. The extension would kick in for the 2014-15 season and run through 2022. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, 8 years is the longest a player can be retained by a team in one deal. Giroux will be 34 when the contract expires. In total, the deal will be the second-richest contract in the Flyers' 45-season history, falling short of Mike Richards' $69 million pact signed in 2007. Richards' contract was for 12 years. Under the new deal, the Flyers' captain will be tied for the fifth-highest salary-cap hit in the NHL in 2014 with a nearly identical deal as Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks signed Getzlaf (8 years, $66 million) and Corey Perry (8 years, $69 million) to similar contracts within weeks of each other last year. Giroux's contract will likely include a no-movement clause, though it is not applicable until he turns 27. Giroux apparently showed the Flyers enough in 2011-12, when he piled up 93 points, the most by a Flyer in a single season since Eric Lindros in 1999, to warrant the rich, long-term deal. He had a slight drop in points-per-game production, falling from 1.21 in 2011-12 to 0.98 in the lockout-shortened 2013 campaign (13 goals, 34 assists in 48 games). For his career, Giroux has 290 points in 333 games with the Flyers. Despite his 5-11, 172-pound frame, Giroux has been relatively durable for the Flyers. He has missed just five games over the past four seasons, all of which he sat out in 2011-12 due to his second career concussion. Giroux has also been a proven playoff scorer, one of only a handful of players to post better-than-point-per-game (55 points in 50 Stanley Cup playoff games) numbers since the 2004-05 work stoppage that changed the game. The Hearst, Ontario, native is a near-lock to represent Canada in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Hall re-signs The Flyers announced they are bringing back forward Adam Hall on a 1- year, $600,000 deal for next season. Hall, 32, was snapped up by the Flyers off waivers on April 3 and did not score in 11 games with the team but was a valuable checking-line contributor. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683895 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' prospects get to work Monday

DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORT Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013, 3:01 AM

THIRTY-ONE players will participate in the Flyers' development camp that begins Monday at the SkateZone in Voorhees, N.J. Among the players are this year's top draft pick, defenseman Sam Morin, and last year's top pick forward Scott Laughton. The Flyers will be on the ice from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Monday; 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 2-2:30 p.m. on Thursday. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public. On Wednesday, the Flyers will participate in their annual Trial On The Isle, which begins at 9 a.m. at the 96th Street beach in Stone Harbor, N.J. The day includes conditioning drills, an autograph signing for fans at Stone Harbor Elementary School from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. and a beach volleyball tournament that begins at 3 p.m. Here are the players who will be involved: Forwards: Brandon Alderson, Tyler Brown, Nick Cousins, Kyle Flanagan, Tyrell Goulbourne, Stephen Harper, Andrew Johnson, Scott Laughton, Taylor Leier, Derek Mathers, Marcel Noebels, Andrew Ryan, Petr Straka. Defensemen: Mark Alt, Terrance Amorosa, David Drake, Shayne Gostisbehere, Robert Hagg, Matt Konan, Maxim Lamarche, Frederic Larsson, Nick Luukko, Eamonn McDermott, Samuel Morin, Reece Willcox. Goaltenders: Carsen Chubak, Cal Heeter, Merrick Madsen, Ryan McKay, Matt Skoff, Anthony Stolarz. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683896 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Holmgren: Giroux extension 'close,' not done

Compiled By The Inquirer Staff Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013, 12:15 AM

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren denied reports Thursday night that the team had finalized a contract extension with captain Claude Giroux. Holmgren said that the deal with Giroux was "close," and that he expects to "get it done Friday or Saturday." The team and the 25-year-old center are working on a deal that is believed to be for eight years and $66.2 million. Giroux is slated to earn $5 million this season with a cap hit of $3.5 million, according to capgeek.com. Giroux was named the Flyers' captain last season. He finished the 48- game, strike-shortened season with 13 goals and 35 assists for 48 points. Since the 2009-10 season, he has missed only five games. His best statistical season was 2011-12, when he collected 28 goals and 65 assists for 93 points. He has led the team in points in each of the last three seasons. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683897 Philadelphia Flyers

Adam Hall re-signed to one year, $600,000 deal

Kurt R., SBNation Posted: Thursday, July 4, 2013, 7:43 PM

Some news out of the Flyers after all tonight. Via Anthony SanFilippo, the Flyers have re-signed veteran center Adam Hall, claimed off of waivers last April, to a one-year deal worth $600,000 for the 2013-14 season. Hall, who'll turn 33 in August, is pretty much your prototypical fourth-line center. He's not much of a scorer, coming off a season where he managed just four points in 37 games between three teams, but he can handle a lot of defensive assignments, kill penalties, and win faceoffs. Fairly useful skillset to have around, and for $600K it's a nice deal for the Flyers. With that said, two quick thoughts come to mind. First, the contract limit. Out of a maximum of 50 contracts, the Flyers are at 44 for the upcoming season as of right now. That doesn't take into account the possible slides of Anthony Stolarz (who will definitely slide) and Scott Laughton (more on him in a second), nor does it include deals for the four restricted free agents who were qualified on Tuesday (Erik Gustafsson, Brandon Manning, Oliver Lauridsen, and Eric Wellwood). So we could be in for a tight fit there pretty soon, which makes you wonder a little bit if someone who the team already has under control (like Ben Holmstrom) couldn't have filled the role. But since he's re-upped, let's move on to the next thought: the team's current set of forwards. We gave a list of forwards that we were fairly sure would be on the team next year on Wednesday morning, so let's add Hall to it and see how it looks: Claude Giroux Jakub Voracek Vincent Lecavalier Scott Hartnell Wayne Simmonds Brayden Schenn Sean Couturier Matt Read Max Talbot Zac Rinaldo Adam Hall Jay Rosehill That's twelve. The team may only carry thirteen unless/until it clears up some cap room (which it still has roughly $600,000 of, as of now, per Capgeek), so let's think about this. I had thought that Hall being re-signed would mean that Scott Laughton (another defensively-oriented forward, at this point) may not be with the big club next year, but SanFilippo seems to think he will be. So, hypothetically, that list above plus Laughton would be your opening-day set of forwards. No Tye McGinn or Jason Akeson or any of those other young guys, as of now. Granted, one of the forwards above could get traded. Or one of them could also be waived and sent to Adirondack with no cap penalty (Hall and Rosehill are probably the leading options there). But that group is what we're looking at for the time being. We'll see. There's still plenty of offseason left for trades and moves to be made. But for now, Adam Hall's back. Good on Paul Holmgren for celebrating July 4th by bringing back one of the team's only Americans from last year. Or something. Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 683898 Philadelphia Flyers Keep him, it says here. Don't trade low. Hope he rebounds, and remember, when he was selected No. 8 overall in 2003, he was thought to have Nurse- like potential. Inside the Flyers: Flyers need to get younger up front Here is how the defense may look: Kimmo Timonen and Luke Schenn; Coburn and Nick Grossmann; Mark Streit and Meszaros. The extras, for now, are Gustafsson - whom the Flyers would like to get into the top six - Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer and Bruno Gervais. Again, Meszaros may not be ready when the season starts, and that might actually work to the Flyers' advantage because it Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013, 1:08 AM would give them cap relief and open a spot for Gustafsson or a dark horse such as Oliver Lauridsen, a restricted free agent. As for the goalie situation, Tim Thomas and Ray Emery might be too The Flyers improved their attack by adding 33-year-old center Vincent expensive in the free-agent market. The Flyers, with cap space limited, Lecavalier this week. might opt to sign a cheaper option such as Jose Theodore, Evgeni Now it's time for them to get a bit younger on the front line. Nabokov, Johan Hedberg (a Flyers draftee many moons ago), or Dan Ellis - and give Steve Mason a bulk of the work. (They wouldn't sign the always- Before they agreed to terms with Lecavalier, general manager Paul injured Rick DiPietro, would they?) Holmgren indicated the Flyers were trying to re-sign 33-year-old Simon Gagne if the price was right. Is it risky to roll the dice with Mason? Certainly. But he was excellent in seven games after the Flyers acquired him from Columbus late last season, With all due respect to the classy Gagne - who played well in 27 games and sometimes a change of scenery does wonders for a guy's confidence. after the Flyers acquired him from the Kings last season - it's time to go in a different direction. For proof, see what Sergei Bobrovsky did after the Flyers sent him to Columbus before last year. The Flyers should try to add free-agent left winger Viktor Stalberg, a speedy Swede who is younger, faster, and bigger than Gagne. Hall returns. The Flyers re-signed Adam Hall to a one-year deal for $600,000. The veteran center, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Teams can start signing free agents Friday, and if the Flyers added Bay in March, played 11 games for the Flyers. Stalberg, this is how their four lines might look, with the players' ages at the start of the season in parentheses: Inside the Flyers: Flyers in Flux Claude Giroux (25) centering Scott Hartnell (31) and Jake Voracek (24). Here's a look at the Flyers since the season ended: Lecavalier (33) centering Brayden Schenn (22) and Wayne Simmonds (25). COMING Sean Couturier (20) centering Stalberg (27) and Matt Read (27). C Vincent Lecavalier Adam Hall (33) or Scott Laughton (19) centering Max Talbot (29) and Zac D Mark Streit Rinaldo (23). GOING? Enforcer Jay Rosehill (28) figures to be the extra skater. Prospective free agents as of Friday That would give the Flyers four competitive lines, a factor that helped LW Simon Gagne Chicago and Boston reach the Stanley Cup Finals this year. LW Jody Shelley It would also give them a much better lineup than last year because Lecavalier (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and Stalberg (6-3, 209) would win a lot of RW Mike Knuble board battles with their size. The Flyers struggled to control the puck this past season, and a big reason was because they missed beefy Jaromir F Ruslan Fedotenko Jagr and his ability to control the puck and create a cycle in the offensive end. D Kurtis Foster Two years ago, the last 82-game season, Stalberg had 22 goals for the D Kent Huskins Blackhawks. He had nine goals, 23 points, and a plus-16 rating in the D Andreas Lilja lockout-shortened 2013 season, playing primarily on a solid third line with Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw for the eventual Stanley Cup champions. G Brian Boucher Stalberg, who fell into disfavor with coach Joel Quenneville in the playoffs GONE and found himself benched a few times, will probably cost a little over $2 million in the free-agent market. G Ilya Bryzgalov The Flyers are right up against the $64.3 million cap. But they do have C Danny Briere room to sign a couple of players because teams can exceed the cap by 10 Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.05.2013 percent in the summer, and they will get cap relief at the start of the season because of injuries. They still need to sign another goalie and re-sign restricted free agent Erik Gustafsson. The Flyers will get $4.9 million in cap relief when Chris Pronger is placed on the long-term injured reserve list at the start of the season. There is also a possibility that defenseman Andrej Meszaros won't be ready for the start of the season, which would give the Flyers an additional $4 million in cap relief if he is put on LTIR. The Flyers have been dangling defenseman Braydon Coburn ($4.5 million cap hit) in trade talks, but they might want to back off. Coburn's trade value is low because he is coming off a subpar season, along with a separated left shoulder. Dealing Coburn made sense if it had enabled the Flyers to move up in last Sunday's NHL draft and land super-prospect Darnell Nurse. That didn't happen, and the Flyers have an abundance of defensemen and the need for cap space, so Coburn may still be on the block. 683899 Philadelphia Flyers

Source: Giroux deal not finalized yet

Posted: Friday, July 5, 2013 12:07 am | Updated: 12:27 am, Fri Jul 5, 2013. Wayne Fish Staff writer

Reacting to published reports that Flyers captain Claude Giroux had reached an agreement on a new eight-year, $66.2-million contract extension Thursday night, a source in the organization countered that by saying “nothing has been finalized.’’ While progress toward a deal has been made, the numbers apparently still aren’t completely in place. “I think it (a contract) is going to get done, I see no reason why it wouldn’t get done,’’ the source said. “But I think it’s going to be another day or two. It’s not going to go south, it’s just not done yet.’’ Giroux is going into the final year of his current contract. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said negotiations have been going back and forth for a couple weeks now. Holmgren said he had not spoken to Giroux’s agent, Pat Brisson, since Thursday morning. The GM did say he’s looking forward to getting Giroux under long-term contract because he means so much to the team. “He’s our best player, he’s our captain,’’ Holmgren said. “It’s important for us to get it done for those reasons. I have to believe he’s one of the top players in our game.’’ Giroux did not return calls on phone messages left by The Intelligencer late Thursday. Earlier reports had the new deal not kicking in until the 2014-15 season. Giroux is scheduled to make $5 million for the upcoming season ($3.75 million against the salary cap). Also on Thursday, the Flyers reached an agreement with Adam Hall on a one-year contract extension. “Adam is a penalty killer, a checker, a good fourth-line guy,’’ Holmgren said. “Last year he did his job and was a good, positive influence.’’ Holmgren said he’s still in negotiations to possibly sign Simon Gagne before he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Friday at noon. However, the Flyers are still in the hunt for a second goaltender and, at this stage, retaining Gagne might be a luxury the Flyers can’t afford. Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683900 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL free-agent list has some young talent

Posted: Thursday, July 4, 2013 6:23 pm | Updated: 8:12 pm, Thu Jul 4, 2013. By Wayne Fish Staff writer

After securing the most accomplished NHL free agent even before the official period for signing unrestricted players had begun, the Flyers should be feeling pretty good about themselves. Outbidding at least eight other teams for the services of Vinny Lecavalier (because of a 48-hour pre-signing day negotiation period this year) means the Flyers’ offseason already can be considered a success. But, depending on what general manager Paul Holmgren does with his salary cap, another acquisition could be on the way when the free-agent signing period starts at 12 noon Friday. Other attractive names dot the list of UFAs, including Nathan Horton, late of the Boston Bruins; David Clarkson (New Jersey), Tyler Bozak (Toronto) and Val Filppula (Detroit). What do these four have in common? They’re all still in their 20s and probably won’t command gigantic salaries. Horton has plenty of upside. Everyone saw what he did for the Bruins in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Bruins have made it clear they’ve had no problem with Horton’s performance — he’s simply a salary cap victim. Would the Flyers go after someone of his stature? It might all depend on whether they could (or would) part ways with another big salary on their roster. Both defensemen Braydon Coburn and Andrej Meszaros take up a lot of money on the team’s cap list — Coburn at $4.5 million and Meszaros at $4.0 million. Don’t forget, the Flyers still have to secure a goaltender to work with Steve Mason. If the Flyers chose to change the look of their defense, there are other options, such as Montreal compliance buyout Tomas Kaberle. He was only making $1.5 million on his last deal. There may be some other bargains on the UFA market, too. Someone is sure to scoop up Stephen Weiss, who was limited to just 17 games by injuries last year and wound up with only four points. Clarkson, 29, was the third-highest goal scorer on the top UFA list with 15 goals. Plus he’s a hard-nosed guy that always seems to save his best work for the Flyers. What about a hard-nosed guy like former Pittsburgh Penguin forward Matt Cooke or ex-Ranger Ryan Clowe? The Flyers are always looking for those types. Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 683901 Philadelphia Flyers All Voracek has to do is repeat last year’s performance. Despite playing in just a lockout-shortened 48-game season, Voracek set a career high for goals (22) and his 46 points came up just four short of his all-time best. What the Flyers need to do for next year Adding Lecavalier should provide stability to a young forward corps which includes Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds, and these three could wind up playing together. Posted: Thursday, July 4, 2013 6:21 pm | Updated: 7:54 pm, Thu Jul 4, 2013. Sean Couturier and veteran Max Talbot could center the third and fourth lines. By Wayne Fish Staff writer For the Flyers to contend this season, both Couturier and Schenn have to rebound and pick up where they left off late in the 2011-12 season.

When the Flyers don’t make the playoffs, things happen. Is Holmgren looking to add one or two more pieces to this group? Last year’s failure was just the second time since 1994 and only the ninth Someone like a Brad Boyes, a 35-point producer with the Islanders, might time in their 46-year history that postseason hockey was not played in be a good fit. Philadelphia. Oh, and there’s that ageless Jagr floating around out there after stints in Judging by its past track record, this is not an organization that sits on its Dallas and Boston. He still looked pretty good in the Stanley Cup finals and hands after a silent spring. certainly would be welcomed back by Flyer players with open arms. Back in ’94, the Flyers changed their president, general manager, coach From a goaltending perspective, you keep hearing the name Ray Emery and several players. pop up. All the ex-Flyer did last season was go 17-1 as backup to Corey Crawford, who led Chicago to the Stanley Cup. In the 2006-07 season, the most recent playoff-less year, the team flipped the general manager, coach and even more players. Maybe it all depends on where Emery and Holmgren left things a few years back when the goaltender was allowed to walk. If the breakup wasn’t It’s only early July, but the Flyers have already made some significant contentious, maybe a reunion works. moves and more could be on the way, starting Friday with the official start of free agency. As for others, like Tim Thomas (that sounds like a toxic situation) and Evgeni Nabokov (still thinks of himself as a starter), that might require General manager Paul Holmgren began working on his salary cap by using getting a little more creative. compliance buyouts on goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and Daniel Briere, saving more than $11 million per year. Someone like 36-year-old Jose Theodore, late of Florida, might fit the bill as Mason’s sidekick. Everyone saw what veteran Tomas Vokoun did for He traded for impending free-agent defenseman Mark Streit, late of the Pittsburgh. Perhaps a guy like Theodore can do something like that here. New York Islanders, then got real aggressive by going after center Vinny Lecavalier after the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out his contract. No one really knows what will happen with the Flyers' defense. Lecavalier received a five-year, $22.5-million deal. A top pairing of Streit and Kimmo Timonen looks good on paper but there’s By making those moves, are the Flyers finished with their offseason a combined total of 73 years on those tires. business? There’s hardly any under-30 talent on the free-agent market, either. Hardly. Therefore, unless another trade is in the works, Flyer fans have to hope that There’s still the matter of a second goaltender to complement incumbent youngsters like Erik Gustafsson, Marc-Andre Bourdon and Brandon Steve Mason. The new guy could be a backup or someone who challenges Manning continue to progress. for the No. 1 job. On a bright note, 23-year-old Luke Schenn came on toward the end of last Then there’s the issue of whether this defense can stay in one piece. season and had more impact on games. How he plays could make a Veterans Braydon Coburn, Andrej Meszaros and Nick Grossmann are all difference night to night. coming off injuries, one of the main reasons the Flyers were on the golf course by May 1. Overall, on paper, the Flyers have the makings of getting back into the playoff picture. But they’re going to need a lot of players enjoying some sort And, even though Lecavalier is considered an upgrade for the second-line of rebirth before that’s a sure thing. center spot vacated by Briere, there’s still speculation the Flyers will try to upgrade themselves in that area of the game as well. Burlington County Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 All that said, what do the Flyers (as they are presently constituted) have to do to get back on the right track? While goaltending is almost always the most important element of the game, the Flyers’ rebound might very well have to start with the play of their first line. If coach Peter Laviolette decides to leave Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and Scott Hartnell together, two of those three have to get their careers back on track. Giroux, still waiting on what many believe will be a career-defining, multiyear mega-contract, saw a dropoff in his production last year after a 2011- 12 campaign which had him finish third in NHL scoring with 93 points. No doubt being appointed captain, along with the added responsibilities, had something to do with Giroux’s less-than-dominant play, as did the departure of Jaromir Jagr. Getting a contract done might ease Giroux’s mind a bit and a healthy Hartnell would also help. Hartnell suffered a broken foot early last season, never really got back on track (after a career-best 37-goal season in 2011- 12) and, having now secured his future with a big contract, can concentrate on his play once again. 683902 Philadelphia Flyers The Maple Leafs’ decision to free up cap space is a clear sign they intend to be aggressive in free agency to continue improving a team coming off its first playoff appearance since 2004. The Leafs were knocked out by Boston Flyers bringing back Hall; Briere heads to Montreal in a seven-game, first-round series. With the Flyers having signed Vinny Lecavalier, which becomes official Friday at five years and $22.5 milllion, and the Habs signing Briere, there Thursday, July 4, 2013 are only a few high-profile players expected to be available later Friday, among them Jarome Iginla, Nathan Horton and Mike Ribeiro. By ROB PARENT Hedberg was set to make $1.4 million in the final year of his contract. But Hedberg, who enjoyed a close relationship with starter Marty Brodeur, became expendable when Cory Schneider was traded by Vancouver to The Flyers have agreed to terms with forward Adam Hall, who was picked New Jersey for the No. 9 overall pick on Draft Day Sunday. up on waivers by them late last season and was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. So he’s an available free agent now, joining a talented group that includes Tim Thomas, who was speculated in reports Thursday as no longer being Hall, 32, played only 11 games with the Flyers down the stretch of a lost considered for the Flyers as they continue to go through their list of possible season and didn’t contribute a point, but impressed them enough to earn a goalies to back up Steve Mason. 1-year, $600,000 deal as a penalty killing and faceoff specialist. Along with Hedberg and Thomas, there are top-drawer buyout goalies Rick Allegedly 6-foot-3, Hall was originally a second round pick of the Nashville DiPietro and, of course, ousted Flyer Ilya Bryzgalov. Predators in 1999. Beginning in 2002, he has churned through 602 NHL games with seven teams, scoring 65 goals and 147 points. Al Montoya was prevented from joining that group when he re-signed Thursday with the Winnipeg Jets. He spent 2009-10 with the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL, but played well enough (41 points in 79 games) to get back to the NHL. Then there is a goaltender that isn’t a free agent but is drawn much interest - Buffalo’s Ryan Miller. He is entering the final year of his contract, and it In bigger signing news, Danny Briere didn’t waste any time is heading has been speculated the Sabres are entertaining trade offers for him. home to his native Quebec, agreeing to terms on a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. Delaware County Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 The team announced the deal with the former Flyers center Thursday. Briere, 35, had the remaining two years on his Flyers contract bought out last week as the club used its first compliance buyout on him. Briere, who has 282 goals and 373 assists in 847 career games with Phoenix, Buffalo and Philly, signed with the Habs for $8 million over two years. His buyout figure with the Flyers was $3.3 million, which will be spread out evenly over the next four years and is in addition to his Canadiens salary. These two signings were part of a Fourth of July spree of signings and agreements leading up to the commencement of the unrestricted free agency signing period Friday at 12 noon. Perhaps foremost in this business as the New Jersey Devils, who re-signed veterans Patrik Elias and Dainius Zubrus, but started the process of moving out 40-year-old backup goaltender Johan Hedberg. He has been placed on unconditional waivers with the intention of having his contract bought out. That may interest the Flyers, who originally drafted Hedberg back in 1994 in the ninth round of the NHL Entry Draft. A Flyers source indicated Thursday that the club was in discussions with representatives of as many as four goalies expected to become free agents. Hedberg could be part of that group under consideration, with former Flyers goalie Ray Emery perhaps at the top of the list. As for other business around the league, it took a three-year, $16.5 million contract to lock up Elias, the Devils’ career goals and points leader a day before he was eligible to become a UFA. Zubrus, a former Flyer, was signed to a three-year, $9.3 million contract. Hedberg was one of five players that were placed on waivers, the biggest name being Toronto’s Mikhail Grabovski. The Maple Leafs announced their intention to part ways with Grabovski by placing him on waivers with the intention of buying out the final four years of his contract. He had signed a five-year, $27.5 million deal just last March. “It was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club,” Toronto general manager Dave Nonis said. “This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward.” Grabovski is a three-time 20-goal scorer, but he is coming off an inconsistent season in which he had nine goals and seven assists in 48 games. His best season came with Toronto in 2010-11 when he had 29 goals and 29 assists in 81 games. 683903 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers re-sign Adam Hall to one-year deal

