Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
Defenseman Adam Larsson came of age last season and was rewarded with a new contract today
With time running out before the Devils and Adam Larsson were scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Wednesday, the two sides came to terms on a long-term extension that will pay the former #4 overall pick just over $4 million per for the next six seasons, buying off his first three UFA seasons and giving the young Swedish defenseman some security after four up-and-down seasons as a Devil. Perhaps the best thing about this deal is Larsson will only be 28 at the end of it. There was talk about agreeing to a two-year bridge deal if the sides didn’t come to terms by the end of the weekend so there was a time concern, fortunately both sides were able to come to an agreement that serves everyone.
Amazing how much things have changed over the span of several months. Last season, Larsson was kept down in Albany for the second half and played this season on a one-year show-me deal. Early in 2014-15 he was still a frequent healthy scratch under former coach Pete DeBoer. Although Larsson was able to carve out a niche on the PK in the fall after an injury to Jon Merrill, it wasn’t till after there was a coaching change where Larsson was finally allowed to establish himself without looking over his shoulder. He responded with a good second half, paired with Andy Greene on the Devils’ top pairing – and even increasing his point production dramatically on an offensively challenged team.
Now that Larsson’s back in the fold, the Devils’ only matter of concern left from a player contract standpoint is inking first-rounder Pavel Zacha before next month’s August 15 deadline where if he doesn’t sign by then, he won’t be able to sign or play in the NHL this year. It really shouldn’t be a problem although one deadline was already missed this month where now the Devils have to pay his Czech team 100k to let him out of his contract assuming he gets signed before next month’s deadline. There’s some worry that neophyte agent Patrik Stefan (yes the former #1 overall pick) is being difficult, but really this negotiation shouldn’t be that tough given the rookie wage scale and the fact they’re only haggling over bonuses at this point – which is one area that’s already changed under new management since Lou Lamoriello was steadfast against giving draft picks bonus money, including Larsson himself, who was the only top ten pick in recent years to sign a contract without them.
Speaking of Lou, his departure this week also put things on hold with the Larsson and Zacha negotiations, and although GM Ray Shero hired an assistant (former NHL player and fellow Penguin exec Tom Fitzgerald), he still needs to appoint a new director of scouting to replace David Conte, and that director will quite possibly need to get their own staff in place as well. There doesn’t seem to be as much of a hurry to find a new team president, according to co-owner Josh Harris, speaking at a press conference after Lou resigned to work in Toronto. Which makes one wonder if they didn’t see a president as being that important, then just how ceremonial had Lou’s job become? At least his successor can work without a shadow over him now – real or perceived.
Adam Larsson is a rich man agreeing to a new six-year deal worth $25 million with the Devils. Getty Images
A day after Lou Lamoriello was introduced by the Maple Leafs as their new general manager, current Devils GM Ray Shero signed Adam Larsson to a six-year $25 million contract. The former 2011 fourth overall pick will make an average of $4.167 million through 2021. Here’s the full breakdown.
2015-16 2.5
2016-17 3.0
2017-18 4.5
2018-19 4.85
2019-20 5.05
2020-21 5.1
The 22-year old Larsson rebounded from a poor start that had him a healthy scratch under former Devils coach Pete DeBoer. Eventually, with Lamoriello stepping behind the bench with former assistants Scott Stevens and Adam Oates, Larsson’s role increased. Finally gaining full trust of the coaching staff, the Swede developed into a top four shutdown defenseman. Not only did his confidence grow defensively but he also improved offensively setting career highs in goals (3), assists (21) and points (24). The 24 points paced all Devils defensemen edging ex-Devil Marek Zidlicky (23) and Andy Greene (22).
It was a no-brainer for the organization to get Larsson locked up. The 2011 first round pick started to fulfill his potential. A integral part of a revamped blueline featuring elder statesman Greene, Larsson headlines a young core that includes Damon Severson, Jon Merrill, Eric Gelinas and former Ranger John Moore. Aside from Greene who’s 32, the rest of the projected starting lineup on the back end are all 24 and younger.
With the rebuilding club also featuring number one goalie Cory Schneider, new coach John Hynes will look towards a young nucleus on D to help turn the franchise around. Larsson should be a staple who will become a team leader.
Devils tab Fitzgerald Assistant GM: In other team news, the Devils announced the hiring of Tom Fitzgerald as assistant GM. Part of Shero’s staff in Pittsburgh, he’ll serve in the same role he had under the Penguins this past season.
