Sunday, July 14, 2013
Thomas Vanek and Sabres 'suffering'
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Tough week for Western Michigan Broncos
#WMUHockey coach Andy Murray says 'issues of integrity' factored into Garrett Haar's release | http://t.co/JQ8DTy6gFH
— David Drew (@Drew_on_WMU) July 12, 2013
If you have been following college hockey on Twitter this week, it's been a very tough week for the Western Michigan hockey team. In a matter of a couple of day, WMU has lost two players. The first defection was incoming recruit Michael McCarron who decided to forgo his college eligibility and play for the London Knights in the OHL.
The other loss for the Broncos, was junior defenseman Garrett Haar, who was supposed to be a returning to WMU, but was released by the university. According to a press release from Western Michigan University, "Garrett has not lived up to his committment to his academics and his Bronco hockey teammates and we have decided to part ways with him," WMU coach Andy Murray.
Have decided to leave Western Michigan and go play in the WHL. Medicine Hat tigers seems to be my destination but still not sure. #fresh
— Garrett Haar (@HaarDaddy4) July 12, 2013
I did not get kicked off Western Michigan , this was my decision #layoff
— Garrett Haar (@HaarDaddy4) July 12, 2013
#WMUHockey freshman Michael McCarron will play for London Knights and forgo college career | http://t.co/kfYE2Nai32
— David Drew (@Drew_on_WMU) July 11, 2013
Officially signed a three year entry level contract with the @CanadiensMTL #GOHABSGO
— Michael McCarron (@MacAttackUSA93) July 11, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Bruins Rangers and Wild Transactions
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| Alternate logo since 2003. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The Minnesota Wild have signed Jonathon Blum and Jon Landry to one-year, two-way free agent deals. Landry will more than likely play with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Blum is a former first round draft choice for the Nashville Predators and played in 35 NHL games last season, I suppose Blum will have a chance to make the Wild out of training camp, he will definitely add to the competition for making one of the final six spots in the defensive corps.
The New York Rangers have signed former Minnesota Wild pylon Justin Falk to a one-year contract worth 975,000.00. Yikes, thank God Wild fans will no longer have to watch the slow footed Falk getting walked by Western Conference forwards anymore.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk retires from the NHL at age 30
New insider? "@AngelinaLawton: Guess I was 7 months early on this secret :) #kovalchuk @NHL @NHLDevils pic.twitter.com/tWeIpErkZc”
— Nick Kypreos (@RealKyper) July 11, 2013
As announced today, the Devils forward Ilya Kovalchuk retired from the NHL leaving the New Jersey Devils holding the bag. I am thankful that I don't have Ilya Kovalchuk in a keeper fantasy hockey league.
NHL.COM --- Kovalchuk's departure frees up more than $6 million in salary-cap space for the Devils, allowing the club to be more active in free agency. But the Devils will have to pay between $250,000 and $300,000 per year in cap-benefit recapture fees for each of the next dozen years.With Ilya Kovalchuk departure, the Devils free up six million dollars that that they can use to go after a forward to take Kovalchuk's place, of course forwards like that don't grown on trees. With the departure of Kovalchuk, former Fighting Sioux forward Travis Zajac is now the top paid forward with the Devils. The Devils also have about 10 million dollars to work with under the cap. Kovalchuck is now going to play for SKA in the KHL.
"Right now we just have to take a step back to go forward," Lamoriello said. 'We'll just have to re-evaluate what our options are and do the best we can, but we'll be ready to play when September comes."
Kovalchuk leaves the NHL after 11 seasons; he had 417 goals and 399 assists for 816 points in 816 games. After being taken by the Atlanta Thrashers with the first pick in the 2001 NHL Draft, Kovalchuk had 29 goals as a rookie in 2001-02. He scored at least 30 goals in each of the next nine seasons, including six in a row with at least 40 from 2002-03 to 2009-10.