July 4, 2013, 7:45 pm Tim Panaccio

Adam Hall, who appeared in 11 games for the Flyers late last season as a role player, re-signed with the club Thursday. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $600,000. Hall averaged almost 11 minutes per game but did not register a point with the Flyers, though he proved very good in the faceoff circle, where he won 59 percent of his draws. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683904 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers president Peter Luukko: 'We're not done'

July 4, 2013, 8:00 pm Tim Panaccio

Flyers president Peter Luukko and general manager Paul Holmgren have used the same word in recent weeks to describe what will unfold at noon on Friday when free agency opens. Crazy. Actually, if you live in Philadelphia, it’s already been a crazy offseason with the buyouts of Danny Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov, the early signing of Mark Streit and, of course, this week’s $22.5 million contractual agreement with Vinny Lecavalier, who was bought out by Tampa Bay. “We’re not done,” Luukko understated. Indeed, they’re not. The Flyers still need a veteran goalie who can become the right “fit” to pair with young Steve Mason. As of now, it appears as though Chicago backup Ray Emery is the Flyers' main target. If they fail to get a deal done there, Evgeni Nabokov remains in the picture, as does Jaroslav Halak -- if the Flyers make a trade with St. Louis. Given Emery’s strong ties to the Flyers -- assistant coach John Paddock had him in Ottawa -- including his solid play as a Flyer in 2009-10 and the fact Emery wants to be a No. 1, it seems he could be headed this way. If the Flyers can somehow stretch their cap dollars correctly, they also need to fortify their defense, especially if Holmgren decides to move Braydon Coburn. Coburn, who hails from Alberta, has been widely rumored to return to his native province with the Edmonton Oilers for two weeks now. The Flyers and Oilers have had several discussions, even at last week’s draft, yet failed to accomplish anything. The thing is, if Holmgren moves Coburn without an adequate replacement, he needs to be 100 percent certain Andrej Meszaros is going to be a healthy player this fall. The feeling there is Meszaros, who has had one injury after another for over a year now, will never be the same player he once was and represents a gamble going into this season. Around the NHL, among of the bigger names who could be on the move Friday include Daniel Alfredsson, Nathan Horton, Rob Scuderi, Tim Connolly, Ryane Clowe, Derek Roy and David Clarkson. The goalie list? Tim Thomas tops it, but he may no longer be on the Flyers' radar. New Jersey may be looking to move Johan Hedberg, who has become the third goalie there and odd man out with the arrival of Cory Schneider at the draft last weekend. The Flyers remain interested in re-signing Simon Gagne, but much like how they handled Jaromir Jagr last summer, that will all depend on how much cash they have remaining when the dust settles. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683905 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers, Giroux agree to 8-year, $66.2 million extension

Jul. 4, 2013 Randy Miller

The Flyers showed what they think of Claude Giroux last fall when picking a new captain. The decision to elevate their rising star center to team leader seemed to be a no-brainer, too, even though Giroux was just 24 at the time and older veteran stars like Danny Briere and Kimmo Timonen had previous experience as a team captain. A disappointing season later, it’s no surprise that Flyers management has been working in secret to keep Giroux in Philadelphia for many years to come. A year away from restricted free agency before signing, Giroux agreed on a contract extension Thursday that is among the richest in franchise history and will make him one of the league’s highest-paid players. A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press an eight- year, $66.2 million extension is complete. Giroux still has one season remaining on a three-year, $11.25 million deal that carries a $3.75 million cap hit. The 22nd overall pick in the 2006 draft, Giroux emerged as a star during a 2011-12 season in which he scored 28 goals, finished third in the league with 93 points and led the Flyers to a first-round playoff upset of Pittsburgh while centering a top line with wingers Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr. Last season, his scoring slipped to below a point per game with 13 goals and 34 assists in 48 games with team MVP Jakub Voracek and Hartnell as his linemates, as the Flyers missed the playoffs. “It was a tough year for a first-year captain, and I think he did a really good job,” Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said of Giroux after the season. “He has terrific leadership qualities. He’s driven. He is an excellent teammate.” Giroux represented Canada at the World Championships after the Flyers’ season, then headed home to Canada for an offseason in which he said he’d “go lift some weights and try to get faster and stronger. That’s what the game’s all about, how fast you can be and how strong you can be.” The deal in average dollars is the highest in franchise history and second in total dollars to an 11-year, $69 million contract extension signed in December 2007 by Mike Richards, who was traded to Los Angeles three seasons into the deal. Currently, just eight NHL players make more per season: Nashville defenseman Shea Weber ($14 million), Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby ($12 million), Minnesota left wing Zach Parise ($12 million), Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter ($12 million), New Jersey left wing Ilya Kovalchuk ($11.3 million), Carolina center Eric Staal ($9.25 million), Washington right wing Alex Ovechkin ($9 million) and New York Rangers center Brad Richards ($9 million). Giroux’s new deal rivals another that goes into affect in 2013-14, the eight- year, $76-contract extension Pittsburgh gave to center Evgeni Malkin, the 2011-12 league MVP. Courier-Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 683906 Phoenix Coyotes Former Coyote Danny Briere is an example of this, but he agreed Thursday to a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, according to the Associated Press. The Coyotes have a better chance earning Phoenix Coyotes eye free-agency pool conversations with these high-profile names now that their future is settled, but it’s unclear if they’ll be able to strike a deal. That challenge hasn’t changed.

By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Thu Jul 4, 2013 9:12 PM “I’d like to add to the group,” Maloney said. “But we’ve got some work ahead of us.” Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.05.2013 The company line regarding free agency hasn’t changed. “I think we’re going to be very careful with how aggressive we’ll be right out of the gates,” Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said. But the Coyotes will be actively searching for help in free agency, which opens for business Friday at 9 a.m. Arizona time. They’re no longer under the league’s watch, with IceArizona poised to take over after the Glendale City Council approved a multi-million-dollar agreement that keeps the team at Jobing.com Arena, and the purse strings will loosen. That could transform the Coyotes into one of the more attractive suitors in free agency. “It’s a different animal,” Maloney said. “Now we have a legitimate chance to get anybody we want. It’s just a matter of paying for it.” Maloney met with the ownership group Wednesday to learn his new budget, but he isn’t expecting a “profound jump,” he said. The offer of stability might be more helpful in the short-term, and once that is consistently packaged with a respected coach in Dave Tippett, a strong core headlined by captain Shane Doan and goalie Mike Smith and an enjoyable lifestyle in the Valley, the Coyotes could land among the more- desirable destinations in free agency in the next few years. “I really believe it will be a place people are going to want to come play,” Smith said. Maloney has had regular conversations with center Boyd Gordon’s agent this week, but Gordon will become a free agent. The Coyotes want Gordon back in the mix as could a handful of other teams looking for a faceoff specialist and stout penalty killer. Gordon is set to earn a raise from the $1.325 million he earned last season. “He wants to see where the contract level may be and then he’s going to come back to us and see if we can come into that range or not,” Maloney said. The Coyotes have yet to make a decision on backup goalie Jason LaBarbera and center Kyle Chipchura, the remaining unrestricted free agents who spent all of last season on the NHL roster. The three restricted free agents, forwards Mikkel Boedker and Lauri Korpikoski and defenseman Michael Stone, were all extended qualifying offers. Boedker and Korpikoski are eligible for arbitration. The free-agent pool this summer is considered relatively shallow, but the Coyotes will be searching for a skilled center to anchor their first line or a left winger to fit alongside the Martin Hanzal-Radim Vrbata duo. “We have to find a way to get better up front,” Maloney said. A few big names will hit the market — Boston’s Nathan Horton and Detroit’s Valtteri Filppula — but it’s unlikely the Coyotes are able to match their asking prices. A new wrinkle in the collective-bargaining agreement allowed teams to reach out to agents in the two days prior to the start of free agency. The Coyotes were busy making phone calls, but their wish list is narrow. “There’s only a couple guys that would be ideal for us,” Maloney said. Perhaps they target Washington center Mike Ribeiro. He played for Tippett in Dallas, is a 20-goal scorer and probably won’t veer too much from his previous $5 million price tag. There’s also Pittsburgh winger Jarome Iginla. He’s 36 and had an underwhelming performance with the Penguins in the playoffs, so maybe this is the right time to negotiate. He’s also good friends with Doan. And then there’s the sector of players who received compliance buyouts. Each team was issued two to help wiggle under a salary cap that falls from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. 683907 Pittsburgh Penguins

Rivals Pens, Flyers come together with Recchi to boost youth hockey

By Josh Yohe Updated 6 hours ago

Something unprecedented is taking place this week: The Penguins and Flyers — enemies on good days — are working together for the greater good. Team Pennsylvania, composed of eight kids from Pittsburgh and seven from Philadelphia, is participating in the Little League World Series of hockey, the Brick Invitational Super Novice Hockey Tournament in Edmonton, Alberta. The team has 9- and 10-year-olds from Pennsylvania. “We are both interested in the development of youth hockey in Pennsylvania,” said Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse, whose son, Jackson, is a member of the team. “It's been great, honestly.” The Penguins and Flyers worked together to stage multiple tryouts to dress the best talent from Pennsylvania. This marks the first time a team from Pennsylvania has been invited to the prestigious tournament. Two “identification camps” — one in Pittsburgh, one in Philadelphia — were held earlier this year. Organizers also made sure players from central Pennsylvania were included in the selection process, with a few making the squad. “We've been working since last fall to have a chance to make this happen,” said Rich Hixon, the Penguins' executive director of strategic planning. “It was important for us to get invited to a tournament like this, and having a very competitive team was so important.” There are 14 teams in the tournament, which concludes Saturday. Seven teams from Canada and seven from the United States are taking part. Team Pennsylvania organizers wanted not only a talented roster but also a capable coach. They found one, and he happened to have ties to both organizations. Mark Recchi, who won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1991 before spending much of his career with the Flyers, is the man behind the bench. “You really couldn't ask for anybody better,” Morehouse said. “He has put in significant time with the kids. He's just been great.” Recchi doesn't have a child on the team, but he has a passion for coaching and felt obligated to say yes when given the opportunity. “I felt like it was the least I could do when you consider what all the game has done for me,” Recchi said. “It's something that I've really enjoyed.” Recchi was involved in the selection process and recently traveled to Toronto while the newly formed team participated in a tryout. The Penguins and Flyers, along with partner GNC, have provided significant funding for the event. Many current NHL stars, including Chicago's Jonathan Toews and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos, have participated in this tournament. It isn't lost on the Penguins that working with the Flyers is a strange role reversal. However, the Penguins' desire to promote and improve local hockey exceeds any disdain they feel for their biggest rival. “We've actually worked together quite a bit on all the details,” Hixon said. “It's been a good experience for everyone.” No one has enjoyed it more than Recchi. “I have an appreciation for how much youth programs have improved since I came to Pittsburgh a long time ago,” Recchi said. “I just want to see it keep getting better.” Tribune Review LOADED: 07.05.2013 683908 Pittsburgh Penguins Andrew Ference (Bruins) Leadership became his calling card in Boston, but he also averaged almost 25 minutes during this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. NHL teams set to begin free-agent frenzy Douglas Murray (Penguins) He won't win many puck races, but he won't lose any puck battles around Rob Rossi the net. He is a penalty-killing ace card. Updated 5 hours ago Ryan Whitney (Oilers) His first pass remains one of the best among blueliners, and he is a true NHL clubs have had two days to interview and meet with prospective free power-play quarterback. agents. That could mean a frenzy of signings when the free-agent period Tribune Review LOADED: 07.05.2013 opens at noon Friday. There is no guarantee of that, though. This post-lockout class is not considered the greatest, and general managers' resolve will be tested as they are tempted to overpay to upgrade their clubs. Also, there is a salary-cap factor. Set at a prorated $70.2 million for the lockout-shortened season, the cap will hold at $64.3 million next season. Clubs can go up to 10 percent over the cap during the summer, but the consensus among general managers at the NHL Entry Draft last weekend was trade talk would prove as plentiful as free-agent negotiating. A look at the top available forwards, defensemen and goalies: Forwards David Clarkson (Devils) A hard-nosed center with 20-goal consistency, his production could increase outside of New Jersey. Mike Ribeiro (Capitals) Another center available, he's ideal for a team seeking offensive punch with more than a dash of peskiness. Nathan Horton (Bruins) His history of injuries is a concern, but when healthy, he is the prototype power forward. Ryane Clowe (Rangers) A bruising winger, he lost his scoring touch last season. If he rediscovers it, he could prove to be a bargain. Jarome Iginla (Penguins) His first post-Calgary stop proved a slight disappointment, but that only will motivate him. He still can contribute but not dominate. Goaltenders Ray Emery (Blackhawks) Perhaps not physically suited for a starter's workload, but he was dominant (17-1-0). Ilya Bryzgalov (Flyers) His play wasn't the reason Philadelphia missed the playoffs. He will flourish in a defensive system. Tim Thomas (Islanders) He didn't play last season, so there are fair questions about his condition. His resume includes the Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Vezina Trophy (twice). Defensemen Rob Scuderi (Kings) A two-time Stanley Cup-winning “Piece,” he would add something missing from most contenders: stay-at-home dependability. Ron Hainsey (Jets) He will make a strong second-pairing component for a club seeking size and durability on the back end. 683909 Pittsburgh Penguins

Team’s major role players should test free agent market in NHL

By Josh Yohe

The Penguins could lose two key role players from their 2009 championship team today with NHL free agency set to begin. Left wing Matt Cooke and right wing Craig Adams are eager to return to the Penguins but can sign elsewhere starting at noon Friday. Adams has yet to receive an offer from the Penguins, who have maintained that they are interested in bringing the penalty killing specialist back. Cooke, also among the game's elite penalty killers, made it clear following the season that he would like to return. However, accepting a pay reduction from his previous deal — and agreeing to shorter term contract than he would prefer — appears the only way for Cooke to return. Cooke earned $1.8 million per year during the past three seasons. General manager Ray Shero has spoken numerous times with each of their respective agents, but no deal has been reached. The Penguins currently are just $4.1 million under the salary cap for the 2013-14 season. That number is slightly deceiving because Shero prefers to keep the Penguins at least $1 million under the salary cap during the summer, leaving wiggle room for any in-season moves that may arise. However, the Penguins don't intend on ignoring possible suitors Friday. Team owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle give Shero the freedom to spend to the salary cap. Also, according to the NHL's collective bargaining agreement with the league's players' association, NHL teams are permitted to spend 10 percent over the salary cap during the summer. The Penguins, theoretically, could acquire a player Friday that would put them over the salary cap. They would be required to trade a player before the beginning of next season to get under the cap. Speaking of trades, the Penguins have displayed little interest in re-signing their other unrestricted free agents, many of whom they recently traded for. Players likely to sign elsewhere this summer include right wing Jarome Iginla, left wing Brenden Morrow, defenseman Douglas Murray and defenseman Mark Eaton. Iginla, Morrow and Murray were all added to the Penguins' roster in late- season acquisitions that were very much deals rooted in the short term. Shero acquired them to help the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2013, knowing full well that signing them this summer was no guarantee. With the Penguins already spending significant money this summer — center Evgeni Malkin, defenseman Kris Letang, left wing Chris Kunitz and right wing Pascal Dupuis have received new contracts worth a combined $160.55 million during the past three weeks — only so much remains for the role players. Teams like the Penguins that annually spend to the salary cap are attempting to adjust to the new cap figure, which is set for $64.3 million next season. Despite a lackluster free-agent class, plenty of moves will surely be made Friday. Given that only Philadelphia and San Jose possess less salary cap room than the Penguins, Shero figures to make only minor moves, barring a trade. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.05.2013 683910 Pittsburgh Penguins While he still ranks among the league's most-disliked figures, he hasn't done much lately to merit a high place on that list. But Cooke will be 35 when training camp opens and, having just signed Penguins likely to take conservative approach to free agency veterans Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis -- they are 33 and 34, respectively -- to new contracts, the Penguins seem wary of having too many aging wingers on the payroll. July 5, 2013 12:05 am Adams' age (36) likely works against him, too, even though he has been a By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reliable fourth-liner and penalty-killer. The Penguins are not believed to have submitted a formal contract proposal to Adams' agent, Neil Sheehy, and that's a pretty important first step toward You could flesh out a pretty competitive lineup with free agents the getting a deal done. Penguins have signed since 2005. If Cooke and/or Adams move on, the Penguins might opt to have prospects In fact, they have done just that. such as Zach Sill from their American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes- Barre audition for spots on the third and fourth lines in training camp. Sergei Gonchar (2005) got here that way. So did Jarkko Ruutu (2006). And Petr Sykora (2007). And Matt Cooke (2008). And Paul Martin (2010). And Post Gazette LOADED: 07.05.2013 Steve Sullivan (2011). So did a number of others, not all of whom had the anticipated impact. Zigmund Palffy, brought in as a linemate for rookie center Sidney Crosby in 2005, might be the prototype for that. The NHL's 2013 free-agent signing period begins at noon today -- four days later than usual, thanks to the lockout that shut down the league for much of fall and winter -- and there's every indication the Penguins again will be involved. Just not as prominently as most years. Certainly not the way they were in 2012, when they vigorously pursued the top two players on the market, forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. Both ended up signing big-money deals with Minnesota. There's no reason to think the Penguins will be offering gaudy contracts today, and not just because there's a fairly lackluster collection of free agents from which to choose. They have little salary-cap space with which to work and no glaring voids that would have to be filled by a big-ticket talent. NHL regulations do allow teams to exceed the salary-cap ceiling, which will be $64.3 million next season, by as much as 10 percent until the end of training camp but that's not a tool Penguins general manager Ray Shero has used since replacing Craig Patrick in 2006. Barring a trade, the Penguins likely will chase a blue-collar forward or two, since Matt Cooke almost certainly will be moving on and Craig Adams is hardly a lock to return. Perhaps they'll target some players to plug into the organizational depth chart, as well, but most indications are that neither their profile nor their offers will be high the next few days. "We don't have many holes to fill right now," Shero said. "We might have something to fill up front at some point." Although the Penguins probably would like to add a shutdown-type defenseman, it's hard to see that happening unless there would be other moves to open cap space. The Penguins are proceeding as if Cooke, a third-line winger, won't return. As Shero noted Wednesday night, players who reach unrestricted free agency rarely end up re-signing -- Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik is one notable exception from recent seasons -- and it's not a reach to suggest that, even with the cap ceiling dropping, other clubs will see Cooke as a valuable role player. Cooke had eight goals and 13 assists in 48 games with the Penguins in 2013. He is an effective forechecker and has been a fixture on their penalty- killing unit. "Matt's been a real good player for us," Shero said. Cooke remains one of the game's most accomplished agitators, as well, although he has virtually exorcised cheap shots and borderline hits -- once staples of his repertoire -- from his game in the past two seasons. 683911 San Jose Sharks

