| Cooke signs with Penguins | Saturday 7/5, 6:54 PM CT |
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Matt Cooke was signed by the Penguins to a 2-year contract to take the roster spot of Jarrko Ruutu who moved on to the Senators, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Cooke is a rough and tumble forward with some offensive upside (10 goals), but he is really a better teammate than fantasy weapon, so he is probably best left on waivers unless you play in an extremely deep league. |
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| 15 file for aribitration | Saturday 7/5, 4:58 PM CT |
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Jay Bouwmeester was one of 15 NHL players who decided to take their teams to arbitration, according to the Associated Press. The other 14 players are: Brookes Laich, Shaone Morrisonn, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Stephane Veilleux, Dennis Wideman, Chad LaRose, Marek Svatos, Sean Bergenheim, Dan Fritsche, Antoine Vermette, Jay McClement, Marcel Goc, Valtteri Filppula and Ville Koistinen.
Our View: The deadline for team and players to decide to go through the arbitration process is Sunday, with the hearings scheduled to be hear July 20th through August 4th. |
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| Leafs nearing signing of Swede | Saturday 7/5, 4:32 PM CT |
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The Maple Leafs are getting closer to signing highly regarded Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren, according to TSN. "We have never stopped a player who wanted to become an NHL professional, and when we could (we try to) find a solution with Jonas and his agent became (so) all the parties are satisfied," said Farjestad president Thomas Runddqvist.
Our View: Frogren has told a local Swedish newspaper that he is on his way to Toronto after a season of just one point and 38 PIM in 47 games hinting at his lack of ability on offense. |
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| Vishnevski on trading block | Saturday 7/5, 4:25 PM CT |
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The Devils are very close to the NHL salary cap due to the recent signing of Brian Rolston, and as a result they will be looking to cut payroll with Vitali Vishnevski likely being one target, according to the Bergen Record.
Our View: Vishnevski will most likely either be traded or sent to the minors to help ease the team's cash issue. Though he brings a nice physical game to the ice, Vishnevski is a non factor in the fantasy game with only 68 points and a (-27) in 552 career games. |
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| Elias back at LW | Saturday 7/5, 4:21 PM CT |
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As reported earlier on Rototimes, the recent signing of Brian Rolston to play center will most likely result in Patrik Elias moving back to his more natural position of left wing, according the the Bergen Record.
Our View: Elias hasn't been the same on offense in recent years with totals of 69 and 55 points, but if he were to skate with Rolston there seems to be a good chance that he could return to the realm of 30-goal, 70-point seasons of the past. |
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| Mara resigns with Blueshirts | Saturday 7/5, 4:18 PM CT |
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Paul Mara has decided to remain with the Rangers by taking a million dollar pay cut down to $1.95 million on a one year deal, according to Newsday. "I told the coaches and my agent after the season that New York was the only place I wanted to play," Mara said.
Our View: Mara has some skills, but he has never really put it all together. With the addition of Wade Redden, Mara doesn't figure to be on the first power-play, so chances of him substantially increasing last year's point production (17 in 62 games) would seem to be slim. |
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| Senators need blueline depth | Saturday 7/5, 4:15 PM CT |
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The Ottawa Senators, looking to strengthen a blueline that has lost Wade Redden and Mike Commodore, has interest in both Mathieu Schneider and Kyle McLaren, according to the Ottawa Sun.
Our View: Schneider isn't necessarily needed in Anaheim with Scott Niedermayer coming back, and McLaren isn't really needed in San Jose with the Sharks acquisitions of Dan Boyle and Rob Blake. Schneider is set to make $5.75 million, McLaren $2.5, so it would appear that McLaren would be the more attractive of the duo, especially since he is about eight years younger. |
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| Rivet traded due to salary | Saturday 7/5, 4:10 PM CT |
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Craig Rivet was traded to the Sabres, not because the Sharks were unhappy with his performance, but because of salary considerations, according to the San Jose Mercury.
Our View: The Sharks added Dan Boyle and Rob Blake which not only made Rivet somewhat redundant in terms of blueliners, but also too expensive at $3.5 million. Rivet should continue to be a nice depth defensemen in Buffalo after a solid '07-'08. |
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