Icing Rule Rescinded and College Hockey Rumors (RW77)

Today word came down that the biggest idiot suggestion of the last 100 years of hockey will not be implemented whole scale after all.

Forest Karr, the outgoing Rules Committee Stooge, lamented that, despite some support for it (aka, the idiots who know nothing of the sport) the icing rule will not be implemented.

For those who have been hiding under a rock, let me explain. The NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee, headed by UAF AD Forest Karr, proposed a list of 22 rules to be put into "law" starting the 2010-2011 season. These laws would be in the books for a minimum of two years. Most of the rules were good. Some were so-so. One was bad. One was downright disastrous.

I won't go into the good or so so rule changes because who cares. They either do good for the game or don't hurt the game. The bad rule apparently will be adopted. This rule is when a team gets called for a penalty, and the team not penalized scores with the extra attacker on the ice, they still get a power play. This is a bad rule but this happens so rarely that I feel that it won't make much of a difference.

The disastrous rule was the rule that, when killing a penalty, icing is still in play. And, like in the NHL, a team that ices the puck cannot change players. This is ridiculously bad.

Forest Karr insists that the outcry wasn't unanimously opposed to it, but all of the DI Men's coaches were opposed to it (except for Rules committee Super Stooge John Hill. Apparently ruining the Minnesota Hockey Program and pulling the carpet out from under Lucia isn't enough for that ***hole). Therefore, there are some seriously stupid coaches in DII/DIII Hockey and the Women's Hockey coaches, by supporting this rule, aren't legitimizing the sport any either.

Anyways, the pressure was so great that Forest Karr decided to go back to what he should have done to begin with: Talk to those who directly interact with the game and its players. The coaches said "HELL NO" and the rule was dropped.

Doesn't stop Karr from lamenting the fact though. He did manage to request that the rule be required in exhibition games.

Anyways.... it didn't pass. Thank GOD.

===========

In other news: UW drew a breath of relief as Jake Gardiner decided not to leave college yet. Then again.... McDonagh said he was coming back too.

Oh yeah, Jordy Murray might pull a Brady Murray. At the time Brady left, rumor had it that Brady and father Andy, weren't overly impressed with UND. Maybe that was a hater at the time, because I can't find any proof anymore of such a thing, but... Jordy may bolt for Europe.

If he does, UW would lose their top returning scorer. Looks like Boredom Central is on its way back. I can already feel the snores coming on when thinking of UW's hockey. Too bad. Just when they were getting interesting. At least Gudbranson will be happy. Trap style hockey will make him look like an amazing goaltender rather than a mediocre one that got lucky until the NC game last year.

City to fete Stanley-Cup-winning local Jonathan Toews this Sunday

s/t Puck Daddy, Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews will be bringing the Cup to Winnipeg. Sounds like he is going to have a lake name after him as well. I was kind of hoping he was going to bring the Stanley Cup back to Grand Forks, ND as well. However, I have heard nothing to leads me to believe that it's going to happen.

WINNIPEG - The City of Winnipeg will honour Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews on Sunday with an event at city hall, a parade in St. Vital and a party at Dakota Community Club.

Mayor Sam Katz will host the leader of the Stanley Cup-winning ’hawks at city hall at 11 .m. on Sunday, July 11.

A parade will then run from Ecole Christine-Lesperance to Dakota Community Club from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by a celebration at the community centre.

"It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Jonathan Toews," Katz said, calling the Conn Smythe trophy-winner a hero and a great role model.

The mayor said Premier Greg Selinger and senior Manitoba MP Vic Toews – no relation to Jonathan – will also be invited.

The Stanley Cup will be here with Toews.

In honor of Bob Probert; June 5, 1965 - July 5 2010

I thought I would add this video montage to honor former Redwings and Blackhawks tough guy Bob Probert. Man Bob Probert could throw em, and was one of the toughest to ever lace the skates up. Unlike a lot of tough guys in the game today, Bob Probert wasn't some a dimensional goon like Derek Boogaard or Colton Orr that was only good at beating people up. Bob Probert had soft hands and could score goal, Probert score 29 goals during the 1987 - 1988 season.

Early Departures list - 16 and Counting

s/t to UND hockey blog. The list of early departures from the WCHA is now at 16. Wisconsin and Denver have been hit the hardest as seven players from those teams have signed professional contracts.