The Candiens sign Michael McCarron
Also, from the developing news department, the Montreal Canadiens have signed their first round draft choice Michael McCarron to a three year entry level deal, meaning he will forgo his college eligibility and play with the London Knights of the OHL. So, the NCAA vs. CHL debate will heat up even more with this defection. This also means that there were no college hockey recruits selected in the first round of the 2013 NHL Entry Level Draft.
MONTREAL (July 11, 2013) – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced today the signing of forward Michael McCarron to a three-year contract (2013-14 to 2015-16).From the Hockey Writers
In 55 games with the USHL’s US National Development Team in 2012-13, McCarron, 18, collected 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists). Six of his goals were scored on the powerplay and he tallied two winning goals. He led his team with 180 penalty minutes and maintained a +6 plus/minus differential.
The 6-foot-5, 237-pound right winger added five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in seven contests with Team USA at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship held last April in Sochi, Russia.
A native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, McCarron was selected in the first round, 25th overall by the Canadiens at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He took part in his first Canadiens’ development camp last week
The London Knights are run the former NHL player’s Dale and Mark Hunter and in the past they’ve been pretty successful getting top American hockey players to decommit from their college commitments, to go play junior hockey for the London Knights. Last season, the Knights had two former NCAA players and a former NCAA recruit on their roster (Dakota Mermis, Anthony Stolarz, Alex Broadhurst).This is a big loss for the Western Michigan Broncos.
Updated NHL free agent signings
| DATE | NAME | POS | FROM | TO | Total | Years | Avg/Yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10 | Zidlicky, Marek | D | New Jersey | New Jersey | $3M | 1 | $3M |
| Jul 10 | Corrente, Matt | D | New Jersey | Carolina | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Jul 10 | D'Agostini, Matt | D | New Jersey | Pittsburgh | $550K | 1 | $550K |
Yesterday, was a light day for free agent signings.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
If the Wild were to get Thomas Vanek
What once looked like a pipe dream is now looking more and more like a possibility. Since April, it’s been no secret that the Minnesota Wild are interested in acquiring former Minnesota Gophers and current Buffalo Sabres Forward Thomas Vanek. The buzz has been picking up more and more… I for one think that Vanek would look very good in the Wild Christmas jersey, or that’s what I call it.
On Monday, Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo was filling in for the host Paul Allen on KFAN 100.3, during the second hour of broadcast a caller asked Michael Russo of the Star Tribune if the Minnesota Wild were trying to acquire Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek and he said yes.
Looking at the website Capgeek you will see that after this season Dany Heatley is an unrestricted free agent and his contract is off the books next summer, the Minnesota Wild will be able to comfortably sign Vanek who is also a unrestricted free agent. Heatley is currently making 7,500,000.00 and Vanek is currently making 7,142,857.00.
Here is the current forward crop per Michael Russo, you can only imagine what Vanek would do to the Wild Lineup.
Zach Parise ($7.5+M)-- Mikko Koivu (6.75M)--**Jason Pominville (4.505M)
*Jason Zucker ($833,333)--*Charlie Coyle (975K)-- Dany Heatley (7.5M)
Matt Cooke -- (2.5M) Kyle Brodziak--(2.83+M)--*Nino Niederreiter (2.795M)
Mike Rupp (1.5M) -- Zenon Konopka--(925K)-- Torrey Mitchell (1.9M)
On Monday, Minnesota Wild beat writer Michael Russo was filling in for the host Paul Allen on KFAN 100.3, during the second hour of broadcast a caller asked Michael Russo of the Star Tribune if the Minnesota Wild were trying to acquire Buffalo Sabres forward Thomas Vanek and he said yes.
Looking at the website Capgeek you will see that after this season Dany Heatley is an unrestricted free agent and his contract is off the books next summer, the Minnesota Wild will be able to comfortably sign Vanek who is also a unrestricted free agent. Heatley is currently making 7,500,000.00 and Vanek is currently making 7,142,857.00.
Here is the current forward crop per Michael Russo, you can only imagine what Vanek would do to the Wild Lineup.