“Tom Fitzgerald has extensive experience as both a player and now in hockey operations, having served in several significant roles over the past eight seasons,” said Shero. “He is well-respected throughout the league, and I feel that he is an ideal fit for our team. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for their cooperation in allowing Tom to join our organization.”
Derek Stepan and the Rangers are down to the wire for a new contract. AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images
It’s come down to this for the Rangers and Derek Stepan. With his hearing July 27, the two sides have yet to negotiate a new deal that would keep the club’s top center past 2017 when he could become an unrestricted free agent. That’s only if they can’t work something out. It better not get to Monday. That would be the worst case scenario with an arbitrator awarding Stepan another potential bridge contract that could put him in position to leave.
Unfortunately, this is how it works with the Rangers who always seem to wait last minute to lock up their core players. As has been discussed throughout, Stepan’s market has been set at between $6 to 7 million. Assuming new Team GM Jeff Gorton is able to reach agreement with Stepan, it could be either a six-year or seven-year commitment. Let’s say the two sides meet in the middle. You’re probably looking at at least $6.5 million per season. A proposed six-year deal worth $39 million could make sense. However, if it’s seven years, then you’re talking about anywhere between $45 to 49 million for a center who’s never produced a 60-point season. Of course, he would have had he not missed 14 games in ’14-15. In 68, Stepan fell five points short with his 55 (16-39-55) still ranking third in team scoring behind Derick Brassard (19-41-60) and Rick Nash (42-27-69).
There’s no need to restate Stepan’s value. I’ve already hashed out what makes him so important to the team’s present and future. At 25, he’s established himself as a two-way playmaking pivot who can be trusted in any situation including serving as one half of a lethal penalty killing duo with Nash. As evidenced by last week’s post, he compares favorably to 30-year old Ryan Kesler, who the Ducks extended for six years and $41.5 million. Stepan has proven durable missing only 14 games so far. He also has improved his postseason performance going 10-17-29 over the last two. That leads all Blueshirts with Brassard (15-13-28) and Ryan McDonagh (7-19-26) right behind. Without his Game 5 theatrics setting up Chris Kreider for the tying goal and McDonagh for the overtime winner, they lose to the Capitals in the second round. Topping it off, Stepan scored in sudden death of Game 7 to send the Rangers to a second straight Eastern Conference Final.
Given how much money the Sabres tossed at Ryan O’Reilly (7 years $52.5 million), Stepan is going to be expensive. With Gorton able to get everyone else re-signed, he has just enough wiggle room to get it done. Counting Oscar Lindberg ($600,000), the Rangers have 21 players signed for $63.874 million based off War On Ice. I excluded Matt Lindblad ($600 K) and Jayson Megna (600 K) who both are ticketed for Hartford. If you subtract Lindberg, then it becomes 20 players signed for $63.274 million. There’s also Dylan McIlrath who also will make $600,000. But he could start with the Wolf Pack. Brady Skjei remains the wildcard. If he impresses enough during training camp, then Kevin Klein ($2.9 million) could become expendable. He’s signed through 2018.
One way or another, we’ll have a better idea of what’s happening with Stepan. Hopefully, it’s good news this weekend for the Garden Faithful.
Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and new GM Lou Lamoriello (yep that makes my eyes hurt)
If I didn’t see the stunning news about Lou Lamoriello becoming the new GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs posted by reputable sources on Twitter this morning, I’d have thought it was an Onion headline gone viral. Although an era truly ended the minute Lou ‘stepped down’ as GM, and quite possibly it was an era that needed to end – I still found myself floored by this news. I’m not neccesarily surprised Lou went to another organization although I wasn’t sure he’d be a GM again at his age (72 now, 73 a few weeks into the season)…but the fact it happened this soon, not even two months after he ostensibly stepped aside though proves once and for all his departure wasn’t exactly by choice. It would be one thing if he left, then came back after a season away and you could argue he found he missed being a GM but clearly that’s not what happened here. While this wasn’t quite Jerry Jones firing Tom Landry – Lou did get two seasons under new ownership, after all – it isn’t far off for a generation of Devil fans that know only Lou and success.
I’m doubly surprised it’s the Leafs that Lou’s taking over although I shouldn’t be given his obvious relationship with long-time player Brendan Shanahan, and their lack of a GM till this point. Considering how they’re in rebuild mode – trading Phil Kessel at the draft being the latest example of this – why would Lou at 72 sign on for three years to a seemingly long-term project? He probably could have still gotten any one of a dozen jobs next offseason that didn’t entail as much of a rebuild. Perhaps working for Shanny and with an Original Six organization with money appealed to Lou at this point in his life. And clearly he feels as if he’s got something to prove after three straight playoff-less seasons here complicated by off-ice issues:
“Maybe it was a process of the way things have gone in the last five years in New Jersey,” Lamoriello said. “There’s a lot of things that have transpired there. Some are public and some are not with references to changes in ownership and I would say things just weren’t the way they were in the past and you weren’t allowed to do some of the things for financial reasons, to be perfectly honest, and it really started to change a little. And I think that when Josh Harris and David Blitzer came in, they changed that and I just thought that maybe there was a change in a thought process as far as a transition and I decided to look that way…Then, when this situation came about, it just raised my level back to where it had been about five years ago.”