Sharks close to signing Kennedy, Hannan

July 4, 2013, 1:15 pm Kevin Kurz

The Sharks are close to finalizing a deal with 26-year-old forward Tyler Kennedy, a pending restricted free agent that was acquired for a second round draft pick at Sunday’s NHL Entry Draft, according to a league source. Terms of the deal, which is likely to be formally announced by the team on Friday, were not immediately known. Kennedy is likely to get a small raise over his expiring two-year, $4 million deal signed with the Penguins. Additionally, the Sharks are interested in bringing back pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Scott Hannan. The 34-year-old defenseman was acquired by San Jose from Nashville just prior to the trade deadline, and was scoreless in four regular season games. He played in all 11 playoff games, paired primarily with Brad Stuart, and had four assists and a +1 rating. Hannan just completed a one-year, $1 million contract, and it’s thought that the Sharks will seek another deal in that range. The Sharks are also in talks to sign goaltender Alex Stalock, 25, a pending unrestricted free agent. Stalock would likely back up Antti Niemi next season, as the Sharks are not bringing back Thomas Greiss. Signing Kennedy, Hannan and Stalock would likely put the Sharks right around the $64.3 million salary cap for the 2013-14 season. The club is still carrying Marty Havlat’s $5 million salary and cap hit, and Havlat cannot be placed on long term injured reserve (thereby freeing up cap space) until the start of the NHL’s regular season. According to CapGeek.com, the Sharks have just $2.64 million in salary cap space, but that includes Matt Tennyson’s $1.175 million. Tennyson, who is still on a two-way, entry-level deal, could begin the season with AHL Worcester. The NHL’s free agent market opens on Friday. The Sharks are not expected to be active, although they will be able to officially announce Logan Couture’s five-year, $30 million contract extension. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.05.2013 683912 St Louis Blues Jay Bouwmeester is an exception because the Blues inherited his $6.6 million annual salary, but David Backes is a 2003 draft pick who climbed his way to captain and was rewarded with a $4.5 million annual salary. Blues ready to make pitch to NHL free agents “Rightly or wrongly, I have a hard time giving someone from outside the organization 50-60 percent more than we’re giving guys that we’ve drafted, that we’ve developed, that are here,” Armstrong said. “We value these (free 3 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford agents), but we value them how they fit into our team. We want to sign our own guys to unrestricted years, and if you go out and do something very aggressive, it’s hard then to pick up the phone and say to your own guys, ‘Sorry, you can’t get that type of finances from us. We only give to guys that A contingent of five Blues staffers was in New York a week ago, hoping to don’t play here.’ That’s a hard sell for me.” talk the biggest-name free-agent center — and perhaps headliner of the 2013 free-agent class — into coming to St. Louis. Instead, Armstrong is trying to sell free-agent centers on the Blues’ puck- moving defensemen and playing partners on wing. Sitting opposite Vincent Lecavalier at the Marriott Marquis were Blues general manager Doug Armstrong, advisor Al MacInnis, coach Ken “Our sale to Vinny was, ‘If you’re a center-ice man and you know that you Hitchcock, director of pro scouting Rob DiMaio and director of player have Pietrangelo and (Kevin) Shattenkirk and (Bouwmeester), you’re going development Tim Taylor. (DiMaio and Taylor were teammates of Lecavalier to get the puck on your stick, you’re going to get it in flight and you’re going in Tampa Bay). to get in position to make a play… He fully agreed with that,” Armstrong said. “One of the center-ice men I talked to (Wednesday) said the same “We probably spent the better part of an hour with him, describing our thing, ‘You’re not fishing the puck off the glass.’ team,” Armstrong said. “Ken described the structure of our play ... Al was very strong and passionate about the city of St. Louis. I thought we hit all “When they say, ‘Well, who am I going to play with?’ I think the strength of the things that were important, that Vinny wanted to hear.” our team is ... on the right side you’re going to play with Stewart, (T.J.) Oshie or (Vladimir) Tarasenko, and on the left side you’re going to play with But on Tuesday, Lecavalier chose Philadelphia, agreeing to a four-year, (Alexander) Steen, (David) Perron and (Jaden) Schwartz. $22.5 million contract. “That’s where Al (MacInnis) was outstanding with Vinny. He said, ‘We The Flyers successfully landed the center, and the Blues were left with brought Wayne Gretzky to the St. Louis Blues — the greatest passer to knowing they had impressed Lecavalier. ever play — to play with Brett Hull — the greatest scorer to ever to play — “I talked to Vinny and he said he thought that our presentation was (one) of and they didn’t find chemistry.’ What we’re trying to sell right now is, we’re a the tops of the people that made them,” Armstrong said. “He is a big center- good team because you’re going to have multiple options to find the proper ice man and I thought he would fit into our group at no (trade) cost, and he guy to play with.” ended up choosing the Philadelphia Flyers. But at the end of the day, I’m Meanwhile, the Blues also will be pursuing less-expensive, lower-line glad we went through the process.” centers. Their options include Phoenix’s Boyd Gordon and Minnesota’s So despite leaving with a big presentation, they left with something else — Matt Cullen among others. Gordon made $1.3 million last season, and a hole at center. Cullen made $3.5 million, but he’ll turn 37 in November and may take a pay-cut. The team enters the first day of free agency today still in need of a middle man and maybe two. Armstrong is seeking a play-making, top-six center If Armstrong fails at landing a free agent or two, he says, “I’m more that and also one in the bottom six. comfortable coming back and attacking next season with this group.” In a change in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, teams actually The Blues have centers in Backes and Patrik Berglund, but there’s been have been allowed to contact unrestricted and restricted free agents the dialogue within the organization about moving one or both to the wing. past two days, although the sides are not permitted to sign any agreements “Obviously if we found a center-ice men that fit into our group that would until today. give (Hitchcock) the option to move guys over, if he wants,” Armstrong said. “We’ve had communication with some centericemen, trying to see if we see “I personally see Berglund as a centerman. I see Backes as a playing both. a fit with our team and we see a fit with them,” Armstrong said. But Ken is going to find the best fit during training camp, and if it means moving one of those guys over, then we’ll do it. There’s different options if With Lecavalier joining Philadelphia and then Daniel Briere choosing he wants to move those guys with or without free agency.” Montreal on Thursday, the list of available point-producing centers includes Toronto’s Mikhail Grabovski, Washington’s Mike Ribeiro and Florida’s But with back-to-back postseason trips, award-winning executives in Stephen Weiss. Armstrong and Hitchcock and a resolved ownership situation, the Blues believe they are now an attractive destination for free agents. But Grabovski, who was bought out by Toronto, made $5.5 million in 2012- 13, followed by Ribeiro at $5 million and Weiss $3.1 million. Each might be “I think that we’re a much easier sell now because we’re a competitive team looking for a bump in salary or, at least, term. on the ice,” Armstrong said. “You don’t them all, but I really like the sale that we have.” The Blues’ current salary-cap figure is $52 million — approximately $13 million under the NHL’s cap ceiling — and they still have restricted free St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.05.2013 agents Alex Pietrangelo, Chris Stewart and Jake Allen to sign. The club apparently had the finances for Lecavalier, who signed for a $4.5 million annual average value (AAV), but may not want to commit similar dollars to others. “We’re going to make a deal that will stand the test of time economically,” Armstrong said. “Sometimes you make these deals the first or second day of free agency and you feel really good about them, you sell some tickets, and then you spend five years trying to get rid of the guy. If we can find a player that can come in and help us, and do it in what we believe is the right economics, not just for July 5, but for multiple seasons after that, we’re going to do it.” Another factor in the equation, according to Armstrong, is that he doesn’t want to pay massively more to unrestricted free agents than he’s paying his own top players. 683913 St Louis Blues

NHL free agency lacks former glitz

3 hours ago • By Jeff Gordon

The cost of signing top NHL players always goes up. This undeniable truth governs the sport despite three work stoppages, the implementation of a hard salary cap and the latest attempt to seal collective bargaining loopholes. The threat of soaring salaries inspires team managers to preemptively lock in their key players with long-term deals. Owners and general managers realize that the prices only go up when good players reach unrestricted free agency. So free agent shopping will never be as fun as it once was. “There’s a lot more players not entering the market,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong observed during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “They are being signed by their teams. Now they are being signed a year-plus in advance. “The market will always be thinner than it was in the past. I see a lot of players staying with their teams.” The 2013 free-gent market got a boost when a few notable players got compliance buyouts triggered by the new collective bargaining agreement. With the salary cap decreasing from $70 million to $64.3 million for next season, franchises could use two compliance buyouts to realign their payroll. The Tampa Bay Lightning created a stir by turning loose center Vincent Lecavalier, a former 108-point scorer. The Philadelphia Flyers turned out goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and forward Daniel Briere, then moved quickly to woo Lecavalier with a five-year, $22.5 million pitch. The Blues took a run at Lecavalier, as did the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and other contenders. The Canadiens later secured Briere with a two-year, $8 million offer. Many teams are looking to upgrade at center, creating an overheated market for the handful of decent pivotmen who reached unrestricted free agency. That talent dearth triggered a major trade that sent Bruins centers Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley to Dallas for winger Loui Eriksson on Thursday afternoon. The salary cap decrease caused several potential Hall of Famers to reach unrestricted free agency, including Jarome Iginla, Daniel Alfredsson, Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne. While Ottawa vowed to keep Alfredsson — and Selanne is likely remain in Anaheim if he plays again — others could be on the move. Plenty of secondary scorers are up for grabs, including former Blues winger Brad Boyes — a streaky performer personifying a generally perplexing group. Many teams used compliance buyouts to cashier veteran defensemen like injury-prone former Blue Carlo Colaiacovo, who became a cap casualty in Detroit. The availability of Russian goaltenders Bryzgalov, Evgeni Nabokov and Nikolai Khabibulin has created a crowded market at that position. And former Boston Bruins star Tim Thomas is prepared to end his one-year sabbatical for the right opportunity. The marketplace officially opens today. But teams were free to “interview” free agents Wednesday and Thursday to make the marketplace less chaotic. “To me, it’s just legalized tampering now,” Armstrong quipped Wednesday. “I was always amused on July 1 at 11:01 (p.m.) Central Time somebody signed for $45 or $50 million. This just cleans up the process.” St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.05.2013 683914 St Louis Blues out the last four years of Mikhail Grabovski’s five-year, $27.5 million contract. Teams looking for additional speed and goal-scoring will be interested in that move. Meanwhile the Maple Leafs will have a chance to Hockey Guy: Stars honor July 4th with fireworks spend money more wisely moving forward . . . The Senators were working hard to keep iconic winger Daniel Alfredsson off the market, but the Bruins tried to stay in the hunt . . . Montreal was closing in on UFA Daniel Briere, who was eager to stay East after getting his buyout in Philly. 13 hours ago • By Jeff Gordon St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.05.2013

The National Hockey League sure knows how to celebrate Independence Day. With American-based hockey scribes trying to enjoy the Fourth, NHL GMs stayed busy on the even of free agency. The Boston Bruins and Dallas Stars grabbed the headlines with a rarity in the industry today: a blockbuster trade. The Bruins sent centers Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley to Dallas for winger Loui Eriksson, one of the sport’s best two-way wingers. Dallas also received defenseman Ryan Button and Boston also got youngsters Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser in the deal. New Stars general manager Jim Nill was committed to upgrading at center so Jamie Benn could move back to the wing. Given the rather weak free agent market for centers, he opted to pursue the trade route in a big way. He landed one of the top young forwards in the game today. Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli expressed consternation over Seguin’s perceived immaturity. He had second thoughts about paying him all that money ($34.5 million over six years) in his new deal and tried to deal him at the NHL Draft. Chiarelli failed to move Seguin for one of the top picks, but he kept him in play. This deal went down this afternoon while NHL GMs were busy "interviewing" potential free agent additions. It looks like a bold win-win swap for the Bruins and Stars. Here is what the Twitterverse had to say about the trade: Nick Cotsonika, Yahoo! Sports: “Key to trade is obviously Seguin. If he takes this the right way, buckles down and fulfills potential, great for Dallas. If not, not.” Jesse Spector, Sporting News: “Here's something to consider: Lindy Ruff coaching Tyler Seguin. That will be interesting.” Darren Drager, TSN: “Good trade for both teams. Stars need centres and Seguin will welcome that. Boston also gets high-end prospects in addition to Eriksson.” Jeff O’Neill, former NHL star: “Seguin will flourish at center ice in Dallas. Tremendous upside. Love the deal for stars. Everyone goes out at 21. Get over it.” Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News: “Seguin and Peverley are right-handed centers, and Peverley is very good on draws. This will fill a big hole in the middle.” Chip Alexander, Raleigh News & Observer: “So I take it this means the Bruins weren't just ‘sending a message’ to Seguin with trade talk.” Nick Cotsonika, Yahoo! Sports: “Eriksson has been underrated for so long, his underratedness is overrated.” Shawn Roarke, NHL.com: “Covered Boston ton in playoffs in past 3 years. Always loved what Peverley brought to table. Not high-end guy but glue guy all good teams need.” Nick Kypreos, TSN: “Defensive prospect Joe Morrow is on move again as he's included in the Seguin trade. Wonder why teams like #Pens and #Stars give up on him?” Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal: "Edmontonian D-man Joe Morrow must feel like ping-pong ball. traded twice already. At least he's in demand." AROUND THE RINKS: Rumors of the Flyers' trade interest in Jaroslav Halak are circulating again. This came after Philly seemed to fall out of the Tim Thomas sweepstakes, according to CSN Philadelphia . . . The Flyers are also trying to finalize an eight-year deal for Claude Giroux that would pay him well over $60 million . . . The Devils took unrestricted free agent Patrik Elias off the market by signing him to a three-year, $16.5 million contract . . . The Maple Leafs caught the Toronto media off-guard by buying 683915 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning looking at free-agent options

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff Published: July 4, 2013

TAMPA - For two days, the NHL opened up a window for free agents to be courted by teams. Teams were free to bring players to town for face-to-face meetings to make a pitch for a player's services or simply reach out to agents to see if there was mutual interest. The free agency period doesn't officially open until today at noon, when players are able to sign contracts. But the NHL provided the chance for teams to reach out, get a feel for how things might play out and make preliminary plans on how to round out their rosters heading into the 2013-14 season. Though this sort of courting period has been used by the NBA for a number of years, this is the first time it has been implemented by the NHL. This year, the period was two days. In future years, the open period will start just after the draft, allowing for more time for discussions to be held. But the league has been adamant, even sending out a reminder on Thursday, that the period does not allow for negotiating or for offers to be made, and only allowing for interviews. Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman, like most of his colleagues around the league, was on the phone starting Wednesday morning, with a forward foremost on the shopping list. Tampa Bay has a hole at No. 2 center after the buyout of Vinny Lecavalier, and there are options to fill that role, including Detroit's Valtteri Filppula, Toronto's Tyler Bozak or Mikael Grabovski and Washington's Mike Ribeiro. Finding out if they fit was part of the early courting process, but it depends on the contract length and salary demands. "There are some forwards out there in free agency that are interesting," Yzerman said. "But if we are going to bring in somebody long-term for lots of money, it's going to come from a trade." Should that cost be too high, the Lightning have options to fill the role from within the organization, notably American Hockey League MVP Tyler Johnson or Alex Killorn, who played on the wing for the Lightning after his call-up last season but played center at Harvard. "We have a lot of young guys coming," Yzerman said. "We really want to give some of our young players the chance to play this year, they have been very successful at the American League for two years. "We have to give them an opportunity in the NHL." Tampa Tribune LOADED: 07.05.2013 683916 Tampa Bay Lightning "The first thing we'll try to do is see if there's a free agent that fits our needs, and then, obviously, if we can afford the term of the contract," Yzerman said. "If there's nothing there, we'll look at other ways to do it." Lightning enters free agency looking for No. 2 center Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.05.2013

Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer Thursday, July 4, 2013 6:40pm

The question isn't if Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is interested in the free agent market that opens today — he is — but what, if anything, he can find that is the right fit. "We're just going to proceed very cautiously," he said. Tampa Bay has a very specific need, a No. 2 center, but the market is thin. There also are several ways it can fill the void created by the Vinny Lecavalier buyout. It can promote from within the organization or, perhaps, use its deep pool of minor-leaguers and prospects as part of a trade. "So I don't know how active we will be," Yzerman said. "The reason we used the compliance buyout (on Lecavalier) is to give ourselves flexibility, to give ourselves options. We don't want to … turn around and put ourselves in the same position with a contract that doesn't make sense. We have to be careful in that respect." What is interesting about this year is it is the first in a while in which Tampa Bay's primary need is not on the blue line. As Yzerman said, "Buying out Vinny changes things a little bit." Besides, with eight defensemen on one-way contracts — including injured Mattias Ohlund and Brian Lee — and Mark Barberio poised in AHL Syracuse, unless something changes, the roster, in terms of a free agent addition, seems full. Some of the centers the Lightning might consider come with caveats. Valtteri Filppula, 29, had a bad 2012-13 for the Red Wings and is asking for $5 million per season. Toronto's Tyler Bozak, 27, and Washington's Mike Ribeiro, 33, also will command high prices. Toronto's Mikhail Grabovski, 29, has personal conduct issues. (During a fight last season, he bit the wrist of Montreal's Max Pacioretty.) And Stephen Weiss, 30, is coming off an injury-filled season for the Panthers. Yzerman did say, "I'm not opposed to signing a 38-year-old. … It depends on the term of the contract." Matt Cullen, who turns 37 in November, had seven goals, 27 points and was plus-9 in 42 games last season for the Wild. But is that really a direction for a team that wants to get younger and faster? "There is a hole there," Yzerman said of the No. 2 center position. "And at the end of the day, if we're not able to do it through free agency or trade, we've got players on our roster who are centermen who are playing the wing. If we have to move one of them back there, I think we'll be okay." The presence of Alex Killorn reinforces that Tampa Bay can be picky. Killorn played wing after his callup last season from Syracuse and impressed with seven goals and 19 points in 38 games. His natural position is center, though winning 39.3 percent of faceoffs was unacceptable. Syracuse's Tyler Johnson also might be an option. He had three goals and six points and was plus-3 in 14 games last season with Tampa Bay and won 59.5 percent of his faceoffs. If Yzerman does promote from within, perhaps he turns his free agent attention to a wing. Former Swiss star Damien Brunner, who flirted with the Lightning last year before signing with Detroit, is available. So is agitator David Clarkson, 29, who had 30 goals in 2011-12 and 15 in 48 games last season for the Devils. Clarkson would be an unlikely luxury, but the Lightning does have about $9 million in cap space. Really, though, this summer is about finding a No. 2 center. 683917 Tampa Bay Lightning intend to do that this year. We got to put some of those guys in. We got to find out if they can play and based on what I saw in the limited time I saw them I’m cautiously optimistic that they’re going to be good players. But the Steve Yzerman Q & A: The GM says finding a No. 2 center is a priority but next step is to put them into our lineup in Tampa and give them some will 'proceed very cautiously' in free agency opportunity to play and adjust to the NHL. I just believe its what has to be done. They’ve earned the right to move up to the next level but if there are some growing pains along the way, we have to give them the opportunity. We have to make room for these guys. … They’re going to come (to camp) Damian Cristodero they’re going to get an opportunity and the guys who play the best through preseason and most ready to play will play with us. Thursday, July 4, 2013 1:49pm On the right mix of young and older players: I’m not going to go out and sign four free-agent forwards. Maybe we sign one, maybe we don’t. Look at Ahead of free agency, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman talked (forward) Alex Killorn. He came in last year and did a good job. about how his main priority is finding a No. 2 center to replace Vinny (Defenseman) Radko Gudas came in. He did a really good job for us. Lecavalier, how improving the blue line might be more a "team" concept These other guys are at or close to that level of play. We’ve got to give than one of adding players, how it is time for minor league talent to get a them an opportunity as well. I don’t want to put 10 guys into the lineup at chance at the NHL level and how he expects, despite rumors to the once, but we keep slowly moving them in. contrary, to start the the 2013-14 season with Ben Bishop and Anders On using organization depth to supplement a trade: If it made sense, yeah. Lindback in net. I’m not in a hurry to get rid of any young players. But to address a need, I’m On how active he will be in free agency: Well, I don’t know how active. certainly not opposed to it. But I say that, I’m not out there shopping any of We’ve got two goaltenders. We’ve got eight defensemen on one-way our young guys. That’s not the case. contracts or penciled in, at least, to our roster and 12 or 13 forwards. On starting season with Ben Bishop and Anders Lindback as goalies: That’s Obviously, with the buyout of (Lecavalier) it leaves a bit of a hole in the the way I expect it, yeah. We acquired both of them in the last year. I know middle and we've got to debate between signing a free agent to fill that they don’t have a ton of experience, but the only way they’re going to get spot, maybe moving one of our wingers who has played some center into experience is to play. They need to just settle into a routine and play. I can’t there or look at the possibility of finding a centerman through some sort of tell you what that routine is going to be but they just need games. They’re trade. Those are our options. The first thing we’ll try to do is see if there’s a talented goalies. You look through this league and the goalies. How many free agent that fits our needs and then, obviously, we can afford with the were starters right off the bat and there were no growing pains. That’s just term of the contract. If there’s nothing there, we’ll look at other ways to do it. part of it. I think we’ve got to give them an opportunity to play and settle into … We’re just going to proceed very cautiously. a routine and get comfortable and play games and face shots and win On if a No. 2 center is a priority: Yeah, (buying out Lecavalier) changes games and lose games and learn how to be a starter in this league. things a little bit, obviously. We’d like to have somebody in the middle there, On balancing organizational development with winning as soon as possible: preferably with some experience. … There’s a hole there, and at the end of We have these young players that have matured. They’ve gone from junior the day if we’re not able to do it through free agency or trade, we’ve got hockey to college hockey to the American Hockey League. They’ve players on our roster that are centermen who are playing the wing, and if excelled at the American Hockey League. It’s time to put them in the NHL. we have to we’ll move one of them back there and I think we’ll be okay. Where else am I going to put them? Am I just going to trade them all? We On a strong impulse to find a No. 2 center through free agency: We have to need good young inexpensive talent. We’ve got to keep them coming into temper that impulse. The reason we used the compliance buyout is to give the system. It’s not like they’re 18 years old and never got drafted. The next ourselves flexibility, to give ourselves options. We don’t want to go now and step is for them to go in the NHL. You have to give them the opportunity at turn around and put ourselves in the same position with a contract that some point. doesn’t make sense, so we have to be careful in that respect. We want to Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.05.2013 be as competitive as we possibly can. On improving the blue line: How we’re going to improve defensively is the entire mind-set of the whole team. That’s how we’re going to do it, really. We can point to it and say, ‘Hey, we have to improve our defense.’ The reality is we’ve got to adjust the way we play to be more defensively responsible as to the entire team. The mind-set has to change and that’s something was addressed by the coaches toward the end of last year and will be brought up again this year. And it doesn’t mean just skating back hard. Our team backchecks hard, but you have to be responsible managing the puck, just a commitment to keeping the puck out of our net by everybody. On using the draft to supplement core players: We want to put as good a team on the ice as possible. We want to be as competitive as we can, and we also want to surround the core with as strong of a group and supporting cast as possible. Everything comes into play. Safe to say we’re not going to go out and offer a 35-year old a five-year contract at top dollar. We’re trying to use some common sense. We’re trying to get the best players we can, and there are some free agents out there who are 28, 27 years old. They’re going to get an awful lot of money. If we aren’t able to land one of those guys, we have to look at our other options and maybe it is an older player or somebody on a shorter term (contract) or maybe a little less of a player who isn’t going to cost as much but we feel we can get just as much out of. … It depends on the term of the contract. I’m not opposed to signing a 38-year- old or anything like that. We all want to find a 27-year-old superstar and put him in there with a low cap number regardless of the position and he’s in there and he’s on your roster. But there aren’t many of those guys, so you look at some older players and the term of the contract. On supplementing the roster from within the organization: Well, I just believe we have a few guys (in the system) who have played two and three years in the minors who have really excelled at the American League level. They won a championship. They’ve gone to the finals. They were elite players at the AHL level. It’s time to give them an opportunity to play in the NHL. We have to find out and we have to give them that opportunity and we 683918 Toronto Maple Leafs But the answer could be found in wondering: just what a Leafs president would do to occupy his time? If you look at it from Gretzky’s perspective, it would be a perfect fit. He Leafs would be perfect fit for Gretzky could stay busy with his obligations to corporate clients and still collect a handsome paycheque to show up at the ACC from time to time and press a few hands at an NHL governors meeting if Toronto is chasing an all-star DAVID SHOALTS game or an outdoor game. Published Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 10:43 PM EDT Sounds like a perfect match. Last updated Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 11:55 PM EDT Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.05.2013

