Brandon Dubinsky signs extension with Blue Jackets

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Derek
Brandon Dubinsky agreed to a six-year contract extension with Columbus. Getty Images/usatoday.com

Brandon Dubinsky agreed to a six-year contract extension with Columbus.
Getty Images/usatoday.com

An old friend is staying put. Brandon Dubinsky signed a six-year extension with the Blue Jackets worth a reported $35.1 million. It also includes a no-trade clause. The deal keeps him in Columbus through 2020-21. Dubinsky was entering the final year of a contract with a cap hit of $4.2 million.

At 28, the former Ranger has become a key piece for the Jackets. After coming over with Artem Anisimov and Tim Erixon in the Rick Nash trade, Dubinsky has totaled 18 goals and 52 assists for 70 points in 105 games. During 2013-14, he tallied 16 goals and a career high 34 assists with four power play goals, two shorthanded goals and two game-winners. His 50 points ranked third in team scoring. It was his leadership and maturity that was on display in the postseason. In a hard fought first round series defeat, he registered a goal and five helpers against the Penguins while blanketing Sidney Crosby.

The style Dubinsky plays is similar to another ex-Ranger Ryan Callahan. The only difference is he’s bigger and stronger. At 6-2, 215 pounds, Dubinsky plays a physically grinding two-way game that makes him a fan favorite. For opponents, he’s a nuisance. He also doubles at center and takes faceoffs. He won 52.9 percent of draws. This is a player who can play in any key situation including power play and penalty kill.

Ironically, he brings all the intangibles Nash doesn’t. Even though that’s not a knock because Nash excelled in a PK role under Alain Vigneault. But his three goals during the Rangers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final is puzzling. That lack of production has turned a once thought no-brainer into a question mark. On the plus-side, Nash has led the Blueshirts in goals his first two seasons despite missing time due to concussions. The negative is his whopping $7.8 million cap hit which has another four years left through 2017-18. Obviously, he needs to produce more in the playoffs. It’s amazing they went as far as they did despite his lack of production.

With Columbus continuing to improve with the addition of Scott Hartnell, they should be a threat in the Metropolitan Division. There’s still one more hurdle. Leading scorer Ryan Johansen remains unsigned. The two sides aren’t close to reaching agreement. Johansen is a Group II free agent coming off a career season in which he led the Jackets in goals (33) and points (63) while adding two goals and four assists in the postseason. It’ll be interesting to see how long he holds out.

For now, the Jackets took care of Dubinsky guaranteeing he’ll stay. Cross another name off next year’s decreasing summer free agent list.

Posted in Off Season | Leave a comment

Toews and Kane latest superstars to avoid July 1

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Derek
With more star players staying put, would NHL be better off like the NBA? Getty Images/livenews.thestar.com

With more star players staying put, would NHL be better off like the NBA?
Getty Images/livenews.thestar.com

By show of hands, who’s actually surprised that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane agreed to identical eight-year $84 million extensions that’ll keep them in Chicago through 2022-23? A year away from unrestricted free agency, the Blackhawks dynamic duo will stay in the Windy City until they’re in their mid-30’s. Each enters the final year of matching five-year deals that pay them $6.3 million. Of course, nobody blinked. It was no secret they each wanted to stay with the only franchise they’ve known having led the Hawks to two Stanley Cups.

“There’s no organization in sports that cares more about the overall experience of their fans and the success of their players,” Toews said in a statement released by the team yesterday. “There’s nothing we want more as players than to continue to win Stanley Cups for the best hockey fans on the planet.”

Who doesn’t love winning? Any star athlete would sign up for the chance to compete for championships daily. Even in a salary cap era, the Blackhawks have five players signed into the next decade. That includes two-time Norris recipient Duncan Keith, goalie Corey Crawford and the majestic Marian Hossa. Third defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson is also signed through 2018-19. Brent Seabrook has two years remaining at $5.8 million per season. Think they won’t re-sign him?

Let’s face it. When it comes to July 1, hockey is a loser. Sure. It’s practically a national holiday for legions of puckers and experts. It’s also doomsday for general managers who lose their minds morphing into Martians handing out outlandish contracts to mediocre talent. How else do you explain Brooks Orpik receiving $5.5 million over the next five years in Washington? The same for Benoit Pouliot, who coaxed $20 million from Edmonton over the same term. Even vets Mike Cammalleri and Mikhail Grabovski are overpaid. But in today’s NHL, $5 million doesn’t get what it used to. Does anyone think Matt Niskanen is the ‘missing piece’ in the nation’s capital? $40.25 million over seven years for a third defenseman who largely benefited playing with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But if defensive defenseman Anton Stralman can score $4.5 million per over the next five in Tampa, anything’s possible.

My favorite WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase had a classic line which goes like this. “Everybody’s Got A Price!” Here’s the thing. What if hockey’s marquee talent were available? How much would they get? Imagine Crosby, Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Toews, Kane and Henrik Lundqvist on the open market. It’ll never happen because all are signed long-term with Lundqvist becoming the league’s richest goalie. His new deal kicks in starting this October. He’ll earn $59.5 million over the next seven years. A whopping average of $8.5 million per season, that could make him a Ranger for life. He’ll be 39 after 2020-21.