I’m still wondering what Lou means by the last part of that quote. Did he feel stale here after nearly three decades? Or was he being leaned on too much by owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer (most likely the answer would be yes in terms of off-ice matters at least)? Clearly from 2010-13 there was an ownership black cloud with Jeff Vanderbeek’s financial difficulties, which is really what brought on the last few years of problems on and off the ice. Lou himself didn’t help matters with a series of underwhelming drafts, spotty coaching choices and highly questionable FA signings and re-signings, but by the same token unfortunately we’ll never know what would have happened if ownership was able to pony up for Zach Parise in the summer of 2011 and Ilya Kovalchuk didn’t have time to go home during the 2012 lockout.
If this offseason hasn’t already been about a clean break from the past, this sealed it once and for all. Lou didn’t even last three months as president without the GM title in New Jersey. To their credit, ownership let Shanahan speak with Lou and to his credit Lou thanked them for doing so but clearly not all was peaches and cream behind the scenes here. It’s just so surreal to realize how much has changed in one offseason and right now there isn’t much to hang onto in terms of hope as a Devils fan.
Forwards – still old and a thin prospect pool although this year’s draft definitely infused more talent on paper
Defense – okay there’s definitely hope for better days here but they haven’t fully matured and who knows how they’re going to play under the new ‘fast, attacking and supportive’ system, without much of a core of veteran leadership left around
Goalie – sure Cory Schneider’s great, but will he continue to be great long enough for us to benefit when (if?) things get better?
Coaching – so far, I like John Hynes…he seems like a dynamic leader that knows what he wants. Of course so far, he hasn’t coached a game in the NHL yet
Owners – yes Harris and Blitzer ‘saved’ us from bankruptcy, but they still have to show they’re committed to winning. People don’t want to hear this or think the comparison has validity but they also own the NBA’s Sixers, in the midst of perpetual rebuilding with a low payroll. And now we’re rebuilding with a low payroll. Granted there are some differences but I can’t exactly blame people for making that comparison…these guys have to prove not only that they want to win but that they know how, firing two GM’s in Philly and Lou here doesn’t exactly prove anything other than they make hair-trigger decisions
Ironically my biggest ray of hope (no pun intended) is Lou’s replacement, Ray Shero. Unlike the owners’ Sixer hires, Shero is at least a professional GM with real experience. And yes I do think it was time to rebuild to a degree, especially up front – with the rebuild on D already in the midst of taking place – it got old watching the Walking Dead skate up front. Still, this is a very unsettling time for Devil fans who know nothing but Lou and success. Although you shouldn’t care about how your rivals are doing when you have your own problems, it’s human nature to look at the fact that the Rangers are in the best five-year stretch they’ve had since the early ’90’s, while the Islanders are also on the upswing with a young, dynamic team going into a new building, and be worried that you’re going to lose the next generation of fans to the more successful NY teams.
New ownership, and many fans have gotten the change they wanted for years…now it’s time to follow the Missouri State motto and SHOW ME that change is good.
Derek Stepan battles Ryan Kesler last season. He should be rewarded with a similar contract to the extension the Canucks gave Kesler. Getty Images
Much has been made of what’s facing the Rangers with Derek Stepan. Having completed his fifth season as a Blueshirt, Stepan tallied 55 points (16-39-55) in 68 games and added 12 points (5-7-12) in the postseason. He earned $3.85 million in ’14-15 with a bridge deal expiring. With arbitration looming, the Rangers must get him locked up.
Since he entered the NHL as a 20-year old rookie, the 25-year old Hastings, Minnesota native has become a dependable two-way play-making pivot who plays every situation including power play and penalty kill. A former 2008 second round pick taken 51st overall, the former Badger ranks fifth from that class in scoring with 252 points (89-163-252). Steven Stamkos (498), Erik Karlsson (303), Jordan Eberle (284) and Drew Doughty (267) are ahead of him. If they redrafted, there’s no doubt he’d have gone much higher.
