| Eminger traded for draft pick | Friday 6/20, 10:30 PM CT |
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Steve Eminger, coming off a disappointing season in Washington, was dealt to the Flyers for the 27th overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft which was used to select D John Carlson, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Eminger clearly isn't very fantasy relevant with just two points last season, but he did score 35 points in 2005-06 while providing solid depth on the blueline. |
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| Schenn chosen fifth | Friday 6/20, 8:49 PM CT |
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Luke Schenn is now a Toronto Maple Leaf after the Leaf's traded up to select him with the fifth overall selection that belonged to the Islanders, according to the Associated Press. The Isles received the seventh overall selection this year, as well as two more picks, one this year, and one next.
Our View: Schenn can be that physical, punishing defender that almost all championship teams are built around, an assessment that the Leafs obviously agreed with since they traded up to select him. |
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| Pietrangelo chosen fourth | Friday 6/20, 8:40 PM CT |
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Alex Pietrangelo was chosen fourth overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, according to NHL.com. "Some people say I play like Chris Pronger, but I think I play more like Nick Lidstrom. He sees the ice well and controls the game at his pace. It's similar to what I do to control the game. He uses body position really well and puts opposing players in positions he wants them to be."
Our View: Pitrangelo will team with Erik Johnson to give the Blues two outstanding defensemen to rebuild the franchise stability, oh, and if he is anything like either blueliner he mentioned, the Blues will have grabbed themselves one hell of a player. |
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| Bogosian chosen third | Friday 6/20, 7:59 PM CT |
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Zach Bogosian was chosen 3rd overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, according to NHL.com.
Our View: Bogosian scored 61 points in the OHL last season as the only player from the blueline to lead his team in scoring in the league. Not just an offensive minded player, Bogosian is also very solid on the defensive side of the puck as well. |
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| Doughty chosen second | Friday 6/20, 7:51 PM CT |
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Drew Doughty was selected with the second overall selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, according to the Asscoiated Press. “I really want to step in and make an impact next year. It’s a dream come true.”
Our View: Doughty is an offensive minded defensemen who has an excellent skating stride, and he scored 13 goals and 50 points last season for the Storm before helping Canada to win the 2008 World Junior Championship. |
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| Stamkos selected first | Friday 6/20, 7:46 PM CT |
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Steven Stamkos was indeed selected first in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, according to NHL.com.
Our View: The 18 year old speedster from Toronto was rated as the top prospect by the NHL Central Scouting bureau after scoring 197 points, including 100 goals, in his last two seasons with Sarnia of the OHL. Stamkos will be able to learn from another #1 overall selection in teammate Vincent Lecavallier. |
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| Umberger now a Jacket | Friday 6/20, 7:38 PM CT |
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R.J. Umberger has in fact been dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets as had previously been reported, according to the Associated Press. The Flyers received the 19th overall selection and a third rounder this year, while the Jackets also picked up the Flyers fourth round pick from tonights draft.
Our View: Umberger scored only 13 times on the year, but he really stepped up in the playoffs scoring 10 times during the Flyers run. Umberger isn't as talented as Patrick Marleau, another name rumored to have been headed to the Jackets, but if he is teamed with Rick Nash, what defensemen would want to face that physical duo? |
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| Tanguay moved to Montreal | Friday 6/20, 7:31 PM CT |
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Alex Tanguay is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens as he was sent to the Habs in exchange for the 25th overall pick and a second round selection next season, according to TSN.
Our View: Tanguay has one year left on a contract that will pay him $5.25 million, a pretty high price for a player who is coming off a rather unproductive season (18g, 40a) after scoring 79, 78 and 81 points the previous three years. |
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| Cammalleri now a Flame | Friday 6/20, 7:27 PM CT |
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Mike Cammalleri was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in a 3-way deal on Friday night, this according to TSN.
Our View: This offers a huge boost in value for the diminutive scorer if he ends up on the same line as Jarome Iginla. Cammalleri started the year on fire with nine goals in his first 21 games before finishing the year on a down note with just 19 total markers. Don't look for another slump like that if he skates with the Flames captain. |
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| Two defensemen picked up in trade | Friday 6/20, 7:20 PM CT |
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Keith Ballard was traded to the Florida Panthers along with defensemen Nick Boyton and a second round pick for Olli Jokinen, according to NHL.com.