There’s nothing wrong with envisioning how much the game’s best could get if they hit unrestricted status. It would make the summer much better. Perhaps you’d even see GMs show economic restraint. Sometimes, they’re tossing away dollars just for the sake of tossing away dollars. In special cases such as the Islanders who needed to get to the salary floor, it better explains why they overpaid Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. It still would be better used on premium talent. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

In a game where you can use an amnesty clause to buyout a high salaried player like the Rangers did with Brad Richards, one ponders what it would be like if hockey was more like basketball. The NHL and NBA are completely different. While a flurry of activity took place last week, hoop fans are still anxiously awaiting the decisions of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. When James opted out, it was originally thought he’d re-sign with Miami alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who would take less to create room to attract missing pieces. Instead, rumors are swirling that King James could return home to Cleveland. With the game’s best taking his precious time, Anthony hasn’t decided if he’s staying with the Knicks. Even with rumors he would, there’s still a glimmer of hope for the Bulls and Lakers. Unless there’s some contingency plan to pair up with James.

Much is left to the imagination. Maybe that’s why I am enjoying the latest popular trend on Twitter appropriately entitled #LeBronWatch2014. It’s fun and exciting. There are also proposed sign-and-trade scenarios that generate buzz. What if NHL free agency was more like the NBA? Where your biggest stars could opt out and either renegotiate a more affordable deal to attract other players or decide to take ‘their talents’ elsewhere. Instead, we’re left debating over who is actually worth what they got. There aren’t going to be many yes’s. Not even for Cory Schneider getting his 7-year $42 million extension with the Devils with a year left on his original deal that pays him $4 million for 2014-15. An unproven number one goalie whose future salary is based more on statistics and potential.

For hockey fans, it’s all quiet with minor happenings. Deals are announced without fanfare like former sniper Dany Heatley landing in Anaheim and Steve Ott re-upping with St. Louis after they lost Vladimir Sobotka to the KHL. These are the real dog days. Arbitration awaits for key RFA’s with Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello all taking the Rangers there for pay increases. A tedious process that never satisfies anyone.

And here we are again left stating the obvious. In a cap system, flawed talent goes to July 1 and get paid. Meanwhile, elite talent such as Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are staying put in Anaheim. Everywhere you look, this is the norm. Tyler Seguin got his with Dallas. P.K. Subban will soon get a megadeal with Montreal rewarding him as one of the game’s top defensemen. In case you’re wondering about the future, Steven Stamkos and Anze Kopitar each can become UFA’s following 2015-16. Both are superstar centers who’ll have strong cases to make between $1o-11 million per year. Given how quickly teams work to re-sign their studs, don’t dream they’re leaving.

That’s not how it works in a vanilla league where few stars ever reach July 1. Ilya Kovalchuk is probably the best example before he got homesick. Zach Parise and Ryan Suter are very good players who scored identical paydays back home in Minnesota. Those are exceptions. Until that changes, there’s little reason to believe Chicago and Los Angeles won’t challenge for dynasty status. At least they play out West where competition is strong. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to admit that the East is weak by comparison. Even with two extra teams, they don’t stack up.

If you had the game’s best on the market vying for $11-12 million on average, it might raise the bar instead of lowering it. There are few bargains. Ryan McDonagh is paid an average of $4.7 million over the next five years to anchor the Rangers blueline. By comparison, role player Bryan Bickell makes $4 million for the Blackhawks. The difference being McDonagh re-upped as a Group II last summer while Bickell cashed in a big postseason and re-signed as an unrestricted. This is the norm.

I’m not advocating bit players not being paid. At what point is it enough? The answer is there’ll always be teams willing to overspend. It would be nice if it was for premium talent.

Posted in NHL, Off Season | 2 Comments

Devils ink Schneider to seven-year extension

Posted on July 9, 2014 by hasan4978

Devils goaltender Cory Schneider will be stopping a lot more pucks for the red and white in the years to come.

Just another quiet summer afternoon turned into a pivotal day for the New Jersey Devils, given that just over two hours ago GM Lou Lamoriello announced the team has signed goaltender Cory Schnieder to a long-term extension for seven years and $42 million dollars (AAV: $6 million).  With one more year left on his current deal at $4.5 million (cap hit of $4 million), Schnieder’s extension can ensure he stays in a Devils jersey until age 36.

“The first word that comes is excitement,” Schneider said. “I’m excited to be a New Jersey Devil for a long time, hopefully the rest of my career. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but it’s something that both Mr. Lamoriello and the ownership and myself, it’s something we all wanted to get done. They were very serious about it, which was great.

“We didn’t go back and forth too much. I think we were both on the same page and we wanted to do something that was good for both of us and to see that kind of commitment and belief in me was good for me to see and made the decision all that much easier.”

