Former Blackhawk, Red Wing enforcer Bob Probert, Dead at 45

The latest claim regarding enforcers is "Nobody likes them when they're on the other team but you love them when they are on yours."

Well, despite the fact that Goon and Enforcer are often confused (Not the Goon that writes on this blog), it's often true.

Enforcers are now at a premium, or so I've been told. Well, the world lost one of the most notorious enforcers today in former Blackhawk and Red Wing Bob Probert. He was 45.

No reports of what the cause of death was, but there certain is a list of rumors. Anything from a heart attack to relapse and resulting drug overdose.

Bob's career accomplishments were more than fights, though that is inevitably what he'll be remembered for. I don't blame anyone for remembering him for any of his fights... like the one that almost lasted 2 minutes against Marty McSorley. Or his antics with Joey Kocur as teammates and then fighting each other when Kocur was a member of the Rangers.

People forget that Probert was an all star. When was the last time Boogaard was even considered a candidate for the all star game? I don't mean to pick on Boogaard in this regard, but I've been told countless times (and promoted through the media) that Boogaard was perhaps the best Enforcer in the NHL currently. Probert was an All Star in the 1987-88 season when he finished tied for 3rd on the Red Wings in points and, incredibly, first on the team in playoff points that year. Ok, so Yzerman was out with an injury but still... an Enforcer leading the team in points during the playoffs? Well, it doesn't matter. The Wings didn't win it all. Perhaps that's why. He also averaged around 40 points a season for a while and was, for a brief time, an Alternate Captain with the Wings.

Probert's life was fraught with off ice issues and, though ESPN Chicago blog writer Jesse Rogers calls him a great guy off the ice, but I'm not sure how great a guy can be with his track record with the law. He even spent some time in prison in Minnesota for cocaine possession. He's had horrible drug problems and alcohol abuse issues. It was so bad that the Red Wings, which is an organization, in my opinion, that likes to stand behind the players that came through their system and earned names for themselves, decided that it was a waste of time. He went to the Hawks and ended his career there...on a negative note (worked as a commentator for the Hawks for a short time then was fired and went into rehab).

I admit that, though I valued Probert's presence, I did so only marginally. I was never a fan of fighting or fighters. Am I a person who is going to sit here and put him on the same level as Red Wing greats such as Yzerman or Federov and so on? Heck no. Probert made a name for himself, and I'm not sure it was a good name.

Nonetheless, 45 years old. Wow. That's young. I think his abuse caught up with him and, though I don't know what caused his death, I can't help but think that his past transgressions took off 40-50 years of his life.

RIP Bob.

Where does Wheeler compare?

The Bruins blog asks the question, 'how does former Minnesota Gopher and Boston Bruins RFA Blake Wheeler compare to other players taken in the 2004 draft.' First comparison is former Fighting Sioux hockey player Travis Zajac. I actually didn't know that Blake Wheeler had six more points in his first two season in the NHL. Wheeler's total (45-38=83 points) compared to Travis Zajac who went (42-34=77). However, I don't see Wheeler getting 62 points playing in the Boston Bruins line up next season, just a hunch.

First you rule out the extreme cases of guys who really cashed in on their second contract. Travis Zajac spent two years playing NCAA hockey, and after entering the NHL at 21 saw his point totals go from 42 to 34 to 62. That earned him a four-year extension worth an average of a little more than $3.887 million per season. As a centerman, his contributions are automatically more valued, and then he sky-rocketed from supporting player to leading man just in time for his entry-level contract to expire.

The Bruins blog also looked at former Fighting Sioux and current Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford and Wheeler and Stafford had the same exact amount of points their first two season in the NHL.

That brings us to two players whose production and compensation are more in line with Wheeler should receive. Buffalo’s Drew Stafford played three years of college like Wheeler, and in his first three full NHL seasons produced 38, 45 and 34 points. After that second full season, he worked out a two-year deal worth $1.9 million per season.

Boston Bruins development camp roster.

Here is the roster for the Boston Bruins development camp that will take place from July 6th - July 10th 2010 at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington,MA.

Forwards

Tyler Brenner
Jordan Caron
Joe Colborne - Former DU forward
Craig Cunningham
Alexander Fallstrom
Justin Florek
Mark Goggin
Jared Knight
Tyler Randell
Max Sauve
Tyler Seguin
Ben Sexton
Ryan Spooner
Nick Tremblay

Defensemen

Yuri Alexandrov
Matt Bartkowski
Ryan Button
Marc Cantin
Tommy Cross
Ryan Donald
Steve Kampfer
Zach Trotman
David Warsofsky

Goaltenders

Adam Courchaine
Matt Dalton
Zane Gothberg - UND recruit
Mike Hutchinson

McLaughlin Named Chair Of NCAA Hockey Rules Committee

Incase you haven't seen this Ed McLaughling will replace Forrest Karr as Chair of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee.

