Archive for June, 2008
With the free agency market attracting the bulk of attention for most hockey fans this weekend, we thought that a run-down of the top blueliners available on July 1, 2008 would be some excellent weekend reading.
With some help from our friends in Canes Country, the list of available defenseman is as follows:
- Brian Campbell
- Wade Redden
- Mark Streit
- Michal Rozsival
- Brooks Orpik
- John-Michael Liles
- Rob Blake
- Ron Hainsey
- Steve Montador
- Mark Eaton
- Adam Foote
- Bryan Berard
- Brad Stuart
- Paul Mara
- Bret Hedican
- Dmitri Kalinin
- Jason Smith
- Andreas Lilja
- Sean Hill
- Marek Malik
- Karel Rachunek
- Aaron Miller
- Dick Tarnstrom
- Wade Belak
- Jim Vandermeer
- Mike Commodore
- Petteri Nummelin
- Patrice Brisbois
- Andrei Zyuzin
- Nolan Pratt
- Keith Carney
- Jaroslav Modry
- Luke Richardson
- David Hale
- Jeff Finger
- Jason Cullimore
What the media and some hockey insiders are predicting
There will be a huge bidding war for Brian Campbell.
Last year, Wade Redden’s game took a nosedive and Ottawa is no longer interested in him. Redden is still a proven leader and a top-qulity rearguard who will demand some large coin in the open market
Concerning Brooks Orpik. Okay, here goes. Many say they wouldn’t touch Orpik with a ten foot pole, and it has nothing to do with that cheap hit on Erik Cole. There is no denying that the defenseman had a great playoffs this past season and did an outstanding job in the Finals against the Wings, but what else has he done?
He’s scored one goal in the past 2 years. He was healthy scratched by his coach at one point this year because of uninspired play. But the blueliner will command a long term contract in excess of 3, maybe 4 million a year based upon 3 months of performance. In my opinion, he shouldn’t get it.
In some ways he reminds me of Mike Commodore. “Commie” had an outstanding playoffs in 2006. He was hitting everything that moved and was a real force in front of the net. At one point he looked like he would command too much money when he hit free agency and the Hurricanes wouldn’t be able to afford him. How times have changed.
I just have a feeling that Orpik will sign a big, fat contract and you will never hear from him again. Time will tell on that.
Rob Blake and Adam Foote will likely be looking to join a cup contender and will not be interested in upstart franchises or those lurking around the bottom of the standings.
Marik Malik, Bret Hedican, and Sean Hill should all be absolute last resorts for most teams.
Good Bangs For Your Buck!
John-Michael Liles is probably at the top of the list. He earned 1.4 million last year while scoring 6 goals and 26 assists, totals which were lower than previous years for him. The Avs are reportedly still trying to sign him, so he might not be available come “D Day”.
If he can be signed in the 3 million a year range, the Hurricanes, among other teams just might bite. That’s a big “if” though because several teams seem interested in Liles.
Mark Streit had a breakout year for the Habs last year while scoring 13 goals and 62 points. He’s a proto-type offensive defenseman who only earned 600K last year. Streit is pretty much a wild card because it’s very unpredictable how much a team might be willing to risk on him. In addition, Streit played forward for much of the season with Montreal.
Michal Rozsival is an under-rated, steady defenseman who played for the Rangers the past couple of years. Last season he earned 2.3 million and scored 13 goals with 25 assists. He shouldn’t be looking for huge money and might be in the right price range.
Ron “Hollywood” Hainsey is another Montreal refugee who found his game elsewhere. (Sergei Samsonov can relate). He earned 900K in Columbus last year while scoring 8 goals and 24 assists. He won’t be at the top of the wish list, but he wouldn’t be a bad pickup either.
Steve Montador, Jason Smith, Dmitri Kalinin, and Mike Commodore could all be at or near the bottom of the wish list. Don’t look for them to be signed on July 1st because it will take a few days for the teams who couldn’t get their first choices to regroup and select from the left-overs, so to speak.
Tampa Bay may be the most classy organization in the league for this one reason.
The TB Lightning drafted David Carle with the last of its picks even though he had withdrawn from the draft due to a medical condition that will prevent him from playing. Said the new Lighting owner - “The kid worked his whole life to be drafted in the NHL. I didn’t see a reason why he shouldn’t be…He will always know he got drafted in the NHL”
Carle, the brother of San Jose Sharks Matt Carle, suffers form a thickening of the heart that could lead to a heart attack given great exertion. There is a slim chance, less than one percent, that Carle coudl recover and resume an athletic career. It will be six to eight weeks before he knows the results, another three months, if the results are good, to see if the heart reduces.
Hossa Unsigned
There will be a marquee name available once the National Hockey League’s free agency period begins on July 1 - Marian Hossa. The Penguins have appeared not to be able to sign the flashy forward and it appears that he is going to be available to the highest bidder. Maybe Montreal will try to add him the Canadiens continue their “shopping spree”?