Schnieder’s well-chronicled saga over the last few years finally appears to be over as this deal makes clear he’s the heir to the crease that’s been occupied by Martin Brodeur for two decades.  Despite his travails dealing with the Roberto Luongo mess in Vancouver followed by last year’s ups and downs, Schnieder’s goaltending numbers have been superb to this point – putting up a 71-41-20 record in 143 career games with a 2.12 GAA, .925 save percentage and 12 shutouts.  Although last season’s record wasn’t what anyone hoped for (16-15-12) he still was outstanding for the most part, putting up a 1.97 GAA and .921 save percentage, including some key wins down the stretch to keep a fading Devils team alive.

While it was important for Cory to get financial and job security (his deal also includes a NTC), it was equally important for the Devils to re-sign him given both the top ten pick in 2013 they gave up to acquire him, and the fact that Brodeur for the first time in over two decades is not under contract and will likely not return.  Marty himself admitted that last year wasn’t ideal and that the Devils needed to be Cory’s team going forward.  Comments Cory himself alluded to in today’s conference call:

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Marty as I think everyone does who’s met him or played with him,” Schneider said. “In spite of what may or may not have happened on the ice in terms of playing time, etcetera, he and I always got along. We had a good relationship and I think we respected each other. It’s tough to handle those scenarios if you don’t have that respect, but I think we did and that’s what made it easier to kind of split the games or play when we were supposed to play. To hear him say (the importance of the extension), it means a lot to me because he’s kind of passing his legacy on.”

Clearly this day was in the back of Lou’s mind when he made that now-pivotal deal at last year’s NHL Draft – with thousands of Devil fans in attendance at the Rock mouths collectively agape when the deal was announced, before the big roar went up.  Lou detailed why it was important for the Devils to both acquire and extend Cory:

“He’s someone that we’ve coveted for a number of years and watching his consistency and also knowing the character of him, that’s very important in a goaltender,” Lamoriello said. “You have to have a goaltender who players want to play in front of, who respect each other. And Cory has that from his teammates and vice versa. So, there are so many reasons for it.

It is pretty rare indeed when you’re able to replace a legend like Marty with a talent like Cory.  Of course next year will be Cory’s first in the NHL as the true #1, but that opportunity has clearly been earned.  And at least now Cory finally won’t have any shadows looming in the background every time he plays, and he can just focus on being a stabilizing force for a younger defense.  Also this time, the Devils don’t have to worry about losing yet another key asset for free in the prime of his career.

Posted in Devils, Off Season | Leave a comment

Future Watch 2015 Draft

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Derek
Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid highlight 2015 CSS Future Watch. thehockeynews.com

Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid highlight 2015 CSS Future Watch.
thehockeynews.com

Following last month’s draft, prospect camps have opened up. Some have already been held with the Rangers holding theirs prior to the Fourth Of July weekend. Day 3 concluded with the shootout highlighted by some fancy moves and finishes from Chris McCarthy, Bryan Moore and Vinni Lettieri. The goalies were Brandon Halverson, Colin Stevens and Matt O’Connor.

New York Rangers’ beat writer Jim Cerny also had this exclusive interview with 2014 third round pick Keegan Iverson. He’s a 6-1, 219-pound forward who currently plays for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. Selected 85th overall, Iverson scored 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points, 70 penalty minutes and a plus-16 rating in 67 games. During the postseason, he tallied four goals and four assists with 12 PIM. Describing himself as a “power forward and a team guy who’ll drop the gloves when I need to,” that should endear him to our fans. Here, we see Iverson step in for fallen teammate Alex Schoenborn.

Iverson played on a deep team that featured 100-point scorers Nicolas Petan (WPG ’13 2nd) and Oliver Bjorkstrand (CBJ ’13 3rd). Picture a dozen players drafted over the past four years including Iverson’s teammates Chase DeLeo (WPG #99) and Dominic Turgeon (DET #63) also taken this year. Forward Paul Bittner (22-27-49) isn’t draft eligible until 2015. He put up six goals and six assists in the WHL playoffs. Figure him to be on some scouts lists.

Ironically, Bittner appears on the NHL’s Central Scouting list among top WHL skaters in their 2015 CSS Futures. Topping the charts among North Americans are Canadian Connor McDavid and American Jack Eichel. McDavid stars for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. In his second year, he tallied 28 goals and 71 assists for 99 points in 56 games while adding four goals and 15 helpers in 14 postseason contests. Eichel played for the U.S. National U18 Team registering 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points with 20 penalty minutes and a plus-20 rating. The 17-year old forward from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts will attend Boston University this Fall. Here are some cool highlight reels for both McDavid and Eichel.

Another player to keep an eye on is Czech center Pavel Zacha. In a recent Canadian Hockey League Draft, the Sarnia Sting selected him number one overall. But there’s no guarantee the 17-year old Czech forward will come over. Agent Allan Walsh tweeted that Zacha is under contract back home playing for Liberec Bili Tygri HC. In his first pro year, he posted four goals and four assists with 10 PIM in 38 contests.

“Sarnia just wasted the #1 overall pick in the CHL Import Draft on a player who’s not coming and has a professional contract. #RookieGM,” Walsh mentioned. There isn’t much video on Zacha. Though I did find a random one from a Liberec game of him skating.

It’s always intriguing to follow prospects. I’ll be putting up more features from the 2014 Draft for all four Battle clubs. Stay tuned.