INDIANAPOLIS - Niagara University Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin has been named Chair of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee. McLaughlin will officially assume his duties on Sept. 1.

“I am honored to serve as the chair of the committee,” McLaughlin said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the rules committee and the NCAA staff to make college hockey the best it can be.”

McLaughlin has been a member on the rules committee since September 2008 and will serve the final two years as chair of the committee. As chair, McLaughlin will coordinate and run all committee meetings, conference calls and presentations to coaching associations, administrators and officiating groups. The chair is also authorized to speak on behalf of the committee and NCAA on any issues related to the committee’s work.
[Purple Eagles]

Wisconsin's McDonagh set to sign with Rangers

According to John Tortorella’s favorite beat writer Larry Brooks the Badgers are set to lose yet another player to the NHL and the New York Rangers. Ouch! Check out the early departures for the Wisconsin Badgers so far this season: Cody Goloubef, Jr, Brendan Smith, Jr, Derek Stepan, So, and now possibly Ryan McDonagh. That is quite an impressive group of players.

The other Badger is on his way to Broadway, too.

Multiple sources have told The Post that Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh will enter into contract negotiations with the Rangers this week, thus paving the way for him to join the club -- and college teammate Derek Stepan -- when training camp commences in September.

McDonagh, selected seventh overall by the Canadiens in 2007 before his rights were dealt to the Blueshirts last summer in the Scott Gomez trade, will sign a three-year Entry Level contract for a base (and base cap hit) of $875,000 as per the CBA. Negotiations over a bonus package are expected to conclude swiftly. [New York Post]

Holtz: Notre Dame should join Big Ten

First off; Happy Independence day from Goon's World, may your day be safe and may it be a happy day for you and your family... Former Gopher and Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Coach Lou Holtz says that the Irish should join the Big Ten conference.

Lou Holtz changed his mind. He thinks Notre Dame should join the Big Ten.

"I'm an old man, and all my life I've said that Notre Dame should remain independent because it's a national school," said Holtz, a former Fighting Irish coach who was in the Twin Cities last weekend. "We played the very best in the country from Texas to Tennessee to Miami of Florida to Southern Cal.

"However, two days ago was the first time I've ever said that I think Notre Dame ought to seriously consider joining the Big Ten. Because what I see happening, I see four or five superconferences."
[Star Tribune]

Who's left - free agents

Here are some of the big names that are still available on the free agent market. Ilya Kovalchuk is going to command/receive a big fat contract and there are probably not a lot of teams that can afford his services. Not much for defensemen left. There is also a nice field of serviceable goalies available. S/T to [NHL.COM]

Forwards

Ilya Kovalchuk New Jersey 41-44-85 in 76 GP
Alexander Frolov Los Angeles 19-32-51 in 81 GP
Teemu Selanne Anaheim 27-21-48 in 54 GP
Lee Stempniak Phoenix 28-20-48 in 80 GP - Dartmouth College
Maxim Afinogenov Atlanta 24-37-61 in 82 GP
Alexei Ponikarovsky Pittsburgh 21-29-50 in 77 GP
Eric Belanger Washington 15-26-41 in 77 GP
Paul Kariya St. Louis 18-25-43 in 75 GP - University of Maine
Bill Guerin Pittsburgh 21-24-45 in 78 GP
Brendan Morrison Washington 12-30-42 in 74 GP - University of Michigan
Raffi Torres Buffalo 19-17-36 in 74 GP
Miroslav Satan Boston 9-5-14 in 38 GP
Glen Metropolit Montreal 16-13-29 in 69 GM
Owen Nolan Minnesota 16-17-33 in 73 GP
Mike Modano Dallas 14-16-30 in 59 GP
John Madden Chicago 10-13-23 in 79 GP - University of Michigan
Kyle Wellwood Vancouver 14-11-25 in 75 GP
Arron Asham Philadelphia 10-14-24 in 72 GP
Fredrik Modin Los Angeles 9-5-14 in 38 GP
Ruslan Fedotenko Pittsburgh 11-19-30 in 80 GP
Craig Conroy Calgary 3-12-15 in 63 GP
Darcy Tucker Colorado 10-14-24 in 71 GP

