|
Team (No. 1 Votes)
|
W-L
|
Points
|
Final Rank
|
|
1. North Dakota State
(18)
|
15-0
|
636
|
1
|
|
2. Eastern Washington
(6)
|
12-3
|
615
|
3
|
|
3. Southeast Louisiana
(1)
|
11-3
|
542
|
6
|
|
4. New Hampshire
|
10-5
|
510
|
5
|
|
5. Montana
|
10-3
|
505
|
8
|
|
6. Coastal Carolina
|
12-3
|
447
|
7
|
|
7. Towson (1)
|
13-3
|
438
|
2
|
|
8. Jacksonville State
|
12-2
|
425
|
12
|
|
9. McNeese State
|
10-3
|
424
|
9
|
|
10. South Dakota State
|
9-5
|
332
|
14
|
|
11. Eastern Illinois
|
12-2
|
314
|
4
|
|
12. Fordham
|
12-2
|
305
|
10
|
|
13. Villanova
|
6-5
|
287
|
NR
|
|
14. Sam Houston State
|
9-5
|
277
|
13
|
|
15. Northern Iowa
|
7-5
|
263
|
NR
|
|
16. Chattanooga
|
8-4
|
238
|
25
|
|
17. Tennessee State
|
10-4
|
237
|
17
|
|
18. Furman
|
8-6
|
188
|
21
|
|
19. Montana State
|
7-5
|
170
|
20
|
|
20. Maine
|
10-3
|
169
|
11
|
|
21. Youngtown State
|
8-4
|
162
|
19
|
|
22. William & Mary
|
7-5
|
159
|
NR
|
|
23. Bethune-Cookman
|
10-3
|
136
|
16
|
|
24. Richmond
|
6-6
|
118
|
NR
|
|
25. Northern Arizona
|
9-3
|
116
|
15
|
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
NDSU Tops the 2014 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll
Austin Poganski Among 15 Cut from the USA Junior Camp
The following players were cut by team USA during the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp on Tuesday.
Ian McCoshen, Michael Brodzinski (San Jose Sharks), Connor Clifton (Arizona Coyotes), Clint Lewis, Scott Savage and Thomas Vannelli (St. Louis Blues), and forwards Taylor Cammarata (New York Islanders), Ryan Hitchcock, Connor Hurley (Buffalo Sabres), Keegan Iverson (New York Rangers), Vinni Lettieri, Sean Malone (Buffalo Sabres), Ryan MacInnis (Arizona Coyotes), Michael McCarron (Montreal Canadiens) and Austin Poganski (St. Louis Blues).
In coming UND freshman forward Austin Poganski was among the players cut.
NHL Hockey: Most Hated Team...
These maps have been making it's way around the internet, is there really any question who the fans hate? My question is, how are the Detroit Red Wings so hated in the West? There's no question who the fans in Canada hate.
Stanley Cup coming to UND, Ralph Engelstad Arena
Matt Greene is bringing Lord Stanley's Cup to Grand Forks, ND.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The
National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup, the oldest championship in North American
professional team sports, is coming to Ralph Engelstad Arena.
The iconic trophy will accompany former University of
North Dakota men’s hockey captain Matt Greene to Grand Forks on Tuesday, Aug.
12 for a public viewing at Engelstad Arena. Greene and his Los Angeles Kings
captured their second Stanley Cup championship in three years when they
defeated the New York Rangers in five games in the Stanley Cup Finals in June.
The Cup will be on display in the main lobby of
Engelstad Arena from 12-3 p.m. Central. Fans will have the opportunity to take
photographs with the Cup and take home a free special commemorative flyer. A
video highlight package featuring Greene and the Kings will also run on the
video screens in the lobby.
Greene, an assistant captain with the Kings, played at
North Dakota 2002-03 through 2004-05. He captained the 2005 Fighting Sioux team
to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game in Columbus, Ohio. In his three years
at UND, Greene appeared in 122 games, collecting three goals and 28 assists.