Someone really wants to see Wayne Gretzky take a job with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. This week, for the second time in six months, his name came up in speculation about an executive role with the company that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs. Perhaps that someone is Gretzky. Maybe, when there was a conversation between the hockey legend and new MLSE president Tim Leiweke about an executive job that ultimately went nowhere, that conversation was initiated by Gretzky. After all, who gets the most benefit from an association with Gretzky – MLSE or Gretzky? The answer is obvious once all the factors are considered. First, there is Gretzky’s celebrity value. Even 14 years after he retired, he remains one of the biggest names in hockey. He still attracts the A-list of corporations that want him to be their celebrity spokesman, and his passive-aggressive estrangement from the NHL (because he was stiffed out of millions of dollars owed to him by the Phoenix Coyotes) still makes news occasionally. Leiweke has a reputation for trying to attract big names, forged when he was running Philip Anschutz’s sports and entertainment company, AEG – which owns the Los Angeles Kings, once Gretzky’s most-notable hockey employer. MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum also has an attraction to celebrity, so perhaps he or someone else on the MLSE board said it would be nice to have Gretzky around. But since when does MLSE need a celebrity spokesman? Last time we checked, the waiting list for luxury suites at the Air Canada Centre may be shorter thanks to the lingering recession but there are precious few vacancies. Ditto for the Maple Leafs season-ticket list and the roster of team sponsors. As one fellow intimate with the Leafs’ situation put it: “He’s Mr. Hockey, but he’s not Mr. Toronto Hockey.” Then, there is Gretzky’s value as a sports and/or hockey executive. But on the business side, there is no sign he has any interest in dealing with Maple Leafs or NHL corporate issues. When he was part-owner, director of hockey operations and head coach of the Coyotes, Gretzky was never spotted at an NHL board of governors meeting. With AEG, Leiweke was actively involved in the operations of the NHL, as well as the Kings and the L.A. Galaxy soccer team, so it is doubtful he needs any assistance. There is a vacancy for Leafs president, since Brian Burke was fired last January, and his replacement, David Nonis, was named general manager but not president. However, as he showed by the team’s performance this season and by his player moves of late, Nonis is an experienced executive who has already done a good job as president/GM of another NHL team (Vancouver Canucks) and needs no help in this respect. Nonis also has lots of support from a rather large gallery of Leafs executives such as assistant GM Claude Loiselle and Dave Poulin, vice- president of hockey operations. So just how many suits does one team need? The answer was not readily available. Leiweke was visiting his family in the United States for the July 4 holiday and was not available for comment; Gretzky could not be reached either. 683919 Toronto Maple Leafs Gordon 1.458 Mirtle: Grabovski never fit in Carlyle’s system 32.6% 0.6 JAMES MIRTLE 11 TORONTO — The Globe and Mail Fisher Published Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 6:14 PM EDT 1.439 Last updated Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 10:03 PM EDT 38.1% 2.7 In the end, Mikhail Grabovski no longer fit in with the Toronto Maple Leafs. 15 Especially under new coach Randy Carlyle. Sutter The Leafs bought out Grabovski’s contract on Thursday afternoon, 1.496 spending a little more than $14-million to punt out the door a player who had become incredibly divisive in Leafs Nation primarily for his lack of 37.8% offensive production. -19.6 The decision frees up another $5.5-million on the Leafs cap heading into 15 Friday’s free agency period, but there remains a hole at centre that will likely be just as pricy to fill. Talbot The move was a mild surprise, if only because GM Dave Nonis had spoken 1.333 of Grabovski returning to Toronto and challenging for more ice time just a few days earlier at the draft, seemingly hopeful of a rebound season. 35.2% But for those who had followed Grabovski’s difficult 2013 campaign closely -10.8 – a tumultuous half year filled with illness and controversy – the news was 9 less than a shocker. He didn’t appear to enjoy the shift but also didn’t complain publicly, even as The relationship between a team and key offensive player has rarely hit a he played through a difficult digestive ailment that affected his health and downward spiral this quickly. wasn’t revealed until late in the year when he visited New York area Grabovski had become an unlikely impact centre under the Leafs previous hospitals for testing after one road trip. coach Ron Wilson, scoring 47 goals in in the final 139 games under his The combined effect of the new role and his health issues took their toll, watch and turning into a quirky fan favourite. and Grabovski’s offensive totals fell dramatically to just 16 points in 48 But after Toronto bottomed out after a strong start to the 2011-12 season, games. Wilson was fired on March 2 with only 18 games left in the year. That drop put a player Wilson had often praised as his most hardworking at Four days later, after just one game under Carlyle, the Leafs gave odds with the new coaching staff, who seemed to have more difficulty Grabovski the five-year extension for $27.5-million that he would play just communicating with Grabovski than the previous regime. one season under. All the while, his numbers were very much in line with those playing At the time, the money was handed over somewhat begrudgingly, after comparable roles around the NHL. Teammate Nikolai Kulemin’s 23 points months of tense negotiations with Grabovski’s agent playing hardball and likely sets the high water mark in that department, but the likes of Gordon, the organization desperate given its lack of options down the middle. Fisher and Sutter all fell in Grabovski’s range. The Leafs front office regretted the contract quickly, especially as Nazem But that disconnect between his role, the money he made and what he was Kadri blossomed into an NHL player in short order. producing was a season-long one between the coach and his highest paid forward, and it never properly healed. From the beginning, it was also clear Grabovski didn’t fit under Carlyle, who used him dramatically different than Wilson, putting him on the ice for Grabovski was reportedly incensed upon learning about the buyout, which mostly defensive zone faceoffs and against other teams’ top lines more came the day before his wedding in Toronto. In an interview with TSN on often than most forwards in the NHL. Thursday afternoon, he blamed Carlyle for his poor numbers and called him a “stupid coach.” After scoring more goals than all but 11 centres leaguewide in his previous two seasons, Grabovski was playing a role very similar to defence-first “I don’t feel any support from this idiot," Grabovski said at one point. players like Boyd Gordon, Mike Fisher, Brandon Sutter and Maxime Talbot. The Leafs only public comment was a prepared statement from Nonis Players stating that “this was not an easy decision to make” and thanking Grabovski for his contributions. QCOMP “This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward,” Zone Start Nonis said. Corsi Rel There was much discussion when Carlyle was hired just how he would adapt the Leafs then struggling roster to play a grittier, meat-and-potatoes ES Pts style, and ultimately Grabovski became the highest profile casualty of that, Grabovski even as the team made its surprising climb in the standings. 1.457 Now the question becomes how does Nonis use his newfound wealth to find improvements elsewhere after already filling Grabovski’s defensive 36.7% minutes by acquiring Dave Bolland in a draft-day trade. 1.0 Toronto enters Friday’s free agency period with $24.5-million salary cap space – more than 28 other NHL teams – but more than 50 per cent of that 13 is earmarked for the team’s restricted free agents, who include Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Bernier, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson. Once they are factored in, Nonis is really working with between $10- and $12-million to fill his remaining holes, which include a No. 1 centre, second- line right winger and help on defence. Thursday’s talk had them still in the mix for the services of centre Tyler Bozak, who has been seeking a long-term deal for just under $5-million a season. The other options for the Leafs cap dollars will be the likes of Stephen Weiss and David Clarkson, two veterans who could trade the relative obscurity of playing in Florida and New Jersey to come home for big dough. Grabovski, meanwhile, shouldn’t have difficulty finding a home, as he would be a strong fit in Detroit, Nashville or Washington for a more modest salary and in a more offensive role than he had under Carlyle. It’s even possible he becomes one of the better bargains out of all the many players who have been paid handsomely to go away this summer. But that turnaround wasn’t going to happen in Toronto. Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.05.2013 683920 Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs buy out Mikhail Grabovski

JAMES MIRTLE Published Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 12:27 PM EDT Last updated Thursday, Jul. 04 2013, 4:44 PM EDT

One year into his new contract, the Mikhail Grabovski era is over in Toronto. The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Grabovski on unconditional waivers on Thursday in preparation to buy him out, which will make the veteran centre an unrestricted free agent in time for the opening of free agency on Friday at noon. Grabovski had four years remaining on his contract at a $5.5-million cap hit. His compliance buyout will cost $14.33-million but will not count against the Leafs cap. The move opens the door for Toronto to re-sign Tyler Bozak and add another player such as winger David Clarkson in free agency. “I would like to thank Mikhail for his contributions with the Leafs over the past five seasons,” Leafs GM Dave Nonis said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club. This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward.” The Leafs had previously bought out the contract of defenceman Mike Komisarek, meaning they have used their two allotted compliance buyouts. The two buyouts leave Toronto with more than $24-million in cap space, the second most of any team in the NHL. Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.05.2013 683921 Toronto Maple Leafs Only the perennially cheap Islanders have a lower payroll number as of today. Guess we’re going to find out — with very active Toronto having already Bruins quickly sour on former golden boy added goalie Jonathon Bernier, centre David Bolland and new Marlies coach Steve Spott — who else wants to be a Leaf.

By: Damien Cox Hockey, Published on Thu Jul 04 2013 Actually, it’s more complicated than that. A lot more complicated. By using the compliance buyout route to escape from the contracts of Mike Komisarek and Mikhael Grabovski without any cap complications, Nonis Perhaps they should have compliance buyouts every year. Perhaps the has left himself with something in the neighborhood of $23 million to spend NHL and NHLPA could reopen the deal they just signed and make it so. with about 10 players to sign. He has RFAs Jonathan Bernier, Nazem Kadri, Cody Franson and Carl Gunnarson to sign, and that’s going to eat Why? Two reasons. First, it’s really a giggle to watch GMs have to some of those cap dollars. Then again, he might be able to clear up even essentially admit to the spectacular mistakes of their organization. more money by, for example, deleting the contract of defenceman John- Michael Liles through trade. And then go out and make new ones. At the same time he created a chunk of money to spend, however, Nonis Second, it does seem to have put a jolt into this off-season, combining with has said repeatedly he’s very focussed on not spending for the sake of the short season and a dropping salary cap to create an unusually agitated spending, or not replacing bad contracts with other bad contracts. So it dynamic. seems unlikely he’ll, say, give Tyler Bozak more than $5 million a year over Indeed, we even actually got a good old-fashioned, multi-player hockey five or more years just because Grabovski’s been cleared from the books. trade on Thursday, something that’s become as rare as the L.A. Kings So what about, for example, New Jersey winger David Clarkson? Good, scoring more than two goals in a game. gritty winger, father’s a huge Leaf fan, the player has an interest in Dallas gave up Loui Eriksson, defence prospect Joe Morrow (acquired from community and making a contribution beyond hockey. The Leafs might give Pittsburgh for Brenden Morrow at the trade deadline) and two minor him the same deal they gave Joffrey Lupul (five years, $26.25 million) but leaguers to get Tyler Seguin from the Bruins along with Rich Peverly and a they are unlikely to give him more. minor-leaguer. And other teams are likely to be willing to give him more. This is one of those deals you can chew on for a while. In fact, it even Bozak and Clarkson, meanwhile, are also both clients of Newport Sports, allows obsessed Leaf fans to chew some more on the Phil Kessel deal, the giant player agency. As is Stephen Weiss, the UFA centre from Florida given that Seguin was such a key piece of that swap. who might fit the Leafs’ needs. Newport’s job is to do the best for their At first blush, I’d say Eriksson is a really underrated player and the Boston clients, and they need to find a way to steer them all to places where they end of the deal looks really sweet. can get maximum dollars. Beyond that, boy, did the Bruins fall out of love with Seguin fast. So if the Leafs were to sign Clarkson, that might mean less money for Bozak, at least with the Leafs. If Bozak signs with the Leafs, that’s one less Last fall he was their golden boy, their future franchise player, and the club option for Weiss. lavished a six-year, $34 million contract extension upon him. As noted, it gets complicated in a hurry. A half-season and a playoff run to the Stanley Cup final later, he’s been sent packing amidst a variety of unflattering comments about his The Leafs — who, by the way, never made an offer to Vinny Lecavalier — commitment to the game and lifestyle. could conceivably chase Jarome Iginla for the veteran leadership they need, but that seems a stretch. Val Filppula would be a nice replacement Seems to be always the way with Bruins players, kicked in the butt as they for Bozak, but again, the salary number would be interesting based on his head out of town. ’Twas the same with Joe Thornton. Ditto for Kessel. nine goal, eight assist season. New Dallas GM Jim Nill has a new young talent to rebuild that team around Would the Leafs give Mike Ribeiro the money that Washington would not? as it strives to be relevant in that market once more. He just got the job, and As enigmatic as Grabovski was, Ribeiro’s had his ups and downs as well. his chutzpah in doing a big trade just days after signing a big-name head coach in Lindy Ruff is admirable. What does seem true is that few teams have the money the Leafs do to spend, which could mean good deals at significant savings for the Leafs Seguin, meanwhile, is the latest NHLer to find the team that seemed to and Nonis. A veteran defenceman like Andrew Ference, for example, might make a long-term commitment to him wasn’t that committed at all, joining keenly understand that when the dust clears there will be established the likes of Vinny Lecavalier, Mikhail Grabovski, Ilya Bryzgalov, Mike NHLers without a team and a contract, and he might look to make sure he Richards, Jeff Carter and others. gets a good job at or around his current salary of $2.25 million. Kris Letang just agreed to a new eight-year deal with the Penguins, and Or, he might be looking for a big raise. Again, it gets complicated, and even Claude Giroux is about to do an eight-year contract with the Flyers. with lots of money to spend, the Leafs know it’s not just about what they want. The chances of those players remaining with those teams for the life of those contracts? Not high, based on what we’ve seen over the past few Toronto Star LOADED: 07.05.2013 years. These days, a long-term NHL contract neither means a player will get paid all the money or stay with the same team. Seguin just found that out at age 21. KMKMKMSo Dave Nonis has cleared the decks to aggressively change the face of the Maple Leafs. But he’s still got to find some players to take the money he’s got to spend. That’s what will be fascinating over the next couple of days, with the Leafs owning as much cap flexibility to sign UFAs or trade for players with significant existing contracts as any other NHL team. Take a look at existing NHL payrolls. There way, way, way almost at the bottom, with just $41.6 million committed for next season (the reduced cap is set for $64.3 million) would be the Leafs. 683922 Toronto Maple Leafs he represents an upgrade in terms of being more involved in three-zone play than Grabovski, playing on a winner (the Blackhawks) and managing coach Randy Carlyle’s playbook. Mikhail Grabovski bought out by the Maple Leafs In the meantime, Grabovski exits with four years remaining on a five-year, $27.5-million contract that saw an average annual cap hit of $5.5 million. He will be paid just under $1.8 million a year over the next eight years by the By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Thu Jul 04 2013 Leafs as part of his contract (which does not count against the cap). In a statement, Nonis said, “I would like to thank Mikhail for his contributions with the Leafs over the past five seasons. This was not an easy decision to Mikhail Grabovski could be trembling with fury on Friday, the day he is to be make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club. This is a married. roster move that will give us salary-cap flexibility moving forward.” He certainly was on Thursday night. The buyout certainly came as a surprise to Grabovski, whose agent, Gary Greenstin, told Sportsnet that the Leafs “made a mistake.” In an interview with TSN, hours after learning that the Maple Leafs had bought out the final four years of his contract, the 29-year old centre Grabovski, who had a career-best 29-goal season under former coach Ron unloaded his feelings in an expletive filled rant — and one of his primary Wilson in 2010-11, managed nine goals and 16 points in a lockout- targets was coach Randy Carlyle. shortened 48-game schedule this past season (he projected to roughly 15 goals and 26 points over a full 82-game schedule). “Of course I feel (expletive) sad . . . I played (expletive) five years here. I’m supposed to feel upset about that. I loved it (here). . . . Toronto fans are the “I’ve been with this kid from the beginning of his pro career and I know what best fans in the world.” he can do,” Greenstin told Sportsnet. “He’s a fighter, OK? I believe they made a mistake.” An obviously emotional Grabovski felt Carlyle wrongly lost confidence in him. Grabovski, the club’s No. 2 centre, saw a drop-off in production this Toronto Star LOADED: 07.05.2013 season, and as a result, less ice time and periodic shifts to a lower line. “I play in the (expletive) KHK, I make lots of ( expletive) points and what’s going to happen. . . . He (Carlyle) makes me (expletive) play on the fourth line and he put me in the playoffs on the fourth line and third line again,” Grabovski told TSN. “Yeah, I don’t score goals. I need to work more about that. I know that. But if you feel support from your coach . . . I don’t feel any support from this (expletive) idiot.” Grabovski’s value to the Leafs declined this season even as the team broke its nine-year playoff drought. Toronto earned that post-season berth despite Grabovski, their second-line centre, having one of his most unproductive seasons. If the Leafs can achieve a playoff spot with obvious weaknesses at centre, there is a greater chance to increase their playoff fortunes by upgrading on Grabovski. And that appears to be a major part of the Leafs’ plan as the NHL free- agency period opens Friday. As teams entered the free-for-all that is the open market for NHL players, the Leafs’ depth chart showed uncertainty at centre. With Grabovski gone, and Tyler Bozak testing the free-agent waters (could Calgary now be his best fit?), Toronto has holes at centre on its top two lines. That could all change by the end of the weekend. Recently acquired Dave Bolland could be the second-line pivot, depending on whether the Leafs grab a free-agent centre or trade for one. It’s apparent now that Grabovski’s $27 million contract — signed while Brian Burke was GM — was not money current GM Dave Nonis was comfortable having on the books. Nonis now has financial room to deal with Bozak, if a deal is there, or at least entertain a number of possible upgrades. Thanks to the compliance buyout on Grabovski, and another earlier this week on Mike Komisarek, the Leafs opened up $24.5 million in cap space. They have 11 roster spots to fill, and the club’s current $41 million payroll is the second lowest in the NHL, which is key since the cap comes down about $6 million to $64.3 million for the upcoming season. Nonis looks as if he’s positioned himself and the team to upgrade. Toronto has several key restricted free agents to sign in Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, Carl Gunnarsson, Cody Franson, and newly acquired Jonathan Bernier. But even if the Leafs end up without Grabovski and Bozak, there are solid free-agent options in Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy, and Matt Cullen. The Leafs are also believed to be strongly linked to free-agent forward David Clarkson, who is a Newport Sports client along with Bozak and Weiss. Toronto finished the season with Bozak, Grabovski, Kadri, Jay McClement, and Colborne on the depth chart at centre. Now Bolland is in the mix, and 683923 Toronto Maple Leafs New York Islanders: are still paying Alexei Yashin $2.2 million this year and next, and that’s on the books. They will pay Rick DiPietro $1.5 million a year through 2029, but that does not show up on the cap hit chart (and frees up Keith Ballard, Carlo Colaiacovo among NHL players placed on waivers $4.5 million in cap space per season through 2020-21). Toronto Star LOADED: 07.05.2013

By: Mark Zwolinski, Published on Thu Jul 04 2013

The NHL is preparing for free agency Friday by cleaning up payrolls via buyouts and compliance buyouts. Five more players — Keith Ballard, Nathan Gerbe, Carlo Colaiacovo, Tom Gilbert and Serge Kostitsyn — were placed on waivers Wednesday for the purposes of a buyout. Several other familiar names — Vincent Lecavalier, Jeff Schultz, Tomas Kaberle — were recently given their buyout notices as well, allowing their respective NHL teams to open cap space and potentially make moves during free agency. Under the new CBA, teams can buy out contracts from June 15 to June 30 at a reduced cap hit; for two seasons only — this June and next — teams are also allowed two compliance buyouts that cost the team two-thirds of the player’s contract as it is valued at the time of the buyout — but does not show up on their respective salary cap charts. The buyouts are coming in waves now with the NHL salary cap due to drop about $6 million to $64.3 million for the upcoming season. But buyouts over the past several seasons have left some clubs paying the freight on players who have long since left the organization. Here’s a look at how buyouts have affected some NHL teams: Toronto Maple Leafs: just exercised a compliance buyout on Mike Komisarek, which freed up $4.5 million in cap space. Komisarek was in the final year of a $22.5-million deal. Previous buyouts mean that the club will be paying Darcy Tucker and Colby Armstrong $1 million each in 2013-14. Minnesota Wild: have the highest current payroll in the NHL, and need to free up space. They did that with Gilbert on Wednesday, buying out his $3- million salary for 2013-14, and freeing up $4 million in cap space. Mark Parrish was bought out, but the Wild are still seeing a cap hit this season of $927,778 for him. Vancouver Canucks: with Ballard, the club bought out his contract, which was worth $4.2 million per season over the next two seasons. Ballard’s buyout will cost the Canucks $5.6 million spread out over the next five years, but that expense does not show up on the team’s cap hit. The club also traded goalie Cory Schneider in a move that freed up more needed cap space. Columbus Blue Jackets: owe Mike Commodore $1.141 million this season and next under a recent buyout. Washington Capitals: exercised a compliance buyout on Jeff Shultz, shedding $3 million, which was on the final year of his contract, and opening $2.75 million in cap space. Tampa Bay Lightning: the big one with the Lightning was Vincent Lecavalier, whose buyout is $15 million over the next 10 years. The money will not show up on the cap hit, but Lecavalier will see $1.5 million a year from the team through 2015-16, then $3 million for the next two seasons, then $1.5 million over the final five years of the buyout. The club does have a cap hit of $1.66 million this year and next as part of a buyout to Vinny Prospal. Montreal Canadiens: sent home Scott Gomez back in January for the purposes of buying out his contract. Gomez was to earn $4.5 million this season, but his cap hit was $7.3 million. The club used a compliance buyout on Tomas Kaberle, shedding his $4.5-million salary for the upcoming season. Chicago Blackhawks: have bought out Steve Montador ($2.3 million this season, $1.8 million next) and Olesz Rostislav ($4.25 million this season), but with no cap hit. New Jersey Devils: recent buyouts have $666,667 showing up on the cap hit this year and next for Trent Hunter, and another $250,000 this year for Eric Boulton. New York Rangers: bought out Wade Redden, who was owed $5 million this season, with a cap hit of $6.5 million. 683924 Toronto Maple Leafs