Zach Parise ($7.5+M)-- Mikko Koivu (6.75M)--**Jason Pominville (4.505M)
*Jason Zucker ($833,333)--*Charlie Coyle (975K)-- Dany Heatley (7.5M)
Matt Cooke -- (2.5M) Kyle Brodziak--(2.83+M)--*Nino Niederreiter (2.795M)
Mike Rupp (1.5M) -- Zenon Konopka--(925K)-- Torrey Mitchell (1.9M)
What would it take for the Wild to get Vanek?
@gilesferrell #cantbeserious pic.twitter.com/njUiXrbVYg
— Graeme Erik Young (@Guashoe) July 10, 2013
Someone I follow on twitter posted this last night, I think this trade would prove to be too costly for the Minnesota Wild. I don't think the Wild would give up an number one pick and two first round draft choices/prospects to get Thomas Vanek, who will become a UFA soon.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Free agent updates: Matt Watkins signs free agent deal with the Captials
| Jul 9 | Watkins, Matt | RW | NY Islanders | Washington | $550K | 1 | $550K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9 | Leggio, David | G | Buffalo | Washington | $550K | 1 | $550K |
| Jul 9 | Janssen, Cam | RW | New Jersey | New Jersey | $550K | 1 | $550K |
| Jul 9 | Rallo, Greg | C | Florida | Florida | $600K | 1 | $600K |
| Jul 9 | Moore, Mike | D | Nashville | Boston | $550K | 1 | $550K |
| Jul 9 | Johnson, Nick | RW | Phoenix | Boston | $600K | 1 | $600K |
| Jul 9 | Bachman, Richard | G | Dallas | Edmonton | $625K | 1 | $625K |
Former Fighting Sioux forward Matt Watkins, has signed a one year, two way free agent contract, with the Washington Capitals.
Check out the O'Gara Blog Zane Gothberg mention
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| Boston Bruins logo (1955–1995). Secondary logo, used on black jersey. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Boston Bruins -- I’m really excited for this year’s development camp, this is my third year attending. Last year was different from the first year and I think I’ll have more confidence this year but I’m sure this year will be different than last. It’s going to be a fun week with great competition and it’s a great group of guys. As you go along, you start knowing the names and seeing who you are going to play with. Like Ryan Fitzgerald, I played with him back on the U18 Junior Bruins before we started our prep year seasons. I haven’t seen him in a while so I’m excited to say hi and it’s going fun week.
I’m also looking forward to playing with Zane Gothberg again during the week. We hit it off the last couple years and he’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. We both played in the final 8 in our regional, him in North Dakota, he said hi before our Minnesota game. It was good to see him and you know, it was a little friendly competition and even though I didn’t score against him, we got the best of them. My friend Frank DiChiara from Long Island played with Matt Benning this year, I’ve known him since I was really young. Benning was at camp last year and as a D-man, there are only eight of us here, so we have to bond and stick together.
Tuesday at the Links… Fore
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| Matt Cooke & Pascal Dupuis celebrate OT Goal (Photo credit: wstera2) |
My friend Cornelius Hardenbergh from Stanley Cup of Chowder has an interesting and thought provoking piece on Matt Cooke wanting to wear Derek Boogaard’s number 24. Matt Cooke's Legacy: Graverobber?
