Bravs Hockey Blog

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The Sundin sega goes on…. and on…. and on. I don’t know about the rest of you but I am starting to get tired of hearing about Sundin and his inability to make a decision. If the 20 million reasons that Mike Gillis offered Sundin to play in Vancouver isn’t enough for him to make a decision, then I am really starting to doubt this mans sanity.

A fan that called into the Team 1040 sports radio station today made a point that I agree with, and as days go by I am starting to think he hit the nail on the head. He said something along the lines of maybe Mats Sundin having no intentions of ever coming to Vancouver, and is using the Canucks 20 million dollar offer as as leverage for trying to make a deal with Toronto. Mats could be biding his time, waiting to see what the Leafs can come up with, and has every intention of returning to the eastern team.

I think he would be a great addition to the Canucks, especially with the 2 year deal he has been offered. At least Mike Gillis didn’t offer him some retarded long term contract. If he doesn’t decide to play for Vancouver I still think the team is sitting pretty for next season. They would still have the 10 million per season that they had offered to the Maple Leafs captain to bring in two more top 6 forwards… preferably one center, and one winger… to play along side Demitra.

Anyways, thats it for now. I can’t wait untill a decision is made by Mats Sundin so we can start hearing real news again and not all of this ongoing speculation by the fans and the media alike.

July 1st, Canada Day, a national holiday in Canada, a holiday that many GM’s of the NHL didn’t take off. In fact it proved to be one of the busiest days of work for a lot of them. There were a lot of UFA signings and trades to report.

Lets start with Vancouver. Mike Gillis, the Canucks new GM made one of the most shocking moves. Gillis offered Mats Sundin, former Leaf captain a 2-year deal worth $20 million dollars. Sundin has not accepted or refused the offer as of yet, but the offer leaves a lot of questions concerning the direction the Canucks are heading. If Mats Sundin does accept this offer, who would his linemates be? With Naslund still unsigned and his future with the team in limbo, you have to wonder who will play with Sundin on the first line. Would Markus sign for less for the oppurtunity to play with Mats? Does Gillis have another deal in the works to bring in another top 6 forward to play with the aging center?

What if Mats Sundin doesn’t sign with the Canucks? Where does that leave the team for next year? Do they try for Hossa? Rumour has it that the Oilers are putting in some high bids for the highly coveted UFA. This summer is going to be a stressful one for Canucks fans, and many of them might be remembering a time not too long ago when a popular player by the name of Mark Messier was brought to Vancouver. We all know how that turned out. I guess all the fans can do for now is hope that if he does come to Vancouver he is up for the task set for him, and if he doesn’t come to the west, that Mike Gillis has some other deals or signings in the works.

Mats Sundin wasn’t the only news from the Canucks on July 1st, but he was the biggest news. Gillis also signed Kyle Wellwood to a 1-year deal, former Blues Ryan Johnson to a 2-year deal and former Predator Darcy Hordichuk to a 3-year deal.

Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers were very busy, shipping out Raffi Torres and Joni Pitkanen, bringing in Erik Cole and Gilbert Brule. Lowe also added puck-moving defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.

Michael Ryder, former Montreal Canadien, was picked up by the Boston Bruins.

Wade Redden, former Ottawa Senator defenseman, was signed to a wopping 6-year deal by the New York Rangers that will see him earning $6.5 million per season.

Brian Rolston went to the New Jersey Devils where he will be earning $5 million each year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a couple of players as well. Defenseman Jeff Finger and forward Niklas Hagman.

There were a ton of other signings, to get all the info on them check out the Sportsnet Free Agent Tracker.

With the 2008 NHL Free Agency opening just around the corner, on July 1st, I though I would take a look at what kind of players are still available.

With negotiations coming to a halt, Minnesota Wild left winger Brian Rolston might be shopping around this season to see what kind of deal he could get with another team. Last year Rolston played 81 games scoring 31 goals with 28 assists for a total of 59 points. At 35 years of age, and a $2.5 million price tag, he might be too much of a risk for most teams, but if you ask me, he would be a great signing for any team. With the rate of todays players, $2.5 mil for 31 goals and around 60 points, is a fair deal. I would like to see him wearing a Canucks uniform next year but I don’t see that happening.