Posted in NHL Draft, NY Rangers, Prospect Watch | Leave a comment

Assessing the Rangers Cap Situation

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Derek
Marc Staal is an important piece to the Rangers future cap situation. Getty Images

Marc Staal is an important piece to the Rangers future cap situation.
Getty Images

A week into July, the Rangers find themselves with a few players left to re-sign. Key restricted free agents Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello have all elected to go to salary arbitration. In doing so, it guarantees that each will be signed in time for training camp. At the very least, they won’t have to worry about any holdouts such as Derek Stepan’s last year before finally agreeing to a bridge deal that pays him another $3.075 million this season.

The likely candidate to get squeezed by Glen Sather is John Moore. Coming off a season in which he made $810,000 with the Rangers charged $965,000 completing his rookie contract, the 23-year old defenseman finished his third season establishing career highs in games (74), goals (4), assists (11) and points (15). He played on the third pair teaming with Kevin Klein, who came over for Michael Del Zotto. Moore made strides defensively but is still a work in progress. He was okay in the postseason registering two assists in 21 games. Alain Vigneault scratched him once in favor of Raphael Diaz and Diaz subbed for a suspended Moore in Game 7 of the Conference Final and Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Currently, the Rangers are approximately at $55 million according to capgeek.com. However, they’re counting depth additions Chris Mueller and Matt Hunwick with both likely ticketed for Hartford. Each is earning $600,000. So figure another $1.2 million saved. Assuming Jesper Fast makes the team, that’s $805,000. That gives Sather $15 million to work with. Most of it will go towards Brassard, Kreider and Zuccarello, who all figure to do well. Still, arbitration is tedious and Sather has always been a tough bargainer. You never can predict. Maybe something gets worked out between the agents of the players and Slats.

Sather would like to fit one more forward in. Whether it’s a bargain basement center (Carter, S. Koivu, Loktionov, Ribeiro) or a depth forward (Booth, Morrow, Penner, Setoguchi, Winnik), the Rangers can use another player capable of playing in the top nine to help offset the departures of Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot. Assuming Slats waits it out, he should be able to get someone on the cheap. In house, prospects Fast, Oscar Lindberg and J.T. Miller have the inside track on spots while Ryan Bourque and Ryan Haggerty could also be in play. Once Brassard, Kreider and Zuccarello are done, here’s what you got:

Kreider-Stepan-Nash

Hagelin-Brassard-Zuccarello

???-???-St. Louis

Glass-Moore-Fast

It’s easy to conclude that someone must be added. I threw out some choices above. For now, I penciled in Fast. Of course, there’s no guarantee he makes it. Figure a combination of him, Miller, Lindberg and maybe Bourque are options. I have no idea about Mueller. At 28, he’s spent parts of four seasons with Nashville and Dallas totaling eight points in 46 games. His best output came with the Predators notching two goals and three assists over 18 contests in ’12-13. In ’13-14, he spent most of the year in Texas with the Stars’ AHL affiliate tallying 25 goals, 32 assists and 57 points in 60 games. Fifteen of his 25 markers came on the power play. In nine games with Dallas, he had no points, eight shots and 11 hits.

If they learned anything, having four lines is important. Look what the trio of Moore, Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett were able to do. You can’t go into 2014-15 with Moore as your number three center. As versatile as he is, Dom’s best suited for that fourth line checking and penalty killing role. Since Tanner Glass is getting $1.45 million, you may as well stick him with Moore. Even if I hate the signing, he’s here because Vigneault is familiar with him from his stint in Vancouver.

Unless Sather is setting up for a trade, maybe this is the year they finally give kids a shot. Sink or swim with Miller instead of beating around the bush. Though if you read between the lines, Vigneault wasn’t thrilled with his maturity. At 21, the former 2011 first round pick possesses size and strength which should be pluses under AV’s system. At 6-1, 205, he is a capable forechecker who’s not afraid to go to the net. In Year 1, Vigneault preached the net presence of Kreider, who developed into a physical left wing who played with edge. Perhaps Miller can be that guy next season.

Some local bloggers have extolled the virtues of Lindberg, who had a good first pro season with Hartford placing second in scoring with 44 points (18-26-44) in 75 contests. The 22-year old former Coyotes’ second round pick might be ready. We’ll get a better idea in September. The same goes for Bourque, who could become a fixture on the fourth line. He scored 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points with a plus-16 rating in 74 games. Listed at 5-9, 178, the son of Ray Bourque is undersized but a diligent worker. Older brother Chris signed with the Rangers after splitting last year in the KHL and Switzerland.

Organizational depth is something they addressed by also bringing in Nick Tarnasky, Steve Kampfer and Cedric Desjardins for Hartford. It’s nice to have experienced players for development. The Wolf Pack missed the playoffs. More success can help.

As for team defense, Dan Boyle replaces Anton Stralman. Of course, the veteran is a different player who will contribute more offensively where he’ll be asked to quarterback the power play. The Rangers lose defensively in search for more offense from the blueline. That can prove beneficial helping out Ryan McDonagh. John Moore is capable of contributing. A superb skater with offensive instincts, he boasts a good shot. It’s just about harnessing it.