Monday, August 04, 2014
Some of the Kings with the Stanley Cup
Lord Stanley's Cup has been real busy this summer. The Cup has been making the rounds with the Stanley Cup Champion the L.A. Kings. On August 12th, 2014, the Stanley Cup will be in Grand Forks, ND with Matt Greene...
Jarret Stoll of the @LAKings has a cooler ball marker than you do. http://t.co/MZXsbKYxvP pic.twitter.com/4CSpTFeheq
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigestMag) August 5, 2014
Awesome night on Lake of the Woods with the Stanley Cup with the champ @MRichie_10 !!!! pic.twitter.com/CPdrUQmUrb
— Jeff Gustafson (@GussyOutdoors) August 2, 2014
The #StanleyCup looks good wearing a #LoganStrong hat #FcukCancer #BecauseItsTheCup #BecauseImGoingToBeatCancer 💪 pic.twitter.com/9v4jKLOmY6
— Logan Nobriga (@LoNo1107) July 26, 2014
"@keeperofthecup: Gaborik at Hermosa beach @HockeyHallFame @KellyHockeyHall @LAKings #stanleycup pic.twitter.com/kvRxZLh3sJ" @WheresTheCup
— Janet Mie Takenaka (@jmtakenaka) June 17, 2014
Bonfire with Stanley. @keeperofthecup @Summerskates pic.twitter.com/v2CrpqlKsH
— dustin brown (@DustinBrown23) July 7, 2014
OMG! A Boston Bruins Hate Map
I was actually kidding when I said this. But there's actually a Boston Bruins hate map. It's official, everyone hates the Boston Bruins.
@gopherstate Can we put that right next to the hate map for the Boston Bruins?
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Sonny Milano Watch is on
This would be a big loss for the Boston College Eagles "if" this happens. The #MilanoWatch is officially on. But those that think the Eagles cupboard is bare is highly mistaken. The Eagles will still probably be one of the top teams in Hockey East this year.
Milano has told those around him that he'd make a decision -- BC or OHL -- after the US national junior camp is finished.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) August 4, 2014
LRT: Looks like the only thing that's official is that #MilanoWatch is on. Just another summer in CHL-NCAA recruiting war.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 4, 2014
Also, look for CBJ 1st rounder Sonny Milano to announce he'll forego playing at Boston College in favour of the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) August 3, 2014
Parise Scores.....
Even more reason to be positive about the upcoming 2014-15 season. Parise scored 33 goals during the 2013-14 season and playoffs.
Subban gets his money (RW77)
PK Subban is, to me, an interesting case... and not the only interesting case on the Canadiens.
Yesterday, PK Subban signed an 8 year $72 million contract with Montreal. For the math fans out there, that's a cap hit of $9 million a year.
Is this a good or a bad deal? Fans and analysts alike are already batting around this question. Ok, so maybe it is because we are now entering the boring part of the offseason and there's nothing really to talk about now that Sid the kid's surgery is postponed or cancelled.
Back a few years, Duncan Keith signed a mammoth extension with the Blackhawks worth $5.5 million a year and people questioned it and it turned out ok. Others, not so much. But in my opinion, the worthiness of this contract isn't questionable if you look at Subban's offensive numbers and even defensive capabilities. Based on those facts alone, he's pretty solid. Goon and I agree, he's most certainly the best player on Montreal.
However, he has a reputation most often scorned by those who were subjected to the Vigneault-led Vancouver Canucks of years past: Embellishment, diving, showboating, etc. Subban is the finest diver in all of the NHL (my opinion anyways) and he excelled at it last year in the playoffs. Sadly, it's not the "haters" that were the only ones noticing it.... EVERYONE was.
There is talk that Subban will be named Captain or wear an 'A' on his sweater this season. I, for one, hope this is just talk. He's not yet matured enough to be an on ice leader. Maybe he's great in the locker room. His interviews seem good enough as well. So, sure, he has the potential, but he needs to clean up his game first.