Michael Ryder, a right winger for the Montreal Canadians is another UFA that has been highly talked about. However, with his 14 goals and 17 assists in 70 games last season I think his 3 million dollar price tag is way too high. I would not like to see him in a Canucks uniform next season… unless he accepted $1.5-2 million max.

Ryan Malone is a big left winger for the Penguins that has earned the attention of many GM’s from around the league. It has been said that he will most likely be making $5 million or more next season compared to his $1.5 million salary from last season. With 27 goals and 24 assists for a total of 51 points in 77 games last season, I think he earned a raise to around 3-3.5 million dollars next season, but as usual GM’s will be willing to overpay just to sign a player. I would like to see Malone in a ‘Nucks jersey next year, hopefully with a pricetag of around 4 million per season. I can see him being signed by the Canucks but I think if it does happen it will be for more then $5 million a season.

Marian Hossa is another UFA from Pittsburgh that will be shopping around to see what offers are out there. What can I say about this guy? I think he is an over-rated and over-payed player. I just don’t see how his 29 goals and 37 assists justify his $7 million price tag, and most likely $8 million or more next season. I have to laugh at myself when I see fans on the Canucks forum saying how Mike Gillis should sign Hossa, these are the same fans that were whining for Naslund to be traded because he only had 25 goals and 30 assists last season with a price tag of $6 million. I would not like to see Hossa signed by the Canucks, not for that price.

Another notable player that might be available to other teams is Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin. With his 32 goals and 46 assists for a total of 78 points in 74 games last season his 5.5 million dollar price tag is more then fair. Granted, Sundin is pushing 38 years old, but I still believe he has at least 2 or 3 more years left in him. I would love to see Mats Sundin playing for Vancouver next year but I doubt that will happen. I see him either retiring or signing with another East Coast team.

Among lots of other players available, the Vancouver Canucks have a number of players that are UFA’s this season. Most notably are Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison. I would like to see both of these players re-signed by Canucks management… for a pay-cut of course. Out of the two, I think the only player that we might see in a Vancouver jersey next season is Morrison. Naslund will be picked up by an Eastern team that will be willing to pay him top dollar. I hope that happens, and I hope he finds his stride again, he was a great player for us here in Vancouver.

Ok, I know there are a lot of other free agents available but I am going to limit how many I post about. Instead I want to poll all of you about them, to see who you think the best player available is. Im talking about the best player available for the amount of money they will most likely be signed for.

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By Pierre LeBrun
THE CANADIAN PRESS

On a day that began with rumours swirling around the likes of Marian Hossa, Brad Richards and Olli Jokinen, the last name that was expected to steal the spotlight on the eve of the NHL’s trade deadline was that of Peter Forsberg.

This is the same Peter Forsberg who through his agent last week said his return to the NHL was “unlikely” because of his foot/ankle problems.

Completely out of left field, the 34-year-old unrestricted free-agent centre signed a US$5-million, one-year deal with Colorado on Monday, a contract that will pay him just under $1.1 million pro-rated with six weeks to go in the regular season.

“I wasn’t sure (a week ago) that I was going to come back and I wanted to take an extra week,” Forsberg said on a conference call from Sweden.

“I just feel comfortable going back there (to Colorado) and try to help the team make the playoffs and go as far as we can go,” Forsberg added.

Forsberg, who hasn’t set a timetable for his return in the Avs lineup, had to sign by the trade deadline to qualify for post-season play.

Fact is, his NHL club could miss the playoffs. The Avs are four points out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference with 19 games to go.

“We all understand that there’s still a risk factor but we are willing to take that risk,” said Avs GM Francois Giguere. “Especially when we don’t have to give an asset to acquire him. …

“At the end of the day, I felt I needed to do what I had to do to help this team,” Giguere later added. “That’s part of the commitment that I also made to Joe Sakic two years ago when he accepted to stay on board. You’re always trying to juggle improving the team and looking at the future but we want to do as well as we can this year.”

The day began with Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin explaining to reporters why he decided not to waive his no-movement clause — a huge announcement that was made through his agent late Sunday night.

“I think at the end, I followed my heart and I just haven’t felt the desire to go to any other team or play for any other team at this point,” the 37-year-old Sundin, an unrestricted free agency July 1, said after the pre-game skate in Ottawa.