Defensemen

Willie Mitchell Vancouver 4-8-12 in 48 GP
Kim Johnsson Chicago 7-10-17 in 60 GP
Joe Corvo Washington 6-12-18 in 52 GP - Western Michigan University
Carlo Colaiacovo St. Louis 7-25-32 in 67 GP
Mike Mottau New Jersey 2-16-18 in 79 GP - Boston College
Brett Lebda Detroit 1-7-8 in 63 GP
Andy Sutton Ottawa 5-8-13 in 72 GP - Michigan Tech
Shaone Morrison Washington 1-11-12 in 68 GP
Brian Pothier Carolina 5-10-15 in 61 GP
Freddy Meyer NY Islanders 4-11-15 in 64 GP
Marc-Andre Bergeron Montreal 13-21-34 in 60 GP
Aaron Ward Anaheim 1-12-13 in 77 GP - University of Michigan

Goaltenders

Evgeni Nabokov San Jose 44-16-10, 2.43 GAA
Marty Turco Dallas 22-20-11, 2.72 GAA - University of Michigan
Jose Theodore Washington 30-7-7, 2.81 GAA
Ray Emery Philadelphia 16-11-1, 2.64 GAA
Yann Danis New Jersey 3-2-1, 2.06 GAA - Brown University

Free Agency Reactions Part One (RW77)

UPDATE: First, I found a few errors in the TSN Free Agent Tracker so I'm going to correct them now.

Day one of Free Agency is now over and there were a lot of moves. Most of them, I don't care about or know too little about to make any sort of opinion about.

However, there were a few moves and a rant about monetary worth that I will share with you today.

First, former MTU defenseman (sorta) John Scott signed a 2 year $1.25 million contract with Chicago. Uh....... You could have signed Adam Burish back for 2 years $1.15 million and had a better all around player. But I guess not. Surely there were better options than Scott? The guy is only barely better than Boogaard defensively and equal to Boogaard offensively (in otherwords, non existent). They claim he's versatile and can play forward or defense... I guess so. They never claimed Scott could play either position well.

Check this out: John Scott signed a $612,500/year contract for having some basic fighting skills and being over 6'4 in height. Tambellini, a scoring forward (at least in college) was on the market and went for $500k. That's right... a guy with more offensive upside than Scott went for less.

UPDATE: Ok, it's not as bad as it was originally, but I swear to god there HAS to be a better defensive option than Scott. They haven't locked up Hendry or Hjalmarssen (though both are expected to be back) yet but I really don't see Scott as an every day player... even if it is 3rd pairing. He's another Boogaard. $500k/year is all he's worth. Oh, and by the way, apparently Scott turned down MORE MONEY to be a Hawk. I wish I knew which team had the bigger moron.

Kudos to the Wild for not falling for this crap. Shame on the Hawks for seeing Scott as being more valuable than anyone with ANY upside other than fighting. Scott isn't going to replace Byfuglien. Byfuglien may fight but he's not KNOWN for it. He's know for driving everyone on the other team nuts. Burish could have done that.

New Jersey says goodbye to Paul Martin and hello to Anton Volchenko. Volchenko was, according to ESPN people, a top flight defenseman coming into free agency but is he as good as Martin offensively? Well, he's certainly cheaper than Martin. So Martin is gone for sure (Skoula is probably also gone) and they pick up Tallinder and Volchenko.

Detroit has basically standed pat. They resigned Holmstrom and Lidstrom. They do have a few names as RFAs and UFAs such as Abdelkader, Meech, Helm, Lebda, Lilja, and Maltby. I see the Wings resigning Meech, Helm, and Lebda for sure (I read somewhere that the only reason why they haven't resigned Abdelkader yet is because they're trying to figure out length of contract not necessarily money). The others.... Larssen might get resigned for goaltending depth but I don't know much about him. Maltby, Williams, Janik, and all are replaceable IMO. Lilja might even be replaceable if they can find the right guy. He's 34 and I'd love to see Detroit get at least a little younger.

Still quiet on the front of the Blackhawks and their goaltending. No word on Niemi to my knowledge and Huet's contract is one of the worst in the NHL.

This is what I said originally:
Montreal's backup (that term used loosely) is now Dan Ellis. He'll play the role of backup to Carey Price for about the first half of the season. Then when they are 6-8 points out of playoff contention, the Canadiens will start panicking and bench Price and then once again make the playoffs. I don't know if they'll go deep, but will they get the idea that, after two straight seasons of the act of simply benching Price gets them to the playoffs teach them? Probably not because Price's agent isn't a moron. The Canadiens will spend big bucks on Price to keep him around and the Canadiens will be just as screwed as the Hawks with Huet.