The problem lies in the necessity to do such a thing... you see, it isn't present. More and more Captains of teams employ shady tactics on the ice. The Kings' Dustin Brown is a good example. Historically, there have been "cheap" Captains or superstars. Heck, Gordie Howe was a cheap as they come back in his heyday.
However, I'd like to think that the Captain is a leader by example and exemplifies what his team is all about on and off the ice by such an example. PK Subban doesn't lead in that way. But that being said, the NHL isn't going to change its trends because of my opinion. Oh well.
So, is Subban worth a big payday? Yes. Is it a bit high? I think so. I like Duncan Keith's numbers. Something like an 8 year $44 million contract would have been perfect for Subban. Load it with incentives if you want, that's fine.
So, he's a bit overpaid... but unlike the other "interesting" case, I think he'll back up his pay grade.
The next Habs player headed for a big payday apparently is Carey Price. And I truly believe that last year he had a career year pre-injury. He'll still be good, but he's not an elite goaltender. The Habs will pay for a guy they almost let walk twice. Soon after, they'll wish they had let him walk.
Just my prediction.
Yesterday, PK Subban signed an 8 year $72 million contract with Montreal. For the math fans out there, that's a cap hit of $9 million a year.
Is this a good or a bad deal? Fans and analysts alike are already batting around this question. Ok, so maybe it is because we are now entering the boring part of the offseason and there's nothing really to talk about now that Sid the kid's surgery is postponed or cancelled.
Back a few years, Duncan Keith signed a mammoth extension with the Blackhawks worth $5.5 million a year and people questioned it and it turned out ok. Others, not so much. But in my opinion, the worthiness of this contract isn't questionable if you look at Subban's offensive numbers and even defensive capabilities. Based on those facts alone, he's pretty solid. Goon and I agree, he's most certainly the best player on Montreal.
However, he has a reputation most often scorned by those who were subjected to the Vigneault-led Vancouver Canucks of years past: Embellishment, diving, showboating, etc. Subban is the finest diver in all of the NHL (my opinion anyways) and he excelled at it last year in the playoffs. Sadly, it's not the "haters" that were the only ones noticing it.... EVERYONE was.
There is talk that Subban will be named Captain or wear an 'A' on his sweater this season. I, for one, hope this is just talk. He's not yet matured enough to be an on ice leader. Maybe he's great in the locker room. His interviews seem good enough as well. So, sure, he has the potential, but he needs to clean up his game first.
The problem lies in the necessity to do such a thing... you see, it isn't present. More and more Captains of teams employ shady tactics on the ice. The Kings' Dustin Brown is a good example. Historically, there have been "cheap" Captains or superstars. Heck, Gordie Howe was a cheap as they come back in his heyday.
However, I'd like to think that the Captain is a leader by example and exemplifies what his team is all about on and off the ice by such an example. PK Subban doesn't lead in that way. But that being said, the NHL isn't going to change its trends because of my opinion. Oh well.
So, is Subban worth a big payday? Yes. Is it a bit high? I think so. I like Duncan Keith's numbers. Something like an 8 year $44 million contract would have been perfect for Subban. Load it with incentives if you want, that's fine.
So, he's a bit overpaid... but unlike the other "interesting" case, I think he'll back up his pay grade.
The next Habs player headed for a big payday apparently is Carey Price. And I truly believe that last year he had a career year pre-injury. He'll still be good, but he's not an elite goaltender. The Habs will pay for a guy they almost let walk twice. Soon after, they'll wish they had let him walk.
Just my prediction.
Friday, August 01, 2014
Make or Break Time for J.T. Miller?
I found this article on T.J. Miller to be interesting, maybe because he was committed to UND for a minute, before he bolted for the greener pastures of the OHL. I still think college hockey would have done this kid some good.
SNYRangers.com -- Jeff Gorton says that the Rangers organization has “made it clear” to JT Miller what kind of opportunity he has in front of him this season. (Tal Pinchevsky)
Glen Sather said at the draft that they expect Miller to “come to play” this year. Sather said that Miller is “young, fits into the price range and will develop into a very good hockey player.” He adds that Miller showed a lot of growth this past season.