There’s no way Dan Girardi should see power play duty. Let him focus solely on 5-on-5 and penalty kill. Marc Staal isn’t a good option either but must produce better than 14 points in the season and five in the playoffs. He enters the final year of his contract earning $3.975 million. A defensive defenseman, the 27-year old former ’05 first round pick has been a fixture in our top four. He’s battled serious injuries and is one of the team leaders as an alternate captain. After returning from a concussion, he settled back in teaming with Stralman on the team’s second shutdown tandem. His best play came against the Pens during the second round. He struggled against Montreal and Los Angeles.

For Sather, the Staal dilemma remains. A year away from unrestricted free agency, he’s a valuable player who could command at least $6 million if he hits the open market. The Rangers must decide if he’s worth keeping. I’ve always been mixed on him. Part of me feels he’s too important a piece. A key part of the core, he’s extremely popular and a good teammate. Offensively, I’d love to see more but wonder if we’ve already gotten the best of him. Committing long-term will only further damage their cap. However, with Brady Skjei hinting at returning to Minnesota for one more year, the options are limited. One thing Slats wants to do is decide on Staal. Either re-sign or trade him. There’s no in between.

Currently, the Rangers’ top four are McDonagh, Girardi, Staal and Boyle. Once Moore re-ups, he and Klein are numbers five and six. Mike Kostka is the extra. Keep an eye on Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath. Hopefully, we get to see one eventually. I like what I saw from Allen in his brief stint. McIlrath got into two games as an emergency recall and had his first fight.

McDonagh-Girardi

Staal-Boyle

Moore-Klein

In goal, there’s no reason to worry. As long as they have Henrik Lundqvist, they’re fine. Even in a down season, King Henrik recovered from a poor first half and carried the team to its first Cup appearance in 20 years. He did everything in his power to get them there and never should face criticism again. Cam Talbot is recovering from a broken right hand suffered during warm ups in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final. He didn’t need surgery. Signed for one more year at a bargain cost of $562,500, the just turned 27-year old proved to be a steady backup winning 12 games with three shutouts, a 1.64 goals-against-average and .941 save percentage. Talbot is here for at least this year.

In assessing the cap situation, the Rangers have eight players signed for $36.85 million through 2015-16. Broken down further, that includes three forwards, four defensemen and one goalie. The forwards are Rick Nash ($7.8 million), Dom Moore ($1.5 million) and Glass ($1.45 million). The defensemen are Girardi ($5.5 million), McDonagh ($4.7 million), Boyle ($4.5 million) and Klein ($2.9 million). The goalie is Lundqvist ($8.5 million). Depending on what happens with Brassard, Kreider and Zuccarello, that could change. Also factor in John Moore, Staal and key 2015 RFA’s Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin, who are due raises. Martin St. Louis is unrestricted. He earns $5.625 million this season. That money could be freed up if he retires.

It’s hard to figure out what the future holds. The Rangers remain without a top line center and lost offense with the subtractions of Richards and Pouliot. They should remain competitive. Continued improvement from Brassard, Stepan, Kreider, Hagelin and McDonagh should stabilize them. The unknown dynamic are the kids. How ready are they and how soon will they be able to play pivotal roles? It’s why Slats must add a piece to a tricky puzzle. Don’t expect it anytime soon.

Posted in NY Rangers, Off Season | Leave a comment

New Additions Improve Islanders

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Derek
Reunited Again: Former Leafs Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin will team up again on the Islanders after agreeing to four-year deals on July 2. cbssports.com/Getty Images

Reunited Again: Former Leafs Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin will team up again on the Islanders after agreeing to four-year deals on July 2.
cbssports.com/Getty Images

For the Islanders, it’s hard to compete with other teams on July 1. Even with them making offers to some of the big names, they signed elsewhere leaving GM Garth Snow searching for other options. The fiery executive who pulled no punches on TSN after using the second round pick he got from Montreal for Vanek to trade up and select controversial forward Josh Ho-Sang, did a solid job on the second day of free agency adding forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin.

The former Leafs duo didn’t come cheap. Snow doled out four years, $20 million for Grabovski and four years, $16.75 million for Kulemin. As usual, the Islanders had to overpay. Especially for Kulemin who’s coming off a 20-point (9-11-20) season with Toronto. However, the moves along with the addition of Chad Johnson, who’ll back up new number one goalie Jaroslav Halak, help get the Islanders to the salary floor. They’re currently over $54 million with just RFA’s Anders Lee, Casey Cizikas, Calvin de Haan, Matt Donovan and Anders Nilsson to re-sign.

It was essential for Snow to add depth up front to support John Tavares. Grabovski can slot in on the second line allowing them to balance out their roster. That’s if he’s more productive than Frans Nielsen, who’s coming off a career year in which he established career bests in goals (25), assists (33), points (58), power play points (20) and shorthanded goals (2). Grabovski totaled 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 58 contests for Washington. A good puck possession player, he should give the Isles’ forecheck a boost. He also wins over 50.0 percent of his faceoffs going 53.0 for the Caps (346 and 295).