Sounds like Matt Cooke has been given the blessing to wear Derek Boogaard’s number by the Boogaard family. Matt Cooke gets blessing of Boogaards to wear 24…[Russo’s Rant’s]
After signing with Minnesota, veteran Matt Cooke still trying to shed rough-stuff reputation [Start Tribune]
Former Minnesota Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck signed a four year deal worth 11 million dollars. That’s 2.75 million a year for Clutterbuck. [New Yorks Islanders]
Here are some possible selections for the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2013; Brendan Shanahan, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Chelios, Pat Burns, Eric Lindros [Globe and Mail]
There are not many former WCHA or college hockey players on the Minnesota Wild’s Development Camp Roster. There’s a grand total of seven. Also on the roster is former Fighting Sioux hockey recruit Miles Koules. [Click to view]
Apparently, Devin Setoguchi found out that he had been traded to Winnipeg Jets from Zenon Konopka while he was in Mexico. [Illegal Curve]
Monday, July 08, 2013
Wild Hockey: Keith Ballard something positive
Today, I was out riding my bike, kind of percolating. Sometimes, I do some of my best thinking when I am out riding my bike. When I am out riding the bike I like to listen to my iPod and catch up on some of the podcasts that I might have missed while I was at work. Today, I was listening to Michael Russo's podcasts who was filling in for Paul Allen on KFAN 100.3.
First off, KFAN should consider hiring Michael Russo, I really like his approach to talk radio, maybe I am the only one that feels this way, but I like how he approaches a radio show. Maybe it's because Russo isn't trying too hard, he's just himself when he fills in for Paul Allen. That's what I like about his shows. While he might not be as polished as a Paul Allen or a Jeff Dubay and Judd Zulgad, he's fun to listen to. Plus, he talks hockey, that's not something that happens a lot in this area. I wish there were more radio shows that simply talked about Hockey 24/7. Especially in the state of hockey.
For some reason, the sports talk radio hosts seem to want to ruin a good show talking about basketball and baseball. Today, Russo was interviewing newly signed Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard... This was a good interview to listen to, if you haven't heard it yet. You can listen to this interview on the embeded audio posted below. The interview starts at the 24:00 minute mark.
I think the Minnesota Wild are going to benefit from the Keith Ballard signing.
UND goalie Clarke Saunders attends the Capitals development camp
Caps’ development camp group rosters http://t.co/SwVIpyAJZf #CapsYou can see by this link that UND senior goalie Clarke Saunders is attending the Washington Capitals Development camp.
— Capitals Outsider (@CapsOutsider) July 8, 2013
Team Red
No., Pos., Name
1 G Louis-Philip Guindon
2 F Conor MacPhee
13 F Stephane Legault
17 F Chandler Stephenson
22 F Nolan Laporte
23 F Brandon Tanev
28 D Jaynen Rissling
39 D Garrett Haar
43 F Tom Wilson
46 F Zach Harnden
51 D Patrick Koudys
53 F Travis Boyd
55 D Madison Bowey
65 F Andre Burakovsky
77 D Tyler Lewington
78 G Brandon Anderson
80 F Brian Pinho
82 F Zach Sanford
88 D Nate Schmidt
89 D Connor Kucera
93 D Chirs Joyeaux
97 F Rob Linsmayer
No., Pos., Name
1 G Louis-Philip Guindon
2 F Conor MacPhee
13 F Stephane Legault
17 F Chandler Stephenson
22 F Nolan Laporte
23 F Brandon Tanev
28 D Jaynen Rissling
39 D Garrett Haar
43 F Tom Wilson
46 F Zach Harnden
51 D Patrick Koudys
53 F Travis Boyd
55 D Madison Bowey
65 F Andre Burakovsky
77 D Tyler Lewington
78 G Brandon Anderson
80 F Brian Pinho
82 F Zach Sanford
88 D Nate Schmidt
89 D Connor Kucera
93 D Chirs Joyeaux
97 F Rob Linsmayer
Team White
No., Pos., Name
N/A, F Michael Latta (only participating Monday)
3 F T.J. Foster
6 F Kyle Baun
14 F Cody Murphy
15 F Domenic Monardo
18 F Christian Hilbrich
33 F Justin Larson
40 D Matthew Petgrave
44 F Riley Barber
47 D Michal Cajkovsky
56 D Patrick Wey
57 G Sergei Kostenko
58 D Connor Carrick
60 D Blake Heinrich
63 F Chance Braid
71 G Clarke Saunders
72 F Caleb Herbert
75 F Boston Leier
79 D Michael Monfredo
87 D Travis Walsh
91 D Dalton Young
92 F Sam Anas
96 D Taylor Stefishen
No., Pos., Name
N/A, F Michael Latta (only participating Monday)
3 F T.J. Foster
6 F Kyle Baun
14 F Cody Murphy
15 F Domenic Monardo
18 F Christian Hilbrich
33 F Justin Larson
40 D Matthew Petgrave
44 F Riley Barber
47 D Michal Cajkovsky
56 D Patrick Wey
57 G Sergei Kostenko
58 D Connor Carrick
60 D Blake Heinrich
63 F Chance Braid
71 G Clarke Saunders
72 F Caleb Herbert
75 F Boston Leier
79 D Michael Monfredo
87 D Travis Walsh
91 D Dalton Young
92 F Sam Anas
96 D Taylor Stefishen
Updated Free Agent Moves....