It’s been said before that the Rangers are counting on Miller to take a step this coming season.
Miller is “more than ready” to be an NHLer and should be able to beat out Chris Bourque or Chris Mueller for a roster spot. (The Hockey News)
Canadiens' Subban has Arbitration hearing
To tak a quote from Jerry McGuire, "Show me the money." I predict that's what P.K. Subban is going to be saying. You would have to think that Subban is going to be getting somewhere between seven and 10 million a year. For comparison sake, L.A. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty signed a new five-year contract that pays him seven million a year.
NHL.COM – The arbitration hearing between defenseman P.K. Subban and the Montreal Canadiens has concluded in Toronto, according to multiple media outlets.
"It's been an education process for me," Subban told Chris Johnston of Sportsnet after the hearing, which went through after Subban and the Canadiens could not agree on a new contract. He is now likely to receive the salary determined by the arbitrator, though the two sides can continue to negotiate until the decision comes down. The arbitrator has 48 hours to decide.
Subban's agent, Don Meehan, told Johnston that there are no plans to continue negotiating a long-term contract before the arbitration award.
The 25-year-old restricted free agent tied for fifth among NHL defensemen last season with 53 points in 82 games and led the Canadiens with 14 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, averaging 27:26 of ice time per game. He earned $3.75 million last season, with a $2.875 million salary-cap charge, in the final season of a two-year contract.
Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin declined to speak with reporters.
Football single-game tickets go on sale today
Get your UND football tickets today.
Grand Forks, N.D. - With the football season less than a month away, officials
from the University of North Dakota Athletics Department announced on Wednesday
that single-game tickets will go on sale this Friday, Aug. 1, beginning at 10
a.m.
Additionally, UND Champions Club members can participate in a pre-sale for football single-game tickets this Thursday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Champions Club members will be e-mailed a passcode and instructions prior to the pre-sale.
Single-game ticket costs for the Robert Morris (Potato Bowl), Stony Brook, Weber State and Northern Arizona games are $15-$20 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-game tickets for the Montana (Hall of Fame) and Portland State (Homecoming) games are $20-$25 for adults and $15 for youth.
Fans looking for the best value are still encouraged to purchase season tickets, which start at just $75 for all six home games. These can be purchased online at UNDSports.com/Tickets, in person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office, or by calling 701-777-4689.
UND Football opens the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 28 at San Jose State (9 p.m. CT). The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 as UND will take on Robert Morris in the 49th Annual Potato Bowl USA. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Alerus Center.
Tickets can be purchased at the Alerus Center Box Office, UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or via Ticketmaster.com.
Visit www.undsports.com/tickets for more information.
Additionally, UND Champions Club members can participate in a pre-sale for football single-game tickets this Thursday, July 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Champions Club members will be e-mailed a passcode and instructions prior to the pre-sale.
Single-game ticket costs for the Robert Morris (Potato Bowl), Stony Brook, Weber State and Northern Arizona games are $15-$20 for adults and $10 for youth. Single-game tickets for the Montana (Hall of Fame) and Portland State (Homecoming) games are $20-$25 for adults and $15 for youth.
Fans looking for the best value are still encouraged to purchase season tickets, which start at just $75 for all six home games. These can be purchased online at UNDSports.com/Tickets, in person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena Box Office, or by calling 701-777-4689.
UND Football opens the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 28 at San Jose State (9 p.m. CT). The home opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 as UND will take on Robert Morris in the 49th Annual Potato Bowl USA. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at the Alerus Center.
Tickets can be purchased at the Alerus Center Box Office, UND Box Office at Ralph Engelstad Arena or via Ticketmaster.com.