Update with this:

Montreal's backup goaltenders are now Curtis Sanford and Alex Auld. Yup. I think Montreal wanted to make definitely sure that there was NO ONE in Montreal that will outplay Price this coming season. Sanford is a career bubble player who never really played well enough to get a shot but on the other hand never played poor enough to spend his entire career in the minors. Alex Auld is a conundrum to me. I don't see him as having ever been any more solid a backstop as Sanford yet he's gotten more shots wherever he went...Vancouver...Florida...New York (somewhat less than the others)...and will surely get some shots when Price shows how much he sucks. He was one of the cogs in the Luongo trade if I recall correctly.

More to come later.

Ryan McDonagh going to sign with the Rangers?

Will Ryan McDonagh sign with the New York Rangers; this seems to be the 64,000.00 question this summer. There seems to be a lot of pressure on the kid from the Rangers organization to sign a professional contract.

But other than Pashnin and Stepan, perhaps the most intriguing player was D Ryan McDonagh, the Canadiens’ first-round pick in 2007 who was acquired at this time last year in the Scott Gomez trade and who the Rangers really want to turn pro rather than return for his senior season at Wisconsin. The Rangers do own his rights until August, 2011 but the bigger point is the 21-year-old stands a strong chance of making the team if he comes to training camp. At the beginning of the week, McDonagh said he was not going to make any decisions during the week but it definitely seemed like he was leaning toward returning to Wisconsin. That wasn’t the case when I talked to him today before he left.

“I can’t say enough about how much fun it was out here, everybody was great,” the 6-1 McDonagh said. “This group of guys got pretty close over five days. I’ll take a few days over the weekend for July 4 and set it in stone early next week, meet with (Wisconsin) coach (Mike) Eaves and have a decision after that. I was kind of leaning one way for sure. Coming out of here having fun obviously helps the process. But I still want to go back and think things through.”

Kreider, mentioned Thursday by GM Glen Sather as somebody ready to make the jump to the pro game, seemed a little more hesitant of leaving Boston College, which won the NCAA title last season over Wisconsin.

“We had a great year last year as a team,” said Kreider, who added 15-20 pounds of muscle over the course of the year working under both Boston College and Ranger workout structures. “Individually, I’m not sure I’m so ready.”

Still, Kreider insisted that didn’t mean he had made a decision one way or the other.[Ranger Rants]

Having watched Ryan McDonagh play for three seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers, I must say that I have been impressed with this kid’s game, the guy is a good defenseman and probably could make the Rangers out of training camp, but I also can't fault him for wanting to come back to play his senior year, college life is fun...

Bruins look to resign Stuart and Wheeler

I hope the Boston Bruins resign the former C.C. Tigers star Mark Stuart because he is a decent defenseman that plays a gritty game and will stick up for teammates and drop the gloves “if” he has to. As far as Blake Wheeler goes, I hope the Boston Bruins trade Wheeler to another team.

I was unimpressed with the former Minnesota Gopher Blake Wheelers play at the end of last season and during the Stanley Cup playoffs, the guy is your prototypical former Gopher, a soft player that doesn’t like to hit and plays a finesse game (albeit, not well either). Sure, Blake Wheeler is a big body but he lacks grit or much in the way of offensive talent. Like I said in a tweet last spring, "Wheeler couldn’t score in a brothel" and he lacks the ability to finish in the offensive zone, that makes him an offensive liability. Wheeler's strong point is he can play on the penalty kill and he is strong defensively.

[The Bruins Blog] The agent for restricted free agent Bruins winger Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart, Matt Keator, said he plans to speak with Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli this weekend about both his clients, as the deadline to file for arbitration approaches 5 p.m. Monday.

Both players are eligible for arbitration.

“We’ll talk over the weekend and Monday and see where things go,” Keator told TheBruinsBlog.net.

Chiarelli said on Thursday he was confident he could re-sign Wheeler, Stuart and fellow restricted free agent Gregory Campbell and stay under the salary cap, even if it would be a “little tight.”

The list of transactions so far. (updated - 07/3/2010)

There have been some former division one college hockey players moving the first two days of free agency. TSN has a good break down at all of the trades right here.