The Sundin news was surely music to Don Waddell’s ears. The Atlanta Thrashers GM suddenly got his most serious offers for winger Marian Hossa, a rental player who will be unrestricted July 1. Some of the teams that viewed both Sundin and Hossa as possible fits got focused in a hurry once Sundin pulled out.

Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit and San Jose were believed to be among the several teams chasing the 29-year-old Hossa.

Will Richards also be moved? The Tampa Bay Lightning centre controls his fate with a no-trade clause but it’s believed he’s open to a move. He has three more years on his deal paying him $7.8 million a season and the likes of Dallas, Vancouver, Columbus and Chicago were among the clubs who were believed to be interested in his services.

And what of Lightning defenceman Dan Boyle? There was apparently a $40-million, six-year extension in place for the pending unrestricted free agent but it needed ownership approval at a meeting Monday. It apparently didn’t get it. Sources indicate Tampa GM Jay Feaster went back to the Boyle camp with a new offer and talks were set to continue Monday night. Boyle controls his fate with a no-trade clause.

Jokinen does not decide his fate. The Florida Panthers captain was generating a fair amount of interest ahead of the trade deadline. He’s signed for another two seasons at $5.25 million next year and $5.5 million in 2009-10.

“We’re just going to ride it out for now,” said agent Todd Diamond, who represents Jokinen along with Mark Gandler. “He doesn’t have a no-trade so it’s a free world. If they want to trade him, they have that right.”

Peter Forsberg has decided to not return to the NHL this season. Forsbergs agent has been letting NHL teams know that Peter has decied to not return this season because he is not confident he could play at the level he wants due to his injured foot.

Now all the speculation of where he will end up can end… untill the summer months anyway. The trade deadline is soon approaching too and there haven’t been very many moves so far.

Fabian Brunnström has been the focus of attention for a lot of NHL scouts as of late. As what most consider a “late bloomer” Brunnstrom has been lighting up the goal light and showing off his skills this year in the Swedish league. He is considered a late bloomer because of his age, and as a result is not elligable for draft but could be signed as a free agent.

I have included a video I have found highlighting some of his goals:

The Columbus Blue Jackets finalized a deal with Mike Peca Thursday, signing him to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.

Mike Peca could also earn another $50,000 if he plays 40 games, another $50,000 if he suits up for 70 games and an additional $500,000 if the Blue Jackets make the playoffs and Peca plays in at least 65 games.

“We are very pleased to add a player of Michael’s ability, character and presence to our hockey club,” Columbus general manger Scott Howson said Tuesday in a statement. “We expect that Michael will be a very strong addition to our leadership group.”

Free Agent Michael Peca has agreed to a one year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Peca missed the last half of the season with a broken leg, Columbus spokesman Todd Sharrock said Wednesday that Michael must pass a team physical. A formal announcement is expected later this week.

Peca has 164 goals and 245 assists in 728 career games with Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

There has been a lot of talk and speculation about Petr Forsberg becoming a Canuck for the upcoming season.

Some of the speculation is around Naslund trying to convince his long time friend and old teammate to come to Vancouver to unite once again and become a very nice “one, two punch” on a top line together. You can read more about this here

Another side of the story is “Foppa”’s father himself calling certain West Coast organizations saying Peter is interested in playing there. Canucks seems to be the most likely place, given the rumor about Naslund trying to convince him to play there.

Either way, if it is true, I think signing Peter Forsberg would be a very wise risk to take. Even if he doesnt stay healthy for an entire season he will contribute greatly to the scoreboard when he is healthy. He also might be exactly what Captain Markus Naslund needs to break his slump (although I personally don’t think his last season was as bad as people make it out to be) and become an elite scoring threat once again.

It might be a great “boost” for the Sedin twins as well.

I guess only time can tell if there is any truth to this rumor. As a Canucks fan, I hope so.

Trevor Linden, a 16 year veteran of the Vancouver Canucks, has resigned and will return wearing the new Canucks jersey for the coming 2007/2008 NHL season.

There have been a lot of rumors and specualtion over the summer regarding Lindens return to a Canucks uniform, many fans fealt that Trevor should hang up his skates, others were adimant about making sure he plays another year. Well, for all you ‘Nucks fans, the wait is over, he is back.

Lets just hope the Canucks can put together a great season and bring home a cup, this very well may be Trevor Lindens last year as a Canuck and a player.