Visit www.undsports.com/tickets for more information.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Amway Top 25 Coaches Poll (7/31/14)
1. Florida State Seminoles (56)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners (3)
4. Oregon Ducks (1)
5. Auburn Tigers
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (1)
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Michigan State Spartans
9. South Carolina Gamecocks (1)
10. Baylor Bears
11. Stanford Cardinal
12. Georgia Bulldogs
13. LSU Tigers
14. Wisconsin Badgers
15. USC Trojans
16. Clemson Tigers
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18. Arizona State Sun Devils
19. Mississippi Rebels
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Kansas St. Wildcats
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. University of North Carolina Tar Heels
24. Texas Longhorns
25. Washington Huskies
Only four Big Ten Teams in the top 25 coaches poll.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners (3)
4. Oregon Ducks (1)
5. Auburn Tigers
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (1)
7. UCLA Bruins
8. Michigan State Spartans
9. South Carolina Gamecocks (1)
10. Baylor Bears
11. Stanford Cardinal
12. Georgia Bulldogs
13. LSU Tigers
14. Wisconsin Badgers
15. USC Trojans
16. Clemson Tigers
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
18. Arizona State Sun Devils
19. Mississippi Rebels
20. Texas A&M Aggies
21. Kansas St. Wildcats
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
23. University of North Carolina Tar Heels
24. Texas Longhorns
25. Washington Huskies
Only four Big Ten Teams in the top 25 coaches poll.
Herald Opinion: UND should get after a new nickname
From today's local fish wrapper, err, Grand Forks Herald. But what else would you expect from them? I have always said, outside of the sports page, which is awesome, this news paper disappoints me.
I have to respectfully disagree with Tom Dennis. There’s really no need to hurry picking a new nickname. Nicknames are something that we’re stuck with for a very long. If the University makes a hurried, hasteful decision, the University is going to be stuck with some stupid nickname that no one can get behind, or want on the front of their jerseys and t-shirts... Then what? I am dead serious here. Honestly, I could see this happening. One of my biggest fears is that the University will be pressured into picking some stupid nickname like Sun Dogs or Flickertails.
Let’s slow down, get together and move forward with a purpose. Let's not do this willy-nilly. Moreover, let’s not just pick a nickname, just to pick a nickname. Let’s select something that’s not going to alienate a lot of people, especially alumni.
Also, UND can’t even pick a new nickname until 2015. It’s not like UND is going to order new uniforms for their sports teams half way through the year. This is not going to happen.
The first thing that we need to address is the committee/mechanism that chooses the new nickname. Who will be on this committee that picks the new nickname? Obviously, this committee that doesn’t exist yet. The major question is who’s going to help choose this new nickname? Again, if the alumni think that the “wrong” people are part of the process, or if a block of people are left out of the process, you’re going to alienate your alumni base. The University can’t afford to alienate their loyal alumni base.
Tom Dennis, Grand Forks Herald – “We want to emphasize that the work of this group will be to establish a process, not to select a new nickname or logo,” said one administrator. And even that tepid description sounds fiery next to this one, which another official offered:Dennis goes on…
“We don’t have a process yet, but what we’re doing is preparing to create a process.”
In our view, this timidity on the part of UND’s administration is a mistake. The university has a lot to gain and not a whole lot to lose by striding confidently toward its goal, which is to line up lots of nickname suggestions, choose the most exciting one and then announce that choice with trumpets and confetti.
Sorry, but the current “University of North Dakota” moniker just isn’t enough. Harvard has the most recognizable academic name on the planet; but Harvard doesn’t call its sports teams, “Harvard.” They are the Harvard Crimson.Contrary to some’s point of view, no nickname works just fine. This has worked for a year already. Sure, it takes time blending UND into blog posts and game reports, but this is a minor issue.
The Yale Bulldogs, University of Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes … the list goes on. In fact, it goes on forever, as virtually every other college in America has a team nickname, regardless of how famous the institution is.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
My Early Preseason NCAA Men's Hockey Favorite
Looking ahead to the season upon us, one must look at who left early, and from where, and who has the best incoming freshman. You have your usual suspects as one might imagine, with Boston College, Minnesota, and North Dakota probably being in the top 10 all season long, barring the typical first half North Dakota funk they always seem to have. Union, the defending national champs, is a team that I don't know what to think about. They proved that if you have a good core of players, and believe in your coach/team, great things can happen.