Jul 3 Giroux, Alexandre LW Washington Edmonton $500K 1 $500K
Jul 2 Mitchell, John C Toronto Toronto $750K 1 $750K
Jul 2 Quincey, Kyle D Colorado Colorado n/a 2 n/a
Jul 2 Winnik, Daniel C Colorado Colorado n/a 2 n/a - New Hampshire
Jul 2 Montoya, Al G Phoenix Phoenix n/a 1 n/a
Jul 2 Lepisto, Sami D Phoenix Phoenix n/a 1 n/a
Jul 2 Craig, Ryan C Tampa Bay Pittsburgh $500K 1 $500K
Jul 2 Andrew Ebbett n/a Minnesota Phoenix n/a 1 n/a-Michigan
Jul 2 Lombardi, Matthew C Phoenix Nashville $10.5M 3 $3.5M
Jul 2 Winchester, Brad LW St. Louis St. Louis $700K 1 $700K-UW
Jul 2 MacIntyre, Steve LW Florida Edmonton $500K 1 $500K
Jul 2 Konopka, Zenon RW Tampa Bay NY Islanders n/a 1 n/a
Jul 2 Parenteau, P.A. RW NY Rangers NY Islanders $600K 1 $600K
Jul 2 Jurcina, Milan D Washington NY Islanders $1M 1 $1M
Jul 2 Eaton, Mark D Pittsburgh NY Islanders $5M 2 $2.5M-Notre Dame
Jul 2 Higgins, Christopher RW Calgary Florida $1.6M 1 $1.6M-Yale
Jul 2 McCormick, Cody C Buffalo Buffalo $500K 1 $500K
Jul 2 Strudwick, Jason D Edmonton Edmonton n/a 1 n/a
Jul 2 Kubina, Pavel D Atlanta Tampa Bay $7.7M 2 $3.85M
Jul 2 Jackman, Tim RW NY Islanders Calgary n/a 2 n/a-MSU-M
Jul 2 Ivanans, Raitis RW Los Angeles Calgary n/a 2 n/a
Jul 1 Prospal, Vaclav LW NY Rangers NY Rangers $2.1M 1 $2.1M
Jul 1 Scott, John n/a Minnesota Chicago $1M 1 $1M-MTU
Jul 1 Boyd, Dustin C Montreal Montreal $650K 1 $650K
Jul 1 Nystrom, Eric LW Calgary Minnesota $4.2M 3 $1.4M-Michigan
Jul 1 Reich, Jeremy LW NY Islanders Boston n/a 1 n/a
Jul 1 Raycroft, Andrew G Vancouver Dallas $1.3M 2 $650K
Jul 1 Cullen, Matt C Ottawa Minnesota $10.5M 3 $3.5M-SCSU
Jul 1 Burish, Adam LW Chicago Dallas $2.3M 2 $1.15M-UW
Jul 1 Koivu, Saku C Anaheim Anaheim $5M 2 $2.5M
Jul 1 Tambellini, Jeff LW NY Islanders Vancouver $500K 1 $500K-Michigan
Jul 1 Leopold, Jordan D Pittsburgh Buffalo $9M 3 $3M-Minnesota
Jul 1 Hamhuis, Dan D Pittsburgh Vancouver $27M 6 $4.5M
Jul 1 Volchenkov, Anton D Ottawa New Jersey $25.5M 6 $4.25M
Jul 1 Jokinen, Olli C NY Rangers Calgary $6M 2 $3M
Jul 1 Mason, Chris G St. Louis Atlanta $3.7M 2 $1.85M
Jul 1 Foster, Kurtis D Tampa Bay Edmonton $3.6M 2 $1.8M
Jul 1 Tallinder, Henrik D Buffalo New Jersey $13.5M 4 $3.375M
Jul 1 Sanford, Curtis G Montreal Montreal $550K 1 $550K
Jul 1 Whitney, Ray RW Carolina Phoenix $6M 2 $3M
Jul 1 Lydman, Toni D Buffalo Anaheim $9M 3 $3M
Jul 1 Martin, Paul D New Jersey Pittsburgh $25M 5 $5M -Minnesota
Jul 1 Boogaard, Derek LW Minnesota NY Rangers $6.5M 4 $1.625M
Jul 1 Ellis, Dan G Montreal Tampa Bay $3M 2 $1.5M
Jul 1 Shelley, Jody RW NY Rangers Philadelphia $3.3M 3 $1.1M
Jul 1 Morris, Derek D Phoenix Phoenix $11M 4 $2.75M
Jul 1 Malhotra, Manny C San Jose Vancouver $7.5M 3 $2.5M
Jul 1 O'Donnell, Sean D Los Angeles Philadelphia $1M 1 $1M
Jul 1 Perrault, Joel C Phoenix Vancouver $510K 1 $510K
Jul 1 Niittymaki, Antero G Tampa Bay San Jose $4M 2 $2M
Jul 1 Armstrong, Colby RW Atlanta Toronto $9M 3 $3M
Jul 1 Auld, Alex G NY Rangers Montreal $1M 1 $1M
Jul 1 Michalek, Zbynek D Phoenix Pittsburgh $20M 5 $4M
Jul 1 Tanguay, Alex RW Tampa Bay Calgary $1.7M 1 $1.7M
Jul 1 Gonchar, Sergei D Pittsburgh Ottawa $16.5M 3 $5.5M
Jul 1 Paille, Dan LW Boston Boston $2.15M 2 $1.075M
Jul 1 Biron, Martin G NY Islanders NY Rangers $1.75M 2 $875K
Jun 30 Leighton, Michael G Philadelphia Philadelphia $3.1M 2 $1.55M
Jun 29 Barch, Krys LW Dallas Dallas $1.675M 2 $837.5K
Jun 26 Wallin, Niclas D San Jose San Jose $2.5M 1 $2.5M
Jun 26 Nichol, Scott C San Jose San Jose $760K 1 $760K
Jun 25 Recchi, Mark RW Boston Boston $1M 1 $1M
Jun 24 Boychuk, Johnny D Boston Boston $3.75M 2 $1.875M
Jun 24 Marleau, Patrick LW San Jose San Jose $27.6M 4 $6.9M
Jun 22 Plekanec, Tomas C Montreal Montreal $30M 6 $5M
Jun 22 Darche, Mathieu RW Montreal Montreal $550K 1 $550K
Jun 22 Cooke, Matt LW Pittsburgh Pittsburgh $5.4M 3 $1.8M
Jun 21 Pyatt, Taylor LW Phoenix Phoenix $2M 2 $1M
Jun 17 Aucoin, Adrian D Phoenix Phoenix $4M 2 $2M
Jun 17 Bouillon, Francis D Nashville Nashville $2.7M 2 $1.35M
Jun 16 Bertuzzi, Todd RW Detroit Detroit $3.875M 2 $1.9375M
Jun 15 Rome, Aaron D Vancouver Vancouver $1.5M 2 $750K
Jun 14 Backlund, Johan G Philadelphia Philadelphia $1.6M 2 $800K