Despite struggling throughout his career on faceoffs (44.0 percent), Stepan’s one of the Rangers’ best players. A smart pass first center, he’s also been durable only missing 14 games which all came this past season with the first dozen due to a fractured fibula. Prior to the injury that sidelined him, he was an iron man having played in his first 294 games from ’10-11 thru ’13-14. In fact, the only game he missed was when he suffered a broken jaw on a illegal Brandon Prust hit during the 2014 Eastern Conference Final. He came back to help lead the team to a Stanley Cup Final finishing tied with Martin St. Louis with 15 points (5-10-15 in 24 GP).
Under coach Alain Vigneault, Stepan has become a team leader. An alternate captain who’s formed a deadly penalty killing combo with Rick Nash, they combined for six of the Blueshirts’ nine shorthanded goals in ’14-15. Not surprisingly, both ranked 1-2 on the team in plus/minus with Nash plus-28 while Stepan went plus-26. For his career, he’s a plus-85. Even better, Stepan stayed disciplined only totaling 22 penalty minutes. In fact, his five season total is 94 PIM. Considering that Vigneault trusts him in every situation, that’s essential. He led all Ranger skaters in ice-time with an average of 18:10 per game. Nash checked in at 17:27 with retired Martin St. Louis second (17:33).
Looking closer at Stepan in ’14-15, 40 of his 55 points came at even strength with 10 on the power play (3-7-10) and five (2-3-5) shorthanded. The 40 points at even strength is more impressive when you consider who his linemates were. Chris Kreider just completed his second full year. A strong possession player, 38 of his 46 points came at even strength with the other eight (7-1-8) on the power play. He doesn’t kill penalties. Vigneault went with a combination of J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast down the stretch. Basically, Stepan was asked to mentor two young players while Brassard got to play with Nash and Mats Zuccarello who missed the final two rounds due to a brain contusion. Brassard also doesn’t kill penalties.
Of the Rangers’ top six, only Stepan and Nash are asked to play penalty kill. That gives them more responsibility and extra shifts. Among forwards, Nash ranked 20th in average shifts per game with 25.4 while Stepan was 28th with 24.9. Fast also killed penalties but it remains to be seen if he’ll be asked to play on the top two lines. He’s more suited for a checking role on the third line with Kevin Hayes and potential Carl Hagelin replacement Emerson Etem. Miller could start on the USA Line with Stepan and Kreider.
When you factor everything in, it’s easy to see why Stepan will get a significant raise. Especially with the Ducks extending Ryan Kesler for six years, $41.5 million. That averages out to $6.875 million per year. The 30-year old second line center will earn $5 million in the final year of a deal he signed with the Canucks. He plays a different style using his bigger 6-2, 202 pound frame to protect the puck on the cycle. More physical, Kesler plays with edge and will mix it up. He also is money on faceoffs going 53.4 percent for his career. In his first season with Anaheim, he registered 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points in 81 contests with 75 penalty minutes. He picked it up in the postseason totaling 13 points (7-6-13) and 24 PIM in three rounds.
Once his new contract starts in ’16-17, he’ll be 32. Kesler turns 31 on August 31 sharing a birthday with former Devils and Ducks Hall Of Famer Scott Niedermayer. A gritty American who’ll enter his 12th season, the former Canucks’ 2003 first round pick who was selected 23rd overall in one of the best drafts ever, Kesler has totaled 440 points (202-238-440) in 736 games. His best years came with Vancouver. In ’09-10, he posted a career high 75 points (25-50-75) with 104 PIM in a full 82 while adding 10 points (1-9-10) in the postseason. The following season, he established a career best 41 goals with 73 points and a career high plus-24 rating. That year, he was an integral part of Vigneault’s former team that went to the Stanley Cup Final. Kesler posted 19 points (7-12-19) and 47 PIM during that run. But the Canucks fell short losing to the Bruins in seven.
Those two seasons were by far his best. Since, his production has dropped. Injuries cost him 31 games of the shortened ’12-13 season. Kesler hasn’t reached 50 points since ’10-11. He’s still a good performer scoring 20-or-more the last three full seasons while putting up point totals of 49 in ’11-12, 43 in ’13-14 and 47 in ’14-15. To his credit, he made Matt Beleskey a much better player allowing him to set career highs in goals (22) and points (32) while going 8-1-9 in the playoffs. That allowed him to cash in on free agency signing with the Bruins where he’ll make an average of $3.8 million over the next five seasons. Kesler will probably play with Jakob Silfverberg and either Hagelin or Patrick Maroon. He’ll remain a key cog for the Ducks centering the second line. If they win a Cup, no one will care that his new contract takes him until he’s 37.