Tyler Seguin, Loui Eriksson switch teams in blockbuster trade between Boston and Dallas

By: Jeff Green News reporter, The Canadian Press, Published on Thu Jul 04 2013

BOSTON—Boston and Dallas have made a blockbuster seven-player deal, with the Bruins sending forward Tyler Seguin to the Stars for forward Loui Eriksson. Boston also acquired forwards Matt Fraser, Reilly Smith and defenceman Joe Morrow. Dallas also received forward Rich Peverley and defenceman Ryan Button. Seguin was drafted second overall by Boston in 2010 and won the team’s scoring title in the 2011-12 season. The winger was a member of the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup championship team and was selected to the NHL all-star game in 2012. Eriksson had 29 points in 48 games for the Stars last season. He has a career plus-31 rating and played in the 2011 all-star game. Just days after Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli challenged Tyler Seguin to shape up or be shipped out, it appears the 21-year-old is being traded to Dallas. The Boston Bruins appear to be closing in on a blockbuster deal to send Seguin, Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button to the Dallas Stars for winger Loui Eriksson, and prospects Joe Morrow, Matt Fraser and Reilly Smith, according to a TSN report. Seguin was the Bruins second overall pick in the 2010 draft, one of three picks acquired when Boston shipped Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2009. Chiarelli told the Boston Globe that Seguin needed to commit to becoming a pro since they gave him a six-year, $34.5 million contract that comes with an annual $5.75 million cap hit. “He’s got to become more of a professional. You know what? I can say that about a lot of 21-year-olds,” Chiarelli told the Globe, hoping the public challenge would set him straight. “If it doesn’t, I’d be more concerned. We gave Tyler a big contract because he projects and he had good performance. I would expect that going forward,” Chiarelli said. Eriksson, 27, will be going into the second half of a six-year, $25 million contract with an annual cap hit of $4.25 million. He was a second round pick in the 2003 draft by the Stars. In 501 NHL games, he has 150 goals and 357 points. He was a minus-9 with 29 points and 12 goals in the shortened 2012-13 campaign that saw the Stars miss the playoffs. Seguin may have become the odd man out in Boston, playing on the third line behind centres David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron. The move may also make cap room for Bergeron, who is expecting a big raise and would be entering his final year of a three-year, $15 million contract that leaves him an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2013-14 season. Smith was a third round pick by the Stars in the 2009 draft. Morrow was originally selected 23rd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, but was shipped to Dallas in exchange for Brenden Morrow. Toronto Star LOADED: 07.05.2013 683925 Toronto Maple Leafs Komisarek on the unemployment line after the defenceman’s last year at $4.5 million was bought out earlier in the week. Despite signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal last year, Grabovski’s pact Mikhail Grabovski rips coach after Maple Leafs buy him out became a huge impediment to the Leafs having cap wiggle room. The other options Thursday’s move provides Nonis is to perhaps bring back UFA Tyler Bozak, chase Florida centre Stephen Weiss or another forward, such By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun as New Jersey’s David Clarkson. First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:30 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, Nonis went into seclusion Thursday night to prepare for Friday, but said in a July 04, 2013 10:56 PM EDT statement: “Grabovski was placed on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of being bought out ... I would like to thank Mikhail for his contributions with the Leafs over the past five seasons. We’ll guess Randy Carlyle is not going to Mikhail Grabovski’s wedding this “This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous weekend. contributions to our hockey club.” Family and fatherhood had supposedly calmed Grabovski down in recent Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 years, but an unsettling 2013 season, followed by news he was being bought out by the Maple Leafs, caused him to go ballistic on coach Randy Carlyle. In an expletive-laced Thursday night interview/rant with TSN’s Jonas Siegel, Grabovski called Carlyle “a stupid coach” and a “(bleeping) idiot” for how he was used at times last season, especially in the playoffs. What followed was the kind of invective the centre used when feuding with the Kostitsyn brothers in Montreal, where the three Belorussians once played before Grabovski joined the Leafs in 2008. The timing of his wedding, the buyout and the upheaval of finding a new team had him seething about how he was deployed by Carlyle. “Don’t put me on a (bleeping) third line and then (bleeping) play (me) six minutes in a game,” Grabovski said. “I play in the KHL (in the lockout). I make lots of (bleeping) points and what’s going to happen? He make me (expletive) play on the fourth line and he puts me in the playoffs on the fourth line and third line again. “Yeah, I don’t score goals. I need to work more about that. I know that. But if you feel support from your coach (you’ll find success). I don’t feel any support from this (expletive) idiot.” Carlyle made it plain at times he was underwhelmed at Grabovski’s lack of production and gradually cut his minutes. But he never made it a major issue with the press and even fulfilled the wishes of Grabovski and fellow Russian-speaking linemate Nikolai Kulemin to remain as linemates. But where Kulemin has defensive talents with his skating and big body, Grabovski was ill-suited for anything but offensive-zone play. He ended the year with 16 points and a minus-10. He looked better in the playoffs, but was still scoreless with two assists and was the Leafs’ only minus player. “(Former coach Ron) Wilson pushed me hard as this,” Grabovski said, “but don’t be (bleeping) with me. If you don’t like something, tell (me) right away, don’t put me on the bench, healthy scratch or something.” Grabovski and Kulemin were the longest-serving Leaf and neither had made the playoffs until last season. “Of course I feel (bleeping) sad,” Grabovski added. “I played (bleeping) five years here. I’m supposed to feel upset about that. I loved it. Toronto fans are (among) the best fans in the world.” The Leafs said Thursday that Carlyle would not be commenting on Grabovski’s statements. MONEY TO BURN Dave Nonis now has some money to play with as free agency arrives Friday, but he must first spend on home improvements. With the $5.5 million (U.S.) buyout of Mikhail Grabovski’s contract, the second and final compliance buyout the Leafs are permitted under the new CBA, the Maple Leafs now have the league’s second-lowest payroll next to the New York Islanders. The Leafs will have about $24 million on hand, but a good portion of that must be used to reel in restricted free agents, namely centre Nazem Kadri, defenceman Cody Franson and goalie Jonathan Bernier, with defencemen Carl Gunnarsson, Mark Fraser and winger Frazer McLaren in the next tier. After that, Nonis can look elsewhere for a more accomplished, if not cheaper, option at centre than Grabovski. Toronto must pay out a little more than $14 million the next eight years to Grabovski. Grabovski joins Mike 683926 Toronto Maple Leafs Sparks, Bibeau, Quebec junior grad Christopher Gibson and Charlie Millen, son of Leafs broadcaster Greg Millen, who plays for the Ottawa Jr. Senators. No guarantees even if Maple Leafs hit jackpot Loose Leafs Wayne Gretzky has told Sportsnet that whatever he and MLSE CEO Tim By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun Leiweke talked about in recent days, it didn’t involve him getting a job offer at present ... Now that defenceman Mark Fraser rejected a two-way First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:46 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, qualifying offer from the Leafs, a move Nonis said he expected, the July 04, 2013 10:49 PM EDT negotiations will get a bit more serious as July unfolds ... Mark Owuya, the Russian-Ugandan goalie who tried to crack the Marlies the past couple of years, won’t be back. And with an urge to return to Finland, Jussi Rynnas will likely be gone as well, leaving Drew MacIntyre and Sparks ... New Dave Nonis didn’t like suggestions a couple of years ago that the struggling Marlies coach Steve Spott will be clarifying his assistant coaches situation Maple Leafs were not a desirable destination for unrestricted free agents. in the next few days. He said in many instances it was he and Brian Burke who’d said no to Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 prospective players for reasons ranging from cost, to medical concerns to agents simply playing the Leafs off against other teams to raise the price. Nonis and coach Randy Carlyle are certainly doing their best to change any lingering notion among this year’s field of UFAs that the Leafs won’t be in the playoff hunt in 2013-14. Toronto’s seven-game series with Boston and it’s recent changes in goal, at centre and through the farm system will attract interest come today. The city is also livable and the fan support unwavering at its core. But if there’s one thing we’d not get overly excited about, it’s the notion that amassing GTA-area players is some kind of magic tonic for overnight success. While it’s great that players such as Stephen Weiss and David Clarkson might want to join new Leaf David Bolland to have the chance to play for a team so many grew up watching, such a gathering would be no guarantor of success. If having a GTA presence was the solution then those who’ve come ‘home’ this way through trade or free agency (Larry Murphy, Gary Roberts, Shayne Corson, Steve Thomas, Jeff O’Neill, Eric Lindros, Owen Nolan, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jason Allison, Michael Peca, etc.) would have been parading down Bay St. long ago. There’s a long list of high draft picks from these parts, too. Local flavouring is fine, but meat and potatoes makes a great team. They can come from anywhere. Scattered Leafs It will be interesting to see where some ex-Leafs and those soon-to-be will end up. There is already speculation the Red Wings will take a look at Mikhail Grabovski, who had the satisfaction of silencing critics with a couple of big games in Montreal after an acrimonious split with the Habs in 2008. The Wings need help in the middle and Grabovski wouldn’t be the first jettisoned Leaf to wind up in Motown, which will be Toronto’s division rival next season. Before he got worked up about Carlyle on Thursday, Grabovski called his $14 million US payout the next eight years as a “good present” from the organization. He also told TSN that being cashed out by the Leafs would provide him the same inspiration as his trade from the Habs in 2008. “People always in life motivate me,” Grabovski said. If Tyler Bozak is not retained in Toronto, he could be looking to a team such as Calgary near his Western Canadian roots. He also spends much of his off-season in Colorado where he attended the University of Denver. You can bet good buddy Phil Kessel will be pulling for him to stay, but the Leafs won’t be talking if there’s anything to those reports of him wanting eight years at $5 million per. Lloydminster, Alta.’s Clarke MacArthur, who has spent his entire career in the East, might look West as well. Kid stuff The entire 2013 draft class of the Leafs will be on hand next week when 34 players open the Leafs prospect camp at the MasterCard Centre on Tuesday. The roster, released Thursday, has centres Frederik Gauthier, Carter Verhaeghe, Quebec goalie Antoine Bibeau and the two Euros, Swiss forward Fabrice Herzog and Swede Andreas Johnson, all chosen last Sunday in Newark. The goalies will be projected Marlie back-up Garret 683927 Toronto Maple Leafs can’t confirm if this is true. Only Grabovski and the so-called “stupid” coach know that for sure. But it is obvious that the coach and player were a long way from being Buying out Grabovski shrewd move for Leafs' Nonis buddy-buddy. So what would you have Dave Nonis do? Fire Carlyle because he and By Mike Zeisberger ,Toronto Sun Grabovski did not see eye-to-eye? First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 07:06 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, Of course not. July 04, 2013 07:15 PM EDT Given those circumstances, Nonis worked the draft floor in Newark last Sunday attempting to deal his skilled centre. Obviously, no one wanted to touch the four years and $21.5 million remaining on Grabovski’s deal. As of Thursday, Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis had been on the job exactly 176 days. Thus, in the end, with little recourse, Nonis bought out Grabovski, freeing up cash for other players, whether that be Stephen Weiss, David Clarkson, In other words, it took less than half a year with Nonis at the helm for Tyler Bozak, Paul Stastny, whoever. And, yes, they likely will be “overpaid,” numerous reports to surface on Twitter and the world-wide blogosphere the same term many used in reference to Grabovski. calling for his head to be delivered on a blue-and-white platter. The difference here: The incoming players will be a Dave Nonis/Randy Fire a general manager because he placed Mikhail Grabovski on waivers Carlyle-type players. It was obvious Mikhail Grabovski, for whatever reason, with the intention of buying him out? Really? was not. Can’t you at least wait until you see how his plan plays out before giving So relax, people. The departing player whose last name starts with “G” is him the axe? Grabovski — not Gretzky. Can’t we at least see how the pieces fall into place and in what fashion Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 Nonis leaves his fingerprints on this team before screaming for him to take a spot on the unemployment line? Can’t judgment on Nonis be reserved until after Friday, when teams can actually start signing up unrestricted free agents? Before disgruntled Leaf fans start hurling themselves off the CN Tower in frustration, understand that Nonis actually deserves credit for making a shrewd move by opening up $5.5 million (U.S.) in cap space, According to CapGreek.com, the Grabovski buyout puts the Leafs’ payroll 29th in the 30-team NHL, ahead of only the New York Islanders. The Leafs have about $24.3 million to spend on 11 players, although some of that money will go to new deals for restricted free agents Nazem Kadri, Carl Gunnarsson, Cody Franson and Jonathan Bernier, all of whom are in line for raises. Nonis obviously has a plan in place, Having been able to speak with prospective unrestricted free agents since Wednesday, it is clear that he made the Grabovski move while having a good idea of which candidates are a good bet to replace him in the Maple Leaf forward ranks. Grabovski is a talented player who scored 61 goals for the Leafs the past three seasons. Moreover, since coming from the Montreal Canadiens in 2008, he morphed into one of the hardest workers around, often being the last guy on the ice at practice. Having said that, it was clear that, to borrow a phrase from colleague Steve Simmons, he was a “square peg in a round hole,” both in terms of where he fit on the salary scale and in the game plan of coach Randy Carlyle. Grabovski’s $5.5 million annual cap hit was tough to swallow for Nonis, especially since the player and Carlyle did not see eye-to-eye. In fact, during a conversation with TSN Radio’s Jonas Siegel on Thursday evening, Grabovski called Carlyle a “stupid” coach. A “stupid” coach who led the Leafs to their first playoff appearance in almost a decade? A “stupid” coach who gets out of bed every day knowing he has a Stanley Cup ring to his credit, one he earned by leading the 2007 Anaheim Ducks to the title? Call Carlyle a lot of things, but his hockey resume certainly suggests he is anything but “stupid.” Maybe Grabovski didn’t like the way Carlyle used him in a defensive role instead of allowing him to spread his play-making wings. Fair enough. But, in the end, it was Carlyle’s call. He’s the coach. That’s the way it works. Behind closed doors, there are whispers going around that, late in contests of the first-round series against the Bruins — including Game 7 — Grabovski asked Carlyle not to put him out on the ice in key situations. We 683928 Toronto Maple Leafs

By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 01:09 PM EDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 02:43 PM EDT

TORONTO - The Maple Leafs just bought themselves some elbow room with the salary cap. With their second compliance buyout on the eve of unrestricted free agency, general manager Dave Nonis cashed out second-line centre Mikhail Grabovski, likely clearing the way for a more accomplished if not cheaper option in the middle. The move will immediately clear $5.5 million US in cap space, but cost Toronto a little more than $14 million US the next eight years. Grabovksi played five years in Toronto and was initially a good second-line centre when paired with Nikolai Kulemin. Despite signing a five-year $27.5 million deal last year, he could not fill a first-line role and then both Kulemin and regular left winger Clarke MacArthur began hitting the wall offensively. New coach Randy Carlyle tried to use Grabovski in a more defensive role to justify his ice tim, but with little success. Grabovski’s big contract was a huge impediment to the Leafs having wiggle room for free agents, either bringing back UFA Tyler Bozak for the first line, chasing centre Stephen Weiss when free agency gets underway Friday or another forward such as David Clarkson. Grabovski, who was acquired from Montreal, was the longest serving Leaf alongside Kulemin and he’d planned to get married shortly. He had three 20-goal seasons during 82-game schedules and gradually learned to tone down the temper that caused him some grief on the ice. But Nonis wanted a lot more for the money than predecessor Brian Burke was willing to pay and made that clear with several hints dropped after the season and up to last weekend’s draft. In a statement, Nonis said: "Grabovski was placed on unconditional waivers today for the purpose of being bought out ... I would like to thank Mikhail for his contributions with the Leafs over the past five seasons. This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club. This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward.” Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.05.2013 683929 Toronto Maple Leafs A chunk of that will go to re-signing restricted free agents such as Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Bernier, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson. But with only 12 players currently under contract, Nonis has as close to a clean slate as Mikhail Grabovski rips Leafs coach Randy Carlyle after buyout he is going to get. “This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club,” Nonis said in a statement. “This is a Michael Traikos Last Updated: 13/07/05 12:35 AM ET roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward.” Unlike Komisarek, who finished last season in the minors, Grabovski was still a useful player for the Leafs. A top-six forward in the past, he shifted The Leafs used their second — and last — compliance buyout on Mikhail into a more shutdown role under head coach Randy Carlyle, who primarily Grabovski. used Grabovski in defensive-zone situations and matched him up against the other teams’ top lines. In that role he was quietly effective, but finished A couple of weeks ago Dave Nonis was talking about the Stanley Cup final with just nine goals and 16 points — a disappointment for a player who a and saying what impressed him the most about the two teams was that if year earlier signed a five-year contract with a cap hit of US$5.5-million. you went up and down their rosters you would find contracts that generally made sense. “Grabo didn’t have the best year that he’s ever had. There’s no secret about that,” Nonis said at last Sunday’s NHL Entry Draft. “But I think the What now? post-season he was actually very good. He competed and he looked more The Maple Leafs bought out Mikhail Grabovski on Thursday, leaving the like his old self.” team with Nazem Kadri, David Bolland and Jay McClement as its centres. For the Leafs, it was a situation of a good player being paid great money. With the free agency period opening on July 5, who will Toronto get as a As the highest-paid forward, Grabovski should have been Toronto’s No. 1 replacement? centre. But after being passed on the depth chart by Kadri, he was not even Tyler Bozak the team’s No. 2 centre anymore. And with the acquisition of David Bolland, a prototypical No. 3 centre, it was unclear where exactly the 29-year-old Bozak has been Toronto’s No. 1 centre for the past two years. And while would fit in the roster. his stats do not back up that assignment — he managed just 12 goals and 28 points last season — he does have chemistry with Phil Kessel. The main “[Carlyle] make me [expletive] play on the fourth line and he put me in the sticking point is cost. According to a report, the 24-year-old recently playoffs on the fourth line and third line again,” Grabovski told TSN 1050 proposed an eight-year deal worth US$40-million. reporter Jonas Siegel. “Yeah, I don’t score goals. I need to work on more about that. I know that. But if you feel support from your coach [you'll find Stephen Weiss success]. I don’t fee any support from this [expletive] idiot.” A No. 1 centre on a consistently poor team, Weiss has put up Grabovski- So what’s next? Well, someone (Detroit? New Jersey?) will sign Grabovski like numbers over his career — his best was 28 goals and 60 points in and Nonis now has more than enough cap room to make a splash. The trick 2009-10 — in Florida. The only question is how much of a raise he will want is not drowning under another bad signing. from the US$3.1-million he made last year. Will the team re-sign Tyler Bozak, who the last time we heard was asking Paul Stastny for eight years and US$40-million? Will they look at pending UFAs Stephen Weiss or Mike Rebeiro? Will they trade for Paul Stastny, who is in the final While he is not a free agent, the Avalanche centre’s name has been linked year of a contract that pays US$6.7-milliion? to Toronto in the past. He played with Kessel at the Olympics and has hit the 70 point-mark three times. The question is what it would cost (a Or will they fill Grabovski’s minutes internally — Joe Colborne could be defenceman and a prospect?) and whether the Leafs want to take on his ready for a promotion — and instead make a pitch for winger David US$6.7-million cap hit. Clarkson and a defenceman like Tom Gilbert, Andrew Ference or Rob Scuderi? Joe Colborne Either way, Nonis has to be careful in not replacing one mistake with If the Leafs do not like the prices that are out there, they can always look another. If not, well, his successor will be the one clearing the deck. internally. Colborne, who was called up for five games, might not be ready for a top-six role. But if Kadri and Bolland are the top-two centres, then National Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 perhaps the 23-year-old is a perfect No. 3 or 4. David Clarkson The 29-year-old winger would not solve the issues down the middle, but he would definitely improve the forward corps. A 30-goal scorer in 2011-12, Clarkson had 15 goals last season and is exactly the type of player coach Randy Carlyle covets. The only problem is every other team does too. Michael Traikos, National Post Look at Boston’s Zdeno Chara, the Toronto Maple Leafs GM said. Who would argue that he is not worth US$7-million? Or that Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane should earn less than US$6.3-million each? Even No. 1 centre Patrice Bergeron seemed like a bargain at US$5-million. Nonis’ point was that you did not mind spending a lot of money for a player as long as you got equal value in return. It was when you started to pay great money to good players that you got into trouble. And so, just as former Leafs GM Brian Burke spent his first year on the job getting rid of his predecessor’s mistakes, Nonis has more or less cleared the deck of Burke’s mistakes to set up the team for what should be a busy free agency period. On Wednesday, the Leafs bought out defenceman Mike Komisarek. A day later, they used their second — and last — compliance buyout on Mikhail Grabovski. With the doors to free agency opening on July 5, Toronto has the second-lowest payroll (US$41.6-million) and plenty of chances to get it right this time. With US$10-million coming off the books in the Komisarek and Grabovski buyouts, the Leafs should have about US$22-million to spend this summer. 683930 Toronto Maple Leafs