Jul 8 Matsumoto, Jon C San Jose, Florida, n/a 1 n/a
Jul 8 Gilroy, Matt D NY Rangers, Florida, n/a, 1 n/a
Jul 8 Mueller, Chris C Nashville, Dallas, n/a 1, n/a
Jul 8 Strachan, Tyson D Florida, Washington, n/a, n/a, n/a
Jul 8 Corvo, Joe D Carolina, Ottawa, $900K, 1 $900K
Jul 8 Yonkman, Nolan D Florida, Anaheim, $600K, 1 $600K
Pretty light day on the free agent front so far.
Jul 8 Gilroy, Matt D NY Rangers, Florida, n/a, 1 n/a
Jul 8 Mueller, Chris C Nashville, Dallas, n/a 1, n/a
Jul 8 Strachan, Tyson D Florida, Washington, n/a, n/a, n/a
Jul 8 Corvo, Joe D Carolina, Ottawa, $900K, 1 $900K
Jul 8 Yonkman, Nolan D Florida, Anaheim, $600K, 1 $600K
Pretty light day on the free agent front so far.
Sunday, July 07, 2013
Tyler Seguin's Tweet caused by hacker?
Last night, former Boston Bruins forward Tyler Seguin sent out this tweet on twitter and apparently it caused a major storm for the newly acquired Dallas Stars forward. Seguin has since deleted/deactivated his twitter account. Seguins claims that his twitter account was hacked. The Dallas Stars have also responded to Seguin's tweets as well. The Dallas Stars are set to introduce Seguin on Tuesday at 11:00 A.M. Central.
Tyler Seguin (@tylerseguin92) has deleted his twitter account. Looks like last night's joke/hacking was the last straw. #Bruins #Stars
— BruinsLife.com (@BruinsLife) July 7, 2013
Regarding a tweet that came from Tyler Seguin's account last night, In no way, shape or form does the Dallas Stars organization[continued..]
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013
condone or agree with the message that was sent out through Seguin's Twitter account. We've addressed the issue directly with Tyler [cont..]
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013
...and we'll continue to work on educating our players regarding the importance of their conduct on all forms of social media.
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 7, 2013
Minnesota Wild fans react to the Matt Cooke Signing...
The Wild signed Matt Cooke. Bye. pic.twitter.com/kGuVseF62o
— Abby (@ybba2215) July 5, 2013
Minnesota Wild Won't Earn Any New Fans By Signing Matt Cooke - Rant Sports http://t.co/eDMaOi42xY
— Minnesota Wild 24x7 (@MinWild24x7) July 7, 2013
Since initial shock I have decided to give matt cooke a chance...plz surprise us wild fans, we cud use some positivity right now
— Tyler Martin (@wildgeorge12) July 7, 2013
Sick of this Wild franchise. Fans have nothing to be excited about. Matt Cooke?? I have absolutely zero interest in this bum.
— mleegwater (@mleegwater) July 7, 2013
Still extremely upset about Matt Cooke😣
— Rachel Herbert (@dustyherb) July 7, 2013
@braja57 @Russostrib From Pens' HR and a Matt Cooke superfan. Good guy off the ice? Sure. The point is, he played the wrong way for years.