NCAA Collegians Represented in Second Round
The world order of college hockey was partially restored on Saturday morning when the second round of the NHL Entry Draft kicked off at Scotiabank Place, just outside of Ottawa. One day after just four collegians were selected in the opening round of the NHL Draft, down from 11 last season, nine college or college-bound players became NHL property in Saturday’s second round.
Is Russian Super League a Threat To The NHL?
Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has no intention of returning home to play in Russia, and the threat of a newly revamped Russian professional league using lucrative offers to poach talent is being dismissed by NHL officials. Right now the league appears to be a high paying haven for NHL has-beens.
Nashville’s Boots In More Trouble
A Southern California bank is trying to determine if tarnished Silicon Valley financier William “Boots” Del Biaggio III was obtaining loans under false pretenses as far back as 2004, according to new court filings. Separately, the bank said that Del Biaggio and retired hockey great Luc Robitaille are in default on a $2 million loan they took out together in 2006.
Ottawa Goaltending Situation
With goaltender Ray Emery officially gone after clearing waivers on Saturday, Senators GM Bryan Murray is expected to bring a goalie to stand behind No. 1 Martin Gerber next season.
Who do you think should be on the target list for Murray?
Bubba Breaks down the Carolina Hurricanes Draft
In a draft that set a record for the number of draft day trades made during the 1st round, there were no trades and no big surprises for the Carolina Hurricanes at the draft this year. After selecting the highest rated player at the time in the 1st, Zach Boychuk, they repeated the process and picked the highest rated player when their time came in the 2nd, Zac Dalpe.
Borrowing a quip from the now famous “East of Here”, could this be the Canes future “ZZ Top Line”?
Dalpe was actually rated much higher than 45th overall and some scouts even had him going in the 1st round. The Canes apparently had Jared Staal in their sights, but couldn’t resist Dalpe and considered themselves fortunate when he was still on the board.
We posted a story here on the Canes Country Blog about the potential interest in Dalpe a few weeks ago when USA Today published an article by the Red Line Report concerning him. Funny how things work out.
The youngest Staal was eventually picked up at number 49 by Phoenix. It’s hard to believe that a kid who is 6′3 and who scored 21 goals and had 28 assists in 60 games on the worst team in the OHL, was rated so poorly. Those stats are not much different than what Brandon Sutter had when the Canes drafted him last year.
The Canes didn’t have a 3rd round pick, but selected a Plymouth Whaler in round 4, (huge surprise), defenseman Michal Jordan. At least Michal’s parents have a sense of humor!
Again Carolina had no pick in round 5, but selected the OHL goaltender of the year in round number 6, Mike Murphy, then finished up their draft with the selection of left winger, Samuel Morneau from the QMJHL.
While one can’t criticize the draft too much because they all seem like solid picks, especially at the time they were chosen, there doesn’t seem to be much for fans to get excited about with these picks either. The Canes didn’t trade up or down and seemed pretty complacent throughout.
Boychuk likes to compare himself with Daniel Briere because of his size, and wouldn’t that be nice if his future worked out like that? He reminds me more of a Brian Gionta, and that wouldn’t be bad either.
The huge impending deal for a defenseman was apparently put on hold. Everyone will have to keep wondering how that will work out.
The Canes have a running blog about the draft here which is definitely worth a look-see. Canes Country will examine the draft picks and the overall draft in more detail a bit later.
This season’s young crop of 18 year old hockey hopefuls have been put to the test by all 30 teams, combed over by the Central Scouting staff and now all they can do is wait for their name to be called.
The first round of the 2008 NHL entry draft begins Friday night at Scotiabank place where all eyes will be on young Steve Stamkos of the Ontario Hockey league’s Sarnia Sting.
While Stamkos and his NHL caliber speed are on the top of everyone’s list, it’s the NHL clubs in need of blue liners that are licking their chops as we edge closer to draft day.
Top Defensive Prospects
The 2008 NHL entry draft appears to be top heavy on the blueline according to the Central Scouting Bureau as 5 of the top 6 North American skaters are blue liners. The top five defenseman available in this year’s draft are as follows:
1.) Zach Bogosian - Peterborough Petes
Bogosian lead the Petes in scoring this season, making him the only defenseman in the Ontario Hockey League to do so. While his favorite player, Detroit’s Chris Chelios, is on his way out of the National Hockey League, many scouts think Bogosian is ready to make the jump right now. While already being praised for his skating ability and puck movement, he certainly has the size to play in the NHL at 6′2″ and 200 pounds.
2.) Drew Doughty - Guelph Storm
With excellent speed and world-class confidence, Doughty is one of the most prepared players available in this year’s draft. With a host of international experience with Canada’s junior teams, Doughty plays a very solid defensive game and approaches the game with poise and confidence. His accolades include being named the top defenseman at the 2008 World Junior Hockey Championship - not a bad thing to have one your resume heading into your draft year!