Michael Traikos Last Updated: 13/07/04 2:20 PM ET

Mikhail Grabovski, who scored 29 goals and 58 points in 2010-11 and 23 goals and 51 points in 2011-12, dropped off significantly last season with just nine goals and 16 points in 48 games. Just how former Toronto Maple Leafs Brian Burke spent the first year of his tenure cleaning up the mess of his predecessor, Dave Nonis is cleaning up the mess left over from Burke. The current Leafs GM bought out Mike Komisarek, one of Burke’s first big free agent signings, on Wednesday. One day later, he used the team’s second — and last — buyout on Mikhail Grabovski, one of Burke’s last signings. Unplugged: Carlyle on what the Leafs plan to do with Reimer and Bernier “I would like to thank Mikhail for his contributions with the Leafs over the past five seasons,” Nonis said in a statement Thursday. “This was not an easy decision to make as Mikhail made numerous contributions to our hockey club. This is a roster move that will give us salary cap flexibility moving forward.” Grabovski, who was signed to a five-year deal in 2012, had four years and US$21.5-million remaining. “He’s 24 hours on waivers, he will see what’s happening,” said agent Gary Greenstin, who added that his client is to get married in Toronto on Friday, which is coincidentally the first day of free agency. “He’s a great player. Some idiot put that he’s not a playmaker. He’s a great playmaker. He’s a great forward and he will play a long time in the NHL. I’m always confident in him. And most important thing is he is confident in himself.” At times this year, it looked like his confidence had wavered. Grabovski, who scored 29 goals and 58 points in 2010-11 and 23 goals and 51 points in 2011-12, finished with just nine goals and 16 points in 48 games. While he certainly underperformed from an offensive standpoint, some blamed head coach Randy Carlyle for putting the 29-year-old in a defensive role. Grabovski regularly matched up against the other teams’ top line and was used primarily for defensive zone face-offs. Still, for a player earning US5.5-million — the most amongst Leafs forwards — the team needed more than just hard work and effort. “Grabo didn’t have the best year that he’s ever had,” Nonis said at the NHL Entry Draft in Newark, N.J. on Sunday. “There’s no secret about that … but I think the post-season he was actually very good. He competed and he looked more like his old self. He’s going to have to get ready this off-season and try to challenge for the minutes that he’s expected.” What this means for the Leafs moving forward is unclear. The team recently acquired centre Dave Bolland as its No. 3 centre and has restricted free agent centre Nazem Kadri penciled in as the No. 1 or No. 2 centre . But with Jay McClement slotted at the fourth-line centre and Joe Colborne as another option, Toronto needs more help down the middle. Certainly, the team has the money to get a replacement in free agency. Whether that means bringing back Tyler Bozak or looking to pending UFAs Stephen Weiss or Mike Ribeiro is anyone’s guess. National Post LOADED: 07.05.2013 683931 Winnipeg Jets

Jets re-sign goaltender Al Montoya

By: Ed Tait Posted: 07/4/2013 1:25 PM Last Modified: 07/4/2013 4:26 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have filled a significant hole on their depth chart by re- signing goaltender Al Montoya. The Jets announced today they have inked the Chicago product to a new deal, one day before the National Hockey League free-agent market is to open. Montoya, who earned $601,000 last season, has reportedly signed the same one-year deal for the 2013-14 season. "I really enjoyed my time last year," said Montoya in a conference call today. "This is a good group, a good team. We came so close last year and, for me, I like the coaching staff and I love working with the goalie coach there, Flats (Wade Flaherty). So, it was pretty simple. "The city is great, my family liked it and I think the team is moving in the right direction." Montoya, 28, played in just seven games for the Jets last season while battling a groin injury that sidelined him twice. He finished with a 3-1-0 record, 2.91 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. He also posted the only shutout of the year for the Jets, in a 1-0 victory over Ottawa on Feb. 9th. A former first-round draft pick of the New York Rangers in 2004, Montoya has appeared in 63 career games with the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders and Jets for a 24-18-10 career record, 2.77 career goals against average and 0.906 career save percentage. Montoya figures to get more playing time this winter, if he is healthy, especially knowing Ondrej Pavelec will likely be part of the Czech team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Asked how many games he might expect to play, Montoya said: "Oh, who knows. I know it’s going to be a crazy year. Injuries were a part of (last year) and it was a screwy year with the lockout and having to take care of your own body with no one else really looking after you in the first half of the year. I feel great now and I’m just excited to get back. "As for the playing part… with the Olympic break coming up I don’t expect the pace of this season to be much different from the last." Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.05.2013 683932 Winnipeg Jets

Jets development camp runs July 15-19

By: Staff Writer Posted: 07/4/2013 10:36 AM

Winnipeg Jets fans itching for a hockey fix will be able to see the club’s brightest prospects in action from July 15-19. The club announced Thursday details for their 2013 Development Camp, which will run from Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 19, 2013 at MTS Iceplex. The camp will feature the team’s three first-round picks since the NHL’s return to Winnipeg: Mark Scheifele (2011), Jacob Trouba (2012) and Josh Morrissey (2013) as well as the nine other players – the entire draft class -- just selected in last weekend’s 2013 NHL Draft. 2013 WINNIPEG JETS DEVELOPMENT CAMP ROSTER GOALTENDERS (6) Eric Comrie, Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Kasdorf, Charlie Lindgren, Jamie Phillips, Juho Olkinuora DEFENCE (15) Ben Chiarot, Kevin Czuczman, Luke Eibler, Marcus Karlstrom, Brenden Kichton, Jan Kostalek, Zach Loesch, Julian Melchiori, Josh Morrissey, Tucker Poolman, Brennan Serville, Cody Sol, Peter Stoykewych, Jacob Trouba, Michael Young FORWARDS (22) Matt Bailey, Austen Brassard, Mark Cooper, Andrew Copp, Austin Czarnik, David Johnstone, Ronalds Kenins, Scott Kosmachuk, Tanner Lane, J.C. Lipon, Jimmy Lodge, Adam Lowry, Dylan Margonari, Ryan Olsen, Nic Petan, Josh Pitt, Mark Scheifele, Tyler Sikura, Lukas Sutter, Ivan Telegin, Matt White, Michael Zalewski Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.05.2013 683933 Winnipeg Jets

Five trade targets for the Jets

By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 09:35 PM CDT | Updated: Thursday, July 04, 2013 10:08 PM CDT

The Winnipeg Jets weren’t in on the Tyler Seguin sweepstakes, but it’s not a stretch to say they were impacted by it. As the Boston Bruins shipped Seguin as the centrepiece of a deal to the Dallas Stars that sent Loui Eriksson back the other way, Rich Peverley was a name the Jets probably didn’t want to be part of the transaction. Peverley, a former Atlanta Thrashers forward who was once involved in a deal that ultimately made Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart Winnipeg Jets and played for head coach Claude Noel in the American Hockey League with the Milwaukee Admirals, was likely on the Jets’ radar. Despite watching his role diminish with the Bruins this season, Peverley, can play centre or wing, is useful on both the power play and penalty kill and comfortable as a checker or scorer. And now he’ll be suiting up for a divisional opponent. With Peverley off the market, here are five guys the Jets could target in a trade: 1) C/RW Joe Pavelski (48GP, 16G, 15, 31P last season with San Jose Sharks, one year at $4 million left on contract) — The Sharks priority is to keep the 28-year-old with an extension but the team is perilously close to the salary cap right now and will have to move some high-priced talent to stay under. Would be an immediate upgrade that can play centre or right wing with Evander Kane and would likely give the power play a big boost. 2) RW Drew Stafford (46GP, 6G, 12A, 18P, 21PIM last season with Buffalo Sabres, two years at $4 million left on contract) — The 13th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft had his name come up in trade talks at the deadline and could still be an option. The 27-year-old played three seasons at the University of North Dakota and boasts a 31-goal season on his resume back in 2010-11. 3) LW Jiri Tlusty (48GP, 23G, 15A, 38P, 18PIM with Carolina Hurricanes last season, one-year, $1.6 left on contract) — Not many teams are in the habit of trading a first-line winger but the Hurricanes have a lot of dollars invested up front (five guys at $4.75 million or higher) and Tlusty will be looking for a hefty raise as a restricted free agent at the end of next season. 4) RW Devin Setoguchi (48GP, 13G, 14A, 27P, 20PIM) with Minnesota Wild last season, one year, $3 million left on contract) — The eighth overall pick oozes talent, but the Wild might need to move a big contract since Dany Heatley wasn't healthy enough to buy out. 5) RW Joel Ward (39GP, 8G, 12A, 20P with Washington Capitals, two years, $6 million left on contact) — The 32-year-old who once played for the University of P.E.I. hasn’t reached the 2011 playoff levels that earned him a four-year, $12 million contract. Ward is a smart player that can contribute in a lot of areas, but the Caps can’t really afford to pay $3 million to a third-line guy. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.05.2013 683934 Winnipeg Jets worth the risk on a one-year deal to see how much he has left in the proverbial tank. 5) RW/LW Nathan Gerbe (42GP, 5G, 5A, 10P, 14PIM) — The 25-year-old Plenty of talent for Winnipeg Jets to target in NHL free agency is small in stature (5-foot-6, 178 pounds) but has speed and playmaking ability. Numbers were down last season after undergoing surgery on his spine but in his first full NHL season, he racked up 16 goals and 31 points By Ken Wiebe ,Winnipeg Sun and could still be productive if used in an offensive role. First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 07:46 PM CDT | Updated: Thursday, Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.05.2013 July 04, 2013 07:52 PM CDT

The search for right-wing help continues for Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Winnipeg Jets. The 2013 NHL Entry Draft didn’t produce a blockbuster deal, though the Jets did add a quality player in former Chicago Blackhawks winger Michael Frolik for a couple draft picks. As it stands right now, Frolik is a candidate to play on the right side on the second line with Evander Kane and either Olli Jokinen or more likely, 2011 first rounder Mark Scheifele. If the next couple days of free agency go well, it’s conceivable that both Jokinen and Frolik could end up on the third line, which would represent an influx of depth. Just over a year ago, Jokinen was the Jets’ prized purchase in free agency (two years, $9 million), a big centre who piled up 61 points the previous season with the Calgary Flames. The idea of Jokinen holding down the No. 1 centre job simply didn’t pan out and while I’m among those who expects the Finnish veteran to rebound, it’s still going to be tough for him to be a 60-point player. In that effort to further add size and experience, winger Alexei Ponikarovsky was brought in as well but that experiment didn’t last either as he was shipped to the New Jersey Devils for a seventh-round draft pick after 12 games with the Jets. With that in mind, you have to wonder what direction the Jets to go when unrestricted free agency officially opens at 11 a.m. CT on Friday. Coveted right-wingers Nathan Horton and David Clarkson want too much money and term and are almost certain to end up elsewhere. Vincent Lecavalier, Danny Briere and even Keith Ballard turned a compliance buyout into a positive new situation, with several others to follow suit in the coming days. Although it’s considered a thinner free agent class, there are still plenty of interesting names to consider for employment. Here are five players who could be on the Jets’ wish list (in no particular order): 1) RW/LW Clarke MacArthur (40GP, 8G, 12A, 20P, 26PIM in 40GP last season with Toronto Maple Leafs — The 28-year-old from Lloydminster, Alta. has twice scored 20 goals in the NHL and hit double digits four times. He brings speed, grit and a sound all-around game. In 403 NHL games, the former Medicine Hat Tigers sniper has 93 goals, 120 assists and 213 penalty minutes. He also helped Team Canada win a gold medal at the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship. 2) C/RW Damien Brunner (44GP, 12G, 14A, 26P, 12PIM last season with Detroit Red Wings) — The 27-year-old Swiss speedster is coming off an excellent rookie campaign that saw him finish third in goals (behind Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen) and fifth in scoring. Came up with some clutch performances in the playoffs as well, adding five goals and nine points in 14 games. His heavy shot is a big weapon. 3) F Viktor Stalberg (47GP, 9G, 14A 23P, 25PIM last season with Chicago Blackhawks) — The 27-year-old Swedish winger scored 22 goals for the ‘Hawks in 2011-12 but saw his ice time and role cut back this season. Have a feeling he could end up reunited with Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins on the Edmonton Oilers, but he brings speed and size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), not to mention a winning pedigree. Could flourish with return to a Top-6 role. 4) F Pierre-Marc Bouchard (43GP, 8G, 12A, 20P, 8PIM with Minnesota Wild) — Concussion woes threatened his career, but the 29-year-old is a deft passer with good vision. Back to full health last season, it might be 683935 Winnipeg Jets

Ron Hainsey and other Winnipeg Jets UFAs drawing plenty of interest

It’s no surprise that Ron Hainsey is attracting interest during the two-day negotiating window prior to the opening of unrestricted free agency on Friday. The soon-to-be-former Winnipeg Jets defenceman is coming off a strong season that saw him average nearly 23 minutes of ice time per game and produce 13 assists in 48 games. With a fairly shallow free agent market, Hainsey is likely set to cash in on a multiyear deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.7 to $3 million dollars for season. For those scoffing at the suggestion, don’t forget that Johnny Oduya signed a three-year deal worth $10.1 million last summer and just captured the Stanley Cup as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Possible landing spots for Hainsey include the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals. An injury prevented forward Nik Antropov from being shipped out to a contender at the trade deadline in March, but he brings plenty of size and remains an effective player when he is physical. Antropov, 33, could be reunited with Alexei Ponikarovsky with the New Jersey Devils or perhaps end up with the Florida Panthers. Kyle Wellwood, 30, struggled mightily last season, but is a candidate to rebound. Wonder if the St. Louis Blues or the Calgary Flames could be a fit? Forward Mike Santorelli showed flashes with the Jets last season and his versatility (and price tag) should allow him to find work with a team like the Tampa Bay Lightning or Buffalo Sabres. Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.05.2013 683936 Winnipeg Jets

Goalie Al Montoya re-signs with Winnipeg Jets

Al Montoya will be the Winnipeg Jets backup goalie for at least one more season. The 28-year-old from Chicago came to terms on a one-year contract with the Jets on Thursday afternoon that will pay him $601,000. There was interest from other teams during the negotiating window prior to free agency opening on Friday, but Montoya’s priority was to remain with the Jets. “I really enjoyed my time last year. This is a good group, a good team,” Montoya said on a conference call from Miami, Fla., where he is attending his brother’s wedding. “We came so close (to the playoffs) last year and for me, I like the coaching staff and love working with the goalie coach (Wade Flaherty). “For me, it was pretty simple. The city is great, my family liked it and the team is moving in the right direction.” Montoya, who was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, was 3-1 with a 2.91 goals against average, one shutout and .899 save percentage in seven games last season. Groin injuries limited the number of starts for Montoya, but he’s fully healthy and believes he’s finally found his form. “The best part about (Flaherty) was him letting me get back to my athletic game,” said Montoya. “Coming into the pro ranks, I always wanted to be a coach’s student and a learner, so I’d always absorb things but somewhere along the way, I kind of lost my game. “He helped me get it back and I’ve never felt better. I didn’t play much last year, but in the games I did play in, I felt my career is going in the direction I want it (to) and I have a lot more to show.” Flaherty said it was only natural to suggest Montoya get back to what he used to do in the crease. “When we signed Al (last summer), I watched a lot of video from his time with the New York Islanders and I could see it every once in a while, I was like ‘wow this guy can move,’” Flaherty said from B.C. “I just stressed how his mobility was so good. I wouldn’t say I changed (Montoya), I just brought to light what his strengths were. “I want him to be more aggressive and use that athletic ability that got him drafted sixth overall. Whether that is right or wrong, that’s what I saw. It’s a strength in his game and I want him to utilize it.” Montoya forged a healthy relationship with starter Ondrej Pavelec last season, where the two men push each other to get better. “The relationship is strong, they get along well,” said Flaherty. “Everybody knows their role. (Montoya) is in a situation in his career where he realizes is that hard work is what it’s going to take for him to continue to play and he’s a really hard worker.” Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.05.2013 683937 Winnipeg Jets

Trouba, Morrissey, Scheifele to attend Winnipeg Jets development camp, July 15-19

By Kirk Penton ,Winnipeg Sun First posted: Thursday, July 04, 2013 11:01 AM CDT

Jacob Trouba, Josh Morrissey and Mark Scheifele will be among the 43 players who will take part in the Winnipeg Jets development camp July 15- 19 at MTS Iceplex. Morrissey, a defenceman with the Prince Albert Raiders, was Winnipeg’s first-round pick, 13th overall, at last weekend’s draft in New Jersey, while Trouba and Scheifele were the team’s first-round selections in the previous two seasons. Six goaltenders, 15 defencemen and 22 forwards will be on the ice for the five-day camp. Other notable participants include Winnipeg natives Peter Stoykewych and Jason Kasdorf, forward Adam Lowry, goaltender Juho Olkinuora and forward Ivan Telegin. All of this year’s 10 draft picks will be in attendance as well. Here is the list of participants: GOALTENDERS (6) Eric Comrie, Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Kasdorf, Charlie Lindgren, Jamie Phillips, Juho Olkinuora DEFENCE (15) Ben Chiarot, Kevin Czuczman, Luke Eibler, Marcus Karlstrom, Brenden Kichton, Jan Kostalek, Zach Loesch, Julian Melchiori, Josh Morrissey, Tucker Poolman, Brennan Serville, Cody Sol, Peter Stoykewych, Jacob Trouba, Michael Young FORWARDS (22) Matt Bailey, Austen Brassard, Mark Cooper, Andrew Copp, Austin Czarnik, David Johnstone, Ronalds Kenins, Scott Kosmachuk, Tanner Lane, J.C. Lipon, Jimmy Lodge, Adam Lowry, Dylan Margonari, Ryan Olsen, Nic Petan, Josh Pitt, Mark Scheifele, Tyler Sikura, Lukas Sutter, Ivan Telegin, Matt White, Michael Zalewski Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.05.2013 683938 Vancouver Canucks $2.875 million, while Nashville’s Roman Josi, 23 — who’s played only 100 NHL games — just re-upped for $28 million at $4 million annually. But based on the current landscape, it looks like Tanev will be doing well to Jamieson: Tanev in line for a raise, but how much? get north of $2 million. Of course, an offer sheet would change all that. By Jim Jamieson, The ProvinceJuly 4, Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.05.2013

The contract signed on Thursday by Nick Leddy may or may not have helped Chris Tanev, but we do know that the young Canucks defenceman will head into restricted free agency on Friday morning (9 a.m. PDT) when the NHL’s signing window opens. Unlike his unrestricted brethren, Tanev isn’t free to make his own deal with a team of his choosing. And, as an RFA without arbitration rights, he and his representative are stuck with the task of finding common ground on where he fits in the NHL marketplace in order to agree on a new contract. The only potential game-changer for Tanev is the rarely-seen offer sheet — which can be tendered on Friday when the gun sounds to open the free- agent signing derby. Tanev, who’s finishing a three-year deal that paid him $900,000 annually, could sign an offer sheet from $1,682,195 to $3,364,391 annually — with the Canucks getting just a second-round draft pick in compensation. The two sides have had discussions but are not close to a deal. “Both sides have made an effort to get something done, but we haven’t been successful at this point,” Tanev’s agent, Ross Gurney, said on Thursday. “He is an RFA, but there are options that come with that class. One of 29 other teams could look to him. Ultimately, though, he’d love to stay with the Vancouver Canucks.” An offer sheet is a contract presented to another team’s unsigned RFA. If the player signs the contract, the original team has seven days to match it or accept compensation in draft picks that is based on the average salary of the offer. With very few exceptions, teams have opted to match previous offer sheets and keep their player. That’s why teams rarely go to the effort — because they are rarely successful and the end result is the original team paying more for their player and creating bad blood with the offering team. Some think the offer sheet may raise its head more in this unusual summer where the salary cap has plunged by $5.9 million and put a financial squeeze on a number of clubs, notably the Canucks, who may be hard- pressed to match. The Canucks have just $7.49 million in cap space and need to sign seven players to fill out their NHL roster — including Tanev. Which brings us back to Leddy, the young Blackhawks D-man who’s half a year younger than Tanev, 23, but was also a pending RFA. He signed a two-year deal on Thursday with an average salary of $2.7 million ($2 million next season and $3.4 million in 2014-15). How does the Leddy signing affect Tanev? At first glance, the two are diametrically opposite players. Though near the same age and both with three years of pro hockey, Leddy is more of an offensive, risk-taking D-man, while Tanev’s offensive numbers are modest, but is rock-solid in his own end and is an outstanding passer. Leddy’s salary number may have been lowered somewhat by the fact he dressed but saw spot duty in the final three games of the Stanley Cup final, and might have been eager to re-sign with a team that looks like it will contend for the next several years. Tanev has played 92 NHL games and has two goals and 10 points — though you could argue that he’s been stuck in a third-pairing role by the Canucks’ depth of D-men on long-term contracts and would have had a larger role on a lesser team. Leddy, a former first-round pick, has played 176 NHL games and has 13 goals and 62 points. Tanev’s biggest issue is that he’s quietly very efficient but doesn’t get noticed, in the Dan Hamhuis mould. Leddy has more sizzle to his game, and players like that tend to get paid more. You could argue, though, a player of Tanev’s makeup would have played more in the Stanley Cup final, not less. Comparing salaries can be a mug’s game: Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban, 24, is on the first year of a two-year deal pays him an average of 683939 Vancouver Canucks Not much chance of playing Kesler on the wing, so you can experiment by bumping a player like Eric Belanger up the lineup. Now a free agent, Belanger was overmatched as a third-line centre in Botchford: Canucks need 3 things in free agency, a centre, depth on Edmonton. But his cap hit last year was just $1.75 million. That’s the type of defence and a scoring winger number which should be right in the Canucks wheelhouse. Maybe they can find the money elsewhere through a trade, but it’s hard to By Jason Botchford, The ProvinceJuly 4, imagine the Canucks being able to pay much more than $2 million a year for a centre. It’s possible a decent centre gets squeezed out of the market and is looking In his second week as the Vanouver Canucks head coach, John Tortorella to play for cheap in a couple of weeks. I could see that happening to Derek remains adamant the Sedin twins will be killing penalties this season. Roy, who put up 28 points in 42 games, split between the Canucks and the Dallas Stars. What the Canucks do in free agency may finally change his mind. It’s hard right now to imagine him getting the $5 million a year he was The Canucks need three things in free agency which starts Friday, at least asking for in Dallas. one centre, depth on defence and a scoring winger. Then again, the market is thin. The winger may be a non-starter. The Canucks aren’t likely to be in the market for any of the big guns who could bolster their secondary scoring Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.05.2013 woes. However, they were into a couple of power forwards at the trade deadline who are now free agents, specifically wingers Ryane Clowe and David Clarkson, the crushing reality of the scaled-back salary cap doesn’t leave them much of a shot at any. It’s the same story at centre where, with only $7.49 million in cap space to spend on seven players, the Canucks don’t have the juice to lure bigger- name free agents like Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro, and Valtteri Filppula. They’ll even struggle to play in the sandbox in the secondary centre marke,t which has at least one player that piqued their interest. Coming off one of his best seasons in years, centre Matt Cullen is leaving the Minnesota Wild. He may be the best fit out there for the Canucks. He can anchor a productive third line, and he can also jump up in the lineup and make a second line move, like he did in Minny this year. He’s precisely the type of centre the Canucks need, one who could provide some security for all of those who think Ryan Kesler is injury prone. But after making a pro-rated $3.5 million salary last year, Cullen promises to be yet another interesting option who is out of the Canucks price range. Too bad, because it could have made for an interesting trade-like scenario with Keith Ballard having just signed a two-year deal with the Wild. All of it means the Sedins point production is going to be more important than ever under Tortorella. Having them kill penalties may not be the best way to push them for as many points as possible. Bumping up the Sedins playing time at age 33 to get them on the penalty kill, and putting them in positions where they’re more likely to get hurt is probably not the most prudent strategy. Neither is giving them another reason to essentially say "we don’t need to score, we’re helping the team in other ways." The money just isn’t there to get the Sedins the help they need offensively. The financial strain on the club, egged on by the new CBA, is one of the reasons the Canucks continued to listen to offers for Alex Edler even after buying out Ballard Thursday. He is set to make $5 million. But barring an Elder trade, the Canucks are likely constrained to sorting through the bargain bin for a centre. Two of the better bottom-six free agent options are Matt Hendricks and Boyd Gordon. Hendricks, 33, was a fourth liner for the Washington Capitals who provided energy, killed penalies, won faceoffs (56.8%) and did it all for an $825,000 cap hit. Not bad. Gordon did the same in Phoenix, but did it better for a $1.325 million cap hit. If the Canucks go down this road, acquiring a fourth-line centre, it would leave a huge opportunity for one of their younger centres to play themselves into the third-line role by the second half of the season. This may not be received as great news by fans, but it will be by Kesler, who again is entrenched as a centre on this team. 683940 Vancouver Canucks In 12 playoff games, he averaged 18:51 a game, which was fourth on the team among rearguards. Included in that was a 25:37 against the Canucks in Nashville’s 2-1 double overtime win in Game 2 of the Western Ex-Vancouver Giant Jon Blum makes sense for Canucks Conference semifinals. All told, he had two assists and a plus-two rating in that postseason. Blum’s never going to be a punishing guy. He’s 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds. By Steve Ewen, The ProvinceJuly 4, 2013 He’s not going to have goalies cower when the puck goes back to him at the point.