Michigan looks like they are back on the upswing once again, but their usual Big 10 football rival,
One also has to wonder about Boston University and if they will crawl back up the rankings again, or if they will stay out of the tournament picture like last season. Only time will tell.
Once again, the NCHC looks to be the powerhouse conference, with the possibility of sending at least five teams to the tournament once again. Miami has their top players returning this season, and are once again among the favorites to win the conference in preseason polls. However, they said that last season too and you saw how that ended up.
Minnesota, the College Hockey News number one team coming into this coming season in their very preseason poll release, looks to gain revenge after their national title game flop against Union. The always tough Golden Gophers
Finally, a team I know much more about, North Dakota. With three of five incoming freshman being drafted at this years NHL Draft, they return a line-up that has a lot of options.
If you asked me to pick a national champion right now, I'd have to flip a coin between North Dakota and Minnesota, but the season is very long and a lot can happen. Ask me this question at the start of the second half and I might have a different answer for you.
Wild Roster Moves Leave Promising Look to Upcoming Season
However, with new signings come people losing a spot on the roster. Among the losses are Dany Heatley, much to the joy of the Wild fans, and Clayton Stoner both going to the Anaheim Ducks. Heatley was just a thorn in the Minnesota Wild's salary cap and with him gone a lot of room opened up. With Stoner, however, the wild lose 2/3 of the grit they had in the line-up, the other third going to Matt Cooke.
If there is a road block in the upcoming season for the Wild, I think this is the spot to have it. Yes, they will have guys who like to hit some, like Matt Dumba and Keith Ballard, but there won't be that one guy who will drop the gloves when the team needs a kick start or protection from an opposing teams enforcer. If push came to shove, I'm sure Ballard or Brodziak would drop the gloves if absolutely needed, but I think it's still not enough.
The other big question is with the goaltending. People keep asking me why we didn't buy out Backstrom's contract, but due to him being injured at the end of the season, by NHL rule, they were not allowed to. So Backstrom is here to stay, for now. Now Josh Harding. He was having a Veznia Trophy type first half until he was sidelined by a change to his MS medications and didn't play for the rest of the season. Harding is expected to be in training camp come September and is expected to be on the opening day roster come October barring any setbacks. Finally, we have rookie sensation,
Now, the rest of the roster. With the additions made, and with who is returning for the upcoming season, I think that the Wild will have one of the most feared rosters in the NHL. All four forward lines have speed and the potential to score, especially with a healthy Zucker, and a returning Fontaine to solidify an already potent roster of wingers. Up the middle of the ice Minnesota still has the three Finish centers, Captain Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund, and rookie sensation Erik Haula. I'd say that those three have a solidified roster spot this season, but as for the fourth center who knows. You have to start with the veteran Kyle Brodziak, but if his game starts to slip in his fourth line role, its still nice to have a couple of options. Recently signed Jordan Schroeder would likely be a good fit on the fourth line as well, and probably is the odd man out as of right now, but you can always slide Charlie Coyle to the center spot and call up another recent signing in Brett Sutter to play on the wing.
The defensive core will be a little easier to keep track of this upcoming season. Your top line will still be Brodin and Suter. Spurgeon likely plays with Scandella and Ballard likely plays with the young Matt Dumba to start the season
Here is how the opening day line-up will look like in my opinion:
Parise-Granlund-Pominville
Vanek-Koivu-Coyle
Cooke-Haula-Niederreiter
Zucker-Brodziak-Fontaine
Suter-Brodin
Scandella-Spurgeon
Ballard-Dumba
Harding
Kuemper
Scratches:
Almond, Backstrom, Sutter, Blum, Bickel, Schroder, and Veilleux
This is an opening day line-up, I think, can be rivaled to any line-up in the entire NHL. I think this is the year that the Minnesota Wild are finally considered as one of the elite teams in the NHL, provided that they stay healthy. This season is looking very promising for the boys in red and green, and could be one Minnesotans have been waiting for for a very long time.