Wild sign former SCSU Huskies Star Matt Cullen and Michigan Wolverine Eric Nystrom

The Wild signed former SCSU star and Moorhead Minnesota Spud Matt Cullen to a three year contract with the Minnesota Wild. This is a very good move by the Minnesota Wild. The Wild also signed former Wolverines star Eric Nystrom.

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Wild have signed center Matt Cullen to a three-year contract.

The team announced the deal on Thursday night. Cullen, who won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, finished last season with the Ottawa Senators. The 33-year-old forward is a native of Minnesota who played at Moorhead High School and St. Cloud State University.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Cullen joins his sixth NHL team, bringing 169 goals and 292 assists in 880 games.

Last season, Cullen had 16 goals and 32 assists in 81 games for Carolina and Ottawa. He was traded in February and added three goals and five assists in six playoff games.

Don't count on a BTHC anytime soon...

From time to time you hear rumblings about some teams in the Big Ten wanting to start a BTHC. Well don't count on that happening anytime soon, only five schools in the Big Ten have hockey and Notre Dame said no to joining the Big Ten Conference. I think that is good news for the WCHA and the CCHA. Or is it?

The Big Ten has long coveted Notre Dame, but that's unlikely to happen anytime soon. The Big Ten added Nebraska as its 12th member recently and would love to bring Notre Dame into the conference, too.

But Notre Dame, armed with its own TV contract and a national following and recruiting base, seems inclined to remain an independent.

"Being independent is a part of our history," said Litchfield's John Carlson, a tight end with the Seattle Seahawks. "It's something we take pride in. From that standpoint, I would like to see Notre Dame stay independent.

"Additionally, our other sports are in the Big East so that would kind of throw a wrench into some established rivalries that already exist in those other sports."

Eden Prairie's Mark LeVoir, an offensive tackle with the New England Patriots, said it would be a "travesty" if Notre Dame joined a conference
[Red Star and Sickle]

Whos going to be the Wild's goon now that Boogey is gone?

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie and Minnesota Wild beat writer Mike Russo former Wild Goon Derek Boogaard is now a Rag (Ranger). Question: So who is going to be the Wild's tough guy/enforcer/goon/equalizer now that the Derek Boogard has been signed by the New York Rangers?