Our View: Ballard and Boyton both have skills, and you need defense to win in the NHL, but from a fantasy perspective neither is a terribly exciting option. Ballard could have some special teams value, and Boyton could produce some nice PIM totals, but the Panthers now have a gaping whole on the first line that they will need to fill. |
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| Jokinen traded to Coyotes | Friday 6/20, 7:15 PM CT |
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Olli Jokinen is now a member of the Phoenix Coyotes after a trade with the Florida Panthers, this according to NHL.com. Jokinen was acquired for defensemen Keith Ballard, Nick Boyton and a 2nd round pick.
Our View: Jokinen leaves Florida as the franchise leader in goals (188), assists (231) and points (419), obviously leaving a massive void in the middle in Florida. If Jokinen is teamed with Shane Doan, look for a whole lot of fireworks from the Coyotes first line. |
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| Malkin not headed abroad after all | Friday 6/20, 4:41 PM CT |
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Updating an earlier report, the IIHF is stating that reports circulating that Evgeni Malkin would be offered a massive contract to return to play in Russia are false, this according to the Sports Network. "Although there will be no imminent Player Transfer Agreement between the IIHF and the NHL, all involved parties are in principal agreement to honor each other's contracts," IIHF president Rene Fasel said. "We would view any signing, from either side, of a player under a valid contract, who does not have any legally valid out-clause, to be a clear violation of the mutual understanding and existing principle. It would potentially be punishable with suspended national team eligibility and suspension from all competition or activity organized by the IIHF or any IIHF member national association."
Our View: Apparently a slow news day led to an erroneous report. We doubt the NHL or Russia wants to cause an international incident over Malkin, so look for him to continue his spectacular career in Pittsburgh. |
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| Sundin to speak with Montreal | Friday 6/20, 4:18 PM CT |
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Mats Sundin will speak with a Canadian team about his 2008 employment status but it won't be his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs that he will be speaking with but the hated Montreal Canadiens, according to the Associated Press. “At this point Mats still hasn’t decided if he wants to play, let alone where,” said Sundin’s agent, J.P. Barry. “But obviously the Leafs are trying to facilitate a decision.”
Our View: Wow. We have to give the Leafs a lot of credit here letting the soon to be unrestricted free agent and future Hall of Famer talk to their arch-rivals. This is a new twist, one that we didn't see coming, and adds another level of intrigue to the upcoming free agent period. |
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| Lecavalier close to new deal | Friday 6/20, 1:10 PM CT |
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Vincent Lecavalier is reportedly close to agreeing to a long-term deal with the Lightning, according to TSN.ca. The 28-year old Lecavalier is entering the final season of a four-year, $27.5 million contract where he will earn $7.167 million.
Our View: Lecavalier scored 40 goals and 52 assists with the Lightning in 2007-08, and holds franchise records in goals (273), points (602), and games played (710). |
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| Cloutier placed on waivers | Friday 6/20, 11:55 AM CT |
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Goalie Dan Cloutier has been placed on waivers by the Kings, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: Cloutier spent most of the season with Manchester of the AHL and was slowed by a hip injury. He went 2-4-1 with the Kings in 2007-08, with a poor 3.44 GAA.
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| Emery waived by Ottawa | Friday 6/20, 11:52 AM CT |
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Goalie Ray Emery has been waived by the Senators, according to TSN.ca. GM Bryan Murray said, "We will see if anyone claims Emery. If not, enacting the buyout is the plan. It's unfortunate. I am sure Ray will one day get his game turned around and get things in order and be a good goalie for someone."
Our View: Emery was once viewed as a future star with the Senators, but he fell out of favor with the club, and only went 12-13-4 in 2007-08, with a poor 3.11 GAA. |
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| No draft deal involving Spezza | Friday 6/20, 11:47 AM CT |
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Ottawa GM Bryan Murray denies swirling speculation that a deal is in the works to send star Jason Spezza to the Kings, according to Slam Sports. Murray said there is no chance he is dealing Spezza, and added, "You guys make up more stories than I can ever imagine. I don't know where this stuff comes from. All that I know, at this point in time, that's not going to happen."
Our View: Spezza racked up 34 goals and 58 assists (92 points) over 76 games with Ottawa in 2007-08. |
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| Ellis agrees to terms with Nashville | Friday 6/20, 11:41 AM CT |
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Dan Ellis has agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $3.5 million to remain in Nashville, according to the Sports Network. Ellis said, "I'm really excited to be able to come back with Nashville. It's where my wife and I really wanted to be all along. We enjoyed it last year and feel the team is moving in the right direction, too."