— Jordan Hansen (@JordanBHansen) July 7, 2013
There is way too much emotion flying around over Matt Cooke. Try using common sense folks.
— Giles Ferrell (@gilesferrell) July 7, 2013
If you are comparing Heatley, Cooke and Clutterbuck or any two thereof, just stop. Don't care what your personal feelings of each are. Stop.
— Jeremy (@knowsknothing) July 7, 2013
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Updated free agent signings.
| DATE | NAME | POS | FROM | TO | Total | Years | Avg/Yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6 | Summers, Chris | D | Phoenix | Phoenix | $550K | 1 | $550K |
| Jul 6 | McNeill, Patrick | D | Washington | Columbus | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Jul 6 | Roy, Derek | C | Vancouver | St. Louis | $4M | 1 | $4M |
| Jul 6 | Jones, Ryan | RW | Edmonton | Edmonton | n/a | 1 | n/a |
| Jul 6 | Pardy, Adam | D | Buffalo | Winnipeg | $600K | 1 | $600K |
| Jul 6 | Santorelli, Mike | C | Winnipeg | Vancouver | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Jul 6 | Samson, Jerome | RW | Carolina | Winnipeg | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Jul 6 | Gordon, Andrew | RW | Vancouver | Winnipeg | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Jul 6 | Sulzer, Alexander | D | Buffalo | Buffalo | n/a | 1 | n/a |
There is no way of sugar coating it the Wild's Matt Cooke is a P.O.S.
Yesterday, my good buddy Redwing77 pinged me on Twitter to let me know that the Wild had picked up Penguins d-bag Matt Cooke. I was in the process of picking my daughter up from daycare, so I hadn't been paying attention very closely. So, he confirmed one of my biggest fears. The Wild had picked up the Penguins unrestricted free agent Matt Cooke. I also have to wonder if the NHL's Department of Player head Brendan Shanahan already has Chuck Fletcher's cell phone number in is speed dial?
@goon48 MATT COOKE with the #mnwild! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
— Daniel Levitt (@DanLevitt7) July 5, 2013
I don't care what Matt Cooke says or what the Globe and Mail says about Matt Cooke, he is the same d-bag that ruined the career of Marc Savard and has been suspended over 27 games by the National Hockey League. This is not a good pick-up for the Minnesota Wild.
To all of those people out there that say, "oh, you're going to learn to love this guy." There's no way; there's not a snow balls chance in hell, that I will ever come to love or respect this worthless piece of crap. Never! There is no way to justify this signing, what-so-ever. Again, this is a very bad signing by the Minnesota Wild.
With the Cooke signing, the Wild's star players are going to have open season on them now. The first time Cooke runs around and starts hitting people from behind or catches someone with a questionable hit and he won't drop the gloves, someone is going to run Zach Parise or another star player from the Wild. Mike Rupp is going to be extra busy having to defend this clown.
Here's what the Wild GM had to say on signing the gutless puke Matt Cooke.
Michael Russo, Star Tribune -- Fletcher called Cooke the ideal third-line winger — blocks shots, has scored 12-19 goals in seven of his 12 full seasons despite little power-play time, “angles well, cycles well, is good along the wall,” skates well and has played more than 1,000 regular-season and playoff games.Again, there is only one way to deal with a player like Matt Cooke, insert Evander Kane.
He won a Stanley Cup with Wild coach Mike Yeo as Pittsburgh’s assistant in 2009. Still, because of his reputation, some Wild fans voiced shock and vitriol at the signing on social media — a similar reaction to when former Wild GM Doug Risebrough traded for Chris Simon in 2008.
“Matt is a player that brings a lot to the table,” Fletcher said. “I think when everybody watches him as a player and focuses in on what he is now as a player versus what his reputation is as a player, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised of what you see.”
@hockeywildernes @goon48 https://t.co/FU7Dc0UkYB
— Jay Medin (@jaymedin) July 6, 2013
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