TSNBobMcKenzie: Darren Dreger reporting Boogard to the NYR is done.

Of course there will be some that will applaud the move and say that Boogey is nothing more than a one dimensional player that adds nothing on the score sheet. I think that is partially true but the skilled Wild players feel when Boogaard is on the bench they know that the Boogey man has their back. Personally, I loved watching Boogaard beat the be-jesus out of people and it made for a nice side show…

Sean_Leahy: Derek Boogaard, he of 14 points in 255 career gms & 5:09 in avg career TOI, now makes $1.65 million a year for the next four. HA

Apparently the Wild were given a chance to match the New York Rangers offer and the Wild front office said no.

I am told Boogaard's peeps called Wild for one last chance to sign him, and it was a no thanks at that number.

Matt Cullen to the Wild?

This move makes a lot of sense to me. It would appear that the Minnesota Wild are interested in signing former SCSU star and UFA Matt Cullen, according to an article in today's Red Star and Sickle.

Maybe three times will be a charm for the Wild and Matt Cullen.

For the third time in Cullen's career, he will become a free agent when the clock strikes 11 Thursday morning. For the third time in Cullen's career, the Wild -- in need of a center -- is expected to pursue him.

The Wild couldn't lasso him the previous two times, but the team might have a better chance this go-around.

"To be honest, at the point I was at four years ago, I don't think I could have handled playing in Minnesota," said Cullen, a former St. Cloud State standout who played in three consecutive boys' hockey state tournaments with Moorhead in the '90s. "But just growing and maturing as a person and a player, to the point of having a young family now, I think I'm at a good spot where I can handle it and excel there.

This is a move that I believe makes sense for the Wild. 1.) It gives the Wild a home grown kid on the Wild from the State of Hockey. 2.) Fills a needs in the offensive zone, for the Minnesota Wild are offensively challenged. 3.) It probably wouldn’t cost the Wild all that much and Cullen is a good two way center that plays both ends of the ice. You also can’t discount that he won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Former Wild second round bust Patrick O'Sullivan traded again

Wow, this first second round draft choice worked out for the Minnesota Wild as well. Patrick O'Sullivan is another brutal reminder of the horrible drafting Doug Risebrough did when he was the General Manager of the Minnesota Wild.

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have acquired defenseman Jim Vandermeer from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Patrick O’Sullivan.

Vandermeer, 30-years-old, recorded 12 points (4G, 8A) in 62 games with the Coyotes last season as well as 60 penalty minutes.[Oilers NHL]

Patrick O'Sullivan never actually played a game for the Minnesota Wild and his best season was in 2007-2008 when he scored (22g-31a-53pts) with the LA Kings who quickly rewarded him the next season by trading him to the Edmonton Oilers. O'Sullivan hasn't come close to achieving that total since.

What about Paul Martin?

NHL Fanhouse blogger Bruce Ciskie has an interesting blog post about former Gopher Paul Martin and his free agency status. You would have to wonder if the Minnesota Wild wouldn’t entertain signing him to appease the State of Hockey. What do you think? Would he fit into the Wild’s plans? The Minnesota Wild need two top-nine forwards and have $11.5 million in free cap space to spend. The Minnesota Wild have 19 players signed so far.

Martin doesn't throw vicious checks, but he's still effective in his own zone. When the puck is on his stick, he makes smart, effective passes and has very little panic when faced with forecheck pressure. He isn't a high-scoring defenseman like Gonchar is, but he'll still make a good fixture on a team's second power play unit, and he is capable of 50 points over a full season if he's in the right system and can stay healthy.

He's a good player, and he isn't likely to cost an arm and a leg. Where's the love?

Perhaps Martin isn't considered an elite player, which makes perfect sense. Of course, then it makes no sense to have teams practically salivating over Hamhuis, who is virtually the same player minus a pretty serious injury this past season. Does Martin's rough contract year mean the Devils have the inside track on signing him because he's not a desirable player?

In the grand scheme of things, it seems Martin is being penalized because he broke his forearm blocking a shot -- a totally freak accident that is not a recurring injury. This isn't Marian Gaborik's groin. It's a broken bone suffered in a situation that is highly unlikely to ever repeat itself.

Outside of that, he's been a very steady player for a very good team for a number of years. Martin's exploits go all the way back to high school in Elk River, Minn., when he was one of the best players in a hockey-centric state. He was then a major part of two Minnesota Gopher national championship teams.