While it’s true Stepan and Kesler are two different style centers, notice Stepan’s production. His 252 points in 362 games is a better pace. To be fair, Kesler took time to develop. He also played as a 19-year old getting into 28 games before the lockout. If you take his five best seasons between ’07-08 thru ’11-12, he totaled 293 points. He was 27 by the conclusion which ironically began his decline.
With the Sabres overpaying Ryan O’Reilly, Stepan could get anywhere between $6.5 to $7.5 million. There’s a small contingent of Ranger fans who don’t want to see Stepan make $7 million. They cite his ‘lack of toughness.’ Toughness is a word that can be misconstrued. You don’t have to be the biggest or strongest in stature. Stepan is listed at 6-0, 196 pounds. He isn’t a big center who barrels over the opposition. However, he makes up for it with relentless checking that often leads to turnovers. How many times have we seen him force an opponent into a mistake that leads to a quality scoring chance or goal? Whether it be shorthanded or on the forecheck, he outworks the opposition.
Does he have to hit to be effective in the playoffs? Yes. He’s proven he’ll do it when necessary. He’s a high quality character who is a team guy. Perception isn’t always reality. If you want to find something to critique with the Rangers, look at their cap management. Throwing away $1.1 million on a fringe player like Viktor Stalberg a year after handing Tanner Glass three years at $1.45 million per season. They also are locked in long-term with Dan Girardi and Marc Staal who both have no-movement clauses. It would be refreshing if the organization changes their philosophy and gets Kreider to sign an extension before next summer. Bridge deals backfire because it increases the likelihood of overpayment. With Stepan two years away from unrestricted status, they’ll have to pay up.
Whatever he gets, Stepan will remain a big part of the present and future as a Blueshirt.
The Kids Are Alright: Jesper Fast congratulates J.T. Miller on his goal during the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Flyers. AP Photo by Bill Kostroun/Getty Images
Over the course of a couple of days, the Rangers have gotten everyone re-signed except for Derek Stepan. A day after re-signing Emerson Etem and Oscar Lindberg, they signed restricted free agents Jesper Fast and J.T. Miller. Former first round pick Dylan McIlrath also re-signed for one year $600,000.
In essence, new GM Jeff Gorton was able to save as much money as possible. Fast agreed to a two-year deal at $950,000 per season and Miller signed his one-year $874,000 qualifying offer. Daily News reporter Pat Leonard tweeted out the information on both.
J.T. Miller signs one-year, $874K qualifying offer. Protects his arbitration rights for next summer. Jesper Fast signs 2yr deal at $950K per
With just enough wiggle room, they shouldn’t have any problem fitting Stepan in. With approximately $8 million left, Gorton can now turn his attention to getting the team’s number one center signed to a long-term contract. Considering that the Ducks doled out an average of $6.875 million for 30-year old center Ryan Kesler, Stepan’s price range is set. It could be anywhere between $6.5 to $7.5 million. That all depends on whether the two sides can reach agreement before the July 27 arbitration date.
Let’s not forget that Stepan is two years away from unrestricted free agency. Obviously, they don’t want to let an arbitrator award another bridge deal. Clearly one of their best players, the Rangers must lock him up and buy up free agent years. Assuming it gets done, it should be a six-year contract with a seventh year option along with the standard no-movement clause. A big investment for sure. But what other alternative is there? At 25, Stepan continues to improve and is one of the locker room leaders. A smart two-way playmaking pivot, he’s a big part of the present and future.
Having a top three of Stepan, Derick Brassard and either Miller or Kevin Hayes should keep the Blueshirts a serious Stanley Cup contender. If Lindberg makes the team and becomes a reliable fourth line center, it’ll solidify the center position with Dominic Moore unlikely to return once his contract expires the following summer. Center prospect Adam Tambellini is also part of the future and already signed an entry level deal. Only 20, there’s no reason to rush the big scorer. His estimated arrival probably isn’t until 2017.
As long as they do the right thing, the Rangers should be set at center. They also could be much deeper at the position. A positive outlook for the future.
With less than two weeks until D Day with Derek Stepan, the Rangers re-signed forwards Emerson Etem and Oscar Lindberg.
Etem accepted the Rangers’ qualifying offer for one year $850,000. He was acquired from the Ducks for valuable third liner Carl Hagelin, who they couldn’t afford to keep due to Stepan’s next contract. He remains unsigned with an arbitration date on July 27. If it gets there, it won’t be good for either party. The Rangers must sign Stepan long-term. At this point, it’s a anyone’s guess what it’ll take. The figure of $39 million over six years has been tossed around. We’ll have to wait and see.