He’ll move the puck, he’ll make good reads about when to sneak into the Having the Vancouver Canucks chase after Jon Blum makes a lot of sense, slot on offence and he’ll use an active stick and body position on defence. even before you factor in his Vancouver Giants’ ties. And he’ll do all that at a reasonable rate of pay by NHL standards. He’s 24. He’s a former first-round draft pick. He’s a right-handed puck Right now, that looks like a fit with the Canucks. mover. He has an NHL playoff run under his belt. He’s an unrestricted free agent who should come at a decent price after making $650,000 last year Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.05.2013 with the Nashville Predators. He’s Frankie Corrado four years older, four years more experienced. The Canucks have openings with their six, seventh and eighth defencemen. One of those guys should be a weighty, banger type: Either re-sign UFA Andrew Alberts or get someone like him. One of those other spots right now seemingly belongs to Corrado, 20, who was all the rage at the end of last season after spending the majority of the campaign in junior. You sign a Blum, a similar type of player, and it allows you to ease Corrado along in the minors to start. People are quick to forget Corrado was only a fifth-round draft pick. With Blum, you can argue that there’s something wrong with usually shrewd Nashville opting against giving a qualifying offer at that price to someone who went 23rd overall in the 2007 draft, which was two picks before the Canucks took Patrick White, three in advance of the St. Louis Blues grabbing David Perron and 20 slots ahead of where the Montreal Canadiens nabbed P.K. Subban. He needs a career reboot. Fair enough. What better place for him to get it than Vancouver? You can argue that Blum, a native of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., had the greatest Giants career to date. There have been better overall players, with Milan Lucic and Evander Kane and Brendan Gallagher coming to mind, but no one matches Blum’s accomplishments during his time with the WHL club. He was a key player on four straight 100-point teams, from 2005-09, including the WHL championship squad and the Memorial Cup win as tournament hosts. He was their captain. He’s the franchise leader in assists. He played in two world junior tournaments. Blum still loves the area, still comes back and trains here in the off-season. On Thursday, when asked about free agency, he talked about it being a “fresh start,” and said that his agent, Edmonton-based Gerry Johannson, had heard from a “few” teams. Blum admitted the Canucks were one of them, and he was openly keen on the idea of being based back in B.C. again. “I would love it,” Blum said. “It’s like my second home. “It would be a good transition for me. There would be a lot of familiar faces around town.” It’s hard to guess what exactly happened in Nashville. The closest Blum would get to being negative about the organization was that it was “hard” to average only 14:17 of ice time per game for his 35 contests with the big club this past season. He tallied once, had seven points and a minus-one rating. Nashville signed Blum to a good-sized ticket originally, with a $941,667 cap hit at the NHL level on his three-year entry contract, so he took a substantial pay cut as a restricted free agent last season. He spent his first pro year in the minors and when he finally got the call-up to the Predators in 2010-11, he was instantly a big deal. He averaged 17:45 of ice time for 23 regular-season games and had three goals, five assists and a plus-eight to show for it. 683941 Vancouver Canucks But one of Tortorella’s strengths has been using young players in high- pressure situations and getting a high level of play from them, something that certainly wasn’t Alain Vigneault’s forte. Gallagher: Canucks committed to younger team but may have to wait to get In fact, having AV around for as long as he was has actually affected not their men only the way the organization has been thinking about young players for years, but also the media and fans.

By Tony Gallagher, The ProvinceJuly 4, Yet when the Canucks were forced to use Frank Corrado on the back end down the stretch last year, he seemed to do pretty well and he certainly wasn’t the reason this team went out on its ear in four games against San Jose. The Vancouver Canucks certainly aren’t likely to burst out of the starting blocks when the official gun for free agency sounds. The Canucks will be springing for a free-agent centre and at least one D, but the price likely won’t be high and it may not happen for a few days. If anything, the new two-day negotiating period that has been established to stop the league from looking bad because they couldn’t prevent the under- Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.05.2013 the-table talks before July 1 each year, shows that once the initial flurry takes place, there are going to be a lot of pretty good hockey players looking for work and they’ll eventually be signing at bargain-basement prices. Consider the situation. You have a lot of teams like the Canucks with cash, but no cap space. And then you have a lot of teams with cap space but very little cash to spend. There are certainly a few notable exceptions, and those are the clubs that will be coming out of the gate and paying large dollars for the few really good players available. A player like David Clarkson, for instance, will be commanding large dollars, likely even more than Vinny Lecavalier, and there will be others, some of whom will sign what will prove to be very stupid contracts. There is talk, for instance, that Ryane Clowe, a player in whom the Canucks have long had interest, is fielding offers of five years for close to $5 million US per — this for a guy with a pretty worrisome concussion history who scored three goals last year. Talk about gambling on projected increased productivity. This rapid spending frenzy will be relatively short-lived, however, and then for the many players left without a chair when the music ceases the sounds will become increasingly discordant as the summer drones on and they have no job. Then only the bargain hunters will be out as this low cap — which appears to be another Gary Bettman-induced parity move rather than a necessity, given the projections of the cap going much higher in the very near future — begins to hit home. Vancouver clearly needs a centre with NHL experience and a depth defenceman, perhaps even two. With luck that centre would be able to step into a No. 2 role for a while when Ryan Kesler gets hurt, as he inevitably will when he hears the voice of John Tortorella telling him to cast his body like a projectile at opposing players. The moneyball-type stats seem to indicate that Mikhail Grabovski is an excellent defensive player when he puts his mind to it, but Vancouver may not have the cap space for such a player. There are others but it just might be that the Canucks wait a few days for the financial realities to sink in before they get their men. To be sure, Vancouver is committed to a youth program. It is becoming increasingly clear that Brendan Gaunce, Kellen Lain and Bo Horvat will be given the opportunity to compete for the third- and fourth-line centre spots, and almost certainly the best of the three will make the team. If it’s Horvat or Gaunce who gets the position, the depth centre could drop to the fourth line between Tom Sestito and Dale Weise. If Lain were the chosen fellow, he’d centre the fourth line and the depth centre would move up between Jannik Hansen and the other regular winger who doesn’t play with Kesler and Alex Burrows. The Sedins should play, and will certainly start, with Zack Kassian. There is a tendency to think of young players as being unable to step into these responsible positions right away, and with some players that will be the case. 683942 Vancouver Canucks

Former Vancouver Giant star Jon Blum “would love,” chance to play for Canucks

July 4, 2013. 11:55 am • Steve Ewen

Jon Blum back in his Vancouver Giant days. (www.vancouvergiants.com) Former Vancouver Giants defenceman Jon Blum, an unrestricted free agent after playing out his contract with the Nashville Predators, says that a “few teams,” have called his agent Johannson to express interest and admits that the Vancouver Canucks are one of them. And he’s openly keen on playing here. He did also say, “I’m going to let me agent do his job,” as well, for what it’s worth. “I would love it,” said Blum, 24, who suited up for 248 regular season games with the Giants from 2005-09. “It’s like my second home. “It would be a good transition for me. There would be a lot of familiar faces around town.” He is a 6-foot-1, 186 -pound right-handed shot capable of playing power- play minutes. He’s smart, heady. He can get overpowered defensively at times if he’s not careful, but generally uses body position and an active stick to overcome any size issues he might have. Vancouver has openings on the blueline, what with the Keith Ballard situation. Blum, who’s from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., was a first-round pick of the Predators in 2007, going 23rd overall, and signed a three-year deal that made him a $941,667 cap hit at the NHL level. He seemed to have a falling out in Nashville – -and maybe because they drafted another smallish, right- handed puck-moving defenceman in Ryan Ellis — and he inked a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Predators for last season. He spent all of 2009-10 in the minors and was all the rage when he was called up to Nashville for 23 games in 2010-11, putting up three goals, eight points and a plus-eight rating while averaging 17:45 of ice time. In the playoffs that year, he averaged 18:51, while producing two assists and a plus-two rating in 12 games. Last year, he got into 35 games with Nashville and averaged 14:17 of ice, while producing one goal, seven potions and a minus-one. “Definitely at one point,” Blum said when asked if we’ve seen the best of him at an NHL level. “When I first came into the league, I felt I was playing the way I usually do, making all the little plays I had made through junior hockey. This year was hard, playing only 14 minutes a game. Sometimes, you were getting only two or three shifts in a period.” Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.05.2013 683943 Websites

ESPN / Seguin's second chance a gamble for Stars

By Scott Burnside

At the very heart of Thursday’s blockbuster deal between the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins is not just patience but the belief in the overarching power of time to transform potential into productivity. At the end of the day, the Bruins did not believe enough that time was going to transform Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick in the 2010 draft, into a core member of their team and so they sent the 21-year-old packing to Dallas along with Rich Peverley and prospect Ryan Button in exchange for the undervalued Loui Eriksson and prospects Reilly Smith, Matt Fraser and defenseman Joe Morrow, whom the Stars acquired from Pittsburgh in the Brenden Morrow deal at the trade deadline. Seguin has showed flashes of the promise that saw him in a neck-and-neck race with Taylor Hall for the first overall selection in 2010. He helped the Bruins win a Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2011 and scored 29 goals in 2011- 12 but he did not fully become part of the Bruin community. Still a boy, he acted like it at times. There were questions about his focus, his commitment. This spring, Seguin scored only once in 22 postseason games as the Bruins were defeated by Chicago in six games in the Stanley Cup finals. After failing to trade him before the end of the draft, GM Peter Chiarelli was blunt saying Seguin needed to focus on being a pro. Now Seguin will get to focus on that task in Dallas, where he will carry a $5.75 million cap hit through 2018-19. Clearly, new GM Jim Nill believes such a transformation can be accomplished. And for a team that has missed the playoffs five straight years, Seguin represents an important piece of the team’s foundation with the expectation he will contribute both immediately and down the road. While Seguin was part of a deep, veteran group in Boston, he will face significant expectations in Dallas. Hard to believe that Mark Recchi, who is an adviser for the Stars and has a long relationship with owner Tom Gaglardi, did not vouch for Seguin, with whom he played in Boston when the Bruins were Cup-bound in 2011. Head coach Lindy Ruff will likely return Seguin to his natural position at center, a position at which the Stars have been woefully thin, although it will take a certain leap of faith for Ruff to make such a move and will take some restoration of Seguin’s confidence to make it work to the Stars’ benefit. Boston head coach Claude Julien declined to make such a move during the playoffs when injuries necessitated a shuffling of the Bruins’ forward lines but Julien chose for the most part to leave Seguin as a third-line winger as opposed to giving him a shot as a second-line center. The Stars also will get a useful, versatile player in Rich Peverley, who saw his role change from the Bruins’ Cup-winning team in 2011 to this season, when he played mostly fourth-line minutes although he did chip in on the Bruins’ second power-play unit. If there is more risk both financially and in terms of fit for the Stars, there is certainly more long-term up-side with Seguin given his significant offensive skill set. The Bruins were clearly OK with that kind of trade-off and there could hardly be a more Bruins-friendly acquisition than Eriksson. The native of Goteborg, Sweden and former Swedish Olympian doesn’t address the team’s gaping hole on the right side created by the departures of Nathan Horton and Jaromir Jagr to free agency, but Eriksson is all business and should be an instant favorite of Julien. At 27, Eriksson is a solid two-way player who has a $4.25 million cap hit through 2015-16. He is a four-time 20-goal scorer who had 36 goals in 2008-09 and one wonders if he will make Bruins fans very quickly forget Seguin. The question will be whether Stars fans will embrace the young center in a like fashion or end up lamenting Eriksson’s loss. ESPN LOADED: 07.05.2013 683944 Websites never panned out. The Bruins have loads of depth on the back end and parted ways with veteran Andrew Ference for that reason. But if Whitney is healthy -- a big if, given his ongoing ankle issues -- he still has offensive up- ESPN / Free agency brings out Team Redemption side and is a big body. He chipped in 13 points in 34 games for the Oilers last season, and one would imagine that he would be highly motivated wherever he ended up this summer.

By Scott Burnside Honorable mentions: Tom Gilbert, Jonathan Blum CENTER

The free-agent class of 2013 might lack the star quality of last summer, Daniel Briere when Ryan Suter and Zach Parise captivated the hockey world right through Independence Day -- spoiling picnic plans from coast to coast -- but While former Tampa captain Vincent Lecavalier garnered most of the what this year’s crop lacks in profile, it more than makes up for in buyout attention in the days leading up to free agency -- before he signed a motivation. four-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers -- former flyer Briere might be the most intriguing center on the market. Briere was bought out by the This year’s group of potential free agents is chock-a-block with players Flyers, and after a disappointing final season in Philadelphia where he looking to make a statement, looking to prove a point and looking for one scored just six times, the skilled pivot is still commanding significant interest last chance at redemption. and might end up signing before July 5. While his durability will be an issue, Briere remains the kind of player who can assist on the power play and Herein, then, Team Redemption: would fit in nicely in any dressing room. Most intriguing for teams like Nashville or Montreal is that he is one of the most productive playoff GOAL performers of his generation, with 109 points in 108 playoffs games. Tim Thomas Honorable mentions: Derek Roy, Scott Gomez Easily the most intriguing character on the free agency landscape, Thomas RIGHT WING is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner and a Stanley Cup champion. He also allowed his personal political views to sour his Brad Boyes relationship with the Boston Bruins. The 39-year-old hasn’t played a meaningful game since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in Seems like a lifetime ago that the touted Boyes was the subject of a 2012, having taken last season off to ruminate. So, of course, teams are documentary by Leafs TV during his first training camp with the Toronto chasing after him. With a suddenly very tight goaltending market, thanks to Maple Leafs. After being selected 24th overall in 2000, Boyes has struggled Vancouver’s trade of Cory Schneider to New Jersey and the signing of Mike to find a permanent NHL home. It looked like Long Island might be that Smith in Phoenix, Thomas’s value might be out of whack with reasonable place after he signed there before last season and picked up 35 points in 48 on-ice expectations, but that’s the way of the NHL. Philadelphia is looking games, playing often with John Tavares and Matt Moulson. But the team for goaltending help, as are the New York Islanders. It would be too much and Boyes couldn’t get together on a contract extension. Boyes hits the to expect the Canucks to sign Thomas just to reunite the tire-pumping open market again and will be hoping that teams take notice of his recent society of the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, but wherever he goes, Thomas is production. Although he’s already had one tour of duty with the Bruins (he going to be a top-level story. Just not sure he’ll be a top-level goaltender. scored 26 goals there in 2005-06), their needs on the right side might make him an attractive option to slot in with David Krejci and Milan Lucic, given Rick DiPietro his success playing with top-end talent on the Islanders. The longtime Islander netminder is the backup on our all-redemption team. Honorable mentions: Michael Ryder, David Clarkson Bought out of his ridiculous contract by the Isles this week, DiPietro will be looking for a place to prove that he’s not just the punch line to an oft-told LEFT WING joke. Hip injuries and other ailments have conspired to keep DiPietro off the ice for all but 50 games since the 2008-09 season. Hard to imagine a team Matt Cooke would spend a one-way contract on the former first-overall draft pick who With Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero locking up key personnel Evgeni Malkin, has never lived up to his billing or his monster contract to which owner Kris Letang, Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz in recent weeks, the one Charles Wang signed him after the last lockout. But it’s not hard to see incumbent who might be left out in the cold is Matt Cooke. Cooke was DiPietro signing a two-way deal somewhere and trying to work himself back among the most consistent performers for the Penguins on their run to the into NHL shape at the American Hockey League level. Either way, it's a Eastern Conference finals this spring, and in spite of his checkered past, fascinating story should DiPietro find a team willing to open a door on a last has remade himself into a valuable player, who brought physicality and top- chance at an NHL career. end penalty killing while chipping in offensively. The question remains, can Honorable mentions: Evgeni Nabokov, Ray Emery he be that player somewhere else? Cooke remains such a polarizing figure outside of Pittsburgh (Boston broadcaster Jack Edwards compared Cooke DEFENSE to killer Sirhan Sirhan late in the regular season), one wonders how it might effect Cooke’s marketability. Mike Komisarek ESPN LOADED: 07.05.2013 The seventh-overall pick in the 2001 draft played just four games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, was eventually banished to the AHL and finally bought out by the Leafs. But there was a time when the easy-going, well-spoken Komisarek was a bona fide front-line defenseman with a physical edge. Now, has time passed by the 31-year-old? No question, he handled the situation in Toronto with as much grace and professionalism as could be expected, and he’s highly motivated to prove he still has game left. It's hard to believe there wouldn’t be a fit with the always frugal New York Islanders, and given that Komisarek is from Long Island, it would seem a good place in which to begin the rebuilding process. Ryan Whitney It feels like it has been long time since Whitney was part of an emerging Pittsburgh team that advanced to the 2008 Stanley Cup finals against Detroit. The next season, though, he was gone to Anaheim in the deal that brought Chris Kunitz to Pittsburgh. From there, he was moved to Edmonton, and after a couple of injury-plagued, unhappy seasons, Whitney is now an unrestricted free agent. Rumors had Whitney, a member of the 2010 U.S. Olympic team, headed to Boston at the trade deadline, but that 683945 Websites

ESPN / Briere follows his heart to Montreal

By Pierre LeBrun

In the end, Daniel Briere followed his heart. There are very competitive offers from the Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils, but the allure of finally playing for the Montreal Canadiens could not be passed up by the French-Canadian veteran forward. Back in summer 2007, Briere spurned the Habs for Philadelphia and it was never forgotten by fans at the Bell Centre, who routinely booed him during his games in Montreal. All is forgotten now. The key for Habs GM Marc Bergevin, who turned his attention aggressively toward Briere about two days ago, was the term. One of the reasons Bergevin lost out on Vincent Lecavalier and won’t be able to get UFA Ryane Clowe is that he doesn’t want to get locked into long-term, UFA deals. At two years and $8 million, the term is perfect for Bergevin, who believes he has some young, promising talent in the system that isn’t quite ready yet. Players such as Briere can help bridge the gap until then. Speaking of Clowe, the Habs were willing to do a short-term deal with him but it’s believed the UFA power forward wants to get a bit more security, and who can blame him. Keep an eye on the Devils, I believe they are the front-runners for Clowe. The Devils need a replacement for power forward David Clarkson, who has drawn a ton of interest as the headliner in this year’s UFA crop, including Ottawa, Toronto and Edmonton, among other clubs. Elsewhere: • Ray Emery is likely leaving Chicago, where he loved it, to procure a job that will give him a bigger role. He’s not going to get that behind Corey Crawford with the Blackhawks. Philadelphia and Edmonton are among the teams that have reached out, and I think the Flyers are the odds-on favorite to get him, Emery and the Flyers comfortable with each other after their time spent together before. If the Flyers do get him, Emery will get to compete for starts with Steve Mason. • Daniel Alfredsson has three real choices in front of him: stay in Ottawa, join Boston or join Detroit. Multiple teams reached out to him but the Bruins and Red Wings are really the only options if he were to leave the Senators. The Swedish connections run deep with Detroit (Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg). Alfredsson spoke directly to both the Bruins and Red Wings’ front offices Thursday to gain more information. I still believe he likely stays put in Ottawa but it’s certainly interesting to see how much Alfredsson is deliberating on all this. • The Predators lost out on Briere -- and not just him. A source told ESPN.com that Nashville had also spoken to Boston about Tyler Seguin before the Bruins shipped him to Dallas in a blockbuster deal Thursday. Nashville needs to find offense somewhere. ESPN LOADED: 07.05.2013 683946 Websites "We have a move or two left," Holland said. The Red Wings would consider a move to add a defenseman to play in their top four, but Holland said concedes that he doesn't see many options in the USA TODAY / Lower cap forcing teams, free agents to adjust marketplace. The Red Wings are also looking for a player to move into their top six forwards and Weiss seems like a likely target.