3.) Tyler Myers - Kelowna Rockets
Although he is a fluid skater, being a massive 6′7″ tall, entices concern about his ability to shut down the quickness of NHL caliber forwards. However, with a tremendous shot and scoring potential, he has an upside of Zdeno Chara potential which may allow a team to gamble on his development.
4.) Luke Schenn - Kelowna Rockets
Schenn is known throughout the Western Hockey League for his tenacity and physical play. With a reputation as a tenacious defender with exceptional size and strength (6′2″ and 216 pounds) he may very well see action in the National hockey league sooner than later.
5.) Alex Pietrangelo - Niagara IceDogs
The 6′3″ 209 pound blue liner notched an impressive 53 points this past season with a +29 rating and 94 penalty minutes. Some scouts have questioned his indecisiveness, but his upside as an offensive defenseman and potential power-play quarterback is undeniable.
NHL Returns To Canada
In last year’s NHL entry draft, no fewer than 11 United States college players were taken in the opening round. In a complete flip-flop, we could be looking at as few as one first round selection with United States College hockey on their resume, making it one of the worst years in draft history for US College Hockey.
After a wave of American players making their way into the draft’s opening round for the past half-decade or more, we can expect 2008 to return to the year of the Canadian. When Friday’s opening round launches from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, you can bet it will be the players from north of the border making their way to the podium with much more regularity than their American counterparts.
Is this season simply an anomaly or have significant changes made by grassroots hockey in Canada over the past decade now starting to show the fruits of their labor?
Bubba from Canes Country Submits
It’s a great time to be a hockey fan in Washington D.C. these days. On Friday afternoon, the NHL’s most valuable player Alexander Ovechkin, was awarded the key to the city. After he was handed the award by Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty, the superstar addressed his loyal subjects with a few words of wisdom.
“Today is a big day,” said Alex Ovechkin, standing on the front steps of city hall. “I have a key for the city. And I’m the president this day in the city, so everybody have fun — and no speed limit.”
The Caps celebrated by throwing a couple of parties and held media events which of course included their loyal bloggers. All of this attention was very well deserved because it’s not often that a single player will walk away with so many awards, won by such a large margin. (The Hart, Pearson, Rocket Richard, and Art Ross Trophies.)
The Capitals will be very strong competitors in the Southeast Division next year, and their confidence grows.
New Coaches…Old Coaches
It seems like the cool or “in” thing to do these days is to hire minor league or juniors league coaches. The Devils kind of started the trend last year when they hired ex-Red Deer coach, Brent Sutter.
Of course the Caps followed suit when they hired Hershey coach Bruce Boudreau, who helped turn around his team’s last place start into a Division crown.
The success of those coaches has perhaps been the catalyst regarding the decision making of a few other teams which have been searching for head coaches this off-season.
The Florida Panthers recently hired Peter DeBoer, who last coached the Kitchener Rangers.
The Ottawa Senators just hired Craig Hartsburg, who most recently coached the Sault Ste. Greyhounds. Hartsburg does have NHL coaching experience, but has a lifetime losing record with previous stints at Chicago and Anaheim.
He is known as a hard-ass and is already touting “accountability”, so things will be interesting in Ottawa next season. Will the players revolt?
General Manager Bryan Murray told reporters this week that UFA’s Cory Stillman, Mike Commodore, and Wade Redden will not be re-signed and that there will be several fresh faces in Ottawa next season.
(How is that Corvo/Eaves and Stillman/Commodore trade looking right now?)
The San Jose Sharks hired Red Wings assistant Todd McLellan, who is supposed to be a powerplay guru.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had the most traditional hiring when they grabbed ex-Sharks coach Ron Wilson. In the meantime, they also announced that interim General Manager Cliff Fletcher will stay in office for one more year.
That news won’t do anything to quiet the rumors about Anaheim GM Brian Burke taking over next year, as soon as his contract expires. Of course there is no collusion because I’m sure that the Leafs and Burke have not had any communication with each other regarding any of this. (eye roll)
The Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers, and Los Angeles Kings are all still looking for their next coaches. Rumors indicate that Barry Melrose already has the gig in Tampa while John Tortorella seems to be the leading candidate to move to tinsel town. Who knows about the Trash?
There are still many capable names out there with good NHL experience. Pat Burns, Pat Quinn, Paul Maurice, Bob Hartley, John Paddock, and Marc Crawford are all unemployed and looking. Will any of them be called upon or will teams continue to go with new blood?
The 2008 NHL Awards night was a celebrated affair even though we already knew that Alex Ovechkin had won the Hart Trophy and the league spelled Niklas Lidstrom’s name incorrectly when he received the Norris Trophy.
Ahhh..It appears the National Hockey League continues to be a comedy of errors!