The Rangers are banking on Etem to fill the void on the third line. A former first round pick in 2010, he’s yet to establish himself. In 112 career games, he has 31 points (15-16-31). He’s never posted more than 11 in a season going 5-5-10 in 45 contests this past year. Etem did score three goals in the playoffs. He has a year to prove himself.
Lindberg signed for two years and will earn $650,000 per season. The Daily News Rangers’ beat writer Pat Leonard responded to my tweet indicating that both Etem and Lindberg’s deals are one-way contracts.
Both Etem's and Lindberg's deals are one-way contracts. Only need to specify if it's not https://t.co/TkJFLblIcU
Acquired from the Coyotes for Ethan Werek on May 8, 2011, Lindberg has spent the past two seasons fine tuning his game in Hartford. He was second in scoring with 56 points (28-28-56) and tallied 16 points (3-13-16) in the postseason. He was recalled for one game and made his Rangers debut. At the very least, he’s finally in their plans. It’s time to find out what the 23-year old Swedish center is.
Patrick Sharp kisses the Stanley Cup. The former Blackhawk was dealt to the Stars over the weekend. Getty Images
After winning their third Stanley Cup in six years, the Blackhawks faced a tough off season. Indeed, GM Stan Bowman had to make hard decisions on which players to move due to the cap crunch. With so much money tied up in Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, he couldn’t afford to keep everyone. Toews and Kane each make an average cap hit of $10.5 million through 2020. That’s $21 million for the two superstars.
With Brent Seabrook a year away from unrestricted free agency, Bowman has all but decided he must keep him. Entering his final year, Seabrook will make $5 million. The Hawks have Conn Smythe winner Duncan Keith locked up through 2020 on a team friendly $5.538 million and much overlooked Niklas Hjalmarsson signed through 2019 with an average cap hit of $4.1 million.
As we learned in the postseason, the value of great defensemen can’t be overstated. During the Hawks’ three championships, Keith and Seabrook have delivered clutch performances along with Hjalmarsson. Coach Joel Quenneville leaned on the top three heavily after Michal Rozsival went down. That included Johnny Oduya, who remains unsigned. With the Hawks finally trading Patrick Sharp inside the division to the Stars for veteran defenseman Trevor Daley ($3.3 million) and bruiser Ryan Garbutt, it looks like the end for Oduya. The Hawks barely have any room left and must re-sign key restricted checking forward Marcus Kruger.
By taking Daley and Garbutt back for Sharp, Chicago hardly saved any money. They subtracted Sharp’s $5.9 million cap hit but Daley and Garbutt take up a combined $4.2 million. Even after unloading Sharp and pricey Group II Brandon Saad, they’re still right up against the cap at $70.65 million. The cap max is $71.4 million. Unless Bowman flips Daley to another team who needs a defenseman, he’ll probably look to deal Kris Versteeg. He’s 29 and won his second Cup with the Hawks after returning. His cap figure is $2.2 million and he’ll turn unrestricted next summer. The Panthers are retaining half his salary.
If only the Hawks didn’t give Bryan Bickell that contract after winning their second Cup in 2013. He’s owed $9 million over the next two years and is a $4 million cap hit. That makes it all but impossible to subtract him. The money they’re paying him is why Sharp and Saad are no longer around. At the very least, they could’ve kept one. Instead, Bowman was forced to trade two of his top six forwards for Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano, Jeremy Morin, Corey Tropp, Daley and Garbutt. He immediately signed Anisimov, who is being counted on to center the second line. He could be joined by fellow Russian Artem Panarin, who was a big scorer for the KHL’s St. Petersburg SKA putting up 26 goals and 36 assists this past season.
Would Teuvo Teravainen join them if Toews and Kane play together with Marian Hossa? Teravainen is a center. Only 20, he came into his own during the playoffs posting four goals and six helpers. A top three of Toews, Anisimov and Teravainen could be lethal. Especially if they can keep checking pivot Andrew Shaw. The 23-year old pest is signed for one more year and will earn $2.5 million. He’ll be restricted the following summer. Shaw’s sidekick Andrew Desjardins re-upped after coming over from the Sharks.
Bowman went out and signed former Coyotes 2008 first round pick Viktor Tikhonov. After putting up eight goals and eight assists in ’08-09 as a rookie, he spent the next two years in the AHL before returning home to play for St. Petersburg SKA. Still just 27, Tikhonov signed a one-year deal worth $1.04 million. He also played with Panarin in the KHL. Wonder if the thinking is an all Russian line of Tikhonov, Anisimov and Panarin? That would be interesting.