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 12:25 a.m. EDT July 5, 2013 Bowman said the new salary cap is causing adjustment. "But as long as you have proper planning, you can handle it," he said, noting that every team is dealing with the same issue. This year's NHL free agency period will seem like a game of musical chairs because when it's over, some players will be left without a seat. "Teams that have success know their best players are going to get raises," Bowman added. "They make a lot of money. I don't think you would want it Approximately 200 unrestricted free agents, including Jarome Iginla and any other way. But that's why it's important to draft well. You can't have Nathan Horton, will be available starting at noon ET Friday, but there is everyone getting more money." significantly less money to sign them this summer because the salary cap is going down from $70.2 million to $64.3 million. Bartlett said he has looked at the salary cap numbers around the league, and believes the best players are still going to get what they would normally "There will be some casualties," said player agent Steve Bartlett. receive. This is the first time the salary cap has gone down since it was introduced "Players that can't easily be replaced or exchanged will continue to get in 2005, and no one is positive what will happen with so many players pretty good money," Bartlett said. "But something has to give somewhere available and less money to spend. because some teams are up against it more than others. In some cases, teams are going to go shorter term and players are going to re-prove "There will certainly be some big-market teams squeezed up against the themselves." cap and unable to meaningfully bid on unrestricted free agents," said agent Allan Walsh. "With fewer teams in the marketplace, this offseason can be NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said he doesn't see much difference considered a buyers' market." between how the teams are managing their cap this summer and how they have in the past. The stress of the lower salary cap has already been evident in the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks deciding to trade Dave Bolland and "They are adjusting their practices accordingly," he said. Michael Frolik. The big question for the teams is what's going to happen next season and "There is still more to do," Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said. beyond in the new CBA, which takes the owners and players to a 50-50 split of revenue. Walsh predicts the salary cap will be at $80 million within Meanwhile, the runner-up Boston Bruins traded young Tyler Seguin, who is three years. beginning a new contract paying him $5.75 million a season, and Rich Peverley to the Dallas Stars in a seven-player deal that brings them winger Daly has a different take. Loui Eriksson, prospects and some cap relief. "There is no expectation that the cap will grow dramatically next year," he "Some of the really competitive teams are being forced to make some really said. "We expect growth, but relatively modest growth." difficult decisions to keep what they believe is the real true nucleus of their team," Bartlett said. USA TODAY LOADED: 07.05.2013 MORE: Stars, Bruins pull off trade Complicating the situation is the fact that 16 players were bought out as part of the plan put in place to ease the transition to the lower cap number. The NHL Players' Association fought to compliance buyouts included to allow each team to buy out the contracts of two players without a salary cap penalty. That added Vincent Lecavalier, Ilya Bryzgalov, Rick DiPietro, Danny Briere and others to an unrestricted free agent group that also includes Stephen Weiss, Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy. Lecavalier, who will get $32 million spread out over 14 years in his buyout and already has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, understood that the move was a business decision. "With the new CBA and the salary cap going down this upcoming season, several teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, were put in a situation where they had to make tough decisions with some of their players," he said. MORE: Full list of compliance buyouts The general perception of this year's unrestricted class is that it is weaker than previous groups. "The effect of lowering the cap will lead to a significant squeeze in the middle-tier player as the NHL moves further in the direction of the NBA," Walsh said. Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he is hearing lot of teams would like to add some pieces, "but they are squeezed" by the new salary cap. "This is when you need good accountants and lawyers," said Columbus Blue Jackets President John Davidson. When the Flyers officially sign Lecavalier Friday, they will be above the salary cap and will have to move another player. The Bruins' moves will clear up some room to get goalie Tuukka Rask re-signed. 683947 Websites

USA TODAY / Danny Briere chooses the Montreal Canadiens

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 7:22 p.m. EDT July 4, 2013

Free agent Danny Briere, 35, signed a two-year deal with the Montreal Canadiens at an average of $4 million a year. The Philadelphia Flyers made Briere a compliance buyout because he would have had a $6.5 million cap hit over the next two seasons. As part of the buyout, he is receiving $825,000 per season for four years. His original front-loaded contract in Philadelphia was eight years at $52 million. "Daniel Briere brings a great deal of skills, experience and leadership," said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Briere, a smallish forward with deceptive moves, is known as a proven playoff performer, owning 109 points in 108 postseason games. He has 50 career playoff goals. "I'm very excited at the opportunity to join the Montreal Canadiens," Briere said. "It's an organization I looked up to throughout my youth. I really look forward to putting on the Habs jersey." In what is considered a weak free agent market, Briere was one of the better available scorers. The Philadelphia Flyers haven't announced it, but Vincent Lecavalier is the other bought-out player who has already caught on with another team. He will receive more than $5 million a season. USA TODAY LOADED: 07.05.2013 683948 Websites The Bruins have to re-sign restricted free agent goalie Tuukka Rask, and this helps create more cap space to get that accomplished. "(And) we will explore the (free agent) market," Chiarelli said. USA TODAY / Bruins, Stars pull off blockbuster, seven-player trade USA TODAY LOADED: 07.05.2013

Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 7:48 p.m. EDT July 4, 2013

The Dallas Stars filled their need for a possible franchise center in Tyler Seguin and the Boston Bruins added a much-needed scorer in Loui Eriksson when they completed a seven-player trade on the eve of the NHL free agent signing period. "This is a big trade by both teams," said Dallas general manager Jim Nill. "It wasn't an easy trade for either party to make. We both gave up great players and great assets." The deal sends Seguin, center Rich Peverley and defenseman Ryan Button to Dallas in exchange for left wing Loui Eriksson, right wings Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser and defenseman Joe Morrow. "We are talking some pretty good players here," Nill said. The key for the Bruins is picking up Eriksson to replace scorer Nathan Horton, who is expected to sign elsewhere Friday as an unrestricted free agent, Eriksson had 12 goals and 37 points in 48 games this season, but in the four previous seasons, he averaged 29 goals a season. "He's a very good player, and he's kind of been hidden down here in Dallas," Nill said. Boston general manager Chiarelli listed Eriksson's speed and reputation for strong defensive play as a primary motivation for making the deal. Dallas coach Lindy Ruff confirmed that Seguin, who played wing often in Boston, will be used as a center, meaning Jamie Benn can move back to wing. "We are looking at him someone who can play with Benn," Ruff said. "It's a position we wanted to fill. It's a natural position for Tyler." Seguin said he is excited to be moving back to center. "When I play center, I feel like I can generate more speed coming out of the zone and create more odd-man rushes," he said. The Peverley addition is also important because he's also a center, and finding multiple centers was a priority of the Stars. "They are both right-handed shots, which you don't find a lot of," Nill said. "This gives a good mix of centers and one weakness we had in Dallas was we had no depth at center." DEVILS: Re-sign Elias, Zubrus Chiarelli lauded Peverley's contributions to the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup. "His (talent) added to our depth puzzle when we won," he said. Morrow is a former first round pick, and he came to Dallas from Pittsburgh in the Brenden Morrow trade last spring. Chiarelli said he believes when Morrow finished developing he will be a top four defenseman. Nill, who became the Stars' GM this offseason, said Seguin is not an unknown to him. "I watched Tyler when he was (in junior hockey) in Plymouth, (Mich.), " Nill said. "I saw him grow up as a junior and become a great pro. We are very fortunate he played with the Boston Bruins because they do things right." Seguin is 21, and he had 16 goals and 32 points in 48 games this season. He had 29 goals in 2011-12. FLYERS: Closing in on Giroux extension "He has had great coaching, great fundementals and he has built a great foundation," Nill said. "We look forward to him taking a leadership role down in Dallas." Seguin's contract pays him an average of $5.75 million over the next six years, and Peverley has two years remaining at $3.25 million. Eriksson's contract has three seasons remaining at $4.25 million a season. "The moves allow us some cap relief," Chiarelli said. 683949 Websites Flagon, tweeted about Seguin demanding entry. It later tweeted that it was a joke and that it “never denied him entry.” That said, Seguin had 16 goals and 32 points in 48 regular-season games – YAHOO SPORTS / Growing opportunity: Tyler Seguin gets a fresh start in four more goals and three more points than Eriksson did in the same Dallas as Stars, Bruins swing blockbuster trade number of games – and it wasn’t supposed to be a good year for him. He had 29 goals and 67 points last season, his second in the NHL, which he started at 19 years old and finished at 20. Eriksson is 27, and outside of 8 hours ago one 36-goal season, his career high in goals is 29. His career high in points is 73. Seguin has work to do defensively, but he did buy in during the Nicholas J. Cotsonika playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who scored only two goals in four games against the Bruins in the Eastern Conference final, noted how even Seguin was backchecking. Tyler Seguin was 18 years old when he made the NHL. As the second “I think Tyler’s under quite the microscope here in Boston,” Peverley said. overall pick in the 2010 draft, he went straight from playing junior hockey “I’ve heard a lot of things in the past 24 hours about Tyler that I don’t think and living with a family in a Detroit suburb to playing for the Bruins, making are true, and it’s unfortunate that it’s come to people talking like that. He millions of dollars and living in his own apartment in downtown Boston. He works very hard. He’s gotten a lot more mature the three years I’ve been drove a brand-new black Range Rover instead of walking the two minutes with him. He commits himself to the game and getting better. I don’t see to TD Garden, because otherwise he would be recognized on the street. any reason why he can’t continue to improve all the time.” Boston sends Tyler Seguin to Dallas in exchange for Loui Eriksson as part This is a good deal for Boston because Eriksson is a low-key, consistent of seven-player swap. (Getty)“We know he’s got skill,” said Mark Recchi, player who can play right wing – which works well for the Bruins with then his veteran linemate and mentor, in January 2011. “It’s learning to be a Seguin, Nathan Horton and perhaps Jaromir Jagr departing. Boston also pro every day. That’s a hard process.” opens cap space and picks up prospects. The Bruins are in win-now mode. Tyler Seguin was 21 years old when he was traded Thursday. Keep that in This is a good deal for the Stars because Seguin slots as their No. 1 center, mind as you digest the deal that sent Seguin, Rich Peverley and prospect moving Jamie Benn back to his natural position on the wing, and Peverley Ryan Button to the Dallas Stars for Loui Eriksson and prospects Joe fills a hole as their No. 3 center. They are in up-and-coming mode with a Morrow, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser – just days after Bruins GM Peter new GM in Nill, a new coach in Lindy Ruff, even new jerseys. If Seguin Chiarelli said Seguin needs to “focus all his mind and energy on hockey” reaches his potential, he can be a centerpiece. and “be a better pro.” Keep that in mind as reports suddenly surface [Also: Mikhail Grabovski blasts 'stupid coach' after being waived by Leafs] detailing Seguin’s off-ice shenanigans. “We just look forward to him taking a leadership role down here in Dallas,” It’s an important issue. What should be a good trade for both teams will Nill said. “He’s going to be growing up with the Jamie Benns and these hinge on Seguin’s development, and Seguin is about to start the six-year, guys. We’ve got a core group of players that are all under the age of 25, 26 $34.5 million extension he signed last fall. But it can be a hard process, and and younger. I think that’s going to be great for him to kind of grow in with it’s early in the process for Seguin. The Stars are moving him from the wing the rest of these players and help create a great environment down here for to his natural position of center, and they know him well. Dallas GM Jim Nill us.” came from the Detroit Red Wings, where he was the assistant GM and often watched Seguin play junior. Guess who is the Stars’ advisor to hockey One concern: Is Seguin ready for a leadership role? He needed guidance operations? Seguin’s linemate and mentor in his rookie year, Mark Recchi. when he was surrounded by veterans in Boston, and Nill has been working on adding experience in Dallas. He signed defenseman Sergei Gonchar to “We know there’s great potential there,” Nill said, “and we look forward to a two-year, $10-million deal. He also traded for center Shawn Horcoff on him kind of continuing to grow here in Dallas.” Thursday, giving him Seguin, Peverley and Horcoff down the middle. The Seguin needs to grow up. So do a lot of 21-year-olds. So do a lot of Stars are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and talented kids who achieve fame and fortune at a young age. It doesn’t needed veteran presence beyond Ray Whitney, Erik Cole and Stephane excuse everything, but it’s not uncommon. Patrick Kane was drafted first Robidas. overall in 2007. He has had ups and downs on the ice and off. After some But at least Seguin will be able to use his skill and speed in the middle of downs both ways last year, he recommitted himself, played with Seguin in the ice as a centerman, and maybe this will be a humbling experience. Switzerland during the lockout and excelled this season. He helped the Maybe this will be a step in the process. Like Recchi in 2011, Chiarelli said Chicago Blackhawks beat Seguin’s Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final, winning learning to be a pro means competing on the ice more than anything off the the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player. The point is ice. not that Kane and Seguin are the same or will turn out the same. The point is this stuff does not necessarily define a young person or player, and it’s up “No player is perfect, either as a player or an individual,” Chiarelli said. “All to Seguin to write the rest of the story. this stuff mushrooms into a proliferation of items on social media. I get overwhelmed by the number of stuff that comes out. Maybe some of it’s “You know, I come to the rink every day, I’m always professional and work true, but I know not all of it’s true. Tyler’s a 21-year-old. He’s a good kid. my hardest,” Seguin said. “Obviously I think the first three years of my He’s got a good heart. He’s going to continue to grow up.” career so far have been a big learning curve. I look forward to getting better every day, and I’m definitely more motivated coming into a great city like YAHOO.COM LOADED: 07.05.2013 Dallas.” Don’t forget how Seguin entered the NHL. The debate was Taylor vs. Tyler – Taylor Hall or Tyler Seguin for the first overall pick. Hall went No. 1 to Edmonton, Seguin No. 2 to Boston. In some ways, it was easier for Seguin, because he didn’t have to play a leading role on a young team like Hall did with the Oilers. He could play a depth role on a veteran team and learn. But in other ways, it was harder. He was under the spotlight – in Boston and his hometown of Toronto – because the Bruins got that No. 2 pick from the Maple Leafs in the Phil Kessel trade. He moved from center to wing. He was on a team with high standards, high expectations and low tolerance for young mistakes. Eriksson, a talented two-way right winger, should fit right in with the Bruins. (USA Today)Seguin struggled offensively in the playoffs this year. He had one goal and eight points in 22 games. Comcast Sports Network New England reported Seguin was out late in Toronto during the first round, showing up at Air Canada Centre in the same clothes for three straight days and playing poorly. The report said the team sat him down to discuss his “commitment to the team.” After the trade, a Boston bar, the Cask ’N 683950 Websites are limited to seven years – or eight years if a player re-signs with his current team. Teams can’t tack on phony years at low salaries at the end of contracts to artificially lower the cap hit, and they can get hit with a cap YAHOO SPORTS / 2013 NHL free agency: Silly signings inevitable despite penalty if a player retires before the end of a long-term deal. lockout battle, salary cap constraints Revenues are expected to rise in the future, and so the cap is expected to rise in the future, perhaps dramatically. The players will get paid. They will get paid more than ever before, at least eventually. It might cause serious 15 hours ago problems for some teams and, yes, trigger another lockout in eight or 10 years. But the cap won’t rise nearly as fast as it would have, with the Nicholas J. Cotsonika players receiving 50 percent of HRR instead of 57, and so the players won’t get paid as much as they would have under the old system, let alone a free market. And though teams will make mistakes, they won’t make 10- or 12- Somebody will do something dumb. Somebody always does. or 15-year mistakes. They can’t. The NHL free agent market opens Friday, and the Philadelphia Flyers have There is a new dynamic, and teams are trying to figure out how to best already agreed to a five-year, $22.5 million deal with bought-out center maneuver for the long term and the short term. Vincent Lecavalier. Long-term example: The Pittsburgh Penguins signed extensions with The Flyers gave Lecavalier a big contract even though they just spent tens Evgeni Malkin (eight years, $76 million) and Kris Letang (eight years, $58 of millions to buy out two players, including goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, the million). Max terms. High cap hits. But with terms limited, stars will demand solar system’s most hu-man-gous big free agent bust. Even though their the max amount of years, and with phony years outlawed, cap hits will be main holes are on defense and in goal. Even though scouts say Lecavalier, higher. Both of those cap hits also don’t affect the Pens until next season, at 33, with more than 1,000 games of mileage, doesn’t play with pace and assuming the cap goes up and up, they will take up a lesser anymore and has maybe two decent years left. percentage of the Pens’ payroll as time goes on. Gotta love the Flyers’ aggressiveness. Gotta question their wisdom at the The short term will be fascinating. Though the market doesn’t feature same time. Rival execs shook their heads. There is a reason the Tampa younger cornerstones like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, who signed Bay Lightning gave Lecavalier $32.7 million to walk away. One prediction: matching13-year, $98 million deals with the Minnesota Wild under the old He will become the first player in NHL history to be bought out twice. rules last year, there are names. Bryzgalov. Mikhail Grabovski (if he clears waivers and is bought out by the Leafs). Daniel Alfredsson. Jaromir Jagr. The first buyout didn’t count against the salary cap for the Lightning, Jarome Iginla. Nathan Horton. Mike Ribeiro. Andrew Ference. David because the new labor agreement gave each team two compliance buyouts Clarkson. Hey, Tim Thomas! to be used within two years. The next one would count against the cap for the Flyers, because it would be just a plain, old buyout. But hey, by then, There is only so much money to go around because the cap is coming the cap might have skyrocketed. Who cares?!?! down. Teams are trying to make trades to free up space but are having a tough time finding partners with space to add, and whoever signs a free There will be more silliness soon – the Toronto Maple Leafs appear poised agent will have that cap hit count immediately. Lecavalier was wise to grab to make a splash – and it will cause people to wonder if the owners learned the cash from the Flyers first. The top free agents will get the big money; anything, why the NHL just went through its third lockout in three the rest will get what is left over. Some teams will overspend; some players negotiations. People will say nothing has changed. will get a reality check. Well, no, nothing has changed in terms of the owners’ and the agents’ “Obviously some players are going to get signed,” said Minnesota GM behavior. But that’s the point. That’s actually the reason why the NHL just Chuck Fletcher. “But I don’t think there’s the money or the room for went through its third lockout in three negotiations – because the owners everybody to get what they’re probably looking for. So that will be the can’t control their competitive nature and constantly spend themselves into interesting part, to see how quickly players make their decisions to sign and trouble, because the agents’ jobs are to exploit every angle and avenue to how teams allocate their dollars.” get the best contracts for their clients, because it is what it is and always will be. Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said many teams are taking a “cautionary approach.” The owners’ only chance to rein themselves in is to reset the system in collective bargaining. They could try to restrain themselves on their own, “It’s not cast in stone [that the cap will rise in the future], so I think there’s a but that would be collusion and it might not even work. They would have general caution,” he said. “There may be a rush on a few guys, but I just liked to have restricted the system even more, but they had to get the think this is the first time the cap has come down, so I think we’re in new players to agree and could push only so far. territory.” Remember: The NHL didn’t make much of an economic argument this time, The new two-day interview period, in which teams, agents and players can unlike 2004-05, when the league commissioned a report to show how badly communicate openly before signing contracts, has helped sort out what it was bleeding red ink. Commissioner Gary Bettman did make some Chiarelli called “kind of a market adjustment.” memorable comments about the cost of jet fuel and massage therapists, Somebody will do something dumb. Somebody always does. but generally he was straight up. It’s free agency. One of the quirks of the salary cap system is that the age “The fact of the matter is,” said Bettman just before the lockout began, “we for unrestricted free agency went from 31 or 27, which led teams to lock up believe as a league we are paying out too much money.” their best players, which led to fewer top players hitting the UFA market, Power forwards Nathan Horton and Jarome Iginla are both available to the which led to too much demand for too little supply – too much money for too highest bidder. (AP)NHL Players’ Association executive director Don Fehr many guys. said the owners wanted what they wanted because they wanted it, and he “I don’t think that’s a good tool to build your team,” said Stan Bowman, GM was pretty much right. Though some teams needed the salary cap to come of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Stanley Cup champions. “You can sort of down to survive and others needed it to compete, for the most part the fine-tune it through free agency, but the term and the dollar amount and owners wanted the cap to come down because they wanted it to come everything, it just gets crazy, understandably. Our goal is to not have to down. really be a player in that market.” They were paying the players 57 percent of hockey-related revenue. Other It is what it is and always will be. Just keep in mind that because of the leagues had gotten their players to accept about 50. They wanted 50. They lockout and the new labor agreement, it won’t be as crazy as it could have used their leverage, canceled almost half the regular season, squeezed the been. Don’t be fooled. Imagine what a team like the Flyers would do in a players and got it – along with some other things, like limits on the lengths free market. We talk about mistakes in terms of salary cap space more than of contracts. in terms of blowing budgets. So while nothing has changed in terms of the owners’ and the agents’ The owners can be dumb sometimes. But they’re smart enough to know it. behavior, many things have changed. The salary cap will come down from $70.2 million (prorated) in 2012-13 to $64.3 million in 2013-14. Contracts YAHOO.COM LOADED: 07.05.2013