Wisconsin Badgers - 4
Cody Goloubef, Jr, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith, Jr, D, Detroit Red Wings
Derek Stepan, So, F, New York Rangers
Ryan McDonagh, Jr, D, New York Rangers

Denver Pioneers - 3
Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators
Marc Cheverie, Jr, G, Florida Panthers

Alaska-Anchorage - 2
Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr, G, Stockton (ECHL)

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs - 2
Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks
Brady Hjelle, So, G, junior A

MSU-Mankato Mavericks - 2
Kevin Murdock, Fr, G, junior A
Tyler Pitlick, Fr, F, WHL

UND Fighting Sioux - 2
Corey Fienhage, So, D, WHL
David Toews, So, F, WHL

Minnesota Gophers - 1
Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks

Mass Exodus in Madison continues. Ryan McDonagh signs with the Ranger

The Wisconsin Badgers have lost Seven (7) players from their team that went to the Frozen Four and finished second nationally. Today it was confrirmed that the Wisconsin Badgers star defenseman Ryan McDonagh has decided to forego his senior year of college and sign an entry level deal with the New York Rangers. Incidentally; I was quoted by Puck Daddy yesterday for my prediction that McDonagh has a chance to make the Rangers out of training camp.

Goon's World thinks he can make the team out of training camp. [Puck Daddy]

Andy Baggot is confirming this; UW men's hockey: McDonagh signs with NHL's Rangers [Madison.com]
Here is the official press release from NHL.com on the signing.

NHL.COM --- New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh, 21, skated in 43 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers this season, registering four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating. He ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating, and ranked third among team defensemen in assists and points, and fourth in goals.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh was at the MSG Training Center last week for the Rangers' prospects' camp. He'll be back in September to begin his pro hockey career at the team's main training camp.

In his third season with the Badgers, McDonagh established career-highs in games played, assists, points and penalty minutes. He tallied an assist on the game winning goal in the National Semifinal game vs. R.I.T. on April 8 to help Wisconsin advance to the National Championship game vs. Boston College.

McDonagh finished the tournament with two assists, and was named to the All-West Regional Team. Earlier in the season, he tallied a season-high, four-game point streak from October 30 vs. New Hampshire to November 7 vs. Minnesota, registering four points (one goal and three assists) over the span.

The 6-1, 222-pounder skated in 119 career NCAA games over three seasons with Wisconsin, recording 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.

Former Redwing Bob Probert dead at age 45 (linkorama)

Yesterday, Bob Probert 06/05/1965- 07/05/2010 one of the toughest hockey players to ever play in the National Hockey Leagtue died of an apparent heart attack while boating with his family, Probert was 45. The final Probert line 935 NHL games 162 goals – 221 assists and 384 points and 3,300 penalty minutes. Rest in peace Probie.

character from a video game

“I’ve always thought, ‘I’m Bob. I’m big guy Bob. I don’t need anyone’s help,’” he once told me. It was the kind of bitter honesty that made you want to give him another chance.

He got a lot of them.

Young kids won’t understand our fascination with Probert. They don’t make his kind anymore. But there is a reason you still see people wearing his jersey at Joe Louis Arena, more than 15 years since he last played for Detroit.

Coming up in the 1980s, Bob Probert was the sort of warrior they now model video game characters after. Relentless. Brutal. Single-minded. Unafraid of blood. He was an enforcer, a goon, a guy whose main purpose was to make sure nobody messed with his team’s stars. Someone touched Steve Yzerman? Bob Probert touched back hard. Someone ran the goalie? Probert ran him harder.

His fights are legendary and are no doubt being downloaded at a record clip this morning, after news of his sudden death Monday while boating with his family on Lake St. Clair.

His time in Detroit ended badly

“Even when he’s just gotten in trouble,” Jacques Demers once lamented, “he has that look that says, ‘I’m sorry. Help me.' "

And you wanted to help. You wanted Probert to shake his demons. He had that ruddy face, that goofy grin, that tousled hair, the look of a man who could be so happy when he was happy. And he had such skill. So Demers, the coach, stuck out his neck, and Jimmy Devellano, the general manager, stuck out his neck, and Mike Ilitch, the owner, stuck out his neck, and in the end, they all got burned. Probert walked away after a motorcycle crash, signed a free-agent deal with Chicago and made millions more before retiring, finally, in 2002.

By that point, he was a memory here, part of the Bruise Brothers days, a guy who averaged more than 3.5 penalty minutes a game. Ironically, he checked out before the Wings began winning Stanley Cups and he never did get a ring. He had several incidents with the law and alcohol in 2004 and 2005. Most of us don’t know what the last few years have held.

He was 45 when he collapsed Monday afternoon. News spread quickly around here — “Bob Probert died?” — and we were stunned because he seemed so indestructible.