The good news for the Islanders is they also boast promising youngsters Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome. Each got necessary experience as rookies. In 72 games, Nelson registered 14 goals and 12 assists while Strome notched seven goals and 11 assists over 37 contests. Both should be heard from. With Snow bringing in Grabovski and Kulemin, it at least relieves some of the pressure.

In a recent interview with WFAN’s Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts, he also put more emphasis on players such as Josh Bailey and Michael Grabner to step up. Each were inconsistent in 2013-14. Bailey only scored eight goals but set new career highs in assists (30) and points (38). Signed for another four years at an average of $3.3 million per season, the 24-year old former ’08 first round pick must continue to grow. Otherwise, he could be moved for defensive help. Grabner disappointed with just 12 goals and 14 helpers. As usual, he was a penalty killing threat notching three shorthanded goals tying him with Cal Clutterbuck for the team lead. The 26-year old Austrian always gets chances due to his game breaking speed. If only he finished consistently. Grabner will make $3 million per season over the next two. The Isles need better production.

It’s interesting to see players who aren’t as productive as Kyle Okposo earning more money. He has two years remaining on a five-year deal that pays him $2.8 million per season. The Isles’ leading scorer turned in a career season erupting for 27 goals, 42 assists, 69 points with five power play goals and four game-winners. Of course, he benefited from playing on the top line with Tavares. However, the 26-year old former ’06 first round pick blossomed into nearly a point-per-game player posting 69 points in 71 games. He missed the final 10 with a lower body injury. Tavares is coming back from a left knee MCL tear sustained at the Sochi Games. He sat out the final 22 after tallying 24 goals and 42 helpers for 66 points in 59 games.

Jaroslav Halak should help the Islanders in net. Getty Images

Jaroslav Halak should help the Islanders in net.
Getty Images

With Snow able to shore up the goaltending by inking Halak for $18 million over four years and Johnson for $2.6 million over two, the only area he must pay attention to is the blueline. Shutdown defenseman Travis Hamonic and former number one pick de Haan are the cornerstones. Aging vet Lubomir Visnovsky enters the final year of a contract earning $4.75 million. The 37-year old Slovak only played in 24 games posting three goals and eight assists with a concussion sidelining him most of the year including the final 12 games. Only Hamonic is signed long-term. Brian Strait is the only other player who’s locked in for two years. Thomas Hickey is signed for a year and the only blueliner who played all 82. Vet Matt Carkner also is in his final year. T.J. Brennan was added as just a depth move probably for Bridgeport.

Considering how many forwards they have, figure the Islanders are setting up for a trade. They also signed Cory Conacher, who’s best known for being the other player back to Ottawa for Ben Bishop, who finished in the top three for Vezina as Tampa’s number one. How’d that work out? If they want to be taken seriously, they must upgrade the back end. Having Halak in net will help but how much if the D struggles. They should be able to score. It’ll be interesting to see if Snow makes any other changes. Only time will tell.

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Devils free agency – a wild ride (and it may not be over yet)

Posted on July 2, 2014 by hasan4978

Former Shark Martin Havlat is one of five FA’s the Devils signed yesterday, reuniting with some old friends.

Usually our July 1 drama is all about who we lose as opposed to who we bring in. Although we lost defenseman Mark Fayne as expected, to a contract that wasn’t quite as high as expected by the Oilers (apparently they were saving their really big offer for Benoit Pouliot), for the first time since the summer of Kovalchuk the Devils added more than they subtracted on FA day and filled some needs.  Scoring winger Mike Cammalleri gives us the goal-scoring LW that we sorely lacked last year to pair up with Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr.  Winger Martin Havlat adds to our scoring depth up front and reunites him with Czech buddies Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky.  Retaining Steven Gionta and Steve Bernier – the latter really surprising to me, the former not so much – all but reunites the fourth line with Ryan Carter still considering offers from the Devils and other unnamed team(s).  And signing Scott Clemmensen clearly signals the organization is willing to give young Keith Kinkaid a shot to earn the backup goaltender job behind Cory Schnieder.

What’s more, we’re still being linked to scoring winger Radim Vrbata even though we have thirteen forwards under contract already plus RFA Jacob Josefson plus Carter supposedly considering a return as well.  Apparently in the absence of a defensive glut we’ve decided to have a forward glut this year although it’s not exactly a bad idea given the age and injury history on most of our forward group.  As the jokers on TSN said to Cammalleri yesterday, ‘so you’re the young guy on this team’.  Close enough considering we have exactly two forwards under the age of 29 with one being Josefson, who’s back in limbo again with the return of Gionta and the signing of so many forwards.  Perhaps Reid Boucher and Stefan Matteau’s time will have to wait for the moment, which also isn’t a terrible idea since each only has one full season in the AHL under their belts and limited NHL experience.  There’s still time for them to make an impact, possibly even this year.