Wild still trying to re-sign Kuemper
The Minnesota Wild are having a tough time getting their top goalie prospect signed. Eventually, he's going to have to sing, because he's a restricted free agent. I don't think the Wild want this to drag out much longer.
Michael Russo, Star Tribune --- A path toward a possible arbitration date would have at least guaranteed a settlement on a one- or two-year contract and would have assured that Kuemper would be signed by the commencement of camp Sept. 18. Now, a holdout — or at least the threat of one — is a possibility.
“Darcy has great potential and played very well in stretches for us [last] season, but at the end of the day I think he’s played around 30 games in the NHL,” Fletcher said. “Usually this isn’t the time to fight for the big contract. We feel Darcy right now is trying to establish himself in the league, and once he does that it’ll be a little simpler to come up with terms.
“Our focus right now is on getting good deals with both [Kuemper and Niederreiter]. If we can get the right deal for the player and for the team, then it’ll give us a chance to be competitive. If we spend too much money on players before they’re ready to get the money they feel they deserve, it impacts a lot of other things down the road. If we can get a deal done tomorrow, great. If it takes even into training camp, it’s really not a big deal. We’ve got great depth, we got lots of players. We’re going to have to do what’s right financially to keep this thing going forward.”
Kuemper, 24, went 12-8-4 last season with a 2.43 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. He came to the Wild’s rescue when goalies Niklas Backstrom (abdominal injury) and Josh Harding (multiple sclerosis) were sidelined. Kuemper’s camp, which battled the Wild three years ago before Kuemper signed his entry-level contract, appears to feel it has leverage because the Wild again plans to rely on Backstrom and Harding to be healthy next season.
TSN, Subban Seeks $8.5M in Arbitration, Habs Offer $5.25M
I have been following this story with great interest, I actually can't believe that Subban is locked up with a long term deal, already. I think it’s insulting that the Habs want to play their former Norris Trophy winner 5.25 million a year. Talk about being low balled. In my opinion, Subban is definitely worth 8 million a year, if not 10 million a year.
TSN.CA -- With both sides scheduled for their hearing on Friday, the Montreal Canadiens and restricted free agent P.K. Subban have set up their respective asking prices in salary arbitration.If Subban was an UFA, it would be interesting to see what other teams would be willing to offer him in the way of a contract. But Subban has stated that he wants to remain a Hab.
According to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News, the Canadiens submitted an offer of $5.25 million on a one-year contract, while Subban - represented by agent Don Meehan of Newport - is asking for $8.5 million.
The one-year offer from both sides would still make Subban a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
Subban, who signed a two-year deal worth an average annual value of $2.875 million contract prior to the 2012-2013 season, scored 10 goals and added 43 assists in 82 games with the Canadiens in 2013-14.
He also added five goals and 14 points in 17 playoff games and was part of the Canadian men's Olympic team that won gold in Sochi in February.
2015 Frozen Faceoff tickets renewals to be mailed 8/1
Time to reserve those seats for next year's Frozen Faceoff. I also recommend the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.I stayed there last March and it was an amazing hotel.
2015 #FrozenFaceoff tix renewals to be mailed 8/1! Deadline for seat/loyalty pricing is 9/15. http://t.co/eQcuxc0xzJ pic.twitter.com/koz5CRhnwP
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) July 30, 2014
USA's Justin Abdelkader Suspended by the IIHF for hit on Vladimir Sobotka
Former Michigan State Spartan Justin Abdelkader has been give a three-game suspension by the IIHF for a hit to the head of Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka (video include above). My youtube video also made the USA Today Sports page.
Helene St. James, USA TODAY Sports -- The tournament showed both the good and ugly in Abdelkader's game. He had three goals and four points in seven games — but he also managed to get suspended for two separate incidents. It was the severity of the second one — a hit to the head of Czech forward Vladimir Sobotka — that resulted in Tuesday's announcement by the International Ice Hockey Federation of a three-game suspension. The suspension would take effect at the 2015 world championship (of course, there's no guarantee Abdelkader will appear in the tournament).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)