ShareHis consistency should get him some bites in free agency, assuming he's interested in leaving New Jersey. If a team like Phoenix, Atlanta, Minnesota or Toronto come calling with the right deal, it's going to be hard for Martin to say "no," regardless of where his NHL loyalties lie now. He can help those teams with his steady defensive hand, combined with his underrated puck skills on the power play.

Crossposted at the Hockey Wilderness.

Blais not impressed with new icing rule

If you haven't seen this yet, former UND and current UNO Maverick coach Dean Blais is spot on when asked about the proposed icing rule where the penalized team can't ice the puck during the penalty kill.

Among changes moved forward by the NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee is an amendment to the way officials enforce icing. The proposal calls for icing to be whistled, and play stopped, whenever a team dumps the puck the length of the ice out of its own zone — even when that team is on a penalty kill. If adopted, the rule would alter a critical tactic in killing penalties, and it could make it almost impossible for short-handed teams to change lines.

The idea aims to increase the time that a team on the power play spends in its opponent’s zone. That would likely lead to more scoring, which is a strong point of emphasis in most hockey rule changes. It’s also anticipated that the amendment might dissuade teams from taking penalties in the first place — thus cutting down on the obstruction infractions that prevent even-strength scoring chances.

At some levels, hockey already has flirted with this change. There are even rumblings that the NHL might eventually adopt the rule.

But Blais says the idea simply doesn’t merit a place in the NCAA rule book, and he can’t imagine the radical icing rule ever sticking in the NHL.

“It’s ridiculous,” Blais said. “What more do you want? You’re already on the power play, but then the other team gets the puck — what are they supposed to do with it? It sounds like whoever was involved with that rule and pushed it through, I don’t think they understand the game very well.”

Before it takes effect, the proposal would have to be approved by the NCAA’s Playing Rules Oversight Panel in July.

Blais doesn’t believe the icing change will pass that final test, and there have been reports indicating that the rules committee is considering removing the item before it goes up for final approval.

The outcry among coaches has been loud and clear, and many of them have raised concerns about player safety. With penalty killing being such a physically demanding part of the game, many fear that the icing ban would put tired skaters at greater risk when they can’t dump the puck and make a line change on the fly.

Here’s hoping Blais is right and the change never comes about.
[Mavericks today]

Minnesota gets to host yet another regional

Yawn! Boring... I have to agree with Chris Dilks from WCH it's the same old regional sites yet again. Wouldn’t you know it, entitlement hockey gets to host another regional. Last season the Gophers hosted the West Region at the Xcel Energy Center and with the Gophers falling on their nose and missing the west regional the games were played in a half empty arena. You have to wonder if Minnesota will finally be able qualify for the NCAA playoffs and get to play in the regional they are hosting?

The NCAA has named the 2012 NCAA tournament Regional locations.

Two of the sites will be repeats from the 2011 locations — The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., and the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis.

Minnesota will host the West Regional, with the games being played at Mariucci Arena; and the Northeast Regional went to Holy Cross, with the games set for the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. [College Hockey News]

Why even bother having applications for the regional tourney anymore if you’re just going to award/reward the regional sites to the same arena/teams/towns every year? Seriously!

Cox: Marc Savard talk risky business for Leafs

When I start hearing these rumors and as a Boston Bruins fan it kind of infuriates me, what is it with the Bruins management that makes them want to trade away their best goal scoring talent? My next question would be; if you were unhappy with Savard attitude or play why did you sign him to a long term contract? I would also ask the same question about their goaltender former Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. In today’s salary cap NHL, there is little room for error when you’re signing players to long term contracts.

What it means in general is that the Leafs can consider financial commitments other franchises can’t. Today, what it means is that Burke and his hockey department are seriously examining the possibility of acquiring Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard and his mammoth contract, something franchises like Nashville, Florida, Buffalo and Phoenix would never have to bother spending even a moment considering.

Savard’s a very good player, a point-per-game pivot albeit one with warts, like a history of concussions and a background as a fellow a coach might not always enjoy having on the roster.

His contract is — excuse the expression, commissioner — coyote ugly, a seven-year deal that comes with a salary of $7 million in each of the next two years, with an annual salary cap hit of $4 million (all figures U.S.). The B’s gave him that deal a year ago when they loved him and before he’d been cold-cocked by Matt Cooke of the Penguins, and before they’d used the second overall pick this past weekend to draft his successor at centre, Tyler Seguin.

Stuck with Tim Thomas, a very expensive goalie they might not be able to move, the Bruins may be prepared to surrender Savard in a so-called “soft” deal. In other words, basically for free. [thestar.com]