Our View: Ellis went 23-10-3 in 2007-08, and led the league in save percentage with a .924 mark. The team made sure to lock him up before he hit the free agent market on July 1. |
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| Blues acquire Mason from Predators | Friday 6/20, 11:35 AM CT |
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The Blues have acquired goalie Chris Mason from the Predators in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the draft, according to Slam Sports. Blues' president John Davidson said, "Acquiring Chris really solidifies our goaltending position which was one of our goals going into this weekend. We are looking forward to a big day today at the draft."
Our View: The 32-year goalie played in a career-high 51 games with Nashville in 2007-08, and went 18-22-6. |
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| Carter reportedly re-signs with Flyers | Friday 6/20, 10:19 AM CT |
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Jeff Carter has reportedly re-signed with the Flyers for three years, according to Sportsnet.ca. The deal is believed to pay him no less than $15 million.
Our View: Signing him eliminates the risk of him getting strong offers from other clubs. He stayed intact for all 82 games with Philadelphia in 2007-08, and just missed a 30-goal season with 29, to go along with 24 assists. |
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| Jokinen to the Wild? | Friday 6/20, 8:04 AM CT |
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Multiple sources state that the Panthers are talking to the Wild about a trade regarding Olli Jokinen, according to the Star Tribune.
Our View: Jokinen has scored 173 goals over the past five seasons, and the asking price by Florida is high. If a deal does not get worked out with Minnesota, Calgary and Vancouver are also believed to have interest in acquiring Jokinen, who made it clear he wants out of Florida. |
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| Gelinas could remain in Nashville | Friday 6/20, 7:56 AM CT |
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Nashville could still re-sign Martin Gelinas for next season, according to the Tennessean.
Our View: Gelinas underwent major knee surgery back in March, but Nashville is still believed to be interested in the 38-year old vet. |
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| Mayers dealt to Toronto | Friday 6/20, 7:51 AM CT |
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The Blues have dealt Jamal Mayers to the Maple Leafs in exchange for a third-round pick in the NHL draft, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Blues now have 10 picks in the draft.
Our View: Mayers played 595 regular season games with the Blues, which ranks 10th in team history. He holds little fantasy value however, as he only scored 12 goals and 15 assists over 80 games in 2007-08. |
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| Russians targeting Malkin? | Friday 6/20, 7:45 AM CT |
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Several teams in Russia's revamped pro hockey league want to steal Evgeni Malkin away from the NHL by offering him a deal that would make him hockey's highest paid player, and by a wide margin, according to The Star. He is expected to be offered a multi-year deal, at $12.5 million (US currency) per campaign. As of now, Washington Capitals' star Alex Ovechkin is the top-paid player in the NHL at just under $9.6 million a season. A high-ranking official in the rival Russian league said, "Hey, we can afford to pay more than the NHL right now. Our economy is commodities-based so we're not going through the same problems that you have in America."
Our View: Malkin is one of the NHL's brightest young stars, as he notched 47 goals and 59 assists (106 points) with the Penguins in 2007-08. Hopefully he will remain in the NHL. |
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| No offers for Jagr or Avery? | Friday 6/20, 7:26 AM CT |
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GM Glen Sather has told agents representing Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery that he has no intention of signing either of them before July 1, according to the NY Post.
Our View: Avery may return to the Kings following the departure of coach Marc Crawford. Jagr previously said that he wants to return to the Rangers, but was not sure if the feeling is mutual. Jagr is no longer in the elite class, but still carried his weight with 25 goals and 46 assists in 2007-08. |
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| Hordichuk dealt to Carolina | Friday 6/20, 7:14 AM CT |
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The Predators have dealt Darcy Hordichuk to the Hurricanes for a fifth-round draft pick in 2009, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: Hordichuk is still due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and if he does not ink with the Hurricanes, Carolina will receive a fifth-round draft pick in 2010. Hordichuk only scored one goal and two assists with Nashville in 2007-08, and isn't likely going to be "fantasy worthy" if he signs with Carolina.
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| Gleason re-signs with Carolina | Friday 6/20, 7:09 AM CT |
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Tim Gleason has inked a four-year deal to remain in Carolina worth $11 million, according to TSN.ca.
Our View: The team locked him up before he could become a restricted free agent on July 1. He holds little to no fantasy value, but is a solid defenseman for the Hurricanes. |
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| Umberger on Jackets' radar? | Friday 6/20, 7:02 AM CT |
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R.J. Umberger could be dealt to the Blue Jackets by the end of the weekend, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
Our View: Umberger only scored 13 goals and 37 assists in 2007-08 with Philadelphia and is not an upper-level center, but he would be a sizable upgrade to the position. |
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