Since Derek’s recapped all the signings I’ll just give general thoughts on each player.  Cammalleri was obvoiusly the big fish of the bunch – and granted his five year, $25 million price tag was a little troubling to me at first, particularly considering he’s thirty-two years old and (like most of our forwards) prone to missing games from time to time.  I didn’t feel so bad after a few of the other contracts handed out yesterday though, and while obviously every player is going to profess his love for his new team it somehow seemed more sincere with Cammalleri.  As beat guy Tom Gulutti pointed out, it’s not often you hear a FA cite where the team ranks in goals allowed, especially considering it’s a forward.  And for his part GM Lou Lamoriello admitted that Cammalleri ‘knew more about the Devils than he I (Lou) would imagine because of playing with Gomez and Gionta’.  Lou also said of his new addition:

“He’s got the touch,” Lamoriello said. “He knows how to score. He knows the game, very astute hockey person technically as far as in our conversations and he works at it. We’re delighted to have him.”

If Cammalleri was a neccesary signing, Havlat was somewhat predictable given all the Czechs already on the roster, particularly good buddies Elias and Zidlicky.  Clearly the price was right considering he came on a one year, $1.5 million deal.  Whether the talented winger still has the ability to turn back the clock at 33 with a multitude of injuries behind him remains to be seen.  Havlat hasn’t been a top offensive player since 2011, when he finished off a 62-point season for the Wild.  Over the last three years he’s only played 135 games including playoffs, with 29 goals and 70 points total in that time frame.  Being with Elias can only help, as Havlat admits:

“We always great chemistry together,” Havlat said. “If I can say there were one or two players that actually had chemistry with during my career, I would say that’s Patty. So, I’m just hoping it’s going to work out well again. I don’t see a reason why not. So, hopefully, it’s going to be like that. There’s a lot of things that went wrong or could be better (in San Jose) and I just need to stay healthy and everything else I think is going be great. Whatever my role was on the past teams that’s behind me and I’m looking forward to me new role here.”

Fulfilling our ex-Devil quota, Lou again went back to the past bringing back Clemmensen to add to our organizational depth at goaltender.  By not signing a more big-name backup, Lou sent a dual message that it’s indeed Cory Schnieder’s team, and that it’s time for Keith Kinkaid to earn a spot with the NHL team, even if it’s as a 15-game a year backup.  Given Clemmensen signed a two-way deal (and the fact he’s had a couple of poor years in Florida), it’s more than likely he’ll begin the season in the AHL with Kinkaid getting the first crack at the backup role.  Of course he began 2008-09 in the AHL too and wound up being a savior for a couple of months when Martin Brodeur was shelved due to injury.

Speaking of Brodeur, it seems as if his status is in limbo after Pittsburgh, Tampa and Toronto all showed moderate interest but eventually backed out.  Which doesn’t entirely close the door to a Brodeur return here later on should Cory get hurt or something else disasterous happens though maybe he’ll just call it a day and retire.  I know he wants to get to 700 wins but if a 42-year old Marty is going to try to dictate the terms on which he gets to play then he’s not likely going to get to play.  I don’t want to tell Marty to retire if he truly loves the game, but he’s gotta be more reasonable in what he’s asking for considering the lack of goaltending spots available at the moment.

Also returning to the Devils was Stephen Gionta on a two-year deal at 800k, despite his brother Brian opting to go home to Buffalo and sign a three-year deal with the Sabres.  It wouldn’t have surprised me if we signed both Giontas honestly and it sounds like we were kicking the tires on Brian at least, given Clemmensen’s quote about how he was trying to help recruit Brian to come here.  Fellow fourth-liner Steve Bernier also decided to return, despite a blunt assessment from Lou on his 2013-14 season:

@Ledger_NJDevils: Lamoriello on Steve Bernier’s 1-year, $600,000 deal: “He did not have a good year. We brought him back to resurrect his career.”

Seemingly free agency is bringing out the Brian Burke in Lou as he also had some strong comments in regards to the Cammalleri signing, though it was more about free agency in general, admitting that guys get signed for too much money and too many dollars.  He’s not wrong but when your organizational depth is lacking and your two franchise wingers both leave in back-to-back seasons sometimes you have to pay the piper.  Although I’m not going to lie I do have misgivings about getting too happy over FA signings considering how rarely they work out, and our best FA offseason in recent memory turned out to be our worst (half) season in two decades.  Still, gaining players beats losing players.  And after the last couple of seasons you almost can’t have too much forward depth, though it looks like we’re going to try.

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As expected, Stralman lands in Tampa

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Derek
Saved By Stralman! Anton Stralman makes the save preventing a Kings goal in Game 4. He signed with the Lightning today. AP Photo/Bruce Bennett

Saved By Stralman! Anton Stralman makes the save preventing a Kings goal in Game 4. He signed with the Lightning today.
AP Photo/Bruce Bennett

It really is no shock that Anton Stralman landed in Tampa. I called it yesterday here.

A team that also used their compliance buyout on Ryan Malone and re-signed Ryan Callahan and dealt for Jason Garrison needed to subtract salary. According to capgeek.com, they’re currently at $63.63 million. That might leave room for one big move. I wouldn’t be shocked if they add a righty defenseman with Anton Stralman a possible fit. Matt Nisknanen might be a little out of their price range.

The 27-year old free agent defenseman agreed to a five-year deal worth a reported $22.5 million. It averages out to $4.5 million per season. Interestingly, I checked capgeek.com and they have his salary listed over a longer term. It has to be a misprint. There’s no way he got 7-8 years.