When the Hawks dealt Saad, they gave up their best young asset. He is a budding star who should make the Jackets dangerous in the Metropolitan Division. At least they got good value back in Anisimov and potential in Dano, who the Jackets were very high on. A 2013 first round pick, Dano split time in the AHL and NHL totaling 21 points (8-13-21) in 35 games for Columbus as a rookie. If he develops and Anisimov performs, the Hawks should be fine.
It’ll be intriguing to see how much of a jump Teravainen makes. He’s an extremely skilled forward with tremendous vision. The Hawks also can be patient with 2013 first round pick Ryan Hartman. A gritty 20-year old American who tallied 13 goals and 24 assists for 37 points with 120 penalty minutes in his first full pro season with AHL affiliate Rockford. When it comes to drafting, Chicago has done well finding gems. John Hayden and Tyler Motte both play collegiate. Fredrik Olofsson was taken in last year’s fourth round 98th overall. After a breakout year with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, he’ll attend Nebraska-Omaha this Fall.
If the Hawks can continue to draft and develop, they’ll remain near the top. Even after losing key players.
BODY CHECKS: The Devils said goodbye to long-time scout David Conte. After 31 years in the organization, the scout isn’t returning. New GM Ray Shero opted to go in a different direction. It was Shero’s hard work behind the scenes that helped the Devils win three Cups. They drafted well landing future Hall of Famers Martin Brodeur and Scott Niedermayer. The foundation of three championships along with Scott Stevens, who former GM Lou Lamoriello held out for as compensation for the Blues signing Brendan Shanahan.
Conte was also responsible for the selection of Patrik Elias. The Devils’ all-time franchise scoring leader who was a big part of 2000 and 2003. He teamed with Petr Sykora and Jason Arnott to form the A Line. Elias remains a Devil with a shot at the Hall Of Fame. With 406 goals and 611 assists for 1,017 points along with 125 points (45-80-125) in the postseason, he should get consideration. The thing that works against him is he has no individual awards. But consistency and longevity could work in his favor.
Even with the well running dry lately, Conte contributed Adam Henrique, Eric Gelinas, Jon Merrill, Adam Larsson, Damon Severson and Jacob Josefson to the Devils current roster. The jury is still out on Josefson and forward prospects Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau. Along with prize first round pick Pavel Zacha, all are critical to the Devils’ rebuild.
The date for Derek Stepan’s arbitration is set for July 27. That gives the Rangers and new GM Jeff Gorton two weeks to get something done. Either face whatever reward is handed out by an arbitrator or sign the valuable two-way center long-term. If only ex-GM Glen Sather didn’t bridge him and every other key forward.
Kudos to Patrick Sharp who thanked Blackhawks fans for all their support with a full page ad in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune. Hard to believe a decade ago, they stole him from the Flyers for Eric Meloche. Sharp finishes his Hawks career with 239 goals and 272 assists for 511 points. Putting it in perspective, he only totaled 15 points with the Flyers in 66 games. Sharp also had 80 points (42-38-80) in seven Chicago postseasons including 15 (5-10-15) in 2015.
At 33, Sharp now moves to Dallas where he’ll try to help the Stars get back in the playoffs. He’ll definitely aid their second line. It’s no secret the Stars were a one line team this past season far too reliant on Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky should benefit. Sharp will need to bounce back from an average regular season that saw his numbers drop from 34 goals and 78 points in ’13-14 to 16 and 43. He did miss 14 games. The Stars just became a hot ticket in Chicago. Plenty of Sharp fans will pay tribute. The Stars don’t visit the Windy City until February 11. The first meeting is December 22 at Dallas.
In the feel good moment of the summer stick tap to T.J. Oshie for speaking to his biggest fan five-year old Libby Lu on SportsCenter. When her Mom told her that Oshie was traded to the Capitals, she cried. A touching video shows Libby Lu joined by Dad Jimmy Manno as she gets the chance to speak to Oshie, who now is her favorite former Blue.
Oshie made a fan for life. He’ll send her an autographed jersey. Who knows? Maybe one day soon Libby Lu will get to swim in T.J.’s swimming pool.
The Rangers signed Magnus Hellberg today. Hellberg agreed to a two-year contract. Acquired from the Predators for a 2017 sixth round pick, the 24-year old Swede will compete for third goalie behind Henrik Lundqvist and new backup Antti Raanta. He’ll likely split time in Hartford with Mackenzie Skapski who is still recovering from hip surgery.