But no one is indestructible. Who knows what finally took him? But it took him too soon. Even to the end, you wanted Probert to make it. He should not be remembered by the worst he did, and he cannot be whitewashed by the best. But whether an opponent, an image, an addiction or a past, Bob Probert was always fighting something. He can lay down his arms now. And finally be at peace.
[Detroit Free Press]

Links to the Story

Bob Probert was boating when chest pains struck [Detroit Free Press]

How we'll remember ex-Red Wing Bob Probert [Detroit Free Press]

Joe Kocur: Bob Probert was the brother I never had [Detroit Free Press]

Bob Probert still fights the battle of his life [Detroit Free Press]

Ex-NHL enforcer Probert dies at 45 [CBC.CA]

Former Red Wings, Blackhawks enforcer Bob Probert dies at 45 [USATODAY.COM]

Bob Probert Dead: Died At 45 [The Huffington Post]

Bob Probert, Legendary Tough Guy, Dead at Age 45 [Bleacher Report]

Former NHL tough guy Bob Probert dead at age 45 after collapsing on a boat [Winnipeg Free Press]

Remembering Bob Probert as the 'teddy bear', the 'heavyweight champ' and 'one of the toughest guys ever' [Puck Daddy]

Ex-Hawks enforcer Probert dies Collapses on boat after complaining of severe chest pain he was 45 [Chicago Tribune]

Ex-Blackhawks enforcer Bob Probert dies at age 45 [Daily Herald]

Former Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert, 45, dies after collapsing on boat [MLive.COM]

Summarizing the reflections on former Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert's untimely death [MLive.COM]

Former NHL tough guy Bob Probert dies after collapsing on boat [CNN.COM]

Bob Probert fight log at Hockey Fights [Hockey Fights]

Bob Probert Dies at 45 [Hockey Fights]

Bob Probert suffered 'severe chest pain' before collapsing, father-in-law says [Windsor Star]

Legendary NHL tough guy remembered for kindness, generosity and love of family [Windsor Star]

FORMER NHL ENFORCER PROBERT PRONOUNCED DEAD [TSN.CA]

Farewell Bob Probert [The Ciskie Blog]

Troubled former NHL enforcer Bob Probert dies at age 45 [Vancouversun.com]

Former NHL tough guy Bob Probert dead at age 45 [Globe and Mail]

Rumblings and Mumblings Part Two (RW77)

More rumblings and mumblings and my take on them.

First, I must say that anyone who thinks that this year's Free Agent crop is anything above average at best is kidding themselves. Yeah, there's a few top end players (or were) on the market but most have already signed. There are some decent potential but that only matters if you're a Minnesota pro sports franchise. I love the offseason and tracking movement of players and all this stuff, but... man... it's hard this year. After Kovalchuk signs, apparently the dominoes will fall and all that will be left will be the same type of stuff you find when you are picking dodgeball teams when all your friends have been chosen and all that are left are the "fat" kids and those kids who aren't sports inclined. I know, that's kindof a harsh analogy, but it's pretty accurate.

Ok, now the rumblings:

1. Niemi files for arbitration. This is bad for the Hawks but probably good for Niemi. Other than the obvious (arbitration is typically for a 1 year contract and unrestricted free agency following that year barring contract extensions), this could force the Hawks into another Huet like situation. Goaltenders are strange creatures. Cam Ward was the last rookie goaltender to win a Stanley Cup. He did it in 2006 and, though his stats weren't nearly very good during the 2006 season, he wasn't any better the following year. Ward isn't a terrible goaltender, but you never know what is going to happen. And Chicago has a history of overpaying goaltenders. Could be a bad thing.

2. Modano could be a Red Wing. Color me surprised on this one. I've seen this described as a "Dallas Drake-esque" type signing (with the only difference as Modano's name is already on the Cup). I'm not sure what to take of this. On one hand, he's a great player and a surefire Hall of Famer (Well... maybe... if Oates, Bure, and Gilmour couldn't make it in...) but on the other hand, I'd like to see the Red Wings not have to have a seperate bus dedicated to the nursing home staff and be able to sell off their considerable stock in Rascal 0 turn radius powerchairs. Yeah, they need to get younger.

3. Kovalchuk to (maybe) stay with the Devils - The cap hit on this is simply unbelievable. It would be the fourth highest cap hit if he stays. According to reports (brought to my attention by Goon), Atlanta offered him even more than the Devils. However, according to ESPN.com, Atlanta is out. NY Islanders and St. Petersburg's KHL team are the other two candidates. I don't know... Maybe Snow would offer Kovy a 15 year $165 million contract with a no trade clause?

4. The mighty have fallen. Sheldon Souray... wow. The NHL analysts used to rave about his shot. Now the Oilers are raving about his contract.... and how they still have to pay it. And it's a yikes type arrangement. $5.4 million cap hit. Well, at least they signed Hall...

5. The Kings can't decide if they're interested in Simon Gagne or not. I'm not sure what to say about him.

6. Seemingly the joke du jour, but Tomas Kaberle is on the trading block.... for the umpteenth offseason.

7. Daniel Carcillo filed for arbitration. I'll give him $50 cash if he signs with the KHL instead. Oh wait, there's no signs that even the KHL wants him.

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]