Stralman was a solid performer for the Rangers over the last three years. After Glen Sather signed him in November 2011, he developed into a top four defenseman capable of helping shutdown top scoring lines. A smart positional player who skates fluidly and moves the puck effectively, he teamed with Marc Staal on the club’s second pair. His growth supplanted Michael Del Zotto, who fell out of favor and was dealt to Nashville for Kevin Klein. He’s signed for another four years making an average of $2.9 million per season. At least they’re not asking Klein to replace Stralman by bringing in Dan Boyle.

This past season, Stralman posted a goal and 12 assists for 13 points and a plus-nine rating in 81 games. He had a strong postseason tallying five assists and going plus-four in 25 games during the Rangers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final.

With him, it’s not about numbers but rather about steadiness. A righty shot who can play top four, that made him valuable. He was able to score a big payday. Given how well he performed including stepping up physically with some crunching hits that appealed to our crowd, good for him. It’s well deserved. I wish him the very best as do most Garden Faithful.

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Devils add Marty Havlat

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Derek
The Devils added Marty Havlat agreeing on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

The Devils added Marty Havlat agreeing on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

Devils architect Lou Lamoriello wasn’t done on the first day of the frenzy. After signing Mike Cammalleri for five years, $25 million, he added veteran forward Marty Havlat inking him to a one-year $1.5 million deal.

The 33-year old Havlat was bought out by San Jose with a year left on a six-year contract worth $30 million. Instead, the injury prone winger joins his fifth team. A talented player, it’s always been about his health which is why his star has fallen. In 48 games with the Sharks, he registered 12 goals and 10 assists for 22 points along with a plus-14 rating. A lower body injury kept him out for 17 games following groin surgery. He only appeared in one postseason game not hitting the score sheet.

For New Jersey, it’s a calculated low risk move. The kind Lamoriello makes. If he can stay on the ice, it’d be interesting to see him play with Jaromir Jagr or Patrik Elias. Don’t forget another Czech pal Marek Zidlicky is still there. It looks like the Devils have become home of the Czech mates.

The Devils needed to add offense. They certainly have done it bringing in Cammalleri and Havlat. Will it work? Only time shall tell.

In related news, they also signed Steve Bernier for a year worth $600,000. The fourth line fixture stays following a tough season in which he had three goals and nine assists for 12 points with a minus-15 rating.

With Martin Brodeur not returning, the Devils also brought back Scott Clemmensen. It just came down on TSN. No terms yet on capgeek.com but it’s probably just for a year where he’ll back up Cory Schneider.

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Rangers re-sign Dominic Moore, add Tanner Glass

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Derek
Dominic Moore is congratulated by Brian Boyle after his series clinching goal in the second period. AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Dominic Moore is congratulated by Brian Boyle after his series clinching goal in the second period.
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

In what’s best been described as a chaotic Day 1 of the Free Agent Frenzy, the Rangers at least were able to keep one player re-signing Dominic Moore for two years, $3 million. GM Glen Sather also signed forward Tanner Glass for three years, $4.35 million. A curious move considering he’s a depth guy who probably could’ve gotten a shorter term.

Let’s focus on the positive. With Brian Boyle not returning, it was essential for Sather to bring back Moore. The popular 33-year old checking center came back to Broadway last summer after taking a year off following the death of wife Katie, who succumbed to cancer. Not only did he play well in whatever role Alain Vigneault gave him but was an inspiration and locker room leader.

I’m thrilled that Moore decided to stay. In 73 games last season, he had six goals and 12 assists with a shorthanded goal. The key faceoff man was a fixture on the penalty kill and an instrumental part of the fourth line that performed admirably. The biggest highlight being Moore’s series clincher against Montreal on a perfect feed from Boyle that allowed the Rangers to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. I’ll never forget it.

In 25 postseason games, Moore tallied three goals and five assists including two game-winners with none bigger than the one in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final. Of course, he’s more than just statistics. This is a player who works extremely hard and is versatile enough to slide up as Vigneault successfully did for Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. How about that performance in Game 1 against the Habs? All he did was set up two goals and go plus-two. In Game 2 when they had just fallen behind, he made a key defensive play that led to a tying goal from Ryan McDonagh 17 seconds later.

Joining Moore will be Glass. A rugged winger who posted four goals and nine helpers and registered 247 hits for the Pens in 67 games last season. He took part in eight playoff games going without a point and four penalty minutes. Originally a Panthers ’03 ninth round pick, he’ll join his fifth team. Glass spent the past two with Pittsburgh after previously playing in Winnipeg, Vancouver and Florida.

At 6-1, 210 pounds, he’ll add some beef. There’s no question the Rangers can use some physicality. I don’t think Glass is an everyday player. But that’s how he’s been used. They’re paying him $1.45 million per season. So, he’ll play. What that means for Jesper Fast, J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg, Ryan Bourque and Danny Kristo remains to be seen. Don’t forget they also signed college free agent Ryan Haggerty. These are all players who will get looks in camp with Fast and Miller having the inside track.

With Sather moving on already, it looks like we won’t see much more activity. He still must re-sign Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider, John Moore and Mats Zuccarello. Miller, Kristo and Bourque are also restricted.

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