The club also agreed to a one-year deal with restricted free agent Marek Hrivik. The 23-year old has spent the past three seasons with Hartford after signing as a rookie free agent. In 72 games last season, he tallied 12 goals and 21 assists for a career best 33 points. Hrivik had a solid postseason adding three goals and six assists in the Wolf Pack’s run to the AHL Conference Finals.
David Conte (left) and Pavel Zacha (center), Conte’s final first-round draft pick for the Devils – NJ.com
It’s not often when a scouting director being replaced is front-page news. But then again, few scouting directors have had the career of David Conte, who was with the Devils for an incredible thirty-one seasons – or just one year fewer than the entire Devils franchise has been in New Jersey. After being a scout and assistant director of player personnel in the early days under then-GM Max McNab (yes Conte was actually around pre-Lou Lamoriello, a fact that surprised me when I heard it today), Conte served as the team’s director of scouting for the last twenty-two years under Lou, becoming a pointman for drafting and scouting almost every important player in franchise history.
Perhaps with the sweeping changes in the Devils organization this offseason, Conte being let go was inevitable. It’s still stunning to think just how much change has taken place in just one offseason – Lou out as GM, franchise icon Scott Stevens not being asked back onto the new coaching staff, fellow icon Martin Brodeur going back to St. Louis to continue his post-playing career in management there. And now – after a simple but heartfelt press release today – parting ways with the 66-year old Conte, who was as much a part of the success of the 1994-2012 era as anyone.
“David and I have had numerous discussions regarding his future,” Shero said in a press release announcing the move. “Based on our conversations, I believe it is in the best interests of our organization for David to pursue other opportunities and to not renew his contract,. I would personally like to thank David Conte for his 31 years of service to the New Jersey Devils organization.
“His contributions to the success of the hockey operations department have been immense. The search for his successor will begin immediately.”
Where that search leads is anyone’s guess…I’m hoping it’s not one of the guys from Shero’s bad Pittsburgh drafts (remember Angelo Esposito? Yuck…). He could bring in someone from Nashville from his previous contacts there, but their forward drafting historically has been just as bad as ours was in the last decade. Whoever Shero brings in likely won’t enjoy the success Conte did, recent dry spell with all non-defensemen aside. Although he was still an assistant in 1990, he was certainly part of the decision making process when it came time to draft Martin Brodeur. Other big successes followed, not all of them with high picks either. Scott Niedermayer, Patrik Elias, Petr Sykora, Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski, John Madden and Zach Parise are just some of the most high-profile successes, with Rafalski and Madden being UDFA signings. Others like Bill Guerin, Willie Mitchell and Jason Smith had long, distinguished careers though they spent the majority of their NHL career elsewhere. Arguably the Devils’ organization reached its zenith in 1995, when not only were they celebrating an NHL championship after the franchise’s first Stanley Cup, but also celebrated an AHL title in Albany, with a stacked roster filled with many draft picks who’d go on to have long careers in the NHL (Among others, Sergei Brylin spent time on both rosters that season and also went on to have his own distinguished career as a Devil).
Of course all good things must come to an end, and though the Devils have maintained a coda of building around defense with recent drafts that have churned out a majority of this team’s current and future blueline, they haven’t drafted a forward who’s made an impact at the NHL level since Adam Henrique in 2008. Even Henrique for all his playoff heroics in 2012, is still just a borderline top six player. And although Marty is the ultimate bragging right on any scout’s resume, they haven’t been able to draft NHL goalies since the early ’90’s (remember Ari Ahonen or JF Damphousse? Both former first-round picks who never amounted to anything), although one-time UDFA signing Keith Kinkaid and current second-round pick MacKenzie Blackwood may finally give the team some organizational depth in goal.
Still I was resigned to hear this news, especially coming off a draft I think could be this team’s best in the last decade from top to bottom. Conte himself has been around forever, and knew change was probably inevitable judging by his recent comments to beat writer Tom Gulutti:
“I’m not anticipating doing anything, but a lot of that depends on what Ray wants to do and I accept it all,” Conte said. There will never be an ounce of acrimony on my part. I’m so grateful to have been part of an organization that’s had this success and some of the great things that have happened and, more importantly, some of the great people I’ve met along the way.
“I met Scott Stevens when he was 18 years old.”
The bolded should serve as a fine coda to a distinguished tenure…I almost wrote career, but Conte may well remain in the NHL, especially since there are still teams that won’t be able to wait to throw their scouting director overboard to bring Conte in. I don’t think he’s ready to retire at 66 anyway.
David Conte (left) and Pavel Zacha (center), Conte’s final first-round draft pick for the Devils – NJ.com
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